Stepping Stones North Wales Wins Prestigious National Charity Award

22nd June 2026

Stepping Stones North Wales has been named a 2026 Weston Charity Award winner, securing a package of funding and specialist leadership support worth more than £22,000.

The charity was one of 22 winning entries from more than 180 charities from throughout Wales, the North of England and the Midlands. The award recognises the charity's impact in supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse across North Wales.

The Weston Charity Awards recognise ambitious frontline charities making a significant difference in their communities. As an award winner, Stepping Stones North Wales will receive a grant of £6,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation together with access to Pilotlight 360 – an intensive eight-month organisational development programme valued at approximately £16,000.

The programme will provide expert coaching and mentoring from senior leaders across the private and public sectors, helping the charity strengthen its long-term sustainability, diversify its income and build on its growing impact across North Wales.

Philip Eastment, Chief Executive of Stepping Stones North Wales, said:

"Winning a Weston Charity Award is a tremendous honour and a wonderful recognition of the difference our charity makes to the lives of survivors across North Wales.

This award belongs to our whole team. I want to thank our volunteers, support team, counsellors, trustees and everyone working behind the scenes whose compassion, professionalism and commitment make our work possible every day.

The support from Pilotlight and the Garfield Weston Foundation will help us become an even stronger charity, ensuring we can continue to grow, develop our services and reach more survivors across North Wales in the years ahead."

Clare Gough, Director at the Garfield Weston Foundation, commented:

"Warm congratulations to this year's Weston Charity Award winners. We are delighted to continue our partnership with Pilotlight in supporting an inspiring mix of charities doing vital work. As demands on the sector continue to grow, these Awards help charities take time to reflect, build resilience and plan for lasting impact."

Iana Petkova, Interim CEO at Pilotlight, added:

"At a time of real pressure on the charity sector, these awards provide more than funding. They create space for organisations to gain perspective and insight, think strategically and build for the future.

We know that when you invest in both people and strategy, the impact goes far beyond a single organisation. It strengthens the whole ecosystem. These awards are about investing in long-term change, not just short-term survival."

Since launching in 2014, more than 180 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. The most recent impact report found that six months after completing Pilotlight 360, 100% of charity leaders said the programme had improved the effectiveness of their senior management team.

The 2026 winners represent a wide range of causes, including mental health and wellbeing, training and education, housing, social care and financial support.

For more information about the Weston Charity Awards, visit: www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards