Faith in Families, the Swansea-based charity, has been named the winner of the Charity Sustainability Award at the Charity Times Awards 2026 in London for its work through Multibank Cymru (formerly Cwtch Mawr Multibank). The accolade recognises a model that links environmental stewardship with social support by directing brand-new surplus goods to people facing poverty, crisis and hardship.
From surplus to support across Wales
Judges commended Multibank Cymru for its practical approach: ensuring usable items are given a second life while being distributed with dignity through established community partners. The programme channels essentials such as clothing, toiletries, baby supplies, bedding and household goods from sources of surplus into local organisations who can pass them on where they are most needed.
The success of the model, Faith in Families says, rests on a network of collaborations. The charity explicitly credits Amazon and the wider Multibank UK network for providing the infrastructure, relationships and access to surplus stock that have allowed the initiative to scale and reach communities across Wales.
“Winning the Charity Sustainability Award is an incredibly proud moment for Faith in Families, for Swansea and for Wales.”
The award highlights how a focus on sustainability can go beyond waste reduction. By taking new but surplus items and routing them into community distribution channels, the organisation aims to reduce environmental impact while meeting immediate needs and preserving the dignity of recipients.
Practical impact and partnership
Although Faith in Families describes itself as a relatively small charity, the Multibank model has enabled it to act at a larger scale than might otherwise be possible. The organisation’s partners supply not only goods but also logistical and operational support that helps Multibank Cymru operate efficiently across Wales.
- Goods distributed include clothing, toiletries, baby products, bedding, hygiene items and household goods.
- Distribution is carried out via trusted community organisations to reach families and people in hardship.
- Partnerships with businesses and the Multibank UK network underpin the scheme’s scalability.
For Swansea residents, the award is both a point of local pride and a reminder of how civic and corporate partnerships can support vulnerable people in the city and beyond. Local community groups and frontline services often rely on timely donations of essential items; Multibank Cymru’s model aims to streamline that supply while avoiding waste.
What the award means locally
The national recognition at the Charity Times Awards raises the profile of work taking place in Swansea and should help Faith in Families attract further support and partnerships. For those working in the city’s voluntary and statutory sectors, a visible, well-resourced redistribution network can reduce pressure on stretched services and provide practical help to families who need it immediately.
| Award | Organisation | Project | Key partners | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Sustainability Award (Charity Times Awards 2026) | Faith in Families | Multibank Cymru | Amazon; Multibank UK network | Swansea |
Leaders at Faith in Families describe the Multibank approach as demonstrating what sustainability can look like when charities, businesses and communities work together around a shared purpose: not merely cutting waste, but putting existing resources to compassionate and practical use.
The award will place a spotlight on this model as other charities, businesses and councils consider how best to combine environmental aims with social support. For many in Swansea, the recognition will be welcome confirmation that local action can have national impact — and that practical, locally rooted solutions can make a real difference to people’s lives.
