“They’ve got to give us something to be hopeful for.”
These are the words of a young person who worked on this manifesto with us. It sums up our obligations to young people; ours as Barnardo’s Cymru, and those of candidates, elected politicians and policy makers.
The 2026 Senedd election comes at a pivotal time for babies, children, and young people in Wales. Having faced many challenges in recent years, children and their families remain positive about their future and want to see a government that can match their enthusiasm and passion for what their lives could be.
We call on every politician standing in this election to take the pledge to listen directly to babies, children, and young people, and to make every decision as though children were in the room with them. For too long, children have been overlooked and undervalued in political decision-making, despite representing the future of Wales that we are all committed to developing.
If you read one thing in this manifesto, please take a look at the letter from Hatti, aged 17, addressed to every candidate standing in this election. Hatti has written about the issues that matter the most to her, and the changes she wishes to see.
Every child in Wales has hopes, dreams and ambitions like those outlined by Hatti. For Hatti, the change she wants to see is around neurodiversity and the support that should have been available to her. For other children in Wales, their priorities may look different. This is why we can’t treat children as one homogenous group – we must engage with them thoughtfully in all their diversity and their differences.
Hatti’s letter demonstrates the passion and commitment of children and young people in Wales, and their desire to see change in their communities.
Young people must be listened to when politicians are making decisions about the future that we will inherit.
The wellbeing of our society should be the absolute centre of our focus as we progress as a nation. We need people to want to change for the better but also to be in a mindset that can approach the challenges of tomorrow in the most efficient and future-proof way.
Hatti
a 17-year-old who has been supported by Barnardo’s
Our key asks of the next Welsh government
The Barnardo’s Cymru manifesto outlines a set of commitments which it is urging all political parties to adopt.
This includes practical action needed to:
-
End child poverty in Wales.
-
Support families to give their children the best possible life chances.
-
Keep children safe from harm.
-
Support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
-
Transform the support and opportunities for children in and leaving care.
-
Ensure all unaccompanied children have access to support, services, and protection.
Highlights include a call for the introduction of a Welsh Child Payment, which research shows would have a significant impact on child poverty in Wales, alongside making a firm commitment to families by investing in the services that they need.
Barnardo’s Cymru is also calling for funding for comprehensive, whole-family support services for children and young people who are victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse and a commitment to ensure all children, young people and families receive timely mental health and emotional wellbeing support - with a statutory right for care-experienced young people to access mental health support from their local authority.