Ategi’s 30th anniversary event

2024 marks our 30th anniversary of supporting people to live their best life, their way. From our humble beginnings in Cardiff, we’ve grown into a charity that reaches across Wales and the UK, helping individuals achieve greater independence and fulfilment. To celebrate this journey, we hosted a special event in Cardiff on the 24th of September, bringing together our community to reflect on three decades of positive impact and shared achievements.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with a lively tombola run by our Fundraising Manager, Sheleagh. The generous prize donations from Tesco and John Lewis. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces—people we’ve supported, staff, fundraisers, and supporters—all together.

Our Chair of Trustees, Jill, alongside CEO Kate, shared inspiring stories from our history, highlighting how Ategi came to be. They spoke about the charity’s founding in the early 90's, a time when many people with additional needs were misunderstood and often misplaced in institutions like Ely Hospital. The closure of such facilities led to a surge in demand for community-based support, which is where Ategi stepped in, creating tailored, person-centred services.

The name "Ategi" itself, derived from the Welsh language, signifies support and care—a fitting reflection of our mission. Over the past three decades, we’ve stayed true to these values, ensuring that the people we support are at the centre of everything we do.

Richard, our Head of Services, spoke about the impact of our Support Circles group. He highlighted how these groups not only provide essential support but also create friendships, boost confidence, and create a sense of belonging within our community. Sheleagh then shared the vital role of fundraising in sustaining our work and outlined various ways people can support Ategi, from organising fundraisers to leaving a gift in their will.

It was also a moment to recognise and thank those who have gone above and beyond in their support for Ategi. We presented awards to our dedicated fundraisers for their efforts over the past year: Sarah, Gail, Maria, Matthew, Wil, and Karen.

We also held a special competition this year, inviting the people we support to create something that represents what Ategi means to them. The winner was a poem co-written by Juliet one of our Shared Lives carers and the ladies she supports; Michelle, Kelly, Chloe and Emma. Their poem reflecting on the positive impact Ategi has had on her life. Other notable entries came from Amanda, Becky, Mark, and Lee, whose works were equally heartfelt and celebrated.

As the event drew to a close, we were treated to a brilliant performance by Pip, someone supported through Shared Lives. Pip performed an Elvis song with passion and flair, which brought our celebration to an end on a high note.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this event possible. A special thanks to Claire from Teacups and Cupcakes in Cardiff for the stunning Ategi-branded cupcakes that were a big hit, and to Sharon from Tesco in Treforest and John Lewis for their generous tombola prize donations. We also appreciate the efforts of our wonderful craft group, who created the beautiful centrepieces for our tables.

Above all, a huge thank you goes to Karen from the Ategi team, who meticulously organised the entire event. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured that every guest felt welcome and valued, making the afternoon truly special.

As we celebrate 30 years of making a difference, we look forward to many more events where we can come together as a community, share stories, and celebrate the achievements of our community. We are proud of the impact we’ve made and are excited for the future, as we continue to provide innovative, person-centred support that enables people to live independently.

Here’s to the next 30 years and beyond!