Faith in Families is proud to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Cherrie Bija, has been named winner of the Public and Third Sector category at the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026, sponsored by Buffoon Media.
The award recognises exceptional leadership across Wales, celebrating directors who are making a lasting difference within their organisations and communities. Cherrie was shortlisted alongside a number of outstanding finalists, making this recognition even more significant.
Under Cherrie’s leadership, Faith in Families has grown into a trusted, community-rooted charity supporting children and families facing poverty, trauma, and crisis across Swansea Bay. Through initiatives including Community Cwtches and Cwtch Mawr Multibank, the organisation provides both immediate support and long-term, trauma-informed intervention.
Cherrie’s leadership is widely recognised for its authenticity, compassion, and clarity of purpose. She has also played a key role in shaping wider systems through national and regional leadership positions, influencing how services and funding support children and families.
Speaking following the award, Cherrie Bija said:
“This award means so much, but it doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to every single person who makes Faith in Families what it is, our team, our volunteers, and our partners who show up every day for children and families.“Everything we do is for the families we support now, and for those we haven’t met yet. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported, and this recognition is a reminder of why that work matters so much.”
The IoD (Institute of Directors) has been supporting and developing leaders since 1903, promoting strong leadership, good governance, and professional excellence across the UK and beyond.
Faith in Families hopes this recognition will shine a light on the importance of early support, community connection, and trauma-informed approaches in improving outcomes for children and families.
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About Faith in Families
Faith in Families is a Swansea Bay charity supporting children and families facing poverty, crisis, and trauma. Through its network of Community Cwtches, the charity provides safe, welcoming spaces where families can access early help, build confidence, and feel less alone. Services include parent and toddler groups, outreach support, and therapeutic interventions for children.
Faith in Families is a Swansea Bay charity supporting children and families facing poverty, crisis, and trauma. Through its network of Community Cwtches, the charity provides safe, welcoming spaces where families can access early help, build confidence, and feel less alone. Services include parent and toddler groups, outreach support, and therapeutic interventions for children.
Taking a trauma-informed and community-led approach, Faith in Families works alongside families to strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing, and prevent crisis escalation. The organisation supports families from pregnancy through to adulthood, with a focus on long-term, sustainable change.
About Cwtch Mawr Multibank
Cwtch Mawr Multibank is Wales’s first multibank, led by Faith in Families and in partnership with Amazon and The Multibank UK. It brings together surplus goods and essential items to support individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Cwtch Mawr Multibank is Wales’s first multibank, led by Faith in Families and in partnership with Amazon and The Multibank UK. It brings together surplus goods and essential items to support individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Working through a professional referral model, Cwtch Mawr provides access to essentials with dignity, ensuring support reaches those most in need at the right time. The multibank also acts as a gateway into wider support, connecting families with services that can help them move forward.
By working in partnership with businesses, community organisations, and statutory services, Cwtch Mawr Multibank is helping to transform how communities respond to crisis across Swansea Bay.