News

WCVA response to WEFO consultation on 2014-2020 European programmes

Tue, 31 Jan 2012

WCVA, in consultation with the third sector European forum (3-SEF), has recently responded to WEFOs reflection exercise on the current round of European Structural Funds which will help inform the 2014-20 programmes.

Based on WCVAs experience of delivering European projects and feedback from the sector, the response includes our view on what should be the investment priorities of the 2014-20 programmes and what lessons have been learned from the current round of Structural Funds.

Minister introduces bill to improve Social Services

Wed, 25 Jan 2012

The Welsh Government has announced a new Social Services Bill for Wales.

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services, announced the bill yesterday. It promises to give greater voice and control to service users, strengthen early intervention with mandatory enhancement of wellbeing, create clear and strong local accountability and improve health and social services integration.

Volunteering and Citizen Involvement in Wales Looking to the Future

Mon, 23 Jan 2012

South Wales Volunteering Forum To Tweet or Not to Tweet? Managing Volunteers in a Digital World

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

This is a networking and skills event for Volunteer Managers across South Wales. The event will take a look at the legal pitfalls of social media and ways to ensure that your organisation has the correct protections in place.

Using the Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit- Personal and organisational development

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

This one-day course will help you understand the basics of impact assessment; looking at the stakeholders involved, scoping an assessment, selecting tools to use, analyzing information and findings and reporting to different audiences. The toolkit (retail price £35) is included in the price of the course, and includes access to an internet based resource centre.

Deputy Minister visits EU-backed WCVA projects

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

Earlier this month, Deputy Minister for European Programmes, Alun Davies AM, heard first-hand how third sector projects are helping out of work people to gain new skills and access jobs.

The Deputy Minister visited Groundwork in Bridgend and YMCA in Cardiff where two initiatives are underway as part of WCVAs Engagement Gateway and Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) projects.

Trailblazing Welsh charities recognised for their work

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

A service for vulnerable people that has influenced working practises across the UK and a co-operative responsible for diverting £93,000 worth of food from landfill are among four Welsh charities recognised for their work at a national awards ceremony.

A design team making specialist equipment for children with brain conditions and a community-run project where 95% of residents have helped smash recycling targets were the other recipients in the Third Sector Awards Cymru.

Wales get volunteering boost

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

Volunteering in Wales has been given a boost with funding being announced to continue two WCVA schemes into 2013.

The Volunteering in Wales Fund, a grant scheme which helps to recruit, train and support new volunteers will receive £1million for 2012/13 while GwirVol, an initiative which supports and promotes youth volunteering and is led by the views of young people, will receive £1,092,727.

Wales' first equalities charity launched

Thu, 19 Jan 2012

Diverse Cymru, Wales' first equalities charity, launched at the Senedd on 2 December 2011 in an event hosted by Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Leader of the House.

First MV50 Sports Certificate awarded

Thu, 19 Jan 2012

Eighteen year old Rhyl College student, Anthony Williams from Prestatyn has become the first ever young person in Wales to be presented with the MV50 Sports Certificate for completing over 50 hours of volunteering at Prestatyn Football Club. Anthony also volunteers at Rhyl Rugby Club as well as Claire House Hospice and Shelter Cymru Charity Shops in Prestatyn. Anthony said I really like volunteering. It helps other people and the clubs, and I make lots of friends.

The Downs Syndrome Association

Thu, 19 Jan 2012

The Association help people with Down's syndrome to live full and rewarding lives providing information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers and the professionals who work with them. They strive to improve knowledge of the condition and champion the rights of people with Down's syndrome.

Pioneering and innovative voluntary groups recognised with awards

Thu, 19 Jan 2012

Some of Waless most innovative and pioneering voluntary organisations will be showcased tonight at a Cardiff awards ceremony.

Thirteen groups ranging from a design team making specialist equipment for children with brain conditions to a community-run project where 95 per cent of residents have helped smash recycling targets are among those shortlisted for the Third Sector Awards Cymru.

How do you use the internet? The government wants to know!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012

The Government has launched a survey looking at how voluntary and community groups use websites and social media for networking and learning.

Dragons Den style event at CAVO

Wed, 18 Jan 2012

Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations (CAVO) Youth Led Grant Panel Dish the Dosh had a successful Dragons Den style evening on 10 August 2011 in Aberaeron. Applicants from the first round of the Gwirvol Youth Led Grants Scheme who had submitted a project idea on paper, were invited to come along to the Dragons Den style evening to sell their project to Dish the Dosh.Dish the Dosh is made up of young volunteers aged 16-25 from all over Ceredigion.

IVolunteer Participants foreign tour success

Wed, 18 Jan 2012

In November 2010, Colwyn Bay Community Sports received funding from Gwirvol to run an innovative iVolunteer programme that would harness the motivational power of football & the inspirational setting of a football stadium to engage young volunteers, and introduce them to the management of football in the community schemes.

Wales gets volunteering boost

Tue, 17 Jan 2012

Volunteering in Wales has been given a boost with funding being announced to continue two WCVA schemes into 2013.

Facebook, Twitter, blog... New ways to get involved with WCVA

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

Keep up-to-date and involved with all WCVAs activities by visiting our social media pages today.

Twitter stay informed with up-to-the minute news from WCVA and around the sector.

Facebook Like our page for daily updates, photos, discussion and to find out who our Member of the Day is.

The WCVA blog - read insight and analysis on sector issues (plus some light-hearted bits and pieces too).

YouTube watch interviews with key sector members and features on the issues that matter.

Flickr our photo-sharing site brings you closer to sector people and events.

Neath Port Talbot Celebrates Young Volunteers

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

More than 125 people attended the Neath Port Talbot Youth Volunteer Awards hosted by Kevin Johns at Neath Port Talbot College on Wednesday 9th November 2011.

Free health advice offers a boost this winter

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

If you run a small business and your staff feel under the weather this winter, a free health advice line could give you the boost you need.

Cardiff Bay Welcomes Green Heroes

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

Friends of the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path who have been busy clearing rubbish from the 125 miles of path around Anglesey, and Pant and Dowlais Boys and Girls Club are amongst the record number of entries shortlisted to receive Waless top environmental achievement award.