Y Farchnad

Meet Members of the Senedd and raise awareness of your work in Wales.

If your work impacts Wales, Y Farchnad provides a direct platform to share key evidence and engage directly with Members of the Senedd.

 

What is Y Farchnad?

Y Farchnad (which means 'the Marketplace' in English) is a regular engagement event held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Held on designated Wednesdays, it gives organisations an opportunity to host a stand in the heart of the Welsh Parliament and engage face-to-face with Members of the Senedd (MSs) and other participating organisations.

When is the next event and who is attending?

- Usdaw Freedom From Fear
- Public Services Ombudsman for Wales – Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus  Ombwdsmon Cymru
- Care & Repair Cymru
- YnNi Teg
- Cancer Research UK
- RSPB Cymru
- Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project – Prosiect Adfer Dalgylch Gwy Uchaf
- Elevate Employment Services
- National Trust Cymru – Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol
- Wales & West Utilities
- Platfform
- VOICES ADFOCAD

- National House Building Council
- Macmillan
- ExChange Wales
- All Wales People First – Pobl yn Gyntaf Cymru Gyfan
- Ofgem
- General Medical Council (GMC)
- Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru
- BMA Cymru Wales
- The Open University in Wales - Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru
- Asthma + Lung UK Cymru
- Celtic Credit Union
- Joseph's Smile

Do I have to host a stand to attend the event?

No. Y Farchnad is free and open to the public. Visitors are welcome to explore the event, meet stand holders and speak with attendees, including Members of the Senedd. Organisations wishing to exhibit, display materials or actively promote their work must apply for a stand in advance.

 

How do I apply to host a stand?

We welcome applications from organisations of all sizes, community groups and individuals seeking to raise awareness of a cause or project. It is free to host a stand, but there are a few steps you need to take to apply:

  1. Submit an application form. Due to very high demand, we recommend submitting your application up to 11 months in advance. Please be as detailed as possible. Submitting an application does not guarantee a place. We will contact you once your application has been considered. When planning each Y Farchnad, we aim to provide a varied programme of organisations, themes and issues.
  2. Secure Sponsorship. If you are offered a place, you will need to secure sponsorship from a Member of the Senedd. A Member may sponsor more than one stand and a stand may be jointly sponsored by more than one Member.
  3. Prepare your stand. On the day, we will provide a table, two chairs and space for pop-up banners. WiFi is available throughout the Senedd, but power cannot be supplied to individual stands, so please make sure any devices are fully charged.

Once your stand is confirmed, you will receive an email from our Venues team with more information about what to bring, how to prepare and what to expect on the day.

In the meantime, please take a look a our FAQs below for more information. If you have a question that isn't covered below, please contact venues@senedd.wales or 0300 200 6208.

FAQs

If you are offered a place, you will need to find a Member of the Senedd to sponsor your stand.

If you’d like to seek sponsorship from a Member who has an interest in your topic, or sits on a relevant committee, visit our committee page to find out more. 

Inside the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay, there are areas known as the Neuadd and Oriel. This is where Y Farchnad takes place. 

You can take a virtual tour of the Senedd to see the space, or find information about how to get to the Senedd.

Y Farchnad takes place on designated Wednesdays between 11:30 – 14:00.

Organisations are encouraged to set up their stands at 11.00.

We typically accommodate around 12 stands at each event to allow for meaningful engagement and networking with Members of the Senedd.

You can find directions, information on transport and the security process on our Plan Your Visit page.

Each stand will be provided with:

- a 6 foot/1.8m trestle table

- two chairs 

- a tablecloth in a neutral Senedd colour (though you are welcome to bring your own)

- access to WiFi 


Y Farchnad is designed as an informal, face-to-face engagement event and does not include speeches or formal presentations. AV equipment is therefore not provided.

You could bring one or two pop-up banners and materials so your brand or logo is clearly visible from a distance. Please keep display materials within your allocated stand area.


You can also bring your own device such as a laptop. Please ensure any electronic devices are fully charged as you will not have access to a power source during the event. 


You could also bring some small giveaway items to give to people engaging with your stand. 


Props or displays that enhance engagement opportunities are also encouraged, as long as they fit within your exhibiting space. These would need to be agreed with the Venues team in advance. 

No, items brought into the Senedd cannot be sold on the premises, nor can money be raised on-site.

There is no formal limit on the number of representatives attending with a stand.

However, because of space and operational requirements, we may ask organisations to limit numbers where possible. We will take account of access needs and the involvement of people with lived experience when considering numbers.

Refreshments are available from the Senedd café. Stand holders can also arrange for a small selection of Welsh cakes to be provided at their stand through the Senedd’s on site catering team. Menu and booking details will be shared once your stand is confirmed.

Yes. Photography is permitted in the Senedd. Please be considerate when photographing other people and ensure you have the appropriate permission before sharing identifiable images of members of the public online.

If you have any other queries please contact venues@senedd.wales or 0300 200 6208.