Pembrokeshire Voice

Issue 44 February 2009 Rhif 44 Chwefror 2009

PAVS Trustee Board welcomes new members

Contents:

2 The PAVS Annual General Meeting took place on 10th December 2008 Foreword Partnership Working 3 and proved to be an extremely successful event, enjoyed by all members Funding 5 and staff who attended.

The event was sponsored by Unity Trust Bank, one of the UK’s leading Charity Banks, and Jon Field (Regional Manager) was on hand to give information and advice on the wide range of products the Bank offers, specifically designed to meet the needs of the third sector. In addition to PAVS information stands, several member organisations also took advantage of the opportunity to promote their services ­ so there was plenty to see during the “networking” session at the start of the evening!

In his report to members, Nigel Owen (Chair of Trustees) paid tribute to colleagues on the Trustee Board and to staff members at PAVS for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. He also thanked funding bodies for their ongoing support for the Association.

Five new Trustees were elected to the Board at the AGM ­ Bernie Scourfield (Lamphey Village Hall); Bernard Coldicott (Arthritis Care); Rod Bowen (PACTO); Simon Preddy (Keep Wales Tidy) and David Kerrison (Pembrokeshire Citizens Advice Bureau). Chris Blakemore was also re­ elected to the Board, having stepped down by rotation in line with PAVS’ Constitution. This brings the total number of Trustees on the Board to 11 full members, with Councillor Sian James, the Pembrokeshire County Council nominated PAVS representative, attending as an Advisor. Cllr James is also the Cabinet member with the voluntary/community sector portfolio, so her attendance at future Board meetings is very welcome.

Following the business of the AGM, Peter Davies (Sustainable Development Commissioner for Wales) gave an informative and thought provoking keynote speech on the theme of “Business and the Third Sector”.

This was then followed by a “Question Time” session with panel members responding to a range of challenging questions presented by the audience.

Voluntary Sector News 11 Training 13 Volunteering 19 News from Groups 25 Consultations 28 PEMBROKESHIRE ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES CYMDEITHAS GWASANAETHAU GWIRFODDOL SIR BENFRO 36­38 High Street Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 2DA Tel: 01437 769422 Fax: 01437 769431 36­38 Y Stryd Fawr Hwlffordd Sir Benfro SA61 2DA Tel: 01437 769422 Ffacs: 01437 769431

Copies of the Annual Report can be downloaded from the PAVS website, or hard copies can be sent out on request.

Deadline for copy for the next issue is: Friday 17 April 2009 email to: info@pavs.org.uk ‐1‐

www.pavs.org.uk

Foreword Happy New Year! After a welcome Christmas break, PAVS is now right back in the swing of things and, if January is anything to go by, 2009 is shaping up to be an extremely busy and challenging year, both for the Association and our partners.

As Chief Officer of PAVS, I have been invited to join the NHS Transition Board for the new Hywel Dda Local Health Board (which covers the former Dyfed region of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion). This Board is charged with steering through the process of establishing a single health organisation for the region ­ and having everything in place by October 2009!

WAG has launched a second phase consultation into the re­organisation of the NHS in Wales ­ the deadline for receipt of responses is 25th February 2009. One of the key challenges is to ensure the design and delivery of locality based services within the new “regional” LHB. Please take the opportunity to contribute your views ­ contact Michelle Copeman at PAVS for more information.

For more information about the work of CYPP and other strategic and planning partnerships in Pembrokeshire, please visit our new on­line resource at www.pembs­networking.org.uk.

This website brings together the work of the Representation and Joint Working team at PAVS, and provides information about planning and consultation processes, including feedback from meetings and links to partner sites. It is designed to provide general information to groups, but has an additional specific function to support third sector representatives in what can sometimes be a difficult and challenging role.

The Convergence Programme continues to roll out slowly but surely ­ see below for details of the new Engagement Gateway project which has just been launched.

What is now coming through is a plethora of procurement opportunities, as successful project sponsors start the process of commissioning service delivery organisations. If you are interested in delivering services, then please ensure you are January has also seen a round of meetings of the registered with Sell2Wales so that you receive Executive and Core Aim Groups associated with the automatic alerts of invitations to tender. You may also Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP). wish to register your interest with the Pembrokeshire Progress has also been made on developing a shared County Council Spatial European Team (SET) ­ workforce development strategy for CYPP members, contact Amy Gilbert on 01437 776176 or e­mail taking the “one sector, one workforce” approach amy.gilbert@pembrokeshire.gov.uk . already adopted in the area of social care.

Enjoy the read!

Sue Leonard ­ Chief Officer

STOP PRESS: LAUNCH OF ENGAGEMENT GATEWAY SCHEME PAVS is pleased to announce the recent launch of the Engagement Gateway scheme, which offers opportunities to fund volunteer initiatives that provide targeted support to help people into employment.

The Gateway Scheme is managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and is funded under the European Union’s Convergence Programme. The aim of the scheme is to reduce economic inactivity in Wales and improve the employability of disadvantaged people furthest from the labour market.

The Gateway will invest in organisations that work with people who may be out of touch with mainstream services, or at high risk of long term benefit dependency. These groups will include people facing specific disadvantage including people with a work limiting health condition or disability; mental health service users; people over 50 years of age and young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs).

The Gateway offers contracts for up to two years, and any organisation will be able to tender for contracts through a procurement process. There are three levels of contracts: · · ·

Level 1: up to £25,000 (no match funding required) Level 2: £25,000 ­ £75,000 (match funding required) Level 3: £75,000 ­ £150,000 (match funding required)

PAVS is currently working with WCVA to organise a workshop on the tender process for organisations who may be interested in bidding and further details will be published shortly. In the meantime, please register your interest in attending with Caroline Graham at PAVS. www.pavs.org.uk

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Partnership Working The third sector meets Ministers for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Representatives of third sector organisations had three items on the agenda to discuss with Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (CELLS), and John Griffiths AM, Deputy Minister for Skills, at their autumn 2008 meeting – the future planning and funding of non­formal learning, the opportunities offered by Olympics 2012 for increasing physical activity in Wales, and the 2009­10 budget.

The third sector presented a paper on non­formal learning outlining the contribution of third sector organisations to this field and expressing concern about the emphasis put on skills, rather than learning, in the new proposals for Adult and Community Learning (ACL).

The Deputy Minister stressed that in the current economic climate budgetary constraints would place limits on Assembly Government spending. The new ACL strategy aimed to produce a more rational policy framework by identifying duplication and creating added value. He stressed that the voluntary sector was an important partner in achieving these aims and said that WAG would make a detailed response to the points raised in the paper.

Third sector representatives then presented a paper on how the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics can be used to encourage an increase in physical activity, particularly in educational and young people’s organisations. The Minister agreed that these provided an excellent opportunity and explained that her department was already looking at this. She suggested that the third sector representatives liaise with her officials.

Finally, the Minister was asked to introduce her priorities for 2009­10, the budget, and its implications for third sector organisations. She said that the budget would be tight and given the current economic context, the Chancellor’s Pre­Budget Statement would impact on the Assembly Government’s spending. The Minister’s main priority was the Foundation Phase and extra funding had been secured from the reserves to support it.

All Ministers were examining their policy priorities but the DCELLS budget had increased by 5.5% while other Departments had seen a 3.4% increase.

Money for disabled children was another Ministerial priority and additional funds had been allocated to disabled children programmes. The Minister also highlighted the innovative work that was taking place within DCELLS to identify children’s budgets, across all WAG departments.

Third sector representatives asked that the Minister should also look at how budget allocations took account of the consequences of spending in one area on that of another area; what might be called ‘lateral budgeting’ e.g. tackling child poverty by providing parents with adult learning opportunities.

You can find copies of the all papers and minutes of ministerial meetings at www.wcva.org.uk/policy

Third sector meets Minister for Social Justice The second 2008 meeting between the third sector and the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons AM, took place on 5 November 2008 at the old Assembly building in Cardiff Bay, with the Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews AM, also in attendance.

The third sector introduced key issues included in the very well reasoned and evidenced paper concerning violence against women, which goes beyond domestic abuse to include female genital mutilation and honour killings. It was acknowledged that some women are particularly vulnerable to violence, such as those with disabilities, with mental health problems, from black and ethnic minority communities and refugee and immigrant women. Specialised support in order to deal with issues such as forced marriage and trafficking are in place. For example, there is the three year ‘Forced Marriage and Honour Based Crime Action Plan’.

However, the third sector argued strongly in favour of further support to tackle all forms of violence against women.

(Continued on page 4)

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Partnership Working (Continued from page 3)

The lack of public funds available to women in abusive relationships which would enable them to leave their home was highlighted, in addition to a lack of clear guidance on how to deal with such situations. Although the third sector welcomed the investment already made in sexual assault referral centres, additional funding and facilities such as rape crisis centres were required to assist rape survivors. It was also recognised that a strategy was required to prevent men from re­offending.

The Minister noted that violence against women was a much broader issue than domestic abuse and agreed that further work was required to tackle all of the issues. Aside from looking at law and order, the Minister suggested that personal attitudes should be addressed, partly by raising awareness of the problem in society.

Welsh Assembly Government officials confirmed that a strategic action plan was currently under development as part of enhancing the delivery of the Domestic Abuse Strategy. The action plan will take account of comments received following on from the Communities and Culture Committee scrutiny of this topic and would be ready for launch during March 2009. The third sector stressed the importance of also taking account of the points raised at this ministerial meeting.

The third sector went on to introduce its paper about Communities First. One concern expressed was that there seemed to have been no feedback to those who responded to the consultation about the future of Communities First. There was a real need to let people know how their responses had influenced the decisions about the future of the scheme. This was not just a matter of publishing consultation responses on the Welsh Assembly Government’s website ­ people needed to know how their views had influenced the final plans. This is an issue in relation to all Welsh Assembly Government consultations, but it is highly relevant to Communities First. The Deputy Minister then offered to give an interview to the Communities First magazine explaining how people’s views influenced the decisions reached.

Following on from the spring Ministerial meeting, the third sector asked for information on how the engagement of the sector in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘policy gateway’ processes was progressing.

The Welsh Assembly Government agreed to provide a report to the spring 2009 meeting which will say which third sector organisations have engaged in the ‘policy gateway’ and their impact on policies.

The Welsh Assembly Government raised the topic of new Welsh law concerning local government. The Local Government (Wales) Measure is partly designed to bring together the improvement system in Wales, currently known as the Wales Programme for Improvement, with community planning and community strategies.

Overall, the meeting welcomed this aim and WCVA’s response to the consultation on this proposed Measure may be found on its website ­ www.wcva.org.uk.

The Minister concluded by discussing the forthcoming Social Enterprise Action Plan and the Welsh Assembly Government clarified that, whilst the plan was nearing completion, a final publication date has yet to be confirmed. The Minister stated that, once delivered, the action plan would make a difference in the world of social enterprise.

Funding PAVS Funding Advice Service Have you got a project which is in need of some funding?

A range of information, guidance and practical help for voluntary and community groups with funding related issues is available through the PAVS Development Team. For more information about the support available please contact the Team on (01437) 769 422 or e­mail development@pavs.org.uk www.pavs.org.uk

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Funding Events Lloyds TSB Surgeries – Spring 2009 PAVS is co­ordinating Lloyds TSB Foundation funding surgeries for spring 2009. In these sessions groups have the opportunity to meet with the Lloyds TSB Grants Manager for advice on eligibility and guidance on applications. Get in touch with us now if you would like to attend and a date will be finalised once we have a list of groups. Prior to registering an interest, please ensure that you are eligible for support.

If you are unsure about eligibility, then refer to the checklist on the web­site which takes you through a series of eligibility questions. http://www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk/HowtoApply To register an interest in these surgeries contact Lindsay Morgan at PAVS on (01437) 769 422 or e­mail lindsay.morgan@pavs.org.uk and a date will be finalised in the coming weeks.

You must be:­ · A registered charity whose core work helps disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in communities in Wales · A local or regional charity with an income of £1 million or less

Funding & Development Outreach – coming soon…

At the beginning of July we will be going out on the road again in Pembrokeshire to meet with as many groups as possible. We will visit 4 or 5 different venues around the County and if you think that groups in your area would benefit, then this is your chance to ask us to come out to you. Please get in touch and we will see if we can accommodate you!

Lloyds TSB Foundation is particularly interested in work that achieves this through: · improved social and community involvement · improved life choices and chances · helping people to be heard The scheme will consider applications for running costs, including salaries, to ensure that charities can maintain and develop their core work/services.

If you are interested, then please call the office or e­mail development@pavs.org.uk

PAVS’ Grants & Local Funding Pembrokeshire Impact Fund Two rounds of applications have now been assessed and we are pleased to have awarded funding of £53,505.40 to 23 successful applicants. We still have around £35,000 for distribution to groups in the current financial year so make sure that you get your applications in for the next deadline on the 20 th February.

The 2009/ 2010 deadlines are 29 th May 2009, 4 th September 2009, 20 th November 2009 and 15 th February 2010. All applications must be received in the PAVS offices by 5pm on the relevant deadline date.

The scheme can support voluntary and community groups applying for up to £3,000 towards capital costs for a project. The scheme is not able to fund the running costs of an organisation so, for example, would be unable to support applications for general office equipment. Projects need to show how they address the key themes of community involvement, sustainability and equal opportunities.

Examples of projects funded in the recent round include:­ · Equipment for community halls · Refurbishment of community facilities · Equipment for a play area...and much more…

The next deadline date is 20 th February 2009 and do remember that PAVS staff are here to help ­ if you would like to discuss a possible project idea or request support from one of our officers to complete an application form, then just get in touch!

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PAVS Grants & Local Funding Pembrokeshire County Council Social Care and Housing Small Grants 2009/10 Grants of up to £5,000 are now available for voluntary and community groups in Pembrokeshire. This scheme funds small, one­off projects and will also consider support to ongoing activities which meet the themes and can demonstrate their impact on Pembrokeshire residents.

In previous years the Local Health Board has also contributed to the scheme. The availability of this additional funding will be discussed at their Board meeting at the end of January, and if this is forthcoming, then it will also form part of this scheme.

Applications for funding need to deliver against all or some of the themes of:

· · · · · ·

Supporting hospital discharge Supporting prevention of admission to hospital Supporting carers Supporting people to be independent Supporting people to live in their own homes Supporting people to be responsible for their own health

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 2 nd March 2009. Completed applications must be returned to Pembrokeshire County Council.

If you would like to receive an application pack, then please contact Nicola Tinsley at Pembrokeshire County Council on (01437) 775 346 or PAVS on (01437) 769 422. If you would like any support with the application form, then please contact PAVS Development Team.

Funding News Big Thinking – Have Your Say On Future Lottery Funding As the current Lottery programmes are drawing to a close, the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has just launched a consultation, inviting the public’s views on how funding should be allocated through its grant programmes over the coming years.

They are expecting to distribute over £2 billion between 2009 and 2015, and this consultation seeks the opinions of the general public, so they can help shape future funding policies. The survey contains an initial section on UK wide priorities, then has a Wales country­specific section. They are also asking for views on four specific areas for future funding in Wales. The areas are: older people; climate change; transfer of community assets and citizen’s voice.

Some of the questions, such as question 4 in the UK questions section, will have a direct impact on the availability of future funding for Third Sector www.pavs.org.uk

organisations. This question asks whether the BLF should maintain its commitment to awarding between 60 and 70 per cent of funding to the voluntary sector or whether "funding should go to the organisation in the best position to deliver the project outcomes, whichever sector they are from".

If you prefer to just feed in general comments, then PAVS will be making a response to the consultation.

Please contact Lorna Unwin to discuss on development@pavs.org.uk or (01437) 769 422.

The consultation can be accessed on­line, and hard copies are provided on request. The consultation will be open until 27th February 2009, and the results will be published next summer. Visit the website for more details and to complete the consultation document at: www.big­thinking.org.uk

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Funding News Institute re-issues Fundraising Codes of Practice

Funding in an economic downturn

The Institute of Fundraising has re­issued four of its Codes of Fundraising Practice to bring them in line with changes in legislation.

There are a lot of articles around concerning the effect of the economic situation on the voluntary and community sector, so here are a few snippets:­ ­ Senior Charitable Foundation figures have said that the economic downturn is unlikely to affect levels of grant funding for the next two or three years. However this could change in the longer term, leading to changes in grant­making policy to meet the changing needs of society in challenging times. The message is that they are in it for the long term. ­ At a time when charities face difficulties, communicating with funders is of the utmost importance. ­ According to a report published by Philanthropy UK, major donors will remain committed to supporting charitable causes with some likely to donate more during the recession. The report claims that donors are remaining faithful but are being more cautious. Some may change the way they give rather than the amount and are likely to be more focused on the impact made by organisations and how efficiently they operate. ­ Donors will be looking for greater accountability and transparency. ­ There is a real need for clarity of mission and focus on organisational development and governance while reducing unnecessary costs and diversifying funding sources. ­ In a recession long­term planning is even more important.

The following Codes of Practice have been updated by the legal review team:­

· · · ·

Data Protection The Management of Static Collection Boxes Telephone Fundraising Raffles and Lotteries

The biggest changes were made to the Raffles and Lotteries Code, which was revised after the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005, effective from 1 st September 2007.

Amendments reflect the Government's lifting of the maximum ticket price for lotteries and the fact that special licenses must be obtained in order to carry out lotteries over the telephone or on the Internet.

There will be further reviews to ensure that the Codes are all consistent with new legislation such as the Charities Act 2006 and the Gambling Act 2005.

The up­dated Codes of Practice are all available on the Institute of Fundraising’s web­site ­ http://www.institute­of­fundraising.org.uk

Birmingham University to lead new Third Sector Research Centre HMRC amends Gift Aid Birmingham University will lead a new Third Sector declaration forms Research Centre dedicated to analysing the impact of the sector's activities. They will work in partnership with the University of Southampton and will aim to bring about a step change in the quality and quantity of hard evidence available to support the work of third sector organisations.

The Centre will: · lead research and analysis into the effectiveness and impact of third sector organisations; · strengthen the evidence base on the entire sector; · enhance our understanding of the sector's size and dynamics. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news

HMRC has amended its proforma Gift Aid declarations to take into account the reduction in basic­rate tax to 20p in the pound and transitional relief. Charities must use the updated forms in order to claim Gift Aid on new donations. Wrongly phrased Gift Aid declarations can be declared as invalid by HMRC and as a result you could be required to repay your Gift Aid claims to HMRC. Existing regular donors will not need to replace their Gift Aid declarations with new ones.

Only donations not already covered by an existing valid Gift Aid declaration will need to use the updated pro­formas.

Further details are available on the HMRC web­site: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/forms.htm

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Charitable Trusts Co-operative Foundation Community Support Programme Suspended

Working With Nature The “Working with Nature” fund has now launched with £1.3million available.

The Co­operative Foundation has announced it is to suspend its Community Support Programme while it implements major changes. The Community Support Programme closes in January 2009. The final deadline for applications for grants under its current guidelines was 5 th December 2008.

The funding criteria is available on their web­site ­ http://www.grantscape.org.uk

Visit the website for more information: www.co­operative.coop/ourcampaigns/ modernco­operation/thecooperativefoundation

Applications can be submitted at any time before the closing deadline of noon on Monday 6th April 2009.

All applications will be assessed and reviewed by an independent, specialist biodiversity advisory group.

The successful projects will be selected by GrantScape’s Trustees and will be announced in late July 2009.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme (Phase 2) Scheme Closing It has been announced that Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will close to applications at the end of June 2009. The Programme provides grants for the installation of micro generation technologies to public sector buildings, including schools, hospitals, housing associations and local authorities, and charitable bodies.

If you are interested in applying then click on the link at the bottom of this web­page ­ http://www.grantscape.org.uk/grantshome/ grants­available/workingwithnature1.htm

Foundation for Sport and the Arts to close in 2012

For more details visit ­ http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk

The Foundation for Sport and the Arts is to close at the end of March 2012, and will stop accepting applications for funding at the end of March 2009.

Heart Research UK Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message.

Applications are only accepted during January and February for the May round of grants and July and August for grants awarded in November each year.

Applications received at any other time of year will be returned.

For more information please visit ­ http://www.heartresearch.org.uk

Applications are invited for projects aimed at creating, conserving or enhancing the biodiversity of England and Wales. All grants will be between £150,000 and £300,000 and be within 10 miles of ANY licensed landfill site.

Following a review of the current level of reserves and because their only source of income is now the interest generated by those reserves, the Trustees have decided to cease the activities of the Foundation at the end of March 2012. This will enable them to continue to make awards at the current annual levels, and to bring operations to a close in the same year as the London Olympics.

To assist a smooth closure program, no new applications for funding will be considered after the end of March 2009.

For more details visit ­ www.thefsa.net

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Charitable Trusts Anchor Foundation

The Batty Charitable Trust

Grants are available to UK­registered Christian charities for projects that encourage social inclusion through ministries of healing and the Arts.

Grants of between £500 and £10,000 for capital and revenue costs will be considered. Applicants may be required to provide the remainder of any costs from alternative sources. Registered Christian charities in the United Kingdom are eligible to apply.

Applications are considered at twice­yearly meetings held in April and November and must be received by 31 st January and 31 st July each year. Application forms are available from: PO Box 21107, Alloa, FK12 5WA E­mail: secretary@theanchorfoundation.org.uk http://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk,

The Trust makes grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to smaller charities throughout the UK, especially those working at grass roots and local level. Grants are one­off. The Trustees have wide interests, with the main stipulation being that grants should make a significant difference to your capacity to do work. Application should be by letter including all the obvious details about what you want, how much and why. You need to underline why the grant will make a significant difference to your work. A project budget should be supplied, and you need to send a signed copy of your latest accounts.

Opportunities through Sport Paul Harrison Foundation The Foundation provides funding for registered charities in the UK that encourage disadvantaged people to fulfil their potential through sport.

This Programme supports sporting activities or projects that provide opportunities for people who are disabled or disadvantaged to fulfil their potential and to develop other personal and life skills.

There are no application deadlines, but you need to allow up to four months for a decision to be made.

You should apply six months before you need the money. Application to: The Charity Correspondent, The Batty Charitable Trust, Rugby Chambers, 2 Rugby Street, London WC1N 3QU. Tel 020 7405 0225 E­mail info@battycharitabletrust.org.uk.

SITA Trust Funding is provided for community projects in qualifying areas of Pembrokeshire, within 10 miles of an active SITA­owned landfill site.

Grants will often be one­off grants for capital projects, however revenue funding for a new project or funding for the continuing success or survival of an established project will also be considered.

Possible projects supported include improvements to community amenities such as village halls, public parks and sports facilities, and improvements to historic buildings and structures.

The following types of project proposals are welcome:

Two funding levels are available – Small grants of up to £10,000 and larger grants up to £50,000.

· · · · ·

Projects that provide a focus for skills development and confidence building through the medium of sport; Projects that have a strong training and/or educational theme within the sporting activity; Projects that provide sporting equipment or facilities for disabled or disadvantaged people; Projects with a high degree of community involvement; Projects that help to engage children or young people at risk of crime, truancy or addiction.

For more information visit ­ http://www.peterharrisonfoundation.org/index.htm

Voluntary groups, charities, community/environmental groups, local authorities and parish councils may apply.

Deadlines Small Grants 2009: 5 th February, 9 th April, 15 th June, 12 th August, 14 th October 2009.

Large Grants 2009: 31 st March, 31 st July 2009.

Tel: (01454) 262910 or visit their website: http://www.sitatrust.org.uk; or http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/apply/community for the guidelines.

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Charitable Trusts and National Funding Tesco Charity Trust Funding is available to local community projects which support the welfare of children and children's education projects, including special needs schools or for projects related to elderly people and people with disabilities.

The scheme operates in areas where Tesco has stores.

Grants range from between £1,000 and £4,000 and applicants are expected to show what other sources of funding have been sought.

The deadlines are on an annual rolling basis as shown below.

For children's welfare and education projects: 31 st January and 30 th June each year.

Applications for elderly and disability projects: 31 st March and 30 th September each year The application form is available on the web­site ­ http://www.tescoplc.com

Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) Review CFAP has benefited a huge number of groups across the whole of Wales. This scheme is currently being reviewed with the aim of ensuring the best possible use of the resources available alongside continued support of the numerous community and voluntary organisations in Wales that have such a significant impact on the communities represented.

The Deputy Minister for Regeneration has decided to delay finalising the review, in order to take into account the ongoing discussions that are taking place regarding the detailed criteria for the new Community Asset Transfer Fund – to ensure complementarity of these Funds. It is therefore proposed that an announcement be made regarding both of them once the criteria are finalised.

As a result of this, the next bidding round for CFAP which closes on 9th April 2009, will go ahead using the current criteria and application forms.

Further information can be obtained by telephoning the CFAP Team on 01685 729316 or by e­mailing cfaphelp@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Lottery Funding People and Places, the Big Lottery demand­led programme, was due to close for initial outline proposal forms at the end of 2008 and final awards to be made in November 2009. This would have resulted in no large programme open for new applications until the new portfolio of programmes post 2009.

However, the Wales Committee recently considered this situation and felt strongly there should be a continuation of funding and, more importantly, that BIG should have a demand­led programme open at all times for applicants, especially those within the third sector. This is in line with the requests made during the last consultation, primarily by the third sector, for BIG to deliver a demand­led programme across Wales.

As a result the decision has been made to extend People and Places for a further 12 months; thereby ensuring outline proposal forms will be available until October 2009. By this time the make­up of the future funding portfolio will be clearer and the responses from the current BIG Thinking consultation will have been collated.

As there are no additional funds to commit during this period, there will be an impact on the amount available for awards during each Committee meeting, which will now distribute circa £2.3million per meeting. This will increase the competition for the programme during this period.

For further details on the People and Places programme please visit the Big Lottery Fund web­site ­ http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk www.pavs.org.uk

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Voluntary Sector News Pembrokeshire Community Workers Network

Risk assessment for charity shops

Pembrokeshire Community Workers Network recently organised a countywide event for paid and unpaid community workers in Pembrokeshire. The event, entitled Barriers to Participation, was held in St. Teilo’s Church Hall and was well attended, with over 20 development workers coming along.

The Health & Safety Executive has recently added a risk assessment for a charity shop to its online case studies. It is a useful tool for shops who want to undertake a risk assessment of their premises, in order to control the risks to customers, staff and volunteers, and for those involved in its maintenance and upkeep. There are already ones for village halls and business offices on the website. Click on to www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/charityshop.htm

The day identified what were the barriers to participation, and what methods could be adopted to overcome them; as well as providing an opportunity for networking and information sharing.

If you would like further information or would like to join the Network, please contact Vanessa John at PAVS. The next event is planned to take place during the summer.

If there are fewer than five people working in your organisation, there is no legal requirement to record the findings of a risk assessment. However it is considered good practice to do so. PAVS has an information sheet on Risk Assessments which can be downloaded from the website ­ www.pavs.org.uk.

New for 2009 - Pembrokeshire Trustee Network

PAVS also has sample templates for risk assessments, please contact the Development Team.

Are you a trustee/committee member of a voluntary organisation in Pembrokeshire? · Do you want to keep up to date with any legal changes that may affect your group? This could include changes to Charity & Company Law; the introduction of the new Independent Safeguarding Authority for organisations who work with children and vulnerable adults or changes to Health & Safety Law · Do you want to be made aware of any opportunities for your committee including conferences, training & events · Do you want to be able to network and share information with fellow trustees?

Yes? Then sign up as a member of the new Pembrokeshire Trustee Network!

PAVS is setting up the Pembrokeshire Trustee Network to help voluntary sector organisations within the County to keep up­to­date with any trustee and governance issues that may affect them. A regular electronic briefing will be circulated to all members.

Join this e­mail network by contacting Vanessa John on (01437) 769 422 or E­mail vanessa.john@pavs.org.uk

A Word of Warning – when using a Letter of Intent Often charities seek to clarify the terms under which they are going to undertake work or commission a service using documents which may be headed “letters of intent”, “heads of terms” or “memorandum of understanding”.

It is generally intended that these would be treated as non­binding agreements which will only become binding when a formal contract is signed. This is not always the case. While a Court will take some notice of what you call a document, what they actually look at is whether there is an intention to create a legally binding relationship, whether the key terms of a contract exist, and for acceptance in some form of payment or consideration.

In a recent case, it was confirmed that a letter of intent which laid out an organisation’s intention to enter into a contract was enough to create a binding contract for that organisation.

Such uncertainty means that you should take advice before using this sort of document.

Feel free to add more than one representative from any organisation ­ there is no limit!

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www.pavs.org.uk

Voluntary Sector News Do you know your true worth?

Voluntary groups by nature often underestimate their true worth or alternatively are asked to demonstrate their ‘value’. But what exactly is meant by full value? The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) describes it as a way of thinking about and appreciating the impact that your organisation has on the world.

The full value of your organisation includes: · the benefits that you bring about for your users or cause (your primary outcomes)

·

the effects you have on other people or things, such as trustees, staff, volunteers, funders, local residents, the environment or the economy (secondary outcomes)

·

the satisfaction you bring to your users, such as the enjoyment someone gets from using a service because the staff are friendly or sympathetic (primary satisfaction)

·

the satisfaction you bring to others, e.g. how content your trustees are in their role (secondary satisfaction)

NCVO’s publication ‘True Colours: Uncovering the full value of your organisation’ introduces the full value approach. It offers practical exercises to help you identify your organisation's own full value and gives tips on how best to communicate your value to different audiences. It also compares the concepts of ‘full value’ and ‘added value’, and considers how third sector organisations can best play a role in public service delivery. The book costs £12 and is available from the NCVO website.

Charity Commission News Charity Commission to reduce red tape for 23,000 charities Organisations with an annual income under £25,000 will no longer have to submit annual accounts and a trustees' annual report to the Charity Commission from April 2009. The threshold for submission of these two documents is to be raised from an annual income of £10,000 to £25,000. The new threshold

also applies to the external examination of accounts.

However all registered charities, regardless of size, will still obliged to produce annual accounts and a trustee’s report. Read more about changes to financial thresholds and reporting requirements for charities on the Charity Commission website.

New Register – names and shames charities From October last year, charities that do not file their accounts and annual returns on time will be publicly shamed by a red border in a new version of the Charity Commission’s on line register. Each charity’s entry on the register will include a ‘due documents received’ box, which will be edged in green if the documents have been received and in red if they have not. It is hoped that this will encourage greater transparency and accountability in the sector, drive up standards in charity reporting and encourage charities to file accounts on time.

The Commission has spent £225,000 on developing the register, which takes its information directly from the annual returns. The financial information from charities with an income of more than £500,000 will be converted into a series of charts and graphs breaking down income, spending, assets and liabilities, and numbers of staff and volunteers.

Each charity’s entry will also include a statement on activities and area of operation, instead of just the objects from its constitution; show if trustees are on the Board of any other charity, as well as their compliance history.

Organisations that file their returns electronically will see their information appear on the register overnight. www.pavs.org.uk

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Charity Commission News Charity Commission Publications Recently the Charity Commission has published a number of reports which will be of interest to the sector.

They are available to download from the Commission website.

Charities going Green New research published by the Commission in December ‘Going Green: Charities and Environmental Responsibility’ reveals that its not just the environmental charities that are taking responsibility for the environment.

This report reflects the experience of charities taking environmental responsibility, from the most basic level to changes in the way they deliver their services. The Commission hopes the report will inspire trustees who have not yet thought about this issue to start to do so.

Charities – don’t go off the rails The Commission has published ‘Charities Back on Track’ a report which brings together themes and lessons from the compliance work it has carried out over the last year.

The report provides charities with a casebook of real­life examples of problems in charities, explaining how the Commission dealt with them and providing guidance on how to prevent similar situations. The examples include good governance, fighting fraud, fundraising, vulnerable beneficiaries, tacking the threat of terrorism and disputes.

The report also identifies key themes and emerging trends, and in particular identifies poor basic accounting and reporting practices as a common problem.

Public Benefit – example reports The requirement for all charities to specifically report on public benefit in their annual report from April 2008 has led to the Commission publishing the first of its online fictional examples of Trustees Annual Reports (TARs) which illustrate how charities of different sizes might report on public benefit. The examples show how a small charity can report appropriately on its public benefit without having to go into complex levels of detail.

There are plans for a range of online examples to be available by the end of 2009. The reports are available from the Commission’s website under ‘Public benefit guidance’.

Training Congratulations! More Learning Champion Awards A number of Learning Champions attended the PAVS AGM to receive their “Valued Learning Champion” Certificates. Learning Champions are people who are active in their local community or group, enjoy learning in all its forms, and understand the benefits of learning. They encourage people to take part in learning and point people in the right direction to find the training they need.

Those who received certificates have been active in Pembrokeshire in promoting learning and have been attending Learning Champions events. Karen Butler received a "Star Learning Champion" award given to Learning Champions demonstrating an extra commitment to learning in its widest sense. Cliff Richmond (PACTO) and Gill Tanner (Carer) received certificates of commendation (see photograph on front cover).

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Karen Butler receiving her "Star Learning Champion" award from Sue Leonard www.pavs.org.uk

Training Renew your PAVS membership* in April, or become a PAVS member*, and receive a FREE Training Needs Analysis for your organisation What is a Training Needs Analysis (TNA)?

TNA is the collection of data to find out where there are gaps in the existing skills and knowledge of trustees, volunteers or employees. A successful TNA can result in people being more productive and happier in their roles.

The TNA process will also help identify skills that already exist within an organisation. You never know – you might have a volunteer or member of staff who can help a colleague learn something new!

A TNA can often help to identify where there might be significant gaps in the knowledge or skills of the organisation as a whole. For example, new developments in information technology or a change in legislation may mean that the whole organisation needs training in a topic that might not previously have been necessary.

Why is needs analysis important?

Careful analysis of learning needs is important because:

·

Without the right balance of skills and knowledge being present within an organisation, it may struggle to implement strategies and achieve targets

·

Providing learning opportunities to volunteers/Trustees and paid staff enables them to develop and achieve personal and career goals, as well as meeting organisational objectives

·

Well­planned training is an effective way of keeping volunteers and staff ­ if people feel valued and know that they have an opportunity to improve their skills, they are more likely to stay with an organisation

·

A carefully planned TNA and the resulting training can be cost effective. Knowing who is interested in learning what means that courses can be targeted to those who really need the training, rather than taking a “blanket” approach

·

Once you know what people need, it is easier to plan and evaluate the training, particularly if there is a requirement for volunteers/staff to attain an accredited professional qualification

How can PAVS help?

A Development Officer will visit your organisation at a time convenient to the group. The Officer will facilitate a “Build on Your Skills” workshop which will determine the needs of the group and any skills gaps. The workshop lasts about 2­3 hours depending on numbers and is very participatory. The workshop can be done with trustees, paid staff and volunteers at the same time or at different times, although we do ask for a minimum of 10 people to attend the workshop. From the information coming out of the workshop, a learning plan for your organisation will produced which you can use to plan future training. You will receive your learning plan on a USB memory stick so you can keep it electronically for future reference. Alternatively you can choose to receive a Build on your Skills toolkit, and use the tools to carry out your own TNA ­ just let us know the results so that we can help organise the training!

How do you get a free TNA? If you are already a PAVS member just phone Louise at PAVS to discuss your needs, and make sure you renew your membership in April – you will be sent details closer to the time. If you are not a PAVS member (you can check by phoning PAVS on 01437 769422) you can get a membership form from the PAVS offices or visit the PAVS website http://www.pavs.org.uk/about/join.htm There are a number of benefits to becoming a member of PAVS ­ this is just one of them! * This offer applies to full members only www.pavs.org.uk

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Training Community and Skills Hub - Developing the Rural Skills Resource As part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s bid to help close the jobs gap in rural areas, PLANED in partnership with Pembrokeshire College and other agencies will be delivering a range of short training courses, starting in January 2009. These have been identified by local communities as being essential to meet local skills gaps and for the sustainability of the community.

There is considerable evidence that lack of easy access to training is one of the biggest barriers to people returning to work/learning new skills. Consequently, wherever possible, the courses will be delivered in local outreach centres. Successful students can choose to either move on to accredited study with the college, full time employment/self employment or volunteer in the community.

Courses on offer include: Building Conservation, Plumbing in the Home, Carpentry, Tiling, Painting & Decorating, Basic Welding, Garden Maintenance, Garden Machinery Maintenance & Repair, Fencing, Gate Making, Hedging, Ditching, Tree Planting, Coppicing, Wetland Management, Soil Management, Introduction to Green & Sustainable Building Options, Babysitting, Caring for the Young, Caring for the Infirm, Caring for the Elderly, Personal Confidence, Basic Nutrition, Train the Trainer, Food Hygiene, Window Dressing, Using IT. to Promote Business; and Customer Service Workshop. All are welcome.

For further information, please contact Sarah Diment at PLANED on 01834 862107 Email sarahd@planed.org.uk or Liz Thomas on 01834 862113 Email: lizt@planed.org.uk

Learning Promotion Grant for Adult Learners' Week 2009

Inspire Adult Learner Awards

The fund is intended to stimulate an interesting and varied programme of learning events across Wales.

Funds are available to support promotional or marketing activities or to deliver short bite size taster sessions. Funds will be targeted at organisations that are working with communities who are not currently accessing learning opportunities.

Does someone you know deserve special recognition?

A limited number of grants of up to £1,000 are available. If you are successful, your grant will be paid in two parts ­ 50% in advance and 50% upon completion of a final report.

Funding is provided for activities which are different, possibly located at unusual venues, able to reach new audiences, and have the potential to gain media interest.

Where possible, your activity should link to either the key themes or the sub themes, which are being promoted under the banner of the relevant campaign.

Projects which focus on attracting more and different learners are also prioritised.

The deadline for Learning Promotion Grants for the Adult Learners Week Campaign is Friday 27th February 2009.

Application forms are available from PAVS or from the website http://niace.rcthosting.com

NIACE is looking for people whose learning achievements will inspire others to return to learning, who have improved their lives and/or the lives of others, and gained a positive or life­changing experience from returning to learning.

Through the award scheme NIACE is looking to promote the benefits of adults learning and working together towards a collective goal or common purpose. They also want to recognise the potential of families to learn together, including all forms of informal and formal learning that involves more than one generation.

Who can make a nomination?

Anyone can nominate an individual, family or group for an Inspire Award. All nominees must be aware that they are being nominated and be willing to talk to the media about their learning experiences and how they feel they have benefited. All nominees will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Deadline: Friday 13 February 2009 For further details and a nomination form phone Steve Johnson on 02920 370900 or visit http://www.learnersweek.org.uk . Nomination forms are also available from PAVS.

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www.pavs.org.uk

Training Spring Training Programme 2009 There are a number of new courses being delivered from January to March in Pembrokeshire, so don’t miss out. Book your place(s) today! Courses include:

Course name

Date

Time

Giving and public fundraising

12 February

10.00am­1.00pm

Look after your organisation

27 February

10.00am­1.00pm

Skills for negotiation and influencing others

5 March

10.00am­4.00pm

Organising your work

11 March

10.00am­4.00pm

Working with the media

18 March

9.30am­12.30pm

Reaching out using accessible formats

18 March

1.30pm­4.30pm

Running a community building

24 March

10.00am­4.00pm

From Planning to Delivery – Working with the Statutory Sector

26 March

10.00am­4.00pm

Most sessions are being run in the Pembrokeshire Centre for Voluntary Action (PAVS) in Haverfordwest. Half day courses for (full) PAVS members start at just £7.50, and full day courses (including lunch) are just £15.

For more details please visit the PAVS website http://www.pavs.org.uk/training/ or phone PAVS for a brochure (01437 769422).

Other courses being delivered in our region include:

Course name

Date

Grants ­ fit for funding

24 February

Preparing a sustainable fundraising strategy

31 March

These courses are being run by CAVO in Ceredigion, for more details phone 01570 423232.

For information about all courses from the third sector national training framework being delivered across Wales visit www.coursesforcommunitiescymru.org.uk

Open Evening Pembrokeshire College would like to invite all voluntary and community organisations to view the College facilities at a Community and Voluntary Sector Open Evening. The open evening will be held at the College in late March / early April (date to be confirmed).

These facilities can be made available for use by community groups free of charge.

For further information please visit the website www.pembs.ac.uk/community or ring Janet Davies on 01437 753 246

www.pavs.org.uk

College facilities include: · Merlin Theatre · Academy Restaurant · Lecture Theatre · Classrooms – all with interactive whiteboards · IT Suites · Meeting Rooms – Board Room & Breakout rooms · Training Kitchens · Hair & Beauty Salons · Art Workshops & Exhibition Areas · Learning Resource Centre · Nursery · Fitness Suite · Hot Desk in the Community Office – Broadband access and printing facilities

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Training Developing management and leadership skills for the voluntary sector An Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) endorsed course Dates: Days 1 & 2 4 & 5 March 2009 Days 3 & 4 22 & 23 April 2009 Days 5 & 6 20 & 21 May 2009 Days 7 & 8 17 & 18 June 2009 Location: Cardiff Cost: A ­ £845 B ­ £965 C ­ £1095 Fee includes ILM registration and assessment This 8­day ILM endorsed course is for new and current managers who have responsibility for leading the direction of the organisation whilst managing and overseeing the day­to­day implementation of projects and work programmes.

Learning objectives: by the end of the course, participants will: · · · · · · · ·

Understand the role of management and leadership Have explored their own beliefs, values and attitudes, strengths and weaknesses Understand the main components in planning and leading change Be able to plan individual and team development Understand performance management and links to quality Understand how to deal with conflict in the organisation Have more confidence in making presentations Have identified and planned for their own development needs

An Introduction to Equality and Diversity Date: 20 March 2009 Location: Cardiff Cost: A £125 B £155 C £185 This course is for those who wish to gain a better understanding of equality and diversity and will help individuals encourage equality and diversity in the workplace Learning objectives: by the end of the course participants will be able to:

· · · · ·

Explain what we mean by equality and diversity Give examples as to why equality and diversity are important Identify different types of discrimination Recognise some of their own prejudices and stereotypes Produce an action plan to encourage and promote equality and diversity in their place of work

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www.pavs.org.uk

Training Grants ­ Fit for Funding Date: 24 March 2009 ­ Location: Neath Date: 25 March 2009 – Location Neath Cost: £10 for voluntary and community organisations operating in Wales.

Have you ever had an application for funding rejected or ever considered what makes a winning bid?

Many funding applications fail due to the lack of sufficient preparation or simply do not fit with a funders’ criteria. This course will examine all aspects of preparing a funding application and will provide a practical insight into identifying the most appropriate sources of funding for your organisation. The course will also provide an overview of the current funding climate in Wales and assist you in understanding what influences funders. The course is suitable for those new to fundraising or those wishing to gain a further insight into fundraising processes Skills for Handling Conflict Date: 24 & 25 March 2009 Location: Newport Cost: A £200 B £250 C £300 When people are involved in organisations because of strong beliefs and commitment, differences of approach and style can quickly become issues. This course is for those who find they need to handle difficult situations and conversations in their groups. It is designed to generate understanding of skills needed and techniques to use to get the best from conflict situations. The course provides models of the techniques and intensive scenarios to understand and use them. Alongside this, participants will develop new skills for managing anger and addressing prejudice Facilitation skills and tools Date: 30 & 31 March 2009 Location: Swansea Cost: A £200 B £250 C £300 This two­day course considers various events and settings where facilitation is necessary and the different approaches that are required. The course will allow participants to understand the role of the facilitator in a group and experience a range of facilitation theory, skills and techniques. Participants will learn how to plan and run effective facilitated events.

Price bands (All prices are excluding VAT) A WCVA members B Voluntary and community organisations C Public and private sector bodies For more information email training@wcva.org.uk or telephone the WCVA helpdesk on 0800 2888 329

www.pavs.org.uk

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Volunteering Value Independence ‘Learn, enjoy and take away new skills’ The Company was founded in February 2008 to develop specialised provision for vulnerable people to meet their personal development, social and recreational needs.

Because individual needs vary so much, there is no standard charge. Written quotations are provided before each package is agreed.

Club Nights are held on the third Saturday of each month at The Hive from 7­30pm to 10pm. The Club Nights are highly popular and there is no need to register. Just turn up and enjoy the art workshops, games, music, pool/snooker, badminton, basketball and, most importantly, meet new people and have fun while finding out what else is going on in Pembrokeshire. Each session is £3 and carers are free.

There are three areas of work: The Pathways Scheme The Daytime Respite Club Nights The Pathways Scheme is a unique service for young people and adults who are disengaged or isolated from society as a result of either learning disability or other long term problems.

All the activities offered by Value Independence are risk assessed and covered by insurance. All staff have enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks. For more information call 01646 698169 / 07792693822 or email sam@valueindependence.co.uk

There are five pathways: · · · · ·

Self Discovery Literacy and Numeracy Healthy Living Life Skills Natural Environment

Each ‘Pathway’ involves activities and study but also enjoyment. Wherever appropriate, environment issues are emphasised as they relate to the different pathways. Support is given to set individual goals such as college courses, voluntary work and placements when the time is right. The Activity Centre is located in a rural setting which offers plenty of scope for working outdoors. The basic charge for ‘Pathway’ sessions is £10 per hour.

Daytime Respite aims to be as interesting and good fun as Pathways and taps into the resources of the Activity Centre. Each respite package its tailored to each individual’s circumstances.

LATEST VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES THE BLUE CROSS Children’s Education Speaker PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – YOUTH SERVICES Youth Work Volunteer HAVERFORDWEST AND PEMBROKESHIRE SAMARITANS Shop Manager WALES AIR AMBULANCE Volunteer see page 24 for more opportunities

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www.pavs.org.uk

Volunteering Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru Driving support for patients Volunteers are getting behind the wheel in Mid and West Wales to help provide care for their communities.

He added “I have been volunteering for the Welsh Ambulance Service for over 10 years now and am enjoying it as much as ever.”

Welsh Ambulance Service volunteer ambulance car drivers are helping mobile patients get the treatment they need, right from their own doorstep to hospital and back again.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is on the look out for more people to join Teifion in driving forward the volunteer ambulance car service forward in Mid and West Wales.

When volunteer drivers step in to transport patients, they are helping Patient Care Services look after patients who need the assistance of ambulance transport.

Ambulance Car Service Manager Arwyn Thomas said: “The ambulance car service is the most cost effective, comfortable, and, punctual method of transporting patients to routine appointments, and, with this in mind, we are looking to recruit volunteer car drivers from communities across Mid & West Wales.

Teifion Morris, of Cardigan, has been giving a helping hand to West Wales patients as a volunteer driver for the last 10 years.

His role includes taking patients to and from appointment at the main hospitals in the region and also out­of­county work to Pembrokeshire and even Swansea.

Teifion, 65, explains: “I found out about the Ambulance Car Service when I had to travel down to Southampton Hospital for my triple heart by­pass surgery and for subsequent checkups in Cardiff.“ Before I had my heart attack I had been working as a bus driver, but I had to retire early. I didn’t like being idle and wanted to do something. I remembered talking to the volunteer driver at the time and thought it would be a good opportunity for me to help others and give something back to the community.”

Regional Director Mike Collins added: “Our volunteer drivers play a vital role in providing services to patients in the region. Their dedication and commitment is fully appreciated both by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the patients they transport daily.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service is constantly looking for people who are able to help and want to be part of this fulfilling and satisfying work.

If you are interested or for further information please contact Arwyn on 01267 225792 or 07971 313554.

UNA Exchange Do you work for an environmental or community project in Wales?

Would you like a group of enthusiastic volunteers to help you complete a particular project?

Perhaps you could consider a group of international volunteers.

UNA Exchange is a charity based in Cardiff that recruits international volunteers for community based projects around Wales, and sends volunteers from around the UK to volunteer on projects abroad. We also run trainings and work on special projects promoting cultural exchange. Our aims are to foster greater international co­operation and understanding whilst doing work valuable to local communities. We work across Wales and send volunteers to many different projects, anything from building roundhouses and working in organic gardens to helping on summer play schemes or organising community events. www.pavs.org.uk

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(Continued on page 21)

Volunteering (Continued from page 20)

How can you get involved?

We are currently looking for new project partners across Wales for our weekend and summer projects. We can provide volunteers for a weekend project any time between February and May, or a longer summer project, generally running between ten days and three weeks. Each project would involve a small international group of between 4 and 12 volunteers. Host projects would be expected to find food and accommodation for the volunteers (accommodation can be basic as long as it is warm and dry, volunteers are often accommodated in community halls for example), whilst volunteers fund their own travel and UNA Exchange takes care of recruitment, trains a leader for the project and provides project support.

Interested?

If you’re interested please get in touch. We’re always happy to give more information or arrange a meeting at a place convenient for you.

Contact: Katy Chadwick – katychadwick@unaexchange.org / 02920 223088 Address: UNA Exchange, Temple of Peace, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3AP www.unaexchange.org

Could you be the one to fit the chair?

Cancer Research UK is looking for people in the areas of Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Fishguard to get together and lead a new and exciting fundraising opportunity that the charity is offering – Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is a 24­hour community led event, celebrating the lives of people touched by cancer and remembering those who have been lost.

Cancer Research UK is planning a recruitment drive in a bid to find volunteers to stage the community­run event, this started in the Picton Community Centre in Haverfordwest on Tuesday 23rd September. Area Volunteer Manager for West Wales, Carrie Barlow, said: "Relay for Life is an inspirational community event designed to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and recognise all those who have been touched by cancer, also to raise money for the vital work of Cancer Research UK. "We need dedicated, motivated people to help form a committee to organise the event. They will each have a specific role to play within the group, such as team recruitment or accounting, there is a role for everyone. We will need a chairperson to organise the committee, teams to take part in the relay and volunteers to help the event run smoothly."

The event sees teams, who fund­raise throughout the year, coming together to take part in an overnight relay on a track or playing field. Each team tries to keep at least one member on the track at all times. There is a chance for the community to honour their cancer survivors, with the Survivors' Lap of Honour, and a tribute to those lost in a Candle of Hope ceremony.

Every Relay for Life lasts 12 to 24 hours and always runs overnight. Relays are held all over the world. The event is inspirational, emotional and one that, once seen, is never forgotten.

Carrie added: "People with a passion for the cause should get in touch ­ it's not easy but it is rewarding. I think this area of West Wales would be a great place to stage an event like this. The area has a strong community feeling and the ability to pull together for a worthy cause."

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Cancer Research UK Area Volunteer Manager Carrie Barlow is looking for a member of the local community to Chair a Relay For Life committee For media enquiries please contact: Carrie Barlow on 07770281965 or email carrie.barlow@cancer.org.uk

www.pavs.org.uk

Volunteering Employer Supported Volunteering Scheme Are you an employer who would like to support the community? Employer Supported Volunteering schemes provide opportunities for employees to participate in community projects with their employer’s support, encouraging a mutually beneficial relationship between employers, local voluntary organisations and employees (volunteers).

Employer Supported Volunteering can either be individual employees carrying out volunteering or groups of employees carrying out team building volunteering.

Benefits to the Community ▪ Access to more volunteers with a variety of skills ▪ Build important links between all the sectors and the local community ▪ Develop and encourage diversity in the community PAVS Volunteering Pembrokeshire can help an employer develop an Employer Support Volunteering scheme by:

▪

Benefits to the Employer ▪ Enhance your organisation’s / company’s reputation ▪ Demonstrate your support to the local community ▪ Improve staff motivation and morale ▪ Expand the skills, knowledge and performance of staff · Increase training opportunities and personal development for staff

▪

▪

·

Developing an Employer Supported Volunteering Policy Promoting volunteering to employees, highlighting the benefits to themselves and their community Offering a menu of volunteering opportunities for individuals to carry out volunteering in work time and in their own time (pure volunteering) Providing links to projects and organisations in the voluntary sector for team building days

Benefits to the Employee ▪ Gain work experience in a different environment ▪ Develop new professional and personal skills ▪ Meet new and diverse people to exchange knowledge and skills ▪ Feel good by ‘giving something back’ to the community

If you would like to find out more about developing an Employer Supported Volunteering Scheme, please call Caroline Graham at PAVS on 01437 769422.

Pembrokeshire Advocacy

Volunteering with Pembrokeshire Advocacy

Pembrokeshire Advocacy is a charitable organisation that provides an independent advocacy service for people who have learning disabilities in Pembrokeshire. It is a free and confidential service which is available to individuals who contact us direct or through referral from statutory agencies.

Essentially, advocacy is a process which helps to empower clients who are at risk of becoming marginalised or are vulnerable. We work on a one­ to­one basis with clients who are experiencing difficulties or who are going through transitions.

Pembrokeshire Advocacy is run by a Management Committee of volunteers who have a special interest in advocacy and social inclusion. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity with us please contact Pamela Evans on 01437 769135 or pembsadvocacy@yahoo.co.uk

Pembrokeshire Advocacy also facilitates self advocacy groups through Pembrokeshire People First. These groups work on developing people’s capacity to express themselves and provide a social network for some of our clients. www.pavs.org.uk

We are always interested in hearing from people who would be interested in volunteering with us.

Pembrokeshire Advocacy currently has three citizen advocates who work in a befriending role with some of our clients. One of our citizen advocates is a mentor for an individual who is undergoing training with All Wales People First on their Learning for Leadership Course.

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Volunteering

Green Links Community Interest Company was established in July 2006 as a non­profit making organisation working for the benefit of young people.

The main aim of this social enterprise is to provide vocational skills training for young people from Pembrokeshire. This aim is achieved through the delivery of a range of activities and courses designed to improve the skills and employability of those involved. Most of the courses are accredited through the Open College Network and BTEC. Target groups include: young people who opt for vocational subjects as part of their school’s curriculum, those with learning difficulties and young people at risk of exclusion.

The training programme for 2008–2009 includes Construction, Carpentry, Countryside and the Environment, Hairdressing, Beauty and Wellbeing, Gardening, Woodland Skills and Wood Based Crafts. In addition to the training, Green Links CIC also provides woodland/park services to public and private sector organisations.

Services include fencing, path building, tree works, timber milling and the provision of seating areas, garden benches, planters etc. Income raised from these services helps to enhance the vocational skills training programme and bring substantial benefits to the young people on this innovative scheme.

The contact for these services is Adam Cumine 07966 065854 One of the company’s aims for 2009 is to increase the number of volunteers (both young and not so young), particularly on the Woodland and Environment projects. It is planned to hold training events for young people during the half terms and on several Saturday mornings throughout the year. Sessions will involve opening up access to woodland areas, erecting fences, creating a wetland area, making and using a pole lathe, restoring a walled garden, making bird /bat boxes etc.

If anyone is interested in joining the team of Green Links Volunteers, please contact Shirley Wilczynski­ 01646 623301 or Kim Henderson 01646 686804 The Directors of Green Links Community Interest Company would like to thank all those who have supported their projects, particularly Pembroke School, Cycoed (Forestry Commission), Environment Wales, Communities First, Chevron, WCVA, PAVS, PBI, Dyfed Powys Police, and Pembrokeshire’sCommunity Safety Partnership.

The Green Links Centre, Pembroke School, Bush, Pembroke, SA71 4RL Company Registration Number 5877169 Tel: 01646 686804 Web: www.greenlinks.org.uk Email: greenlinks@hotmail.co.uk

Bake for Bobath 1st March to 8th March 2009 Have a Welsh cake and make a difference!

Make a difference to children in Wales with cerebral palsy by taking part in our Bake for Bobath week. Get your school baking and get everyone involved. Why not have a cake sale at school or a coffee morning involving friends and family and raise much needed funds for Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales. The event can be held anytime during Bake for Bobath week from 1st March to 8th March 2009. The event is supported by Celebrity chef, food writer and broadcaster Angela Gray who is producing a special recipe booklet for all participants and also by Patron Bryn Terfel. Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales provides specialist therapy to children throughout Wales who have cerebral palsy.

To register for your Bake for Bobath fundraising pack Phone: 029 20522600 E­mail: fundraising@bobathwales.org

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www.pavs.org.uk

Volunteering Volunteering for ACP Age Concern Pembrokeshire’s mission statement:­ ‘We promote the well­being of all older people, work to reduce isolation and provide services to enable choice and Independent Living’ Volunteering for ACP falls into two main categories – Community work and Office work.

Our Community Volunteers support the older people of Pembrokeshire in many ways – most are prepared to take on any appropriate work within their area – much as a family member, friend or neighbour might do. Some Volunteers undergo specialist training in order to help clients complete Welfare Benefit forms or to demonstrate and maintain Bath Lifts which are available to clients for purchase or hire.

Our Office Volunteers work in the office assisting staff with telephone work, databases and general administration duties.

Age Concern Pembrokeshire has recently been accredited with the Investing in Volunteers Standard Quality Mark for volunteer management ­ demonstrating that the organisation is supporting Volunteers in all aspects of volunteering. Age Concern Pembrokeshire is the first charity in Pembrokeshire and the first Age Concern in Wales to receive the IiV award.

If you are interested in volunteering for Age Concern Pembrokeshire, please contact Sally, the Volunteering Co­ordinator, on 01437 769207, email office@acpembs.org.uk or call in to 37 Merlins Hill, Haverfordwest SA61 1PE

MORE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES! PEMBROKE 21C COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Woodland Work / Millponds Warden volunteer SCOPE CYMRU Bridging the Gap Project Volunteer PEMBROKESHIRE SPECIAL NEEDS GYMNASTIC CLUB Volunteer

www.pavs.org.uk

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News from Groups The Darwin Centre The Darwin Centre completed a programme of work in 2008 to broaden inclusion to its growing menu of field and workshop activities. Funding from the Sustainable Pembrokeshire Small Grants Scheme allowed Darwin to offer a field trip and workshop on renewable energy to groups that Darwin have found difficult to reach. Herbrandston Mothers Union, Neyland Women's Institute, Esteam, St. Oswalds Summer Club and the Priory Gypsy Education Unit.

Each group visited the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's Carew Tidal Mill to see at first hand the historic use of natural resources. The fantastic mill and its well maintained engineering allowed the groups to see how the earths natural power has been harnessed in the past. The history of the mill and its importance as the last remaining tidal mill in Wales intrigued the groups further. The follow up work shop used dynamos, motors and a steam engine to

demonstrate the current generation of electricity globally. Examples of renewable technologies and potential new technologies were introduced. The groups even made electromagnets to help them understand some of the techniques used in power generation. The funding administered by PAVS and matched by the Darwin Centre and Dragon LNG, Waterston, allowed the whole project to be offered to the groups for free. The Darwin Centre would like to thank all of the participants for a great project. If there are other groups that would like to be involved in similar projects contact the Darwin Centre on 01437 753193, the centre is always looking for opportunities to apply for funding to deliver projects of this kind.

H.O.P.E. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Vacancy: Deputy Centre Manager We are a local Charity based at Unit 57 Honeyborough Business Park, Neyland providing services for people in Pembrokeshire with M.S. We are open for four days a week (Monday – Thursday) 09:00 to 17:00.

We are looking for a Deputy Centre Manager to provide Holiday/Sickness cover for the incumbent Manager. The job entails working a varied hour week dependant on requirements. You will need excellent communication and inter­ personal skills and to be able to project yourself clearly and in a polite manner.

You must also be IT literate with experience in using Microsoft Office products.

Experience in office management and man management skills would be an advantage. Remuneration is negotiable.

Apply in the first instance to: Mr Rick Stanton, Centre Manager, H.O.P.E. M.S Therapy Centre, Unit 57 Honeyborough Business Park, Neyland. Milford Haven. SA73 1SE Tel: 01646 600384

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www.pavs.org.uk

News from Groups Unsung heroines share top honours There was a first for Pembrokeshire YFC when one of its most prestigious trophies was jointly awarded to a pair of unsung heroines.

Sarah, who works for Health Challenge Pembrokeshire, has held every official post in Llawhaden YFC and has just started her second year as club chairman.

The hard work put in to all aspects of YFC life in Pembrokeshire by Sarah Edwards, of Llawhaden YFC, and Anne Evans, of Keyston YFC, saw them emerge as joint winners of the Wayne Mathias Memorial award.

Her citation read: “She is a dedicated, committed member of the movement and, while never seeking the limelight, works tirelessly behind the scenes.”

Pembrokeshire YFC president Gill Anne is the current chairman of Lawrence presents the ‘unsung Keyston YFC and recently helped In jointly awarding the prize, hero’ award to Anne Evans and the club raise more than £1,300 by Pembrokeshire YFC president Gill motivating members to think of Sarah Edwards.

Lawrence said: “I just couldn’t split new ways of fundraising. them, they both do so much for county and work so hard for their clubs.”

Her nomination read: “Anne is very inspiring to Keyston and has influenced and encouraged fellow The award is given to members for their outstanding members within all aspects of YFC.” contribution and ‘behind the scenes’ work for their clubs and the county federation.

Anne and Sarah were presented with their award at the county AGM.

London calling thanks to grant The young members of Pembrokeshire YFC have broadened their horizons and learnt more about Britain’s rich history.

Almost 50 members of the County’s Youth Forum – which is open to all young farmers aged 18 and under – travelled to the

Houses of Parliament in London for an educational visit.

The youngsters met Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb for a tour of the historic Palace of Westminster and learnt more about the workings of government.

Historic visit: The Youth Forum members in Westminster Hall. www.pavs.org.uk

The trip was made possible thanks to a grant of £1,597 from the lottery­funded grants programme Make It Happen.

For further information on Make it Happen, or to obtain an application pack, call 01686611740 or visit the website at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

Pictured with Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb are Pembrokeshire YFC youth forum leader Claire Thomas, of Llawhaden YFC and sidekick Kim Brickell, from South Pembs YFC.

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News from Groups TENP Progress The Environmental Network for Pembrokeshire , (TENP), has made significant progress as a result of CCW funding which enabled us to appoint a part­time Coordinator , Marc Mordey.

Our recent activities include; · Responses to a number of consultation papers; PCC’s Section 106 agreement and Sustainable Appraisal consultations, and WAGs ‘ Land Use Planning and Carbon Reduction’, and ‘One Wales One World’ SD Scheme consultations. (These are available on our web site: www.tenp.org.uk). · A recent TENP event on ‘Food Security’ resulted in professional support being offered to tenants of Pembrokeshire Housing Association who wish to develop kitchen gardens. · Discussions are ongoing with Swansea University to promote a programme of taster courses in environmental studies. · TENP became the first organisation in Wales to ‘sign up’ to the WCVA’s Climate Change declaration. · TENP was invited to contribute to the Local Service Board’s initial discussions on the key environmental issues facing the County. · TENP held its first AGM on 28 th January. After the business meeting, 3 prominent figures addressed a public meeting on ‘Building Bridges between the Voluntary and Public sectors’ ­ Mick Bates AM Chairman of WAG’s Sustainability Committee, Angela Burns AM for South Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthenshire , and Neil Ingham, Chief :Policy Officer of Cynnal Cymru/Sustain Wales.

Finally, TENP , in conjunction with the West Wales Eco centre, is investigating the feasibility of hosting an international workshop in Spring 2009 on the subject of ‘Feed­in­Tarrifs’ and their implications’. Support has already been expressed by the Minster for Sustainable Development, and the UKSDC. For further information contact and a membership form contact: Marc@mordey1.freeserve.co.uk

The Phoenix Well Being Society

Coppicewood College

The Phoenix Well Being Society meet the 2nd Thursday of every month at Haverfordwest Cricket Club for Lunch (12.30 for 1pm Lunch), a chat and a speaker. We also go on Coach Trips, Lunch Trips and even a Short Holiday. Those of us who, for various reasons, cannot travel on a coach go by car, meeting up and travelling together.

Our aim is to meet socially, enjoy each others company and, most of all, meet friends new and old.

We have no age limit. The only criteria is to enjoy ­ so why not come and give us a try?

If you want to chat to someone before coming, then ring me, Sue Stanley, on 01646 600772

Coppicewood College Woodland Skills Short Courses 2009 There are a number of courses available this year including: Introduction to Coppicing (January / October) Hedge laying (February) Green woodworking (March) For more information visit the website http://www.coppicewoodcollege.co.uk/woodland­ skills­short­courses.html or phone (01239) 881 394

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Consultations Pembrokeshire Local Development Plan: Consultation On the 8th December 2008, 36 people, from all sectors, gathered at County Hall to discuss a number of planning options; for the amount of development, and the location of that development within the County, over the period 2011­2021.

Planning officers facilitated 4 discussion groups that each considered; the ‘Vision’, the 24 objectives, the 12 strategic policies of the LDP, and then 3 growth options; Low= 3400 houses, Medium = 4700 houses, and High = 7000 houses, and 3 Spatial allocation options; ranging from; Option 1: 70% Urban­30% Rural, Option2: 60% Urban­40% Rural, and Option 3: 50% Urban – 50% Rural.

The outcome of the discussions and feedback received thereafter was that the County Council has decided to develop a ‘hybrid’ option to be consulted on in 2009. This will be based on; between Medium to High growth, the Wales Spatial Plan framework of a hierarchy of settlements, and 50% of development in urban areas and 50% in rural areas.

This preferred option will identify the scale and location of growth within County (excluding the National Park) for the 10 years from 2011 to 2021.

Obviously development can be contentious but affordable home are needed for the significant number of local people in ‘housing need’ and the County Council believes that an influx of people can bring wealth into the County which will support the local economy and help maintain local services.

A number of questions arise, including; ·

What balance of housing should be provided for local people and in­migrants?

·

Where should housing be built, how should it be phased and what type of housing should it be?

·

Is it sensible to build homes where there are no local services or jobs?

·

What limit should there be to house building in the countryside in order to protect our distinctive landscape and heritage?

·

Where should employment related development be located?

·

Should the planning authority encourage community renewable energy initiatives?

·

Should residential development incorporate more space allotments, play areas and kitchen gardens in the designs?

·

Should we be planning now for sea level rise recently predicted by scientists which is significantly higher than that assumed in the draft LDP?

Public consultation on the LDP Preferred Strategy will provide a further opportunity for stakeholders to comment on issues of particular concern or to indicate support for the plan strategy. Details of the public consultation will be disseminated when arrangements have been finalised.

More information about the LDP process and how you can get involved can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

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