Carmarthenshire Celebrates Its Voluntary Sector

Anne Fazackarley, British Red Cross

After coffee and cake, delegates to the CAVS AGM returned for the third session of the day. This celebration of voluntary sector work included contributions from Annie Fazackarley of the British Red Cross, Arts Care’s Chris Ryan, David Groom from the Brechfa Shop, Trysordy’s Jonathan Gaunt and Gayle Harries of Dr Mzs.

Annie Fazackarley introduced the work of the British Red Cross and in particular their Home from Hospital Discharge Scheme which provides patients with emotional and practical support to ease the transition from hospital to home and allow patients to be discharged earlier.

Arts Care / Gofal Celf is an innovative arts organisation based in Carmarthen. Established in 1986, Arts Care provides arts workshops, training packages and information to people of all ages and abilities. Chris Ryan explained how the arts are a particularly good way of engaging with people and showed delegates samples of their recent work.

David Groom spoke about how the community of Brechfa Village got together to save its village shop when it faced closure in 2004. By banding together and putting in a lot of hard work, the shop was refitted and a new sub Post Office opened. Now run by a team of around 40 volunteers, the shop provides a focal point for the village.

Jonathan Gaunt introduced the delegates to Trysordy – the first Community Interest Company in Mid and West Wales. It’s a not-for-profit membership organisation, serving communities in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and aims to be a low cost “one stop shop” providing play, creativity, education and community events and is a pioneer in the field of creative recycling.

Gayle Harries spoke about Dr M’z – an innovative drop in centre run by Carmarthenshire Youth Project. It provides a comfortable, safe, informative and stimulating place for young people to meet which is also celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

Bringing the formal part of the day to a close, Louise Spierling of the Big Lottery Fund spoke on funding opportunities for community and voluntary sector organisations.