Pembrokeshire Voice Llais Sir Benfro · unsound to travel to Cardiff for a 2-hour meeting. SKYPE allows us easy and low -cost access to video-conferencing - it is an excellent facility

‐ 1 ‐ www.pavs.org.uk

Contents: Foreword 2 Membership 3 Partnership Working 4 Funding 5 Third Sector News 14 Training 20 Volunteering 23 ICT 30 News from Groups 32

Deadline for copy for the next issue is: Friday 19 June 2009 email to: [email protected]

PEMBROKESHIRE ASSOCIATION

OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES

CYMDEITHAS GWASANAETHAU

GWIRFODDOL SIR BENFRO

3638 High Street Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire

SA61 2DA Tel: 01437 769422 Fax: 01437 769431

3638 Y Stryd Fawr Hwlffordd Sir Benfro SA61 2DA

Tel: 01437 769422 Ffacs: 01437 769431

Issue 45 May 2009 Rhif 45 Mai 2009 On‐line to the First Minister

During his recent visit to The Mount Voluntary Action Centre in Carmarthen (CAVS), First Minister Rhodri Morgan took part in a “virtual” meeting with Sue Leonard (PAVS’ Chief Officer) and Sue James-Davies (PAVS’ Senior Administrative Officer) using SKYPE* - a free on-line communications tool.

Rae Coope (Carmarthenshire County Council Community Regeneration Officer) explained to the First Minister that SKYPE uses Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) that allows computer users to make voice and video calls to fellow users, type instant messages and share documents. The service requires a broadband connection and a computer with a webcam and speakers, but is otherwise free of charge and very easy to use.

“PAVS is a keen advocate for the use of SKYPE. Being in rural West Wales, it is time-consuming, costly and environmentally unsound to travel to Cardiff for a 2-hour meeting. SKYPE allows us easy and low-cost access to video-conferencing - it is an excellent facility. We also use SKYPE, combined with remote access software, to enable our staff to work on an outreach basis whilst still maintaining contact with the office” said Sue Leonard.

Rhodri Morgan was extremely impressed by the quality of the service and commented:

“I like to learn something new each day - and my new thing for today is SKYPE.”

*SKYPE can be downloaded for free from www.skype.com

Pembrokeshire Voice Llais Sir Benfro

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and CAVS Deputy Director, Cris Tomos, “skyping” with Sue James-Davies in PAVS

IMPORTANT REMINDER! The deadline for submission of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) for the Engagement Gateway is 15th May - see page 24 for details

www.pavs.org.uk ‐ 2 ‐

In the midst of all the doom and gloom about the economic downturn, I am pleased to say that there is some good news to share! The Big Lottery has approved a 3-year project to provide volunteer placements in health care settings across the Hywel Dda region (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion). The Volunteering for Health project is an excellent example of partnership working across three Counties - congratulations to all those involved in getting this far (more on page 29).

On the subject of health, it has recently been announced that Howard Waldner has been appointed to the post of Chief Executive of the new Hywel Dda health organisation. Mr Waldner has extensive experience within the national health service in the UK, but for the past five years has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Island Health Authority in Canada, a health organisation with 17,000 employees covering a geographical area the size of England and Wales!

At the Local Service Board meeting in November, members agreed the need to bring together teams of health and social care practitioners (including those in the voluntary sector) to provide a patient-centred community care service across the County. PAVS is represented on key strategic partnerships, and will ensure the sector is fully engaged in planning and delivering the remodelled service.

The Community Planning and Leadership Partnership is due to meet on 21st May, with a view to starting the process of writing a new Community Plan for Pembrokeshire, which needs to be completed by April 2010. PAVS has recently employed a part-time Community Planning Link Officer (through the Communities as Hubs programme being delivered by PLANED). Tina’s role is to find mechanisms for linking what emerges from hub area development plans into the community planning process. Hub meetings have already taken place in the St David’s Peninsula, with meetings planned in Crymych and Saundersfoot in May/June. Please make every effort to get involved so that your views can be heard.

PAVS is currently involved in rolling out the Engagement Gateway, a major Convergence project providing training and support for people furthest from the labour market. It is envisaged that the third sector will have a key role to play in the success of this project, with volunteering recognised as being a “first step” for many people who are not in employment or training. The launch event on 10th March was well-attended so we hope that a good number of projects will be established in Pembrokeshire (more on pages 24/25).

I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter which is, as ever, packed full of informative articles. Happy reading!

Foreword Sue Leonard (PAVS Chief Officer)

Children & Young People’s Partnership Workforce Development Strategy Consultation Workshop Wednesday 6th May 2009 ‐ County Hall, Haverfordwest (Committee Rooms) 9.30am ‐ 12.45pm (followed by lunch)

Pembrokeshire CYPP invites representatives from third sector organisations with a remit to work with children and young people to attend this workshop. The event will provide an opportunity to contribute views on the draft Strategy and to learn more about a new toolkit that has been produced by the Wales Local Government Association and WAG to help Partnerships implement Workforce Development Strategies. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Lee Hind (3rd Sector CYPP Link Officer) at PAVS for more information and to reserve your place(s) - telephone 01437 769422 or e-mail [email protected] .


PAVS News

Changes to PAVS’ Membership

PAVS is a membership organisation, run by its members (through the Trustee Board) for the benefit of its members - voluntary and community groups in Pembrokeshire. As a County Voluntary Council and a member of the Third Sector Infrastructure Partnership in Wales, it is essential that PAVS continues to build its membership base so that we have a mandate for representation on local, regional and national policy and decision-making bodies - and our members also important to us in helping develop our services for the future.

We have recently undertaken a complete review of our membership process and services and it has been decided to make some changes, which will be introduced this year. A new membership leaflet is in the process of being completed, but the following gives an overview of the key changes being made.

Membership subscription will rise to £25 per annum (or £20 per annum if paid by direct debit) for full and associate members. The current membership rate has not been increased in the past 4 years - and I hope you will agree that the new rate still represents excellent value for money at less than 50p per week! All income generated from membership subscriptions is used for the direct benefit of members, allowing us to continue to deliver high quality services.

In future, newsletters will only be sent in hard copy to paid-up members - unfortunately the cost of printing and mailing makes it prohibitive to distribute copies more widely, although access to the PAVS’ website will remain open to all.

In addition to receiving printed newsletters, members benefit from an excellent package of services including:

• unlimited “e-zine” versions of the PAVS’ newsletter sent via an e-mail distribution group

• equipment loan service (laptop computers, multimedia projector, flip charts, etc) • preferential rates for training courses, room hire, hot desk facilities, photocopying, etc • marketing support - editorial space in Pembrokeshire Voice; distribution of fliers, etc • access to finance/personnel support packages at negotiated rates (eg payroll services) • invitations to member events • voting rights at the AGM - and the opportunity to nominate Trustees to the Board

I do hope you will understand the reasons for these changes and that you will continue to support PAVS through active membership of the Association.

ERRATUM: the PAVS’ Annual Review for 2007/8 approved at the Annual General Meeting on 10th December 2008 contained a factual error. The ICT CVC Circuit Rider project was, in fact, launched in November 2006 and not in February 2008 as stated on page 14 of the Annual Review.


Partnership Working

Third sector networks met the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, on 3 March 2009 under the auspices of the National Assembly Voluntary Sector Scheme.

The third sector sought a response from the Minister on a paper already presented to at the Wales Economic Summit: Responding to the Financial Crisis: Opportunities for Different Ways of Doing Business’ which puts the case for a new mixed economy and new terms of trade. The co-operative, mutual and social enterprise sector provides a structure of financial, social and economic development that can help redress the balance between the continual drive for global economic growth with the needs of the real economy – its people, families, community and society. Ieuan Wyn Jones responded that access to finance was essential for both financial organisations and the consumer and that his department was therefore interested in:

• Stimulating and enhancing credit unions, co-operatives and social enterprises

• Refocusing Flexible Support for Business to protect existing businesses and not just promote growth

The third sector received updates from the Assembly Government on the re-timing of Regional Transport Plans: with final plans now being submitted by 30 September 2009. This is better aligned with the

development of the National Transport Plan, which will be consulted on in the summer. The third sector raised the issue that they had not been included as a stakeholder in the drafting of the National Transport Plan

The joint Welsh Assembly Government/ Welsh Local Government Association/ Regional Transport Consortia working group has been considering a range of possible future capital funding models for delivering the Regional Transport Plans. The third sector highlighted the need for revenue funding with the Minister: Ieuan Wyn Jones admitted that there were ‘enormous pressures on revenue funds’ and in identifying revenue streams: his department was trying to address this need for a balance in the spending programme.

The Assembly Government confirmed it is currently exploring ways of continuing the pilots of the Community Transport Concessionary Fares Initiative scheme, scheduled to finish on 31 March 2009, and expected to make a positive announcement in the next few weeks. The Minister agreed to the following for transport:

• Third sector to be involved as a stakeholder in the development of the National Transport Plan

• Third sector to feed in ideas identifying possible revenue funding from April 2010 onwards.

(Continued on page 5)

The Recession: Better Ways of Doing Business and Transport Developments

The theme for this year is “Carers are Pembrokeshire’s Unsung Heroes”. During the week, there will be three road shows in the north, south and mid County to provide information and meet informally with carers. These events are being co-ordinated by PAVS working in partnership with voluntary organisations in Pembrokeshire that provide services for carers, including Age Concern, Crossroads and Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach.

As in past years there will also be a CARERS DAY on Thursday, 11 th June 2009 at the Rugby Club, Pembroke Road, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest SA61 1LY

For more details please ring Nicole van Schie, Carers Development Worker at PAVS on 01437 771196 / 769422 or email [email protected]

Carers’ Week 8 th – 12 th June 2009


Partnership Working

Following the meeting, the Minister announced funding on 10 March to extend the Community Transport Concessionary Fares Initiative until 31 March 2012 and an extra £1m in 2009/10 from the Welsh Assembly Government for 15 community transport schemes for people with disabilities. The Minister said, ‘This pilot project has proved to be extremely popular, and has given many people greater independence and improved quality of life - particularly in our rural communities.’ The Economy and Transport department is

the first government department to complete its action plan with the third sector under The Third Dimension: a strategic action plan for the Voluntary Sector Scheme. The plan will be implemented from 1 April and provides a ‘good starting point’ for focused work with the third sector.

For more information on any of these items please contact Constance Adams, Senior Policy Officer, WCVA [email protected], or for a set of the full papers from the meeting go to www.wcva.org.uk/policy

(Continued from page 4)

Funding & Development Outreach 2 nd – 10 th July 2009

Funding Events

At the beginning of July we will be out and about again to meet with voluntary and community groups across Pembrokeshire. During the 2008 outreach we met with 36 groups across the county.

This is a good opportunity for groups to come along and find out more about a variety of issues including: Training; Funding; PAVS services; PAVS grant scheme (Pembrokeshire Impact Fund).

The surgeries will be launched in Haverfordwest in conjunction with the Lloyds TSB surgeries on the 2 nd July (see overleaf for more details) and then continue in the following areas:

Venues will be confirmed - sessions are by appointment only so if you would like to book a place then please contact Lindsay Morgan on (01437) 769 422 or e-mail [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you!

♦ Friday 3 rd July – Saundersfoot ♦ Monday 6 th July – Fishguard ♦ Tuesday 7 th July – Pembroke

♦ Thursday 9 th July – Narberth ♦ Friday 10 th July – St. David’s

Shelter Cymru’s Information Matters to Rural Communities Project Shelter Cymru developed this project in response to research showing that many rural communities have more limited local support services available than in urban areas and that homelessness and poverty is also more hidden and stigmatized . The Information Matters project aims to help rural communities become more resourceful and sustainable by providing information packs. These free packs provide practical and helpful information on housing, debt, welfare benefits and uniquely rural well being to help prevent homelessness and

alleviate poverty. Three thousand bilingual information packs have been produced, for distribution across the three Counties of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

To download a copy of the pack or for more information on how your organisation can get involved in the project log on to www.sheltercymru.org.uk or contact Shelter Cymru on 01267 225937 or by email [email protected].


PAVS is co-ordinating Lloyds TSB Foundation funding surgeries in the PAVS’ offices, Haverfordwest on the 2 nd July 2009.

Groups who are interested in finding out more about this pot of funding will be able to meet with Mike Lewis, the Lloyds TSB Grants Manager, for advice on eligibility and guidance on applications. Prior to confirming an appointment PAVS’ staff will check the eligibility of your group to ensure the best use of your time.

To register an interest you must be: • A registered charity whose core work helps disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in

communities in Wales • A local or regional charity with an income of £1 million or less

Lloyds TSB Foundation is particularly interested in work that achieves this through: • improved social and community involvement • improved life choices and chances • helping people to be heard

The scheme will consider applications for running costs, including salaries, to ensure that charities can maintain and develop their core work/services.

If you are unsure about eligibility, then refer to the checklist on the website which takes you through a series of eligibility questions - www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk/HowtoApply

To register an interest in booking a space please contact Lindsay Morgan at PAVS on (01437) 769 422 or email [email protected]. We will then check eligibility prior to confirming the time of your appointment.

Funding Events Lloyds TSB Surgeries – July 2 nd 2009

Institute of Fundraising Cymru Annual Conference 2009 “Back to Basics - a firm foundation for fundraising” at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea on Wednesday 20 th May 2009 from 9.30am- 3.30pm

£50 for members and £60 organisational and non-members with the chance to bring along a trustee from your organisation at the reduced cost of £10.

To book your place, please contact Julie on 02920 521272 or email [email protected]

PAVS Grants and Local Funding

We are pleased to announce the full allocation of the first year of funding through this scheme – £90,000 worth of grants has now been distributed to 40 groups across Pembrokeshire.

Throughout the year the interest in the scheme has remained consistently high and we have a further £180,000 for distribution as grants in the next two years of the scheme which currently runs until March 2011.


Pembrokeshire Impact Fund


PAVS Grants and Local Funding

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

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

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

PAVS’ staff are here to help if you would like to discuss a possible project idea or request support from one of our officers to complete an application form, then just get in touch! Application packs and further information are available from Lindsay Morgan – [email protected] or call (01437) 769 422.


Funding News

The Wales Council for Voluntary Action has drawn up an action plan to help charities through the recession. It aims to address concerns about cuts in spending and services by asking the third sector’s funders and the sector to:

• Honour commitments to maintain current levels of funding - and not make random, disproportionate, or inappropriate cuts

• Increase funding to areas experiencing higher levels of demand as a result of the recession

• Maintain continuity of service delivery at a time of great personal and organisational uncertainty

The paper says that the main impacts of the recession on the sector are likely to include increased demand for the services of some organisations, a decline in income for many, and increased interest in mutual and not-for-profit solutions and institutions.

The report can be accessed at this link - www.wcva.org.uk/images_client/publication/3rd.Sector.Recession-Eng-Feb09.GB.doc

WCVA draws up recession action plan for charities

The Chief Executives’ Body ACEVO has launched a new website to help third sector organisations weather the recession. The site contains various guides and tips written by experts on finance, management and career development. It includes news on the recession, as well as links to relevant organisations, events and courses. www.recessionsupport.org.uk

ACEVO offers recession help online


Funding News

Fundraising Healthcheck

Why not take advantage of a FREE confidential healthcheck designed to help charities understand the impact of the recession on their fundraising portfolio?

This has been created by the Institute of Fundraising and THINK Consulting Solutions, and was initially available only to members of the Institute of Fundraising.

From the beginning of April it has been made available to other organisations - visit www.fundraisinghealthcheck.org

Small organisations are being encouraged to register their services on the Sell2Wales website as part of delivery arrangements for the 2007-2013 EU programmes. Under the new programmes organisations can benefit from European funding - not only as sponsors or as beneficiaries of projects but also by tendering to deliver their services. Once registered with Sell2Wales (www.sell2wales.co.uk) organisations can then bid for contracts, and will be alerted of opportunities published on Buy4Wales (www.buy4wales.co.uk).

NCVO’s Collaborative Working Unit has published, “Collaborative working to generate income”, which introduces different ways of working with other organisations to generate income.

The subjects covered include fundraising events, joint trading, payroll giving through consortia, legacy giving and appeals. A range of case studies illustrate voluntary and community sector experience of joint fundraising activities.

For more information, visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/

Collaborative income generation

Third sector organisations encouraged to register on Sell2Wales

Charitable Trusts

Funding of up to £5,000 is available for small UK charities for a range of ‘unpopular causes’.

The Fund aims to address disadvantage, by supporting causes which may find it harder to raise funding. Priority is to support work at a community level.

Grants are rarely given to well-funded national charities, or to individuals.

Priorities for funding are homelessness; minorities; penal affairs; and overseas countries.

Website: www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk Tel:O207 603 1525

Hilden Charitable Fund The Equitable Charitable Trust is an education charity that supports projects for children and young people under 25 who have a disability and/or are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Up to £30,000 is available for charities and community organisations in the UK doing educational projects.

Grants fall into three categories and can be made for project costs, capital expenditure, equipment and/or the salary costs of a post. Priority is given to organisations and charities with annual incomes of under £5 million.

Website: www.equitablecharitabletrust.org.uk Tel: 020 7264 4995/4993

Equitable Charitable Trust


Charitable Trusts Money Saving Expert Charity Fund

The Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity is now distributing grants of up to £5,000 for charities, community groups and individuals to improve knowledge of consumer, debt issues, or personal money management.

In addition, they will also fund innovative projects that have the potential to help a lot of people – where this helps to educate and inform people about consumer or debt issues.

Website: www.msecharity.com

Following a recent strategic review, The Foyle Foundation has ceased to treat health as a core area for future grants from 1st February 2009. No further health-related applications will be considered.

Applications received before 1 st February 2009 will be assessed in the normal way before the Foundation's year end on 30 th

June 2009. As of the 1 st July 2009 the Arts and Learning will remain the primary focus of the Foundation.

Details of The Foyle Foundation can be found at www.foylefoundation.org.uk. Tel: 020 7430 9119

Foyle Foundation – ceases funding under “health” category

EON Source Fund supports community energy projects which result in the production of energy from a sustainable source or which reduce the amount of energy used by a community organisation.

Community groups, charities and not-for- profit organisations that benefit young people, elderly people or people in fuel poverty are invited to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to implement sustainable energy projects in community buildings.

The deadlines for applications in 2009 are 15 th May and 16 th October.

Website: www.eon-uk.com

EON Source Fund

The Hilton in the Community Foundation has published its application closing dates for 2009 (5 th May, 4 th August and 20 th Oct).

The Foundation's guidelines were updated in September 2008 – they give amounts of more than £1 million a year, and support registered charities in the UK working with young people on education, health and disaster relief (where support can be given for work outside the UK). Grants usually range from £1,000 to £50,000 though there is no fixed maximum and it particularly seeks to support smaller charities.

Website: www.hilton-foundation.org.uk

Hilton in the Community Foundation

Volant Charitable Trust The Volant Charitable Trust is based on funding made available by the author J K Rowling. The Foundation is currently seeking applications for projects at home or abroad, that alleviate social deprivation, with a particular emphasis on women’s and children’s issues. The Trust supports national or local projects with grants for capital or revenue items and for up to three years.

Applications are discussed at meetings in March and September each year. The next closing date is Friday 28 th August 2009. Web-site: www.volanttrust.com


Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Relocation

Charitable Trusts

As from 31 st March 2009, The Batty Charitable Trust has been closed down and with the consent of The Charity Commission its assets have been transferred to The Foyle Foundation. No further grant applications to The Batty Charitable Trust will be considered.

The Batty Charitable Trust closes down

TalkTalk – innovation in the community awards Support is available for technology-related projects or for technology equipment to enable organisations and groups to make the most of the Internet.

Thirty community groups and not-for-profit organisations that could use the Internet to benefit the community have the opportunity to apply for an award of £2,000. The 2009 Awards will open to applications on 1 st July 2009. For more information visit: www.talktalk.co.uk/

BT Community Connections

Funding for promoting community health and well-being is available from H.J. Heinz Company Limited for registered charities in the UK. For more information visit: www.heinz.co.uk

Heinz Charitable Trust

The Nationwide Foundation The scheme is expected to announce their new funding programmes in April 2009. No further applications will be accepted under the previous criteria. Visit the website for up-to-date information www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk Telephone: 01793 655113

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation This funder is launching a scheme to address mental health issues for prisoners and ex offenders. It is expected to begin in June 2009 and last for three years. Interested groups are invited to contact the foundation for an initial discussion.

Website: www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk

An award scheme, which enables community and charitable groups to get online and make use of information and communication technology.

Groups can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection. There are more than 1,000 award packages to give to groups who can demonstrate how an award will benefit their work and the local community. The scheme is open to almost any organisation working in the field of community benefit, located anywhere within the UK. Applications can be submitted for one of two rounds. The closing date for postal applications to round one is 9 th June 2009 and online applications 11 th June 2009.

Website: www.btcommunityconnections.com/ For further details and application forms call 0845 257 6792

From the 2 nd February 2009 the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is moving offices, the new contact details are:

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9AG Telephone: 0207 8123 700 www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk


Charitable Trusts

The Baring Foundation has announced that no further applications will be accepted for the Strengthening the Voluntary Sector programme in 2009. This is due to the high quality of applications received in 2008 which saw the fund committing the allocation for 2009. A final round is expected in 2010.

Website: www.baringfoundation.org.uk Tel: 0207 767 1348

The Baring Foundation This scheme has updated its grant criteria with grants available for organisations working with people under 18, or between 25 and 44, around issues of alcohol misuse and education.

The funds are: • Ideas Fund - up to £2,000 to develop

community based projects • Awareness Projects – up £25,000 to help

with project costs, resources or publicity for work already developed

• Big Impact Awards –up to £100,000 to help larger-scale projects have more impact or reach a wider audience, especially those that could have a national influence.

Project costs can be funded on a full cost recovery basis, but core costs and capital costs are not eligible.

Email: [email protected] Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk/grants Tel: 020 7307 7450

The Drinkaware Trust

The LankellyChase Foundation has published new grant making guidelines applicable from April 2009. There are 5 funding themes:

∙ Arts - promoting excellence and exploring the power of the arts ∙ Breaking Cycles of Abuse - promoting safe and protective behaviours ∙ Custody and Community - promoting alternatives ∙ Free and Quiet Minds - seeking to restore troubled minds and lives ∙ Local People, Local Places - strengthening local communities and organisations

Each theme has different elements, and different exclusions. Grants tend to be in the £10,000 - £15,000 range, for up to three years.

The Foundation is also inviting applications for small grants of £500 to support Summer Activities. Schemes must benefit children between 5-17 years old. In 2009, the Foundation is specifically looking to support activities for children and young people living in refuges, and for young carers. It also wants to see projects with strong volunteer support. Approximately 120 grants will be made throughout the UK. The summer activities deadline is the 8th May 2009.

Website: http://www.lankellychase.org.uk/ Tel: 01235 820 044

The LankellyChase Foundation

Foundation for Sport and the Arts From the 31 st March 2009 this scheme is now closed to applicants

Following a comprehensive review, details of the revised scheme are now available on the Co-op’s website.

For more information visit: www.co-operative.coop

The Co‐op Community Fund has just re‐opened after a review


National Funding

The Communities First Trust Fund, which will continue to be administered by WCVA, will be re-opening in the next few weeks. The documentation for the scheme is currently being finalised prior to its re-launch.

Groups in geographical Communities First areas in Pembrokeshire will be eligible to apply to this grant programme.

The WCVA are currently collating a list of groups who are interested in receiving more information once it is available – if you would like your details included then please call the WCVA’s Helpdesk on (0800) 587 8898.

Further details will be included in the next edition of the PAVS newsletter.

Communities First Trust Fund – re‐opens for business

GwirVol is a partnership between the private, public and voluntary sectors, designed to promote, support and drive forward youth volunteering initiatives.

As well as providing advisory assistance and signposting services, the partnership will give out £500,000 in grants, including £110,000 through local grant panels of young people, to encourage youth volunteering projects in their local area.

The scheme provides ‘Opportunities’ project funding of up to £10,000 for activities that will deliver a wide range of new and innovative volunteering experiences for

those aged 16-25. It will also offer ‘Promotion’ project funding of up to £5,000 to encourage volunteering, through promotional events, websites, exhibitions, or visits.

The scheme is open to organisations from the voluntary, public and private sectors located in Wales and applications can be submitted at any time.

For more information contact Jean Morris – Volunteering Pembrokeshire at PAVS on (01437) 769 422 or visit www.gwirvol.org for more information.

GwirVol Partnership: Launch of New Initiative

Lottery Funding

Awards for All – Re‐launched Programme Awards for All is a National Lottery funded scheme providing grants for small community- based projects throughout the UK. Following a short break in grant-making (from 31 st

January to 1 st April) Awards for All has now re-opened with grants of between £500 and £5,000 available for groups in Wales.

The programme aims to bring real improvements to communities and to the lives of people most in need. It will fund projects that involve people, bringing them together to enjoy a wide range of charitable, community, educational, environmental and health-related activities.

The application process is changing – and will be split into two stages – you submit a proposal and then, if you are successful, you will receive a conditional grant offer on provision of supporting documents including bank statements etc.



Funding

Groups will have an outcome within 4 weeks and successful applicants will then have 20 days to provide the requested supporting documents. The decision-making has been speeded up so that from initial application to receiving a grant will only take 8 weeks.

Examples of the items eligible for funding include: • equipment hire or purchase; • feasibility studies for building projects; • information technology equipment; and • publicity materials.

Not-for-profit groups, social enterprises, parish and town councils, schools and health bodies may apply to Awards for All. Applications are accepted at any time and will be assessed on a rolling basis. For more information visit:www.awardsforall.org.uk


The People’s Millions contest The People's Millions partnership between the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and ITV Wales gives the voting public the opportunity to decide which local projects will receive Lottery good cause funding of up to £50,000.

In Wales, The People's Millions is offering five awards of up to £50,000 for projects to enhance local facilities or help people to enjoy their local area. During four nights of competition, a total of £250,000 will be invested in the ITV Wales broadcast area.

The contest is particularly looking for projects that enable local people to get more involved in their community and that are original and imaginative.

Later in the year, short-listed contestants will be showcased on ITV Wales Tonight evening news programme where they will have to convince the public why they deserve the cash. The public then vote to decide which groups win the funding. In the last five years, the competition has made 18 awards in Wales totalling nearly one million pounds.

Entry packs are available by calling the hotline: 08450 10 11 12 or by visiting www.peoplesmillions.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 15 th May 2009.

Second World War veterans from across the country can sign up for a new multi-million pound commemorative funding scheme that will provide Lottery support for anniversary trips overseas.

The Big Lottery Fund has announced the opening of its funding initiative, Heroes Return 2, pledging funding for veterans, spouses, widows and carers wishing to mark overseas anniversaries throughout 2009 and 2010.

The Fund has opened up a hotline for all veterans to call for further information about obtaining a grant.

The Heroes Return 2 Hotline number is 0845 00 00 121.

Big Lottery Fund: Heroes Return 2 ‐ Veterans Invited to Register for Funding to Attend Commemorative Events Overseas


Loan Finance

CIF completed the investment of its first phase funding at the end of December 2008. The scheme had run from 2006 with funding from the Communities First Trust Fund – over this time £2.7m of loans and £420K of grants were invested in 44 community enterprises active in Communities First areas. The grants have helped projects develop their capacity to take on loan investment. Many of the loans were given with extended interest and repayment free terms.

The Fund is now looking at funding for 2009 and beyond - generating cash flow from repayments - and it is hoped that this money will be reinvested in community projects which demonstrate financial sustainability and good social returns. It is also the intention that CIF will operate beyond Communities First geographical areas in its next phase.

For more details visit the WCVA’s web-site - http://www.wcva.org.uk

Communities Investment Fund completes its first phase

Boom in loans from social lender The social lender Triodos Bank increased its lending to charities and social enterprises by more than 25% in 2008.

Triodos believes that there are strong opportunities for growth still out there and said that the rise in lending requests showed that social businesses were still optimistic about growth. There were particular opportunities for growth in the health sector and for organisations interested in buying property.

For more information visit: www.triodos.co.uk

This is financially a very difficult time for the voluntary sector as whole; people’s personal troubled financial circumstances have had a knock-on effect on many voluntary organisations. Many groups face the double problem of a drop in income levels, but an increased demand for their services.

The Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) has produced a report The Third Sector & the Recession in Wales – Toward an Action Plan which addresses concerns about spending and service cuts within the sector.

The effects of the recession on the sector are likely to include increased demand for counselling and advice services; a decline in income for many voluntary groups and reduced support for volunteering projects.

The WCVA proposes allocating greater levels of funding to relevant groups; increasing tax-efficient giving and launching a campaign called Now is Not the Time to Stop Giving, which encourages donors to continue supporting charities. The plan also urges the Welsh Assembly to support the development of community financing institutions and pilot a training course on managing in the recession.

The Charities Aid Foundation poll shows 41% are operating on less income than they had budgeted for, and more than half of charities affected by the recession have dipped into their reserves. The online survey of 322 voluntary organisations painted a bleak picture of a sector struggling to cope


Credit Crunch times for the sector ‐ how are we doing?

Third Sector News


Funding

with the economic downturn, with half of all charities are expecting total income to decline over the next 12 months. While income has been reduced, the survey clearly shows a rapid increase in the demand for charities’ services.

As a response to this, the Charities Aid Foundation has launched a free crisis helpline for charities who are worried about their financial viability. The helpline number is 0800 980 2000.

The Charity Commission’s latest Economic Survey of Charities also illustrates the deepening impact of the recession on charities. The report’s key findings are:

• 52% of the charities surveyed say they have been affected by the financial downturn; of these, 58% have experienced a decrease in income;

• 32% of charities say they have taken steps to combat the effects of the downturn;

• 64% of the largest charities are concerned that the downturn is going to affect future work;

• Just 3% of charities say they have considered collaborating with another charity and 3% have considered merging.

In addition, the research shows the measures taken by groups to combat the impact of the recession including reducing costs; increasing fundraising; drawing on reserves or more drastic measures such as cutting or holding off developing new services or reducing numbers of staff.

Top Tips to Deal with economic uncertainty - the NCVO have come up with some tips to help voluntary sector organisations weather the storm.

• Have a diverse range of income streams – explore all the available income options

• Strengthen key relationships - ensure that you are responding to the needs of the people that use your services and products. Be clear with your funders what they want from you and what you can provide. Consider working collaboratively.

• Focus on your mission - concentrate on your core business and make sure your organisation is doing what it is best at. Use the skills of board members and trustees. Regularly review your organisation’s performance. Communicate with both staff and volunteers.

• Tighten up financial systems - make sure that you have an accurate picture of income, cash flow and costs so you can quickly address any issues.

• Plan for the future - rapid economic change can provide opportunities as well as threats. Ensure your organisation thinks about what is coming and has planned accordingly.

The above report shows that these are very difficult times for the sector. However, on a more positive note, the determined, flexible and reactive nature of voluntary organisations, together with the commitment of both the volunteers and staff who manage them, will ensure that the majority of the sector will continue to carry on their work .



News from the Charity Commission

A Snapshot of Charities in Wales For the first time, information about the Welsh charitable sector has been brought together and analysed to produce an overview of charities in Wales. The report, A snapshot of charities in Wales, is published by the Charity Commission. The new report includes a range information on the activity of Welsh charities registered with the Commission, including the following key findings:

• There are just over 9,000 registered charities in Wales;

• They have a combined income of just under £1bn;

• They have 41,839 trustees, an average of five per charity;

• The highest percentage of trustees are between 60 & 69 years;

• 90% of them carry out their work solely in Wales;

• 13 Welsh charities have an annual income of over £10m;

• Around 250 new charities are registered in Wales each year;

• Almost half (46%) of the charities provide education and training as part of their work.

The report shows that the oldest charity in Wales, the Laugharne Corporation Lands, dates back to about 1290. Its main purpose is the relief of poverty and the advancement of education, but its activities have included helping the orphans & widows of the Battle of Trafalgar! The Arts Council for Wales has the biggest income at nearly £39m, closely followed by the National Museum of Wales (£30m) and the WJEC (£27m).

Since 31 January 2009, many charities which were previously excepted from registration are required to register with the Charity Commission if their annual gross income is over £100,000. Those up to and including £100,000 are not required to register but will come under the jurisdiction of the Charity Commission. These changes are primarily affecting churches and similar religious bodies, armed forces charities, and Scouts and Guides. The Commission expects to have registered the 4,000-5,000 charities affected by the new registration requirement by October 2009. The £100,000 limit will be reviewed in 2011 and may be reduced.

Information and guidance are at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk/registration.

Registration of Excepted Charities The Charity Commission is reminding the trustees of registered charities of a new requirement that came into force from 1 st April 2009. All charities need to give information that shows clearly how they bring benefit to the public, and are required to put this information in their next trustees’ annual report.

A range of practical guidance for charities preparing to report on how they benefit the public is on the Commission’s website, under ‘Public benefit guidance’. There are also online examples of trustees’ annual reports on the website for Parochial Church Councils; fee- charging schools and grant- giving Trusts.

Charities must show public benefit


News from the Charity Commission and Other News

The Commission has improved its Welsh language services for charity trustees who wish to communicate through the medium of Welsh. You can now:

• Write or email in Welsh • Phone the contact centre in Welsh • Access most of the advice and guidance

on the website in Welsh • Complete your Annual Returns and apply

to register in Welsh.

In the future Welsh-speaking members of staff will be out and about delivering training to trustees in Welsh. The Commission would like to hear about your ideas about how their service to Welsh- speaking customers could be improved.

The Charity Commission & the Welsh Language

An element of the the Government's new vetting and barring scheme has been delayed until July next year. From 12 th

October 2009 the scheme will establish a single body, the Independent Safeguarding Authority, whose role is to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults.

There are currently three separate lists maintained by two different government departments: the Protection of Children Act list, held by the Department for Children, Schools and Families; the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list, also maintained by the DCSF on behalf of the Department of Health; and what used to be called List 99, which is information held under the Education Act 2002 and held by the DCSF. These lists will be replaced in October by two new ISA barred lists.

The requirement for volunteers and employees to register with ISA was due to begin in October, but the Home Office has

announced that the revised date for the duty to register with the scheme will be 26th July 2010 onwards. The revised timescale is as follows:

From October 2009:

• The creation of two new ISA barred lists, replacing the existing List 99 and POCA, POVA lists

• Access to these new lists will be available on request as part of an Enhanced CRB check

• Eligibility for Enhanced CRB checks will expand to include more employment and voluntary positions; such roles will be known as regulated positions

• Standard CRB checks will no longer be available for those working with children or the vulnerable

• There is no change to the current application form or process


Independent Safeguarding Authority delayed

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has indicated that the new incorporated legal structure created by the Charities Act 2006, the charitable incorporated organisation, will be introduced in April next year.

Following the consultation with the sector on the draft regulations for CIOs, the Government is planning to make the regulations less reliant on company law and cut the administrative burden, therefore making the structure less complicated for small charities.

The OTS will publish a summary of the consultation and a timetable for the introduction of CIOs next month.

Latest on Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO’s)


Third Sector News

The WCVA & Geldards law firm are hosting the annual Wales Charity Law Conference in the Park Hotel, Cardiff on 21 st May. This year’s conference reflects the current economic climate and will look at the key developments trustees need to know about, offering practical guidance on some of the legal options that may help charities navigate the difficult times ahead.

The conference will be of interest to charity trustees, advice workers and those involved in management within the third sector. There will be a mix of presentations and workshops including:

• Independent Safeguarding Authority

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation

• Charity Mergers & Incorporation

• Managing Leases

• Employment updates

• Tax effective giving

• Data Protection & Intellectual Property Rights

• Charity Trading

• Charities & public giving

For further information on the conference contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or visit www.wcva.org.uk.

Wales Charity Law Conference

From July 2010:

• Individuals will be able, via Registered/ Umbrella Bodies to apply to the CRB for ISA registration if applying to work with children or vulnerable adults. There will be a 5-year phased roll out for ISA registration of those individuals who currently work with children and vulnerable adults

• Employers will be able to express an interest in a person’s ISA registration and informed of any changes to their ISA status

• The CRB will introduce a new application form to allow applications for ISA registration and CRB checks to be made on the same form

• Employers can carry out free, online checks of a person’s ISA registration status

From November 2010: • It will be a legal requirement for

individuals to register with ISA if they intend to work with children and vulnerable adults

In the intervening period it is important, therefore, to remind organisations of the importance of continuing to carry out CRB disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable groups where eligible. For full information about the safeguards and the dates when each one comes into force, visit the CRB website (www.crb.gov.uk). PAVS will keep you informed through our newsletter and website with developments as they happen.



Third Sector News

Help with the Welsh Language Many voluntary groups would like to provide more services through the medium of Welsh. ‘Linkline to Welsh’ is a free service provided by the Welsh Language Board. They will translate up to 30 words and edit up to 75 words free of charge ; provide a consultation service on place names and general information about Wales and the Welsh language and will try to respond to every query within 24 hours.

Contact Linkline on 0845 607 6070.

The PAVS’ on-line Pembrokeshire Trustee Network keeps voluntary sector groups within the county up to date with trustee and governance issues that may affect them. Members receive a regular electronic briefing on all recent developments. It also provides an opportunity for members to raise any concerns or issues they may have.

To join this free e-mail network contact Vanessa John on 01437 769422 or e-mail [email protected]

Pembrokeshire Trustee Network

The Welsh Assembly Government has just published the new Social Enterprise Action Plan for Wales 2009. This document sets out some of the steps which the Assembly is taking to promote and support social enterprises in Wales.

This presents a reviewed, refreshed and updated version of the 2005 Social Enterprise Strategy for Wales – with related actions.

Some of the actions outlined in the plan include:

• A new organisation to champion social enterprise – the Social Enterprise Coalition Cymru

• A new Ministerial Advisory group on social enterprise

• A major biennial social enterprise conference

• A new Community Asset Transfer Fund

Copies can be downloaded from – wales.gov.uk/docs/dsjlg/publications

Hard copies can be obtained from The Publications Centre, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ Tel: 02920 823 683 or e-mail [email protected]

Social Enterprise Action Plan for Wales 2009

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced a new umbrella body for social enterprise in Wales. The Social Enterprise Coalition Cymru was launched in February by Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, as part of the Social Enterprise Action Plan for Wales.

The new Coalition's responsibilities will include running an awareness campaign for social enterprise, organising a biennial social enterprise conference and encouraging young entrepreneurs in Wales.

The Assembly also announced an £8m Community Asset Transfer Fund to help social enterprises take over and redevelop underused public sector buildings. The Wales Co-operative Centre has also received £7m of funding from both the Assembly and the European Union so it can provide support to social enterprises, including services such as mentoring and financial advice (see overleaf).

A new group of social enterprise experts will also be created to advise ministers, with appointments expected later in the year.

New social enterprise body for Wales

Social Enterprise News


The Wales Co-operative Centre has recently secured funding from the Wales European Funding Office and Welsh Assembly Government to provide support to the social enterprise sector in Convergence areas of West Wales and the Valleys.

This is a five-year project worth £7.1 million and has two key strands. The first strand is to raise awareness of the sector and the contribution it makes to social and economic regeneration (through marketing, networking and research). The second strand is to enable new and existing social enterprises to grow and develop (through provision of organisational development).

The Social Enterprise Support Project will help at least 150 existing organisations and aims to create more than 50 new social enterprises and 300 jobs over the 5-year programme.

For more information on this project please contact: Serena Allen, Social Enterprise & Co-operative Development Officer (West Wales) Tel: 01267 237574 or e-mail: [email protected]

Visit this page for Top Tips for Co-operatives and Social Enterprises - http://www.walescoop.com/top-tips

Social Enterprise News

Wales Co‐operative Centre wins contract to deliver Wales‐wide social enterprise support

Training

National Occupational Standards for Campaigners 12 th May 2009, Llandrindod Wells (half day session)

Your help is needed to develop a national set of standards that accurately reflect your role as a campaigner.

The UK Workforce Hub, in collaboration with a steering group of campaigners, is developing a new set of National Occupational Standards for Campaigners in the voluntary and community sector.

These standards will be made as relevant and useful as possible. The Workforce Hub wants to check that both the content and the way the standards are produced will work for you.

If you're a campaigner - or if you have a keen interest in campaigning - it's easy to get involved.

You can give your feedback during the three-month consultation phase (which is taking place between March 2009 and May 2009) in one of the following ways:

• Attending the consultation event on 12 May 2009;

• Reading the draft standards at www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk and completing a questionnaire;

• Phoning/emailing the consultants with your comments.

Contact: Clare Vokes 01423 509433 or email [email protected]

The consultation is open until 2 nd June 2009.

For a booking form contact 0800 2888 329 or email [email protected]

Calling all campaigners!


Training

For the first time, PAVS is trying out a new online course booking facility for its Summer Programme. Unfortunately we cannot accept online payments but you can reserve your place and we will send you an invoice with your booking confirmation. To try out the new booking form please visit the PAVS website www.pavs.org.uk/training/train_prog.htm . You will not be able to save the form once you have started so don't forget to click "Submit" at the end otherwise we will not receive your booking.

It is hoped the form will reduce the costs of using paper booking forms (environmentally and economically). With each programme we are looking for new ways to reduce waste. Where possible, recycled envelopes and paper produced from sustainably-managed sources are used, and only one paper copy of the programme is sent per organisation.

Courses are listed on the PAVS website before the paper programmes are put in the post so those on the e-mail distribution list get the information before those on the paper mailing list. If you would like to be added to the e-mailing list please send your details to [email protected]

There are a number of new courses being delivered throughout April to July in Pembrokeshire, so don’t miss out, book your place today.

Courses include (in date order):

~ Governance - 29 April 10am-1pm ~ Look after your organisation - 2 June 10am-1pm ~ Effective communication skills - 10 June 10am-4pm ~ How to develop a volunteer initiative - 16 June 10am-4pm ~ Developing and writing a communications strategy - 18 June 9.30am-12.30pm ~ Producing an annual report - 18 June 1.00pm-4.00pm ~ Effective Presentations - 23 June 10am-4pm ~ Improve your meetings - 1 July 10am-1pm ~ Giving and public fundraising - 14 July 10am-2pm

Most sessions are being run in PAVS. Half day courses for full PAVS’ members start at just £7.50, and whole day courses (including lunch) are just £15.

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

Other courses being delivered in our region include: ~ Preparing a sustainable fundraising strategy – 12 May ~ Roles and responsibilities of trustees and management committee members –

23 June ~ Organising a committee - what to do and who should do it? - 7 July ~ Introduction to volunteering – 10 September

These courses are being run by CAVO in Ceredigion For more details phone 01570 423232

Summer Training Programme 2009

Training Programme Goes Green


Date for your Diary

PAVS will be at the Learning Zone (at Pembrokeshire County Show)

along with a number of other training providers. Drop in and see us 18-20 August 2009

Riverside Marketplace, Haverfordwest Saturday 9 May 2009 10am-3pm

Adult Learners’ Week is launched in Pembrokeshire with this Learning Marketplace. Visitors can shop for new learning opportunities and sample what’s on offer during the rest of Pembrokeshire Learning Festival. Craft sessions, card making, digital photography, Welsh, researching your family history and quizzes. There will be plenty going on so don’t miss out! And it’s all Free!

Please see the enclosed booklet for more information about all the sessions taking place during the Pembrokeshire Learning Festival

Where did you learn that? Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock Tuesday 12 May 2009 10am-3pm

An opportunity to learn something new for free, just drop in and have a go! Sessions include craft demonstrations, looking after your money, jewellery making, discovering Darwin, body language, pilates, reality TV, sugar craft and taking better pictures.

Contact: Louise Wilkinson 01437 769422

Where did you learn that? Bishops Palace, St Davids Wednesday 13 May 2009 10am-3.30pm

An opportunity to learn something new in the wonderful surroundings of the Bishops Palace. This event is being run in partnership with CADW and entry is free to those living in Pembrokeshire who are attending one or more of the sessions listed below. Sessions include conservation in action, creative writing, art with mirrors, traditional weaving and spinning, and Welsh history (including Gerald of Wales).

Contact: Louise Wilkinson 01437 769422

Training

Roll up, Roll up, for the Learning Market


Volunteering

Do you know someone who has given valuable time and commitment to their community or a cause? Then give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for the Pembrokeshire Volunteer Award of Recognition 2009. Complete and return the application form included in this publication by 18th May 2009 or call Caroline Graham at PAVS on 01437 769422 for more information. All nominees and winners will be contacted and invited to the awards ceremony on June 3rd 2009 to be held at the Pavilion, Withybush.

Pembrokeshire Volunteer Award of Recognition

PAVS Volunteering Pembrokeshire Cordially invites all Volunteer Managers and their

volunteers to come and celebrate

National Volunteers Week 2009

Open Day Event (call in anytime)

Wednesday 3rd June 2009 11am ‐ 3pm

The Pavilion, Withybush, Haverfordwest • Free complementary therapy taster sessions for volunteers throughout the day

(Indian Head Massage, Aromatherapy, Bowen, Reiki and Reflexology) • Lunch (to be served at 1.00pm ‐ please book if you would like lunch – it’s FREE) • Award Ceremony to follow lunch • Voluntary Organisations Exhibition Stands • Workshops for Volunteer Organisers • Refreshments served throughout the day

For more information and to book a place at this FREE event call Caroline Graham at PAVS’ Volunteering Pembrokeshire on

01437 769422


Members of the PAVS Volunteer Team have recently been trained to volunteer with the Haven Credit Union. As part of the PAVS Employee Volunteering Scheme, members of staff will be volunteering on a regular basis in the new Credit Union collection point in the PAVS offices on High Street, Haverfordwest. The collection point is open to the public from 11am-1pm every Tuesday.

What is a Credit Union? Credit Unions are non profit making financial co- operatives, offering their members an easy and convenient place to save, and access to low cost loans when required.

They encourage their members to make regular contributions into savings

accounts that create a central pool of funds. This is used to provide loans back to the membership at very favourable rates. The interest generated from the loans is used to cover administrative costs, with any surplus returned to the members as dividends. Unlike other financial institutions owned by groups of stockholders whose interests include a necessary return on their investments, Credit Unions are owned totally by their members and the money stays within the local community.

In Pembrokeshire there are two credit unions that members of the public can join and you can start saving with as little as £1.

Volunteering

PAVS “V” Team Save with the Credit Union

PAVS Credit Union Volunteers, Louise, Nicole, Lindsay, Lorna, Tina, Caroline and Michelle (not pictured).

Does your organisation recruit volunteers? The Engagement Gateway may be able to fund your volunteering initiative.

The Gateway aims to reduce economic inactivity in Wales by investing in organisations that improve the employability of disadvantaged people furthest from the labour market.

The Gateway is a scheme under the European Union's Convergence programme, which is the successor to Objective 1.

The Gateway will invest in organisations that target people who may be out of touch with mainstream services, or at high risk of long term benefit dependency.


Funding for Volunteering Initiatives (Deadline 15th May 2009)

Haven Credit Union on 01646 694080 / [email protected] or visit the website www.havencreditunion.org.uk

Landsker Community Credit Union (which also covers part of Carmarthenshire) on 01834 861 381 / [email protected] or visit the website www.landskercreditunion.co.uk


Volunteering

These groups will include people facing specific disadvantage, such as: • Women who want to return to work • Black, Asian and minority ethnic people • People with a work limiting health

condition or disability • Mental health service users • People over 50 years of age

Other target groups include: • People in receipt of incapacity benefit • Lone parents with children of all ages • Young people not in employment,

education or training • Economically inactive people

throughout Wales

The Engagement Gateway is not a grant fund but is a scheme that will offer contracts for up to two years. Contracts will fall into two different categories that require organisations to deliver positive outcomes to specific target groups and/or specific geographical areas. Any organisation will be able to bid for contracts through a tendering process.

The aim of the Gateway is to help people make progress towards employment and volunteering is recognized as a route back to work and economic activity. The Gateway will invest in organisations that provide activities to build the skills, confidence and knowledge of target groups; and which link progress to a 'next step' such as referrals to other projects, volunteering, training, supported employment or full employment. While the outcomes of the contracts will be defined by WCVA, organisations that are tendering can design the activities that best suit their client group.

There are 3 levels of funding available. Level 1 will offer contracts of up to £25,000 over a maximum two year period. Match funding, while not discouraged, is not a requirement at this level.

Level 2 will offer contracts of £25,000- £75,000 over a maximum two year period.

Level 3 will offer contracts of £75,000- £150,000.

An element of match funding is required Levels 2 and 3. Match funding may include financial contribution, in-kind donations or volunteer time.

Your organisation needs to fill in a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) which, hopefully, will mean you will go onto the "approved suppliers" list. Only organisations on WCVA's approved supplier list will be eligible to tender for the Gateway contracts. The deadline for submitting a PQQ is 15th May 2009.

The PQQ form and guidelines are on the PAVS’ web site www.pavs.org.uk. Please read the guidelines carefully before you fill in the PQQ, and answer every question, even if the question does not apply to you, please explain why.

If you need any help with your PQQ, contact Caroline at PAVS on 01437 769422.


LATEST VACANCIES (Contact PAVS for further information)

VICTIM SUPPORT DYFED Victim Support Volunteer

SUSTRANS CYMRU Volunteer Rangers

SHELTER CYMRU Information Matters Project Promoter

MARYS MEALS WALES Marys Meals Volunteer

CAREW BENEFICE – CHURCH IN WALES Office Secretary

CANCER RESEARCH HAVERFORDWEST CHARITY SHOP Stock Room Assistant

STOP IT NOW CAMPAIGN OF THE LUCY FAITHFULL FOUNDATION Fundraising / Awareness Raising Executive Volunteer

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU PEMBROKESHIRE Volunteer Trustee


Volunteering

A very successful official launch of the new GwirVol initiative took place on Monday, 6 th

April 2009 at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff. Around 200 guests attended the event from voluntary, public and private sector organisations all over Wales. The event was hosted by Gwirvol and its partner organisations which include the Welsh Assembly Government, CWVYS, WCVA, Funky Dragon, Careers Wales, GwirForce (the panel of young people who represent young people in Wales as a GwirVol partner), Youth Cymru and many others.

The launch was introduced by Dr Brian Gibbons AM, Minister for Social Justice who also contributed throughout the day. Various speakers, including Judith D’Anna and Leah Doherty, explained how ‘Gwirvol’ had been initiated and developed over the last three years. Guests were also entertained by films showing how Gwirvol had evolved, with contributions from a number of people including Tanni Grey Thompson.

Members of GwirForce – dressed in a ‘Superhero’ theme (because young volunteers are Superheroes) led the proceedings throughout the day. Various members spoke about their own involvement in the development of the initiative and introduced and interviewed guests.

The 22 Youth Volunteering Advisors (YVAs) from every area of Wales were in attendance to answer any queries guests had about the kind of support that Gwirvol could offer their organisation.

Finally, guests were treated to a wonderful performance by the harpist Catrin Finch, who talked about her own experiences of volunteering for the Princes Trust.

If you would like more information about GwirVol, or are a young person aged 16-25 who would like to become involved in GwirForce, please contact Jean Morris, YVA at PAVS, on 01437 769422 or email: [email protected].

GwirVol Launch

GwirVol is a uniquely Welsh, diverse partnership, promoting, supporting and driving forward youth volunteering in Wales.

GwirForce doing their bit!

The West Wales YVAs – Fflur from Carmarthenshire, Laura from Ceredigion

and Jean from Pembrokeshire


Volunteering

WALES AIR AMBULANCE is appealing to residents in the area to help make a life- saving difference by becoming a volunteer in its new charity shop in Tenby.

The charity is looking for anyone who can donate time to the emergency service and provide a helping hand in the shop in Upper Frog Street, due to open in April.

The Tenby store is an exciting new venture from Wales Air Ambulance and will be the first permanent shop for the charity in Pembrokeshire.

As well as stocking official Wales Air Ambulance merchandise, the store will have an excellent range of furniture, clothes, toys, music, films and bric-a-brac.

Funded solely by the generosity of the people of Wales, the charity provides rapid paramedic response with its three air ambulances across the country.

Since its launch on St David’s Day in 2001, Wales Air Ambulance has carried out over 10,000 missions from its air bases in the mid, north and south of Wales.

Over £4-million needs to be raised each year to continue this vital work, and your support really does count. If you have a morning or an afternoon to spare, help keep the helicopters in the air as a shop volunteer.

To find out how you can help, contact Margaret on 0844 85 84 999; email [email protected]; or write to Wales Air Ambulance, Tŷ Elusen, Tawe Business Village, Phoenix Way, Swansea SA7 9LA.

Volunteers needed in new local shop

MDF The Bipolar Organisation Cymru is pleased to announce the rolling out of its new Bipolar Link Project across South and West Wales from April 2009. This initiative comes out of the work of Gareth Richards, a member diagnosed with bipolar disorder, whose dedicated work in connecting and supporting many people across West Wales has led to him working closely with the mental health services.

The Bipolar Link Project involves training up to forty volunteers with the condition in order to work in nineteen psychiatric hospitals and establish contact with people through regular visits, offering a listening ear, support and empathy. This connection will be sustained after those people are

discharged from hospital, as link workers employed by MDF The Bipolar Organisation Cymru will continue to offer support in the community.

The link workers will encourage the people they are supporting to join up with the network of self-help groups. As members of these groups there will be opportunities for people to learn how to manage the condition more effectively, overcome feelings of isolation and marginalisation and build meaningful friendships with others who may have shared a similar journey. There will be opportunities to


MDF The Bipolar Organisation Cymru


Volunteering

build up effective support networks, which can play an important part in ensuring longer-term stability.

The volunteers will find themselves taking part in a worthwhile peer support project. A comprehensive training package is being offered to those who wish to take part. This includes training in effective communication skills, anti-discrimination training, suicide prevention training and self-management training.

The Bipolar Link Project encompasses the core values underlying MDF The Bipolar Organisation, promoting a message of

hope and recovery, primarily through empowering people to put into practice self-help and self-management principles which can play a substantial role in diminishing the impact of this long term health condition on people’s lives.

For further information please contact Terry Davies or Gareth Richards at MDF the Bipolar Organisation Cymru. Telephone (01633) 244244 or Email: [email protected] or [email protected]


Pembrokeshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is looking for new volunteers to join their team of advisers.

The demand for free, confidential and impartial advice has never been greater. We need to expand our opening times and recruit new volunteer advisers to support this.

Our clients have a wide range of issues including debt problems, mortgage arrears, employment difficulties, problems accessing benefits, relationship breakdown, housing difficulties and consumer issues.

Trainee advisers work through a comprehensive accredited training programme. From day one, there is support from experienced colleagues and an up to the minute electronic information system which contains most of the information you will need when advising clients.

The experience you gain as a volunteer adviser is very rewarding. It will enable you

to develop your own skills and knowledge, provide you with new experiences, and increase your self confidence.

We have offices based in Haverfordwest & Pembroke Dock, which offer advice Monday – Friday. We also run seven outreach sessions based in community locations.

There are other volunteering opportunities including IT, administration, campaigners, fundraisers and trustees.

If you would like to become a volunteer at Pembrokeshire CAB or would like to find out more about our opportunities please phone 01437 767936 and leave your name, address and telephone number so Fiona or Aleks can contact you. We are really keen to hear from you!

Make a real difference in your community!


National Volunteers Week is celebrated every year in the first week in June and PAVS’ Volunteering Pembrokeshire is marking the occasion by organising a variety of events to promote the benefits of volunteering and to give recognition to all those people who give their time and commitment to the community.

May 29th Exhibition Stand at the Farmers Market, Riverside, Haverfordwest.

June 2nd Exhibition stands at the Guild Hall, High Street, Cardigan.

June 3rd Volunteers Week Celebration Event (includes awards ceremony for the Pembs Volunteer Award of Recognition 2009), the Pavilion, Withybush.

If you are a volunteer or a volunteer manager and would like to be involved with the above events, please give Caroline Graham at PAVS a call on 01437 769422.

National Volunteers Week

Volunteering

Volunteering for Health

Hywel Dda NHS Trust is to develop new and exciting volunteer opportunities to support the health service in Mid and South West Wales, thanks to a cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund. The Trust has successfully bid for £384,045 from the fund in order to establish a three-year project called Volunteering for Health.

The project has been developed in partnership with local volunteer centres; Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, West Wales Action for Mental Health and the three Local Health Boards and will cover all health services across the three counties of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The University of Wales Lampeter is a partner in the project and will be evaluating the project through their Centre for Volunteer Studies.

Project workers will develop new and exciting volunteering opportunities in hospitals and the community, including within mental health and learning disability services as well as strengthen existing partnerships between the NHS and the voluntary sector.

Anna Tee, project lead and Patient Experience Facilitator at the Trust explained: “The Volunteering for Health project will improve the experience that patients have of healthcare through providing additional support. It will improve the experience and opportunities for people wanting to volunteer in the NHS as well as create opportunities for people wanting to develop skills through improvements in work experience.

“This project would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of our partner organisations and we look forward to working in closely with them over the next few years.”


ICT Are you Tweeting in Twitter, Blogging in Bebo, lost in MySpace or curled up with a good Facebook? If these words mean nothing to you - you are not alone; but neither are you part of the huge movement in social networking that is swamping the Internet and fast becoming the preferred communications tool of many, potentially overtaking texts and email.

These sites are various platforms on the internet for communicating with friends, family and anyone else who might be interested in what you ate for breakfast, how you feel, where you are going and even if you have need of a virtual hug.

That is one way they can be used - but there is another side to using these sites, in an effective way that can make a difference. By using these tools, individuals, groups and organisations can keep in touch with their current members, promote their message to new ones, consult, collaborate and involve people in discussions about important issues.

Social networking sites are tools, in the same way that telephones, emails and the Internet are tools. It is how you use them and how they can work for you that is important.

Twitter allows users to post short messages – a maximum of 140 characters at a time – onto the site from various sources such as computer, mobile phone and most hand held PDA systems. Users are often known as tweeters.

The benefits of this short message service are that you can relay very quickly, urgent and important information to lots of people at once from virtually wherever you are.

The recent G20 Summit is an excellent example of how this service worked by delivering messages and updates to delegates, governments and media around the world, keeping them instantly informed of progress.

Of course the people wanting to cause problems also have access to technology and used the service to keep demonstrators updated with meeting times and potential trouble spots.

This shows quite clearly how these ‘tools’ can be used for good or not so good reasons. www.twitter.com

Bebo - short for Blog Early and Blog Often - attracts younger users.

This could be a really useful way of getting team members to interact or for posting short notice information about training sessions, meetings and events or just for keeping members informed about what is going on. This site lets you set up a page about yourself or your group and post, or blog, information, pictures and general chat about yourself. You can add friends and see what they are doing. Youth groups tend to find online information especially helpful as they are often using the Internet anyway. A word to the wise – if you haven’t seen a Bebo page before, you might be surprised at how much information the younger generation are prepared to share with the world. It is always useful to be aware of what they are up to. www.bebo.com

My Space is much like Bebo but has a much wider user group who are mostly an older age group than the Bebo users. It has the same kind of interactive format of sharing news, chat, pictures and ideas but there is much more music and video content on this site. My Space was the largest and fastest growing networking site which could engage the user in virtual conversations until it was dwarfed by the rapid take up and spread of... www.myspace.com



ICT

Facebook – originally intended for academics and students within the university network, but later expanded to any user, has become the world’s biggest online communications platform. Users range from individuals, groups, families and whole communities who band together and share information, ideas, chat, pictures and anything else that can be posted on the internet. Users update their status at regular interviews, letting the world know what they are doing. There are options to

share with some, none or all and Facebook, as with other networking sites is constantly undergoing change and growth. www.facebook.com

Rather than email or text to tell everyone about meeting dates, club results, new plans or consultations, any of these tools allow you to interact, inform and exchange information with as many people as you want, quickly and easily


Google Street View – down your street, or not?

You may have seen the new Google street view service that has been launched in the UK recently. Britain appears to be trailing some of the rest of the world who have had street view for quite a while. If you haven’t already heard about it, either on the news or by using it yourself I am sure you soon will. Photographs of most major cities and streets will eventually be available to look at.

There has already been contention with people such as celebrities and others in the public domain asking for photographs of their houses to be removed from the site. Some residents in England are also less than happy with information about their homes being available online and blocked the car with the Google camera on board to prevent it from photographing their street. Some people obviously feel very strongly that this is a huge invasion of privacy.

Google, of course, are promoting the positives of the service, and there are many - handy if you are travelling and need to look at the route, useful if you are looking for property and want to check out a few options, or you are moving to a new town and want to familiarise yourself with the layout. It can also be useful for community consultation about where to site new developments or service provision.

The negatives are that people have called it a burglar’s paradise, picking their next target from the comfort of an armchair and checking if an alarm is fitted etc. It is also claimed that cameras have caught people out when photographed in places they should not have been, even though Google state that they blur faces and car registration numbers.

Whatever you feel about the service – it is certainly causing discussion and debate. www.google.co.uk/maps


News from Groups

Paul Sartori Foundation were overwhelmed by the response and acts of support received by the community last autumn when it was reported that their future was unknown. The Foundation looked at a number of ways that they could generate that much needed income throughout the year as there is no guaranteed NHS funding and so are to launch their own lottery on 27 th March 2009 through ‘Unity’, ‘The Nation’s Charity Lottery’

Hospice Director Lorna Johns explains:

‘ We are constantly striving to be able to sustain the levels of care we provide throughout the county and were so encouraged by the support shown last year. We only hope that those that responded then will also support us in our new campaign as 50 pence from every lottery ticket sold comes directly to our charity.’

She went on to say:

‘The response so far has been encouraging and we are delighted about the fantastic response to our lottery launch dinner and would like to thank the Heywood Mount for kindly donating the venue ,’

The First Paul Sartori Unity Lottery Member Gwyneth Evans of Fishguard has worked as a volunteer for Paul Sartori Foundation for over twenty years and is a Supervisor in their charity shop in Fishguard. She is also the FIRST Paul Sartori Foundation Unity Lottery member.

Gwyneth explains: 'Paul Sartori Foundation have done so much to help me and many more in Pembrokeshire and I think that joining the Lottery is a great way of supporting them, it's only £1 per week. All you have to do is complete the application, send it off and

then you are given your own unique number by 'Unity' which is automatically entered into the draw each week, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to buy a ticket or losing it. It's really simple to do and a great way of supporting such a good cause!'.

Paul Sartori Foundation have been providing specialist hands-on nursing care throughout Pembrokeshire for those with life limiting illness for 26 years. They have a team of qualified nurses and nursing assistants that can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year giving peace of mind and support to the families affected during their most difficult times. In addition to this, they provide equipment to help the families keep their loved ones in the comfort of their own home, having supplied up to 650 pieces of equipment last year throughout our county. Also providing complementary therapies and bereavement support, their free service has proved invaluable.

Paul Sartori Foundation rely on the kind support and donations from the community and with the hard work from their volunteers, and income generated from their events and retail shops in Narberth, Fishguard, Haverfordwest and Neyland have been able to provide this vital free service to Pembrokeshire.

New Hope …. The Way Forward


Prosiect Dyslecsia Cymru (PDC), supported by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), has a new free phone helpline (0808 1800 110) for parents across Wales who are worried that their child might be dyslexic or who feel that not enough is being done to help them.

Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 children and many may be struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia. Parents who are concerned about whether a child is dyslexic can call the help line to receive information about the options open to them. Trained telephone support volunteers will be able to ascertain the likelihood of a dyslexic tendency being an issue by asking some key questions and giving initial advice based on what they are able to find out. The project aims to help any family where dyslexia could be a factor and is particularly keen to reach out to Welsh-speaking parents who believe their child is affected by the condition.

PDC can take calls in English and Welsh, which will enable them to deliver the information in the format that you require.

Scott Quinnel, patron of Prosiect Dyslexia Cymru said, “I wish there had been an organisation like this around when I was at school to help the parents of a child with dyslexia.

“The Prosiect Dyslecsia Cymru helpline will be a valuable means of support for many who are not sure where to turn for advice in dealing with dyslexia.

“Parents need the reassurance that there is always somebody available at the end of a phone line when they need it.

“I would like to commend Prosiect Dyslecsia Cymru, and everyone who has been involved in making this happen.”

For impartial advice on any problem relating to dyslexia contact Prosiect Dyslecsia Cymru on free phone 0808 1800 110 between 5pm and 8pm Monday to Friday or by email at [email protected]

News from Groups

Scott Quinnel supports new Free helpline for parents

THE TANYARD YOUTH PROJECT LTD Commons Road, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire SA71 4EA

Tel/Fax: 01646 680068 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity Number 1108844 Company No. 5336853

The Tanyard is available for hire: • Fully equipped kitchen • Computer Room • Large Hall • Sky Television • Great Location

Available weekdays and Wednesday evenings. Excellent negotiable rates.

Contact John or Nancy on the above number or email address


News from Groups

Muriel Senior, 90 years of age, became a member of the WRVS just before World War II. Married and living in the North of England, Muriel nursed the war casualties and on her very first day attended to 21 airmen. She ran the WVS canteen at the aerodrome and provided tea and snacks for the airmen involved in the various raids anxiously awaiting their return each night.

Later Muriel became the County Organiser for the Elderly in Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean and enjoyed organising clubs and outings for her members, this included coach trips to the south coast and various hotel holidays. She had noticed that the older members of her community were struggling with shopping and walking to and from the bus station so with the help of a generous friend she purchased a small cottage in Dursley, Gloucestershire near to the bus station and this served as a resting and meeting place for the elderly which proved to be a great success. She says that she thoroughly enjoyed these many years and looks back on them as very happy times.

On moving to Newport, Pembrokeshire, Muriel became a volunteer with the WRVS, volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels to the elderly and vulnerable members of our community and assisting them to remain independent and in their own homes - a service which continues to this day.

She said that she has loved her work with the WRVS and was a keen contributor to the canteen in Withybush Hospital, being on duty almost everyday.

In recent years Muriel’s’ health has declined so that at one point she was a recipient of Meals on Wheels herself.

Pictured here at the WRVS 70 th Anniversary Tea Party, Muriel is holding the original membership badge that she received when she began her service. Still cheerful, she is always happy to talk people about her many years as a WRVS member and continues to support the activities we hold.

We are always in need of volunteers for the Meals on Wheels Service in Pembrokeshire and at the present time we are very keen to recruit help for the Haverfordwest and Milford Haven areas. Please contact Susan Meister on 01437 762911 for details.

Muriel Senior – A Lifetime of Volunteering

A building surveyor has recommended immediate repair to the building, which will cost in the region of £20,000. It’s an old house and has deteriorated badly over the last few years. Obviously, this is a large sum for the WI to find, but it needs to be done.

To help us raise some money, we are starting an appeal this month. Two of our Trustees, Daphne Morgan and Shirley Thomas, have kick-starting the appeal by doing a Sponsored Walk of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (190 miles in total). The walk will be done in stages over


WI House 90 Prendergast Haverfordwest, is in urgent need of a new roof.


ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NATIONAL

PARK FOR ALL TO ENJOY?

The Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park seeks active members who can offer help in such key areas such as:

• Communication with the media • Marketing and recruitment • Conservation projects • Policy & planning advice • Event organisation • Committee/secretarial work

If you can spare a few hours each month to help in any of these (or other) areas please get in touch with Graham Phillips, Hon. Secretary, FPNP, on 01646 680392 or [email protected] to discuss possibilities.

The Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park is an independent voluntary association and registered charity (No. 1012091) without links to the statutory Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. We have just over 500 members divided equally between local residents and those living outside Pembrokeshire. We collaborate with like minded organisations in Wales and are members of the Campaign for National Parks.

News from Groups

several weeks, and we hope that other WI members, family and friends will join in and support them.

The first section of the Coast Path tackled was Saturday, 28th March. Poppit Sands to Newport (distance 14 miles – 16 miles to the Parrog where the cars were left).

Meeting at Poppit Sands Car Park, Daphne and Shirley were joined by Rhian Connick (Head of Wales Office) who walked all the way with them, a few members of Mathry WI who walked part of the way with them –as far as Ceibwr Bay (6 Miles). Also present were two WI husbands Mr Alan Newbery and Mr Bob Longland to take photographs and help with transport.

Daphne’s husband Graham, who has agreed to accompany the ladies on the entire Coast Park walk, was a tremendous support.

It was blowing a force 8 gale for the whole of the walk and that made this, the most strenuous part of the coast path, a great deal tougher!

Daphne is the Federation Treasurer at WI House and Shirley the Newsletter Compiler and Press Officer, (just to prove the WI is not just for “Jam & Jerusalem). The combined age of the two ladies is 137 years young !

The follow-on walks will be announced in the monthly Newsletters.

For more details of other sections to be walked, please contact:

Daphne on 01437 764770 Shirley on 01437 760492 or WI House on 01437 768674


VALUE THE ENVIRONMENT? LOVE THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST?


Putting their skills to good use recently were students studying with Pembroke based Green Links Community Interest Company who have been working with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNPA) helping extend the only coastal section of bridleway in the park.

The students are studying for Open College Network (OCN) qualifications in Countryside Skills with Green Links who specialise in teaching vocational skills to young people. The students who undertook the work are pupils at Pembroke School where Green Links is based.

This is the second year that Green Links students have been working with the National Park Authority and the work they have undertaken will contribute to their OCN qualifications.

There is an existing stretch of bridleway between St Govans and Stack Rock. Two Green Links students have been working on a new section of bridleway from Broadhaven south car park, which will link up with and extend this. This bridle path is also suitable for, and is used as, a cycleway. Students Mikey Roberts and Harry Thomas accompanied by Green Links staff Dave

Hoyle and Roy Shanahan installed a new bridleway gate, the positioning of which involved relocating the hedge bank.

Overseeing the work was Tim Jones, South Sector Ranger PCNPA, who stated that the students had done a ‘very good job’ and that their work had met the standards expected by the Park Authority.

Subsequently the same team, together with fellow student Leighton Jones, spent another day installing signposts and undertaking gorse management to allow sufficient access for riders using this new section of bridleway.

For more information about Green Links including courses, and the works and services available log on to www.greenlinks.org.uk or email [email protected]

Pictured (left to right) are Dave Hoyle, Roy Shanahan, Mikey Roberts, Harry Thomas and Leighton Jones.

News from Groups Green Links working in partnership...

Fieldwork pays off for Young Farmers

Years of fieldwork paid off for some of Pembrokeshire YFC’s most hardworking members at the county Field Day. The crowning glory went to new County Queen Ruth Morgan, of Fishguard YFC, along with her four attendants, fellow Fishguard member Sara Morris, Mair Rees, of Hermon YFC, Brawdy YFC’s Lydia Salmon, and Sarah Edwards, of Llawhaden YFC. Sarah had double cause for celebration when she scooped the prestigious title of young farmer of the year, with Mari Davies, of Eglwyswrw YFC, named junior member of the year.

Royal presence: New Pembrokeshire YFC county queen Ruth Morgan (centre) with her attendants (left to right) Sara Morris, Lydia Salmon, Sarah Edwards, who was also named young farmer of the year, and Mair Rees.

Junior member of the year Mari Davies, of Eglwyswrw YFC.

Documents

Pembrokeshire Voice Llais Sir Benfro · unsound to travel to Cardiff for a 2-hour meeting. SKYPE allows us easy and low -cost access to video-conferencing - it is an excellent facility