About CAVS

What we do

We provide advice, information and support to the voluntary sector in Carmarthenshire, and offer membership to groups wishing to join the association.

For full details of all our services visit the main sections in this website.

Our development and funding team help with setting up and running groups legally, and keep groups up to date with legislation and current issues affecting the voluntary sector. The team, which includes a funding advice officer, helps to find and apply for relevant project funding.

CAVS partnership team facilitate the representation of the voluntary sector on various planning forums, and also facilitate voluntary sector forums of interest such as the Carmarthenshire Health and Wellbeing Forum, the Environment Forum and the Carmarthenshire Lifelong Learning Forum. CAVS helps to provide mechanisms to ensure effective partnership working between appropriate agencies.

CAVS Volunteer Centre supports voluntary work, aims to raise standards for volunteers and promotes good practice, helping groups to develop policies. The bureau matches local volunteering opportunities with prospective volunteers.

The Association also hosts the Carmarthenshire Carers Service. Through a telephone helpline service, and the Carers Information Pack and Carers Newsletter, carers across the County are informed and supported. Carers are also encouraged to be involved in the planning of local strategies and services, in particular through the Carers Alliance which was established by the project in 2001.

CAVS also provides many practical services including secretarial services, loan of training equipment, and meeting room hire at the Carmarthen office.

Staff list

See the Staff List page for a list of CAVS staff.

Board of Trustees

CAVS is managed by a Board of Trustees which consists of representatives of local voluntary groups, the Local Authority and the Local Health Board. The Board is elected annually by CAVS members, and meets on a bi-monthly basis.

Mair Stephens (Chair) Llansaint Welfare Hall
Hugh Edwards (Treasurer) Catch Up Ltd.
Gayle Harris Dr M’z – Carmarthen Youth Project
Sandra Cooke Special Olympics Caramrthenshire
Dorothy McDonald Amman Valley Dementia Carers Support Group
Peter Loughran Age Concern Sir Gâr
Glan Morris Llanelli Disabled Access Group
John Collard CYCA – Carmarthenshire Youth & Children’s Association
Christopher Reed 1st Llanelli Scouts
Hazel Evans Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr
Deris Williams Menter Cwm Gwendraeth
Wendy James Ferryside Village Forum
Alban Rees One Voice Wales
Amy Hawkins Carmarthenshire County Council
Dyfrig Thomas Carmarthenshire County Council