Third Sector Support – Mid & West Wales

THIRD SECTOR SUPPORT – MID & WEST WALES Delivering local support for voluntary action and social enterprise across the region.

Trustees and staff of the four County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys recently came together to witness the signing of a Regional Memorandum of Understanding. This event Issue 59 September 2012 signalled the start of closer Rhif 59 Medi 2012 collaborative working between the CVCs in Mid & West Wales for the benefit of the 14,750 voluntary and community groups in the region. Contents

Speaking from a Board perspective John Gossage, PAVS Chair, set out the benefits of the new joint working arrangements in the context of having to do Foreword 2 more with less, and explained that the new partnership would not preclude News from the Board 5 other collaborative arrangements if the need arose. He also stressed the ICT 6 commitment of each CVC to local delivery of support to local groups: Social Services 8 Funding Events 9 “In PAVS, our red line has always been the need to retain local delivery of services for Pembrokeshire community groups, voluntary organisations and Funding News 12 social enterprises.” Training & Engagement Gateway 14 The Memorandum of Understanding covers key areas such as quality Funding News & assurance; regional and local service delivery; shared posts and functions; joint Development Support 16 income generation and procurement, shared internal services, and so on. It is Social Enterprise 21 underpinned by a detailed action plan that will be overseen by a Regional Charity Commission 22 Management Team, with progress being reported to Board members. Volunteering 25 Other News 27 Following the signing ceremony, Sue Leonard (PAVS Chief Officer) led a Membership & Diary participative workshop providing trustees and staff with an opportunity to share Dates 28 ideas for regional collaboration across a range of functional and service areas.

The event marked a milestone for the four CVCs but in his speech John Gossage was keen to remind those present that this was just the start:

“Collaboration is a process and not an event. It does not lend itself to a comprehensive delineation at the outset. Rather we are starting a journey together and as we travel along we will get to know one another. This is how trust is built.”

FOREWORD

Welcome to this edition of Pembrokeshire Voice. As usual, life in the voluntary and community sector continues to be busy and choosing highlights to include in the foreword is not an easy task. We hope you will think we have chosen well.

As you will have seen from the front page, PAVS has been working closely with its partner organisations in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys to develop a regional approach to its work, where appropriate. The forthcoming election of the new Police & Crime Commissioners has presented an early opportunity to adopt a regional approach, as the electoral area follows the Dyfed/Powys police authority boundary.

Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) is the Welsh lead partner in a UK-wide project called Safer Future Communities. The aim of the project is to support partnerships of voluntary and community organisations working in the area of community safety/ justice to influence the Police & Crime Commissioner’s priorities and other new local commissioning arrangements in order to access funding, service delivery and collaborative working opportunities. County Voluntary Councils have been asked to nominate a regional lead to work with WCVA to establish regional Safer Future Communities partnerships. CAVO (Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations) is the regional lead in the Mid & West Wales area.

A regional awareness raising event was held recently, with keynote speakers from the Home Office and the Dyfed Powys Police Authority. A “World Café” interactive workshop focused on how the third sector could contribute to key priorities including crime and re-offending; anti- social behaviour; violence against women and girls; substance misuse; youth crime; victims of crime and equalities & diversity.

Prior to the elections on 15th November, it is planned to hold further regional and local events to give a platform for candidates to set out their priorities and to provide a “show case” for third sector organisations to demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of their services in the area of community justice. The events will also be an opportunity to persuade the Commissioner of the merits of service co-production and the need to engage properly with service users in the design, development and delivery of services. It will be vital to convince candidates of the significant contribution that the third sector can make across all the priority areas of the 5-year Police & Crime Plan, which the Commissioner must publish by April 2013.

Working regionally across Mid & West Wales (Dyfed Powys) is the best way to approach this area of work – an early opportunity to put our Regional Memorandum of Understanding into practice!

In the previous edition of Pembrokeshire Voice, we told you about changes to the Local Service Board (LSB) and the way that strategic and service delivery planning will be organised in future. The Single Integrated Plan for Pembrokeshire will be out for consultation before the end of the year, and PAVS will be working with partners to hold an open event relating to the work of the LSB and the development of the Plan.

We are pleased to welcome Julie Kirk to PAVS as the LSB Link Officer. Julie’s role is to ensure the third sector is fully engaged in the work of the LSB and we hope that her efforts will lead to better outcomes for the sector and for the people who are supported by

FOREWORD voluntary and community groups across the County.

The LSB will also be developing an engagement strategy to ensure that as many people as possible have a say in the way that public services are designed and delivered. We are pleased to say that PAVS met the submission deadline for the Pembrokeshire Community Voice portfolio thanks to the hard work and commitment of the ten third sector organisations leading on the portfolio projects. The BIG Lottery assessor is due to visit PAVS very shortly and successful applicants will be announced at the end of December. The Pembrokeshire Community Voice portfolio – entitled Stronger Communities : Better Services – would certainly make a significant contribution to the LSB engagement strategy, so let's hope we will have good news to share in the New Year.

It is a great shame that the recent report into the failures of AWEMA (All Wales Ethnic Minority Association) has raised concerns at Government level about the state of governance in the wider third sector. This concern has led to the setting up of a working group with representatives of the sector, Welsh Government, BIG Lottery (funder) and the Charity Commission (regulator). There is broad agreement that everyone needs to “do their bit” to ensure that third sector organisations are properly governed by strong, effective and well-informed Boards of Trustees. This means that funders will look for more evidence of good governance through their funding application processes, and the Charity Commission will react more swiftly to reports or signs of weak governance, for example, consistently late returns or a high turnover of trustees on the Board. Third sector organisations identified as having actual or potential governance issues will be encouraged to seek help from appropriate support bodies, such as County Voluntary Councils.

From a PAVS perspective, this means that we need to continue to provide support for Trustees through the wide range of services offered by our Learning & Development team. These services include organisational health checks; tailored development support delivered to whole trustee Boards; training courses; events and seminars; newsletters and information bulletins. Joining the Pembrokeshire Trustee Network is an excellent way of keeping up-to-date with everything that is on offer to help Boards function properly and effectively through regular e-bulletins, training and events. The Network is completely free of charge – contact the Development Team at PAVS for more information.

The WCVA has recently published a “Good Governance Code of Practice” which lists 6 principles of good governance. This publication is available electronically from the Charity Commission website (www.charitycommission.gov.uk) and is an excellent starting point for Board members to self-assess their performance against a range of governance standards. This enables gaps in knowledge or experience or practice to be identified and addressed.

Of course, there are other quality assurance standards that third sector organisations might choose to use. These include PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations); Investing in Volunteers; Investors in People; Standards for Health Services, and so on. WCVA is currently working on guidance for evidence to support the Good Governance Code of Practice, which could in future be developed as a “Good

FOREWORD Governance” kitemark. Getting a kitemark is not the end of the story, though – putting theory into practice and embracing a culture of good governance is what will make the difference. In short, good governance is vital to the success and credibility of any third sector organisation – if you want help with any of this, call PAVS! More information relating to good governance can be found later in this newsletter.

It feels as if we are in the season of consultations, with a number of important consultations either “live” or about to be launched. We appreciate that it takes time to wade through the documents, but please do what you can to respond to our calls for feedback and comments so that we can make sure your views are properly represented. For example, please let us know what you think about the recently published draft Commissioning Code of Practice for Health & Social Care because this provides a framework for the Health Board and the Local Authority to commission services from the third sector. Part of this consultation relates to the new Support for Life grant scheme, which will be administered in Pembrokeshire by PAVS and will provide small revenue and capital grants for community-led health improvement projects. Overall, this is an important piece of work – please help us get it right.

The new PAVS training programme has recently been published – don’t wait too long to book your place as courses are already filling up. The ever-popular annual PAVS Funding Fair is fast approaching (20th November) and this will be closely followed by Carers’ Rights Day (30th November) based on the national theme “Getting Help in Tough Times”. Keep an eye open for further details.

This edition of Pembrokeshire Voice has the usual mix of interesting and informative articles that we hope you find useful. Happy reading!

Sue Leonard, Chief Officer John Gossage, Chair

WATCH OUT FOR ...

The launch of the 12-week consultation on the Single Integrated Plan for Pembrokeshire setting out priority themes and headline actions under 6 areas of work – Children and Families; Economy; Environment; Health; Safety and Safeguarding. Make sure you have your say!

The launch of the “I Matter; We Matter” campaign to establish what things are important to people and what help they need to make those things happen. The results of this Wales-wide conversation will be used to help Welsh Government develop a National Outcomes Frame- work for the new Social Services (Wales) Bill. This is a truly citizen-directed approach to developing outcomes and, if successful, could provide a useful template for future “conversations” on a whole range of topics. It really will be co-production in action!

NEWS FROM THE BOARD

AM DISCUSSES RARE DISEASES

Rebecca Evans AM has met with disability other frontline professionals, as well as campaigner Alan Thomas to discuss issues increasing understanding amongst the wider affecting people with rare diseases in Wales. public. They also explored the increasing role that telehealth could play in meeting the Alan Thomas is Chair of Ataxia UK’s South needs of people with rare diseases. Wales Branch, which offers support and information to people in Pembrokeshire, Alan Thomas said: “Awareness of Rare Carmarthenshire, Powys and Ceredigion. He diseases is paramount in all walks of life, to also runs the Living with Ataxia Global the benefit of us all. I am very Proud to be Network and campaigns widely on rare involved with spreading the, very important, diseases. word about the problems that a person with a rare disease may face in Wales, UK, and Mrs Evans is Chair of the National Assembly Globally. for Wales’ Cross Party Group on Disability, and has lead a debate on rare diseases in “As much of Wales is a very rural community the Senedd. She said: “Although the the use of Telehealth is of much importance conditions are rare, there are common for people with a Rare disease to be problems facing people with rare diseases. confident that their well-being is monitored These can include access to a timely leading to an inclusive life. diagnosis, misdiagnosis, lack of access to information, poor coordination of care, “As a Rare disease patient I only know too problematic transition from children’s to adult well how a person can be treated, and this I services, lack of access to treatment, a lack aim to change.” of research, and inequality of provision. A rare disease is defined as any condition affecting fewer than 5 in 10,000 of the “Thanks to a European Union general population. There are over 6,000 recommendation, however, the UK will soon known rare diseases. Rare diseases will have its first ever rare disease strategy. This affect 1 in 17 people at some point in their is an exciting development that has the lives – that equates to 175,000 people in potential to bring lasting, positive and Wales. transforming improvements to the quality of life of people with rare diseases. I am keen to ensure that this opportunity is seized in Wales.” Rebecca Evans AM Mrs Evans and Mr Thomas had a wide- and ranging discussion, including about the need Alan Thomas. to raise awareness of rare diseases amongst people working in the field of health, and

Rebecca Evans AM’s contribution to the debate on rare diseases: www.rebeccaevansam.com/rebecca-holds-debate-on-rare-diseases/ More information on Ataxia South Wales: www.ataxiasouthwales.org.uk/ Living With Ataxia Global Network: www.livingwithataxia.org/ For further information, please contact: Toby Brown, Research and Communications Officer, t: 02920 8988742 e: [email protected]

ICT

The Communities 2.0 project, funded through one, and not practical if you are an individual ERDF and Welsh Government, has now or a small organisation. entered its second phase of delivery until March 2015. By looking at open source solutions, you can have very similar programmes for free, they The programme offers quality ICT support are compatible with most other programmes and advice to community groups, voluntary and provide a professional option. organisations and Social Enterprises across the Convergence area of Wales. The project Examples of popular open source will also be working towards helping the programmes are: 750,000 in people in Wales who do not access the Internet to appreciate the benefits Alternatives to Microsoft Office of ‘Getting Online’. Google Docs Whatever you or your organisation is doing, Google’s free online office suite, available at we can support you by looking at technology www.google.co.uk, known as Google Docs is solutions that work best for your group and a whole set of programmes in one place. It help your community make the most of ICT. includes word processing, spreadsheet This could be anything from saving you functionality and presentations, as well as money, to raising funds, reaching more stat-tracking forms that integrate with people, strengthening your membership and spreadsheets and docs. It can be exported in publicising your cause. a variety of formats, including HTML, DOC, PDF, XLS, PPT and more. You might want to review your website, look at how social media works, develop a plan for Open Office the future or train your members to ‘Get Open Office, available from online’. www.openoffice.org is another option. It takes a bit of skill to get used to the interface As part of the project, a series of How to of this office suite, but offers all the basic Guides are being developed by the team. components of an office package such as One example shows how you might use text editor, spreadsheets, database and Open Source software to provide you with power point alternatives. Feedback has been the power of a paid for solution – without the mixed but it is a viable alternative. price tag. Alternatives to Adobe Creative Suite There are now ‘open source’ (or ‘freemium’) alternatives to almost any paid-for products Aviary at www.aviary.com is a “freemium” such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative product suite that possibly exceeds Adobe suite, programmes for pictures, storage, Creative Suite for being fun to use and easy email and many others. to learn. If you haven’t played with the free beta yet, or jumped to one of the paid To use many of these programmes it would solution tiers, you might fall in love with it be very expensive to buy a licence for each when you finally do.

ICT

GIMP www.gimp.org is another standby, and product that lets you view, edit, create and one that offers nearly as many options for protect PDFs. The free version offers almost editing that Photoshop does. all of the same functionalities.

Some people consider GIMP not enough of a substitute for Photoshop, but it actually does There are lots of How to Guides and quite a bit of the same things and is handy for Information about how technology can help photo and image manipulation and editing. on the project website at www.communities2point0.org.uk/technology. Picasa is an image editor at www.picasa.com. This programme is designed to be a basic alternative for The team based in PAVS can be contacted Photoshop, and works with the rest of the on 01437 771197 or email Google family of products, like Google Docs. [email protected] to discuss the support we can offer. PDFreDirect www.exp-systems.com is a

For future workshops and events information please go to: www.pavs.org.uk/training/train_prog.htm

Contact Box

Sue Blantern Communities 2.0 Circuit Rider T: 01437 771197 M: 07876 645869 E:[email protected]

Chris Allman Rural Circuit Rider T: 01437 769422 M: 07875 235290 E: [email protected]

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Common sense and consistency wins the day

Third sector representatives met with the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths AM, on18 June under the auspices of the Third Sector Scheme.

Throughout there was consensus that common sense needs to go alongside corporate governance and procedures regarding collaborative working, and that there needs to be consistency in how the local health boards (LHBs) work with the third sector both across the seven LHBs and within individual LHB areas.

The meeting agreed a number of ways the Minister and Welsh Government could assist better third sector key service delivery in health and social care:

 A stakeholder task and finish group to review and make future recommendations for the Section 64 Grant Scheme - this will be set up in October 2012.

 Local health boards (LHBs) to be encouraged to move on from transition funding for the third sector to three year contracts enabling organisations to business plan – this will be put on the agenda for both meetings of the LHB Chief Executives and the Chairs, and outcomes will be reported back to WCVA.

 Improved administration by the LHBs of the Local Mental Health Grant Scheme – achieving transparency and consistency and timely clarity on the Scheme from April 2013, this will be also be taken to both the LHB Chief Executives and the Chairs meetings and reported back.

 A test of the procurement process to ensure that collaboration is not deemed collusion in terms of third sector organisations working together to develop effective and efficient service package proposals – a third sector collaborative example will be looked at in detail with the Welsh Government in order to see where possible problems arise and to develop solutions.

The third sector in the area covered by Hywel Dda LHB, led by the three county voluntary councils, had presented its co-produced action plan to the Minister at the last meeting and had been asked to report back to the her on implementation. Key progresses were:

 the local health and social care facilitators and brokers working with health teams and Local Service Boards enabling better, and greater consistency in, access to third sector services

 a draft commissioning code of practice with the third sector creating a single system for the LHB and local authorities out for consultation

 Investors in Carers being rolled out across the area resulting in more referrals to third sector services

FUNDING EVENTS

**Funding Fair 2012 – 20 November 2012**

This year the PAVS Funding Fair will be held on Tuesday 20 November at the Queens Hall in Narberth. The ever popular event will be lining up a selection of the most prominent local and national funders. This is an excellent opportunity for voluntary and community groups to find out more about different funding sources and talk to funding officers about possible projects and applications.

There will be a variety of funders in the main hall exhibition as well as an interesting programme of presentations and speakers. Discussing prospective applications always helps to save time for both applicants and funders and ensures that applications are well targeted. So come along, speak to the funding agencies and make your applications count!

The workshop sessions will include:  Exploring loan finance  Guidance on getting pro-bono support  Funders’ up-dates  Social Media and how to make it work for you

To book your place please call PAVS on (01437) 769 422 or e-mail develop- [email protected]. Pop this date in your diary and let your colleagues know!

Keep an eye on the PAVS website – www.pavs.org.uk – as more information will be posted once further details have been confirmed.

Training and Information Sessions

Funding Strategy – Survival and Resilience’. This two part workshop held on 26 June and facilities to the public while another group 4 July once again proved popular. It aims to was looking at legacy giving. An enterprising help participants explore the pros and cons of approach is encouraged, for example funding sources; gain confidence in using considering working with partners to provide business planning tools and to design a best value while sharing back room services funding strategy best suited to their needs. or rental costs.

A healthy 'funding mix' provides a strong Participants comment that the practical foundation for a group to work from so that if nature of this course is useful – using one source e.g. public fundraising, declines, business planning tools like the ‘Mission v’s another potential income e.g. room hire, can Money’ matrix which helps to avoid ‘mission be more strongly promoted. Groups are drift’ from the original objectives of a group or responding to the difficult economic situation charity. So even if a new enterprise might by being innovative, drawing on a wider raise lots of money it might not be in keeping variety of sources than in previous years – with an organisation’s charitable aims or may one interesting example was opening toilet even directly contravene them.

FUNDING EVENTS

The workshop breaks down any mystique about funding - a ‘funding strategy’ at its most basic charts current income, potential income and ways of working as smartly as possible, while involving members of an organisation plus potential partner organisations in designing a sustainable future.

Participants are encouraged to involve committee members and trustees in planning an organisation’s financial future. It not only helps to generates ideas from different ages and perspectives but also engenders a sense of shared responsibility which is what being a member of a committee is all about.

Participants are also encouraged to take a good look at its assets – buildings are an obvious example but skills and experience are also valuable and may be exchanged or ‘sold’ on a consultancy basis. Participants are also helped to feel more confident about the idea of tendering for work.

The next Funding Strategy Workshop will be in early 2013 and the course is being tweaked to meet current funding challenges while a ‘Writing Successful Funding Bids’ workshop will be held on 9 October 2012.

These workshops are supported by the Collaborative Communities initiative which is part funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

For a full programme of workshops, please check the PAVS website www.pavs.org.uk or request a copy from the Learning and Development Team by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 01437 769422.

Institute of Fundraising South Wales conference – 16 October 2012 This is a good opportunity to enhance your fundraising skills with presentations and break-out sessions run by experienced practitioners. The event in Cardiff will also provide a chance to meet up with other fundraisers. Website: www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/

PAVS Grants and Local Funding

Pembrokeshire Impact Fund – Applications are invited for the next round of the Pembrokeshire Impact Fund.

2012/ 2013 deadlines 16 November 2012 8 February 2013

Voluntary and community groups can apply for up to £2,000 of capital costs for a project but the scheme cannot fund the running costs such as general office equipment. Projects should show how they address the key themes of community involvement, sustainability and equal opportunities. With the funding climate becoming more and more competitive, applications need to be as robust as possible and show sound evidence of need. This can range from survey and questionnaires results, through to letters of support or community Action Plans.

FUNDING EVENTS

The PAVS’ Learning and Development Team is here to help. If you would like to discuss a potential project or need guidance to complete an application form, then just get in touch. For application packs or information, please contact Lindsay Morgan on [email protected] or 01437 769 422. ______

Little Green Grant – funded until March 2013 This is a local grant initiative supported by the Sustainable Development Fund, which is administered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and funded by the Welsh Government. If you have a project or idea which you think will help you and others in your community to put living in a more sustainable way into practice then the Little Green Grant could offer you some help to get started. Individuals, groups of individuals, voluntary or community groups, local organisations or small businesses may apply for up to £1,500 towards a project in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or that shows genuine support and benefit to communities within the National Park.

Possible projects could include: * Community allotments and community composting * Education or information resources * Development of newsletters/ websites/ information networks * Community based sustainable transport initiatives * Sustainable food production and consumption of local produce * Sustainable use of water resources and access to water

PAVS’ Pembrokeshire Impact Fund (PIF) supports capital costs only for groups carrying out projects in Pembrokeshire. If a project meets the criteria for both grant schemes then complementary funding could be applied for from the Little Green Grant for revenue project costs whilst applying to the Pembrokeshire Impact Fund for capital costs. Applications can also be made to the Little Green Grant for stand-alone revenue projects or capital / revenue projects that do not fit the criteria for the PIF.

2012/ 2013 deadlines 16 November 2012 8 February 2013

If you would like to discuss an application, request an application pack or require support to complete the application form, then please contact the PAVS Learning and Development Team on 01437 769 422 or e-mail [email protected] ______

Sport Wales Community Chest The Community Chest fund is administered by Sport Pembrokeshire and the panel meets regularly. It supports the development of grassroots sport and extra funding has been allocated in this Olympic year.

Sport clubs and organisations can still apply for up to £1500 to help with coaching and equipment costs but there is an extra £1500 for projects which:  Help clubs prepare to make the most of the interest generated by the Olympics and Paralympics

FUNDING EVENTS

 Specifically tackle major sports participation inequalities, including::  Women and girls  Children, young people and families experiencing poverty  Disability (inclusion)  BME populations

For further details please contact Alan Jones, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development Link Officer, on 01437 776191.

Collaborative Communities project support

Several projects in Pembrokeshire have received Targeted Finance Package (TFP) funding through the Collaborative Communities initiative. Over the past year, projects supported by the local Collaborative Communities team, which have received TFP funding include:

 Pembrokeshire FRAME Ltd  Clynfyw Care Farm near Abercych,  Pembroke 21C  PRTA Preseli Community Transport  The Phoenix Community Centre in Goodwick

For more information about the support available through the Collaborative Communities Initiative which encourages the development of sustainable organisations and social enterprise, please contact PAVS on 01437 769 422 or [email protected] For general information please go to: www.collaborativecommunities.org.uk

Funding News In addition to the main CFAP scheme, CFAP provides funding for small grants schemes The Community Facilities and Activities such as PAVS’ Pembrokeshire Impact Programme consultation – have your say Fund, these are administered in each local by the 31 October authority area by County Voluntary Councils. There will be a separate consultation on this The Community Facilities and Activities in the near future. Programme (CFAP) has been going through an internal review, and is now in a Comments must be submitted by 31 October consultation period. This successful and 2012, in the following ways: Online form at popular Welsh Government programme has wales.gov.uk/consultations/forms/cfapform/ helped to create and renew over 860 community facilities in every part of Wales Email [email protected] since it began in 2002. Much has changed in Post: that time and a review of the programme is Community Grants Unit now needed to ensure that it continues to Communities Division meet the needs of Welsh communities and Welsh Government delivers the best possible value for public Rhyd-y-car money. Proposals to meet these aims are set Merthyr Tydfil out below. CF48 1UZ

FUNDING NEWS

Credit Union Benefit for Charities & Social previous year. The average monthly donation Enterprises rose from £13.19 to £13.38 per month. The number of people using payroll giving has This year, charities, community groups and risen to a four year high, according to social enterprises across England, Scotland separate research from accountancy firm and Wales have, for the first time, been able Wilkins Kennedy, using the HMRC database. to join a credit union and use the financial In 2011/12 15,000 more people used the services it provides. Credit unions can now: scheme than in the previous year, taking the  Extend membership to new groups total to 735,000. This is the highest number without having to prove that all eligible taking part since 2008/09 but is still below the members have something in common. 2007/08 level when 758,000 people used  Provide services to all the staff, members payroll giving. To read more about this and service users of a charity, please see: www.philanthropyuk.org community group or social enterprise even if they are spread across the country. Fundraising regulation  Choose to pay interest on savings * transferring face-to-face fundraising for instead of a dividend. direct debits to the local authority licensing regime The Association of British Credit Unions * a single self-regulatory body covering all (ABCUL) Chief Executive, Mark Lyonette elements fundraising should be said: “The new rules mean that, for the first established this year time, credit unions will be able to offer * membership of the Fundraising Standards services directly to charities, social Board (FRSB) should be encouraged. It enterprises and community groups, allowing should be compulsory for charities with credit unions to compete more effectively annual incomes of over £1 million. with banks and other lenders to provide fair * a standing committee should be created to and affordable financial services.”The establish a straightforward fundraising changes will also help credit unions build licensing regime. stronger relationships with the staff, members and service users of organisations, helping Charity finance and management them to develop a savings habit - which can Recommendations included: only be good for communities. * raising the income threshold for compulsory registration for charities from £5,000 to Gift Aid – claim form reminder £25,000 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has * charities should complete a single form to reminded charities that the new R68 (i) - Gift register with the Charity Commission and Aid and tax repayment claim form should be HM Revenue & Customs, not two separate used from now on and can be accessed from forms. hmrc.gov.uk/news/giftaid-form.htm Sector reaction Employee giving up 3.5% in 2011/12, Alistair McLean, Chief Executive of the HMRC figures show Fundraising Standards Board, welcomed the review, saying: "The past five years have Charitable giving direct from employee pay shown that there is a real appetite for rose 3.5% for the year 2011/12, despite the self-regulation of fundraising, both within the difficult economic climate, figures published charity sector and amongst the public. by HMRC last month show. Donations via Workplace Giving, Payroll Giving and Give as CONTINUED ON PAGE 16……………. You Earn schemes were up £4m on the 13

TRAINING The Engagement Gateway – A Celebration!

A celebration event was held at the end of May to recognise all the achievements of the organisations in Pembrokeshire that had been delivering projects under the Engagement Gateway. A number of organisations attended the celebration event, bought along participants and provided some interesting and entertaining demonstrations.

Pembrokeshire People First demonstrate some techniques to gain opinion on human rights

Over 170 people attended, many of which were Engagement Gateway participants or have gone on to be volunteers.

Some facts and figures about the Engagement Gateway:

At the time of the event there were 36 projects who could work with people from Pembrokeshire. These projects are split over 27 organisations, and the total funding allocated to these projects was over £1.9 million. At the time of the event these projects had engaged with 1078 hard to reach participants and have helped them to achieve 283 qualifications. Over 700 participants achieved a softer outcome such as increased Greenlinks demonstrates some of the courses confidence and our projects have taken over participants had attended, including guitar playing 80 people furthest removed from the labour market and placed them into paid employment.

Baubo Moon gives a belly dance demon- stration that encouraged the audience to join in

Andrew Dugmore (Walk with Friends), and participants tell the audience about the nature awareness project

TRAINING

There was an amusing moment when the Engagement "Getaway” cake was unveiled, however it tasted great!

John Gossage (Pembroke 21C), volunteers and participants gave a presentation on the activities they took part in and some of the feedback they had received

All of the projects have now completed their activity under the Engagement Gateway scheme, however some activity- or different activities may still be taking place within the organisations. For many organisations the funding received through Engagement Gateway helped deliver additional, or new, services, or allowed organisations to have paid officers.

Bethan Jones (WCVA), Louise Wilkinson (PAVS) and

Sue Leonard (PAVS) cut the “Getaway” cake.

Learning Zone at the County Show – Your Choice, Your Future

Thank you to all those people who came to the County Show this year (14-16 August), and popped in to see us in the Learning Zone on the corner of Main Avenue and Band Avenue.

The Learning Zone was a one stop venue incorporating all the training and educational choices in Pembrokeshire for adults over 16 years of age. This year there were more than 16 stands within the Learning Zone, including PAVS and Communities 2.0.

Visitors were able get advice about learning new skills and gaining qualifications that could help in progressing careers or changing jobs and were also to find out more about volunteering.

FUNDING NEWS

Sector reaction continued from page 13 Hodgson review of Charities Act calls for stronger self-regulation We welcome these new recommendations, Lord Hodgson has published his review of which set out a clear path for strengthening the Charities Act 2006 and set out a number the scheme, ensuring the public can give to of recommendations covering fundraising the good causes they care about with and charity management. His eight-month confidence." review of the legislation was presented to MPs in July and featured 113 proposals. Self-regulation of fundraising, run by the ______FRSB, was first launched in February 2007. To date, more than 1,420 charities and VAT – places of worship suppliers are signed up to the FRSB, raising The Government has announced a around half of all voluntary income raised in concession on funding alterations to listed the UK. places of worship. Grants will be available from the Listed Places of Worship Grant The Review and an accompanying document Scheme which is to be given extra funding of can be downloaded from the Cabinet Office £30 million a year for the duration of the website - www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ (search current Parliament. under Charities Act 2006) http://www.lpwscheme.org.uk/ ______

NATIONAL FUNDING

Arts Council of Wales - Capital funding Arbed - £45 Million Available for Energy programme reopens Efficiency Projects This Lottery funded programme puts a The scheme is designed to support home greater focus on the refurbishment of existing energy efficiency and renewable energy facilities rather than new build schemes. retrofit projects for low income, fuel-poor Other priorities are capital investments households in deprived communities in designed to increase income and reduce Wales. In addition to reducing the carbon costs; involvement in wider regeneration footprint and delivering economic, programmes; and public art projects, with all environmental and standard of living benefits building-based projects expected to to disadvantaged communities in Wales, the incorporate a public art strategy. A nominal programme will generate jobs, attract allocation of between £15-20m will be investment and stimulate growth in Welsh available between now and April 2017. The energy efficiency and renewable energy General Guide to Arts Council of Wales businesses. Capital Programme and application were put online from 1 August 2012. This fund is in The objectives of the Arbed programme are: addition to the usual small Arts Council  Environmental: to increase the energy grants of up to £5,000 and larger grants over efficiency of existing homes in Wales - £5,000. particularly the most energy inefficiency homes - and reduce carbon dioxide For further information about the capital emissions. programme, please contact Sian James on  Social: to reduce the impact of fuel 029 2044 1344 or email poverty on people in Wales. [email protected] or view details Economic: create jobs and economic on www.artswales.org.uk opportunities for Welsh businesses in the

NATIONAL FUNDING design, manufacture, distribution, installation and will get more people involved in sport. and maintenance of domestic energy The funders are looking for applications from efficiency measures and renewable energy a partnership with a lead agency that pick up technologies. themes from the new Community Sport Strategy, details of which can be found on The programme will fund projects by social www.sportwales.org.uk housing providers to retro-fit energy efficiency measures and technologies within Look at the details on the Sport Wales regeneration areas, which have the potential website www.sportwales.org.uk/funding-- to boost economic development and support/our-grants/calls-for-action.aspx regeneration in Wales, including: solid wall insulation, solar panels (PV), solar The deadline for the first stage application is water heaters, heat pumps, fuel switching 31 October 2012 . For further assistance you and bespoke solutions.Check the Welsh can contact Carwyn Young, Regional Government website for details: Development Officer for Sport Wales on 0845 http://wales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ 045 0906. For local advice, please call Alan Jones, the Pembrokeshire Sports Development Link Lush Charity Pot Officer on 01437 776191. Cosmetics firm Lush has announced its ______‘Charity Pot’ fund to support grassroots organisations working in environment, animal protection and human rights. Funds through Charitable Trusts this scheme range from a few hundred pounds to a maximum of £10,000 per project. Barchester Healthcare Foundation The average grant is around £4,000. They The Barchester Healthcare Foundation, a are particularly looking for projects that registered grant making charity that helps create long-term change and therefore older people and other adults with a disability prioritise projects which aim to change across England, Scotland and Wales, has opinion and behaviour through raising announced that for 2012, their grant making awareness, education and campaigning. priority is to help older people (65+) in the They also fund projects that provide aid and community, to improve their mobility, support, such as animal shelters, refugee independence and quality of life. Grants of support and advice groups. between £100 and £5,000 are available to both individuals and small community groups. To request a new funding application form Please consult the website and full guidelines please email charity- www.bhcfoundation.org.uk Applications can [email protected] with the subject ‘Application be submitted at any time. Form Request. Give a brief description of your organisation in the email and the project you'd like funding for (no more than a couple Comic Relief - UK Grant Programme of paragraphs). All emails will receive an auto FINAL ROUND OPEN reply email and an application form will be The Comic Relief UK Grant Programmes are sent to you separately in a couple of days. now open to applications. Grants are awarded under the following programmes. New Sport Wales grant ‘Calls for Action’  Mental health. Sport Wales is inviting applications for  Sport for change. funding of £50,000 to £150,000 for visionary  Older People's Programme 'Managing projects that will deliver ambitious outcomes Money Better' 17

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 Refugee and asylum seeking women proposed merger makes sense.  Young People aged 11-25: Applications for the following types of work  Young people and mental health will be considered:  Sexually exploited and trafficked  Consultancy on pre-merger issues young people including feasibility work  Domestic and sexual abuse: young  Consultation with staff, beneficiaries, people members and other stakeholders  Young people and alcohol.  Facilitation of discussions with the potential merger partner(s). Grants of between £25,000 and £40,000 are  Governance, planning, financial, legal, HR available for one to three years. or communications advice. Consideration will be given to any reasonable Under the Sport for Change Programme, request for work that helps to make the grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 are decision of whether or not to merge easier. available and under the Older People's The focus of the merging organisations must Programme 'Managing Money Better' grants come under the Foundation's areas of of over £10,000 are available. There is no interest: the arts; education and learning; the maximum amount. Applications are environment; and social change. accepted from the voluntary and community The total value of the Fund is £100,000 and sector throughout the UK including: the Foundation anticipates making between  Constituted voluntary and community 10 and 15 grants from this amount. groups There is no closing date but applicants  Charities should be aware that applications are  Social enterprises assessed as they are submitted which means  Cooperatives that once all the funds have been allocated  Faith organisations no new applications will be considered. For  Community interest companies more details, please look at the website:www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/ Cycle Nine deadline for Other UK Programmes (Young people and mental McDonalds KickStart Grants health, sexually exploited and trafficked McDonalds is providing grants through its young people, Domestic and sexual abuse, KickStart scheme which has an annual mental health, Young people and alcohol, budget of £75,000 to help support community Refugee and asylum-seeking women): 19 football clubs that are recognised by the October 2012 (12 noon). Please consult the national FA and have at least one team at or website for more details: below junior (U18) level to help develop their www.comicrelief.com players and the community. ______They exclude applications for advertising and promotions, fundraisers, kit/team wear, club Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - Merger trips/tours, holiday training camps and club Fund Launched personnel wages/expenses eg fuel. The Through the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation's deadline for applications to the current round Merger Fund, support is available for not-for- is 30 September 2012. There will be one profit organisations in the UK that are in the further funding round this year, which will early phases of planning a merger. Funding open 1 October with the final deadline on 31 is intended for organisations that are December 2012. uncertain about what the decision might Website: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/ involve or those who need reassurance that a Sport/Football/

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Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy - 2013 Round Open The Call for Expressions of Interest to the 2013 Ashden Awards has now opened. The aim of the Awards is to promote the widespread use of local, sustainable energy because of the environmental, social and economic benefits which it can provide. The 2013 Awards are broken down into two areas: International Awards and UK Awards. The International Awards offer a Gold Award of £40,000 and four Awards of £20,000; and the UK Awards offer a Gold Award of £20,000 and three individual prizes of £10,000. Businesses, not-for-profit groups, schools and public sector organisations with suitable projects can enter the UK Awards. Businesses, NGOs, social enterprises and government organisations working in developing economies (which do not have developed world standards of living), such as Africa, Latin America and southern and eastern Asia are eligible to apply for International Awards. The Awards operate a two-stage application process. The deadline for Expressions of Interest to the International Awards is 23 October 2012 and for the UK Awards; 30 October 2012. Website: www.ashden.org/

Lottery News

Big Lottery Fund – People and Places programme The People and Places programme will fund revenue and capital projects from £5,001 - £1 million. The programme will remain open for application during 2012. The current programme is being reviewed and there will be a demand lead programme after this. However People and Places will not be closing but the new scheme will dovetail with the existing at the end of 2012/ early 2013. No dates for this have been released as yet. Details on any changes as a result of this amended scheme will be reported as soon as further details are available. Currently applicants who have been successful at the first stage Outline Proposal are able to receive support through the Better Bids team. Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

Heritage Lottery Fund HLF has announced new funding streams and initiatives which will invest £375m a year of lottery money into projects over the next five years. Following a consultation which received 2,000 responses, the HLF aims to stimulate new ideas and approaches, share best practice and act as a strong voice for heritage.

The strategic framework for 2013-2018 sets out plans designed to deliver long term and sustainable benefits and aims to respond to changing needs in all sorts of ways including a new very simple ‘Sharing Heritage’ grant programme for smaller projects needing £3,000- £10,000; further promotion of the Skills for the Future programme and supporting philanthropic giving through endowments. Plans also include a new Heritage Enterprise scheme for making challenging historic sites more accessible and recognizing the importance of digital access and calculating carbon footprints.

For more details about the Strategic Framework and the consultation results, visit the ‘About Us’ What we do page of the HLF website at www.hlf.org.uk

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Collaborative Communities The Collaborative Communities team continues to provide support and advice to third sector organisations, including ways to move from grants to trading and development of Social Enterprise. PAVS development officers work with county council officers to provide a range of advice and information. Details on up and coming workshops and information sessions can be found on the PAVS website www.pavs.org.uk or contact PAVS officers by calling 01437 769 422 or e-mailing [email protected] For more information about the Collaborative Communities partnership, please visit: www.collaborativecommunites.org.uk

Risk Assessment for the Trustees Report When completing your Trustees’ Report each year, you must include a statement which demonstrates that you have undertaken a risk assessment in order to make an annual statement. This is required by Charity Law, ‘A statement as to whether the charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks’. Many charity Trustees’ Reports contain a very bland statement on the lines of: ‘The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage those risks’. Whilst such a statement complies with the requirements, the trustees will need to be able to demonstrate that they have actually undertaken a risk assessment in order to be able to make this annual statement. Consideration should also be given to expanding this statement in the Trustees’ Report, in the spirit of transparency and best practice, by giving details of what these major risks are, their potential impacts and how they are managed. The Charity Commission’s guidance, CC 26 Charities & Risk Management, provides useful information on the basic principles and strategies charities can adopt to manage their risks. In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for organisations to have reviewed their decision making processes, budgets, strategy and plans for the future in a structured and organised way. Trustees think about risks and weigh up in their minds the pros and cons of the choices available to them before they make a decision. Each person’s choice will be influenced by their own comfort level with regard to risk. Managing risk within an organisation is a necessity in order to ensure commonality of dealing with day-to-day management and of making the right decisions. Risk management helps an organisation to identify and recognise its existing control environment and to identify gaps that may exist, and how it is managing the risks to which it is exposed. Where risk management has been embedded and integrated into the governance of an organisation it can be a powerful tool in allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to situations as they arise. Risk management is not a separate exercise that is conducted once a year but should be seen as the way that the organisation operates in achieving its objectives and fulfilling its strategy. Risks are usually categorised into key areas and are commonly identified as strategic, operational, financial, reputational, regulatory and people orientated. Therefore risks are much wider than purely financial risks. The risks are recorded in a risk register and are ranked by their impact or significance to the organisation. PAVS has a risk register template for groups to

NATIONAL FUNDING use as a starting point when developing their own. The Charity commission’s CC26 cites: there are four basic strategies that can be applied to manage an identified risk, these include:  transferring the financial consequences to third parties or sharing it, usually through insurance or outsourcing;  avoiding the activity giving rise to the risk completely, for example, by not taking up a contract or stopping a particular activity or service;  management or mitigation of risk;  accepting or assessing it as a risk that cannot be avoided if the activity is to continue (an example of this might be where trustees take out an insurance policy that carries a higher level of voluntary excess or where the trustees recognise that a core activity carries a risk but take steps to mitigate it – public use of a charity’s property such as a village hall would be such a risk). From their review the trustees will be able to confirm the action plan that the charity is undertaking to manage those risks. For further guidance, see the Charity Commission document, CC8 Internal Financial Controls for Charities, and the Internal Financial Controls for Charities Checklist. (Source: Alexander Broomfield Briefing June 2012) Collaborative Communities Marketing & Communication Conference SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

There’s only one place to be this November if you’re a Social Enterprise (or are thinking of setting up a Social Enterprise) in Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Pembrokeshire or Neath Port Talbot.

Collaborative Communities - a project which promotes social enterprises - is holding a conference - boasting inspiring speeches by national figures - at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli on Thursday, 22nd November 2012 The theme of the event is Marketing and Communications.

The key-note speakers will be: Nigel Kershaw OBE - Chief Executive of Big Issue Invest and Group Chairman of The Big Issue Company. Big Issue Invest, part of The Big Issue Group, is the UK’s leading innovative provider of finance to social enterprises that are providing ground-breaking business solutions that seek to dismantle poverty. Nigel, who was made an OBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List for his services to social enterprise, is leading BII’s mission to create a Social Merchant Bank “By social entrepreneurs – for social entrepreneurs.” And Robert Ashton – the barefoot entrepreneur. Robert helps individuals, organisations and communities achieve greater social impact through economic self-sufficiency. He is a best- selling business author, experienced charity trustee and creative social entrepreneur.

During the day there will be a chance to attend two workshops of your choice, from subjects such as Social Media, Branding, Sustainable Cultures, Public Relations, Creative Thinking and much more.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE There will also be an opportunity to network with other Social Enterprises and meet some of the projects Collaborative Communities has assisted.

Jane Lewis, Collaborative Communities project manager, said: “We are very excited to bring these high-profiled names to West Wales. It’s a great chance for the Social Enterprise community to come together, network, listen to these inspirational speakers and take part in a number of different workshops all under one roof.”

Opening the conference, which takes place from 9.30am until 4.30pm, will be Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science.

Places are limited and must be reserved by the 8th November 2012. For more information and/or to book your place call Rhiannon Evans on 01269 590 244 or email [email protected].

Visit www.collaborativecommunities.org.uk for up-to-the-date information on the conference and the project or to get involved in our new Forum. Collaborative Communities in Pembrokeshire Collaborative Communities is a partnership project formed to help voluntary and community organisations become financially sustainable and to promote Social Enterprises. It consists of 8 partners: the County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) and local authorities in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. The project, which has been part-funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, runs until December 2013. The PAVS Collaborative Communities team consists of Lorna Livock, Wendy Marmara and Anne Isaac. CHARITY COMMISSION NEWS

New Registrations should become available during October.”

Since 1st March, the Commission now It added that an implementation timetable will requires all accompanying documents be published shortly to give more of an (governing documents, trustee declaration, indication of the proposed introduction times bank statement and other supporting and phasing arrangements. documents) to be attached at the time the online application is submitted. See website The launch of the CIO has been hit by for further information repeated postponements since it was first www.charitycommission.gov.uk mooted in the Charities Act 2006. The Charity Commission claimed last autumn New CIO due date is October that it had been ready for months for their introduction but hold-ups at Parliamentary The Charitable Incorporated Organisation will level had caused the delays. not be available now until October, the government has admitted, “The Office for The last due date announced by government Civil Society is now taking forward the was the first quarter of 2012, but now it has various clearances required before the been pushed back again to October. How- statutory instruments can be laid in ever to date no timetable has been forthcom- Parliament and the new form of charity ing. 22

CHARITY COMMISSION NEWS Companies House and Charity Commission consider common filing

Companies House and the Charity Commission are looking at how they can accept the same sets of accounts and common annual returns, in an effort to reduce red tape for charities. The Commission plans to consult the sector on the proposals during the summer.

This revelation is contained in the Office for Civil Society’s report on progress made on recommendation 8 of Lord Hodgson’s red tape-busting report ‘Unshackling Good Neighbours’.

Lord Hodgson’s recommendation was that “regulatory duplication, particularly between Companies House and the Charity Commission should be eliminated”.

In its update, the OCS said: “The Charity Commission has identified that this is the only example of regulatory duplication with which it is involved, as HMRC requires different information from charities registered for gift aid.

“Companies House and the Charity Commission are working together to address this issue and are considering both the joint submission of accounts and common annual returns.

“The Commission will be consulting on the change during the summer.”

The OCS added that once an effective solution is identified, there will be technical work to be done and a period of transition and adjustment for charities will be needed to become used to the different format. (Source: Civil Society)

Guides to Improve your governance: The WCVA’s website has a downloadable version of the ‘Good Governance : a code for the voluntary and community sector’ available. The code is an excellent resource for committees and is specially written with small organisations in mind who are wishing to review their governance procedures.

New Philanthropy Capital has published a report “The benefits of Trusteeship” available at www.philanthropycapital.org .The aim of the report is to “inspire more people to volunteer as trustees and raise awareness of all the opportunities that trusteeship offers”.

PAVS Workshops & Events October 2012 Writing Successful Funding 9.10.12 10am – 1pm PAVS Office Bids Pembrokeshire Community 10.10.12 6.30pm – 9pm To be Buildings Forum Event confirmed Is Social Enterprise for You? 24.10.12 6.30pm – 9pm PAVS Office Introduction to Marketing 31.10.12 10am – 1pm PAVS Office

For further information contact the Learning & Development Team on 01437 769422 or [email protected]

DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT Update from the RDP Rural Circuit Rider ICT Support and Development Service

The Welsh Governments Rural Development Plan is providing the funding that enables PAVS Circuit Rider Chris Allman to supplement the work of his colleagues in the Communities 2.0 programme to help groups throughout Pembrokeshire with their ICT development needs.

In this quarter we have launched new websites for Haverfordwest Film Society (www.haverfordwest- film-society.org.uk), a website that Claire and Geoff at Rheumatoid Arthritis Pembrokeshire designed themselves (www.rapembrokeshire.org.uk), along with an on-line forum for members, and a new website for Friends of the Earth Pembrokeshire (www.foepembrokeshire.org.uk).

Chris has also helped with the PIPPA website (www.pippa-pembs.org.uk) following the transition of their wheelchair hiring services to FRAME, creating an on-line application form enabling visitors to the website to submit an enquiry re wheelchair hire, a facility that is proving popular with both local residents and visitors to the area. Haven Credit Unions website has had a bit of a revamp of its front page (www.havencreditunion.org.uk) and Chris will be adding a revised loan calculator and on-line loans application processing system over the next few months.

A new website is also currently under development for Shalom House in St David’s that will feature an on-line shop for their charity gift items, along with a number of other website and database development projects that are in an earlier stage of development.

The redeveloped Pembrokeshire Halls website (www.pembrokeshirehalls.org.uk) is beginning to attract on-line enquiries regarding activities at local halls, although the official public launch will not be till the Autumn, and Chris has been busy visiting representatives from Pembrokeshire halls to show them how easy it is to update the new site to publicise their own hall and its activities.

Our aim is to provide ICT support services that are cutting-edge but delivered in a non-technically demanding manner so that it is the group that stays in control at all times, and you can have a full sense of ownership of the services and products we help you develop

If you’d like to find out more, or arrange an informal chat to explore your needs and what we can offer, please contact Chris on [email protected] or call 01437 769433, mobile 07875 235290.

LATEST VOLUNTEERING VACANCIES AGE CONCERN PEMBROKESHIRE - Coffee Shop & DEAFBLIND UK - Volunteer Tele-befriender Art Gallery Volunteer CLYNFYW CIC - Support Worker OXFAM - Emergency Fundraiser Volunteer DEAFBLIND CYMRU - Handy Person Volunteer ASH WALES - Adult Ambassadors/Young Ambassa- GUIDE DOGS CYMRU - Collection Box Coordinator/ dors/Young Campaigners/Events Volunteer Fundraiser/ Speaker COMMUNITIES 2.0 - Digital Champion Volunteer RSVP - Knitting Organiser / Buddying in the Commu- SPAN ARTS LTD - Reception & Box Office Volunteer nity / IT Buddying / One to one, time limited befriend- ECO CENTRE WALES - Gardener ing / Community Hub Co-ordinator / Organiser role – PEMBROKE DOCK SUNDERLAND TRUST - Cater- CRB application & RSVP membership / Orgaiser role ing Assistant Volunteer at the new the coffee shop – Setting up new informal groups / Organiser role – NARBERTH MUSEUM - Coffee Shop Assistant Vol- Supporting people unteer/Gallery Assistant Volunteer/Retail Assistant CLEDDAU COMMUNITY ARTS - General Assistant Volunteer 24

VOLUNTEERING

The Pembrokeshire Volunteer Awards 2012 Ceremony took place at the Pavilion Hall, Withy- bush on May 31st with many awards being given to very deserving recipients for their commitment and dedication in voluntary action in Pembrokeshire. Phil Steele, presenter from Scrum 5 kindly presented all of the awards to the winners (see photo gallery). If you would like to find out more about volunteering and get involved, please call Caroline White at PAVS on 01437 769422 or email [email protected].

List of winners of PAVS Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards 2012:

Group Over 25 Individual under 25 Winner Winner The Sunderland Trust Abigail Marriott, Barnardo’s Pembrokeshire Highly Commended Family Link V-Linx Project Theatr Gwaun Community Trust Highly Commended Commended Amy Picton, PATCH Pembroke and Monkton Historical Society Highly Commended Gemma Nutton, Disability Sports Group Under 25 Pembrokeshire Winner Commended PATCH Youth Group Molly Lewis, Barnardo’s Pembrokeshire Highly Commended Family Link V-Linx Project Barnardo’s V-Linx Volunteers Group Commended Mary Sigley Award Barnardo’s V-Linx Extra Youth Club Winner Katerina Foster, PATCH Individual Over 25 Highly Commended Winner Lucy Hinksman, Pembrokeshire People First Tracy Olin, PATCH Commended Highly Commended Margaret Povey and Pat Michalski, Age Con- Shelly McIntosh, Pembroke 21C cern Pembrokeshire Commended Joan Hague, Age Concern Pembrokeshire Trustee Commended Winner Martin Drew, Hayscastle Community Lucy Hinksman, Pembrokeshire People Association First Highly commended Sarah Picton, PATCH Commended Cris Tomos, Hermon Community Resource Centre

Special Category – Youngest Volun- teer Winner Katya Foster, PATCH

2012 VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS

VOLUNTEERING Volunteers urged to sign up for recently at the Withybush Showground, ‘Treats for Time’ Haverfordwest.

Stella Hooper, MHPA’s Community Liaison Officer, said “We are delighted to roll out Treats for Time and hope it encourages those who may not have considered volunteering to explore the wealth of opportunities on offer in Pembrokeshire.

As well as helping others, volunteering can A new volunteer- add value to your CV, help you meet new ing incentive scheme has been launched in people and gain new skills”. Pembrokeshire through a partnership between Milford Haven Port and Pembrokeshire Treats for Time is funded by Milford Haven Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS). Port Authority and coordinated by PAVS.

’Treats for Time’ provides rewards or ‘treats’ in return for fifty hours of volunteering, for example a day at a spa, theatre tickets or an activity day at one of the county’s many visitor attractions. The scheme was launched during PAVS National Volunteers’ Week and Engagement Gateway Celebration Event

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS Pembrokeshire ProHelp Autumn Events – Diary Dates

Business in the Community’s ProHelp scheme is teaming up with the Pembrokeshire Business Initiative to present the Pembrokeshire Business Zone 2012.

This FREE event will take place on Friday 9 November from 1:00pm at the Cleddau Hotel, Pembroke Dock and will be a mixture of support, information and inspiration for the community and business sector alike.

Pembrokeshire ProHelp will also be at the PAVS’ Funding Fair in Narberth on Tuesday 20 November, with a free workshop and access to free professional support for community groups.

If you wish to pre-book a ProHelp surgery for 9th November please contact Catherine Palmer on 07715 510390 or email [email protected]

NES FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

IT’S TIME to recruit wisely. Can you create a new job for a young person?

If your organisation is expanding and thinking about creating new jobs for young people, you could access financial support from the Welsh Government through WCVA.

Jobs Growth Wales is a Welsh Government programme that is investing in employers to create 4,000 job opportunities a year for 16-24 year olds that are job-ready but have found it difficult to secure employment. WCVA is a delivery partner to the Welsh Government and up to 1,000 of the annual jobs are targeted at third sector employers throughout Wales.

Through Jobs Growth Wales, the Welsh Government and WCVA can support you by:  Paying the national minimum wage for the age of the young person and the national insurance contributions for 26 weeks for between 25 hours and 35 hours per week  Advertising your job opportunities for you through Careers Wales website  Sourcing candidates and ensuring they are referred to you for interview  Providing you and the employee with support for the duration of the 26 weeks

For further information please contact Emma Gray; Employer Support Officer Phone 01970 631126/07730092178 or email [email protected]

New Members of PAVS

Since our last newsletter was circulated, we are pleased to welcome the following: Full members: Associate members:

 Lampeter Velfrey Community & Playing  Milford Haven Quakers Fields Association  Cartreifi Cymru  Hermon Community Resource Centre  Lawrenny Community Shop CIC  Pembroke Town Walls Trust

DIARY DATES The following dates/events were correct at the time of going to press:

 PAVS’ FUNDING FAIR - Tuesday 20th November 2012 - Queens Hall, Narberth  PAVS’ Annual General Meeting & Members Event - Thursday 6th December 2012 at Crundale Village Hall, Crundale

Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services Cymdeithas Gwasanathau Gwirrfoddol Sir Benfro 36 - 38 High Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2DA 36 - 38 Stryd Fawr, Hwlffordd, Sir Benfro, SA61 2DA Tel: 01437 769422 Fax/Ffacs: 01437 769431

Email: [email protected]

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OFARTICLES FOR NEXT EDITION: FRIDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2012