Businesses engage with voluntary sector

A PIONEERING event to strengthen links between the business and voluntary sectors took place on Tuesday 3rd June 2008 in Carmarthenshire, at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Photo caption:   
From left to right: Peter Davies, Roy Norris (Institute of Fundraising), Amanda Jones (LBS Builders Merchants), Owen Evans (Business in the Community) Philip Evans (LBS Builders Merchants),  Raine Larcher (Welsh Local Government Association), John Duggan (WAG), John Gravell (Castell Howell Foods), Liza Kellet (Community Foundation of Wales), Jackie Balboni (Corus), Cris Tomos (CAVS), Mark James (Carmarthenshire County Council).

The county hosted one of three high profile regional workshops to disseminate the learning from the successful pilot project “Corporate Challenge” which was undertaken in Carmarthenshire by CAVS, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Business and Third Sector event was organised by CAVS. Businesses, local chamber representatives, the Local Authority and Voluntary organisations from across the region attended. The aim of the workshop was to promote the development of area Action Teams in each county which will feed into a regional partnership.

Carmarthenshire County Council Chief Executive Mark James was the keynote speaker and a number of presentations were staged during the day, including Business in the Community, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Community Foundation Wales and the Institute of Fundraising.

Mr James said: “This is an important workshop which aims to support the development of local partnerships.

“There is a clear need to develop close links between the voluntary sector and the business community, both to increase the sector’s capacity and to maximise the business advantages from community engagement.

“The business sector can contribute in a variety of ways to strengthen the voluntary sector and there is a great deal of expertise that can be shared particularly in relation to business and financial management.

“The council already works closely with CAVS and we look forward to developing that partnership further.”

For further information please contact Helen Martin at CAVS on 01554 777112 or hmartin@cavs.org.uk

Local organisations launch ‘Green Days’ to help the environment

On Wednesday 4th June 2008 40 volunteers from local and national organisations shifted 4½ tonnes of rubbish from Pembrey Beach, at the launch of the new ‘Green Days Environmental Volunteering Initiative’.

Photo caption:  Some of the 40 volunteers from Environment Agency Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council, CAVS and Dŵr Cymru who helped remove 4½ tones of rubbish from Pembrey.

The ‘Green Days’ initiative has been signed up to by a number of large organisations in Carmarthenshire to help make the county more sustainable.

The beach clean was organised by Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) Volunteer Centre, Carmarthenshire County Council park rangers and Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Environment Agency Wales. The volunteers participating on the day were given a paid day off work by their employers.

Owen Jones, Environment Partnership Coordinator for Carmarthenshire, who took part in the day said, “The beach clean was a great success and a brilliant way to launch the Green Days Environmental Volunteering Initiative.

“Everybody who took part in the day left with a big smile on their face and felt a real sense of achievement when they saw how much rubbish we removed.  The organisations that allowed their staff to attend deserve a big thank you!

“Many businesses and organisations have team building days every year. Now they can double up the benefits by making their team building day a ‘Green Day’ too and doing their bit for the local environment at the same time!”

CAVS who organise the ‘Green Days’ initiative have put together a programme of environmental volunteering opportunities for local businesses and other organisations to take part in.  Anyone wishing to arrange a ‘Green Day’ for their business or organisation should contact Rachel at CAVS on 01554 778601.

Volunteers Week 2008 ~ A Thank You Day for Carmarthenshire Volunteers

To celebrate Volunteers Week 2008, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) Volunteer Centre held a Volunteer 'Thank You' Day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Monday 2nd June.

An event is arranged every year to say a BIG thank you to Carmarthenshire's volunteers who give freely of their time, energy and enthusiasm to help others and their communities. Without volunteers, many organisations would find it impossible to exist and carry out their daily duties.

The sun was shining throughout the day and around 300 volunteers attended the event. Free entry was generously provided by the Gardens, along with a free hot drink and Welsh cake.

Many events were organised throughout the day, including a wonderful perfomance by Tumble Primary School’s choir to open the event, massage sessions from Nadine Maddocks, reflexology sessions by Llesol Therapy Centre, and a Salsa Dancing Workshop by ‘Dance @ Caio On-line’. There were also information stands from local groups promoting their work.

"It was an opportunity for volunteer co-ordinators to publicly thank their volunteers and to highlight all the good work they do for local groups and communities. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a lovely day out,” said Fflur Hughes, Volunteering Officer for CAVS Volunteer Centre.

Thanks go to Kevin Lamb, Chief Executive and all the staff and the volunteers at the Gardens for their help and support in organising this event and making the day such an enjoyable one; and to Tumble Primary School and all the other contributors who made the day such a success. 

If you are interested in doing voluntary work, then please contact one of the Volunteering Officers at CAVS Carmarthen office on 01267 236367, email volunteering@cavs.org.uk or visit the website – www.volunteering-wales.net.

View the View the "Giving Sir Gâr – Business and the Third Sector" video >>

Digital Switchover

CHARITIES UNITE TO SUPPORT SWITCHOVER

Digital UK has announced a groundbreaking partnership between leading charitable organisations. This initiative, funded by Digital UK, will see the creation of a new not-for-profit body, Digital Outreach Ltd, to support potentially vulnerable viewers when analogue television signals are switched off.

Digital Outreach Ltd brings together Age Concern England, Help the Aged, Community Service Volunteers and Collective Enterprises Limited, a company specialising in working with the charity sector. Age Concern England is the national Member and represents the interests of the wider Age Concern federation in England and includes Age Concern Cymru, within Digital Outreach.

It will commission a range of support services from local and regional voluntary sector organisations and charities, initially in the first four switchover regions: Border, West Country, Granada, and of course, Wales.

For more details, visit the Digital UK website, or contact us here in Wales – wales@digitaluk.co.uk. We’ll be including an update on digital outreach in every edition of Switchover News.

WEST WALES LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP

West Wales is the first area in Wales to switch, between July and September 2009, so with switchover less than eighteen months away, we’re setting up the first local support network in the area.

The aim of the network is to bring together agencies and organisations interested and involved in switchover and providing services for the public in the west Wales area. We’re hoping to be ready to launch the network in April, so if you want to get involved, please let us know.

The network will cover Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, parts of Neath Port Talbot, Ceredigion and Powys, so whether you’re involved at community level or at county level in one of these areas, and would like to know more or get involved, contact us at wales@digitaluk.co.uk. We’ll be setting up local groups in other parts of Wales later in the year.

Download Switchover News February 2008 here (100KB PDF) >>

Digital UK Website

International Womens Day 2008 Event

Tuesday 4th March, 10am-3pm
YWCA, 14-16 Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, (Round the corner from the cinema)

Free Event ~ Everyone Welcome!!

Join us in celebrating this special day, and take part in our fun-filled activities such as:

‘Pamper yourself’ beauty treatments
Healthy eating
Arts and crafts workshops
International food
Competition with excellent prizes
Children’s activities and crèche
ALL FOR FREE!!!

For More Information please contact;
Samantha Hudson, Black and Ethnic Minority Support Worker CAVS 01554 778601 sam@cavs.org.uk

YWCA (Sharon, Emma or Jade), 01554 772765 , Llanelli@ywca-gb.org.uk 

Llanelli Multicultural Fiesta! ~ 23rd January 2008

Venue: Coleg Sir Gar, Graig Campus. 6.30 pm

Come and celebrate with us at Llanelli’s multicultural fiesta!!

Join us in celebrating Welsh culture and Llanelli’s growing multicultural population.

See a spectacle of performances from many different cultures, try tasty international dishes, hear about people’s experiences of living in Llanelli.

This is a free event, suitable for people from all walks of life, and will be a fun evening for all the family.

Download leaflet here >>

If you would like more information on this event, or would like to perform please contact: Samantha Hudson, Black and Ethnic Minority Support Worker, CAVS, 10 John Street, Llanelli SA15 1UH, Tel 01554 778601, Email sam@cavs.org.uk 

Celebrating Women in Carmarthenshire 2008

Women in Carmarthenshire are being celebrated through a special event being held in their honour.

Businesswomen, young entrepreneurs, sportswomen, wives, mothers, neighbours, carers and friends all have a place in the celebrations. To mark the centenary of International Womens Day next March, a special ceremony to award women across the county is taking place. It will also feature entertainment from some famous female celebrities, and local talent.

People are now being asked to nominate someone they know who is deserving of an award.

There are 11 categories for the Women of the Year:

• Woman of Courage
• Public sector Worker
• Woman in the community
• Voluntary Worker
• Arts and culture
• Science and technology
• Businesswoman

The ceremony – Celebrating Women in Carmarthenshire – will take place at Theatr Elli on 10th March 2008, with the final line-up to be confirmed. A limited number of tickets will be on sale.

Applications must be in by 31st January , 2008. They will be available in Community News, online at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk, from Carmarthenshire Direct on 0845 658 0445, or at Customer Service Centres.

CAVS AGM and 10th Anniversary Celebration Event, and Winter Fayre15th November 2007

>> See Photos and Videos from the AGM at www.carmsconnect.org.uk

At the National Botanic Gardens, Llanarthne

2.00 pm AGM

2.30 pm Celebration Event

5.00 pm Community Winter Fayre

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kate Braithwaite MBE, Director, Rural Community Development Programme, Carnegie UK Trust

The Celebration Event will include presentations on funding, health and wellbeing, the environment, children and young people, and current consultations.

Download AGM information sheet and booking form here (100kb PDF)

We extend a warm welcome to you to the event. We would be pleased to receive your response by Friday 9th November 2007.
To let us know, please

• send the tear-off slip from the information sheet (above) to 3 St. Peter’s Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LN
• telephone the office (01267 236367), or

• send an email to CAVS Admin team.

Winter Fayre

We are inviting voluntary groups and local businesses to be part of this unique and exciting event.

This is your opportunity to sell and showcase your products in one of the most prestigious tourism attractions in Wales. The event will take place on Thursday 15th November 2007, 3-00 pm ~ 7-00 pm.

Demand for this event is high, therefore, to secure your space please send your response and £10 fee no later than Friday 9th November 2007

To confirm your space, please complete the tear off slip from the booking form below return with a £10 cheque payable to CAVS, to 3 St. Peter’s Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LN or Telephone the office on (01267) 236367 or Send an email to admin@cavs.org.uk.

Download Winter Fayre booking form here 125 KB PDF

Official Launch of Corporate Challenge Sir Gâr and Payroll Giving

The Official Launch of Corporate Challenge Sir Gâr and the “Kicking Off” of Giving Sir Gâr Carmarthenshire’s new Payroll Giving scheme will take place on Thursday 4th October 2007 from 5.00 pm until 6.30 pm at the Llanelli Reds AFC, Stebonheath Park, Llanelli SA15 1EY. 

Special guests include: Dr Brian Gibbons AM Minister for Social Justice and Local Government and AMs Helen Mary Jones and Joyce Watson.

If you would like to attend to represent your organisation please contact either Helen martin or Simon Pearce on 01554 777112 or e-mail Helen@cavs.org.uk no later than Friday 28th September 2007.

CAVS Staff in Sponsored Snowdon Walk ~ we raised £1,500!

On Sunday 8th October 2006, 7 brave staff members of Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services took part in Marie Curie’s sponsored Snowdon Challenge.  The walk followed the Llanberis Path and it took around 6 hours to complete the 3560 feet climb and the 10 mile round trek.

The group started their journey up to North Wales on Saturday afternoon in preparation for the climb the next day.  They would all like to thank Ieuan, CAVS Director for driving the mini bus and to Pete’s Eats for the accommodation and the lovely breakfast!

185 individuals took part in the event and just under £40,000 was raised for the charity.  Between the CAVS members of staff, a total of £1500 was raised.  The staff that took part were Louise Morgan, Sian Thomas, Sandra Williams, Fflur Hughes, Matthew Lawlor, Cris Tomos and Linda Williams.  They were also joined on the climb by a friend of the group, Wendy Knight of Carmarthen.

Matthew Lawlor said “Completing the climb was a great achievement for us all, even though it was a struggle at times! We all hope the money raised between us will go to benefit those in need and we look forward to the next challenge!”

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families.  They also run ten hospices across the UK, and their palliative care research and development unit seeks to improve care for those affected by life-limiting illnesses.  To find out more about their work, and the sponsored events that you can participate in, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

CAVS Staff in Sponsored Snowdon Walk

10 intrepid staff members of CAVS will be taking part in Marie Curie Cancer Care’s sponsored Snowdon Walk on Sunday 8th October 2006. The walk will follow the Llanberis Path which takes 6 to 8 hours depending on the conditions. If anyone would like to support the staff in their endeavours by sponsoring them or making a donation, please contact the admin team, 01267 236367, email admin@cavs.org.uk.

The staff taking part are Louise, Sandra, Sian, Fflur, Matthew, Cris, Keith, Debbie, Linda and Marie. Pictured are (clockwise from top left) Sian, Fflur, Marie, Cris, Matthew, and Louise.

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. They also run ten hospices across the UK, and their palliative care research and development unit seeks to improve care for those affected by life-limiting illnesses. To find out more about their work, and the sponsored events that you can participate in, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk.

The official website of Snowdonia National Park is www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk. 

Funding secured for Voluntary Sector Communities First Liaison Officer

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council and Communities First partnerships have received fantastic news that a recent funding bid to the Welsh Assembly has been endorsed.  The funding is made available to March 2008 and will allow CAVS to recruit a full time Voluntary Sector Communities First Liaison Officer and a part time Administration Post.

Ieuan Williams (photo, L) the Director of CAVS noted “It has been great to receive confirmation of the success of the bid which will allow voluntary and community groups within Communities First areas to work closely with the new officer once appointed, in developing their projects”.  Ieuan added, “The new officer will link in with Carmarthenshire County Council and Communities First staff to effectively assist community and voluntary groups”.

Delyth Rowland (photo, R), Communities First Link Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council commented, “The new post will be based in Llanelli and the Amman Valley and will strengthen links between the voluntary sector and Community First Partnerships”. Delyth added “This development will be a great asset to the Communities First residents.”

Go to the Local Jobs page on this website for more information about the new posts.

First winners for Clwb Llais Myrddin

The lucky winners of CAVS’ Clwb Llais Myrddin first ever draw were announced on 26th April. Capel Hendre Old Age Pensioners were drawn for the First Prize of £100, and Carmarthen Blind Society took away the Second Prize of £50.

The Clwb was set up in January to create a fund to support voluntary initiatives in Carmarthenshire. Members of the club pay just £1 per month, and can win prizes of up to £100 in the four draws through the year. Anyone can join, whether groups or individuals.

“The Clwb has attracted a lot of interest,” said Cris Tomos, CAVS Business Manager, “and we’re delighted to be able to hand over our first prize winnings. The remainder of the club proceeds will be used to support local good causes.”

If you would like to JOIN THE CLWB then call Cris on 01267 236367, or email cris@cavs.org.uk. We are also seeking local promoters to bring more members into the club – local promoters get £2 for each new member introduced!

Click here >> for more information.

May 2006

CAVS CDF Second Round Awards

The second and final round of CAVS CDF grant was completed in February. Applications were received from 50 organisations, seeking a total of nearly £100,000 in funding. The grant pot of £39,000 was distributed to 24 groups.

The CDF is funded by the National Assembly Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP).

The following groups were successful with their applications:

May 2006

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