People in power have been reminded of the need to heed the voices of future generations in every decision they make.
Climate activists, public sector workers, influencers, a Hollywood actor and Welsh school children have been named on a list of changemakers by the departing first Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, for making a positive difference to Wales’ present and future.
Wales is the only country in the world with a Well-being of Future Generations Act and Ms Howe is coming to the end of her term as the world's first statutory Future Generations Commissioner.
To date, some of the achievements of the Act and commissioner’s role include helping to put a basic income trial on the agenda, interventions in transport that lead to the M4 relief road being scrapped in favour of more funding for public transport and a new transport strategy, a new purpose-driven curriculum and an emphasis on preventative healthcare.
Now the outgoing commissioner, who will finish her role at the end of January 2023, is highlighting just some of the changemakers from all across society working for a better Wales.
The Future Generations Changemaker 100 list features names like Amanda Davies, who developed the Bed Poverty Relief Scheme at Swansea Bay University Health Board, which donated surplus Covid-19 beds to a children's hospital and refugee camps in Moldova for Ukrainian people fleeing the war; trans activist, Zoey Allen, and actor and campaigner Michael Sheen.
Natalie Hodgkinson is a former maths tutor using coffee to tackle unemployment who founded Boss & Brew Academy in lockdown and has since offered free barista training and employability programmes to young people primarily in Butetown and Grangetown, Cardiff, the majority of whom are Black, Asian or of minority ethnicity.
Ysgol Bro Banw in Ammanford is one of three schools on the list and are highlighted for their commitment to tackling food poverty, via their joining of schemes such as Big Bocs Bwyd, which helps the children become food literate by growing, cooking and learning about food. The school uses waste from their school garden to create new recipes and they're learning business skills by opening a shop supplying low-cost healthy food for the community.
