Reactions to the Mount

We asked some of the people who attended today's launch of the Mount, what they thought of the building and what it would mean for community groups in Carmarthenshire.

Aled Davies, Llwynhendy Communities First Co-Ordinator

Rae Coope

Sue James-Davies from Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS)

The Mount Voluntary Action Centre is Officially Launched!

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services' new base at The Mount Voluntary Action Centre has been officially launched.

The centre was opened by Gwenda Thomas AM, who unveiled a plaque.Here's a video of the unveiling:

Gwenda then addressed the audience with a speech highlighting the value that volunteers bring to society and the new opportunities offered to Carmarthenshire's voluntary and community sector through the new Centre for Voluntary Action. Also speaking at the official proceedings were:

Cllr Mair Stephens, Chair of CAVS, who welcomed the audience

Cllr Clive Scourfield, Executive Board Member for Regeneration, who reflected on the regeneration of The Mount

Bruce McLernon, Director of Social Care, Health and Housing for Carmarthenenshire County Council, who looked forward to the future of The Mount and the voluntary sector in Carmarthenshire.

CAVS Director Ieuan Williams, who celebrated the Compact document, an agreement between the voluntary sector (represented by CAVS) and Carmarthenshire County Council

Cllr Meryl Gravell, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, who thanked all the speakers and ended the official proceedings.

Earlier Gwenda Thomas had enjoyed a tour of the new building guided by Cllr Mair Stephens, Chair of CAVS, and Ieuan Williams, CAVS director.

Looking at photos showing the progress of the building of The Mount

Gwenda meets staff from CAVS Volunteer Centre

Gwenda tries out the facilities in the recording studio with The Primitive Charitable Trust

Gwenda is presented with a diary by Sarah Williams (left) and Rhian Morris from Bigyn 4 Communities First, which CAVS operates

Meeting Giving Sir Gar Development Officer Helen Martin

Official Opening of CAVS At The Mount

CAVS new Carmarthen Offices at the Mount

The new home of the Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) will be officially unveiled on Friday. The Assembly’s Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas AM, will start proceedings at the launch of the service at the newly rebuilt Mount building in Carmarthen on February 27.

An open afternoon is being held at the building following official proceedings, from 2-7pm, when anyone is welcome to visit. A number of voluntary groups are due to showcase what they have to offer, and guided tours of the building will be offered.

CAVS has leased the building from Carmarthenshire County Council following its £1.9million redevelopment. The transformation was funded by the council’s Sites, Premises and Infrastructure for Employment Programme, Objective 1, the Local Regeneration Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. CAVS was successful in clinching over £200,000 from various sources to assist with the building costs from the Welsh Assembly’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.

The once dilapidated building stands at the town’s Castle Hill gateway. The Mount is set to bring major benefits to the area and will provide a superb resource for volunteers, the wider community and voluntary groups. Facilities include room hire, desk hire and a media studio. Support available will include grant searches, charity governance, training and social enterprises development.

Carmarthenshire County Council Chief Executive Mark James said: “We are proud of what has been achieved in the regeneration of this site. We look forward to being equally as proud of the excellent work which we are sure will be undertaken by CAVS in this first class facility, and the huge numbers of people who get the help they need through this initiative.”

CAVS Director Ieuan Williams said: “CAVS represents over 650 voluntary groups in the county, and we will be ensuring that the closer links with the local authority can benefit and develop as many of those groups as possible. This building will be a wonderful resource for volunteers, and will allow us to build up better links with other community venues and voluntary services across the whole county.”

For further information contact CAVS on 01267 236367, or 01267 245550, or visit www.cavs.org.uk

Redeveloped CAVS Website Launched

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) is delighted to announce the redevelopment of its website at http://www.cavs.org.uk/

The site is regularly updated with news items relating to events, funding, local groups, jobs and third sector information.

It is easy to keep up to date with new items added to the site – follow the page link below, which explains how: http://www.cavs.org.uk/information/how-to-subscribe-to-rss/

CAVS would be pleased to receive your comments and feedback about the newly organised site – you can use the feedback form on the following page: http://www.cavs.org.uk/general-information/feedback/

Llwynhendy Volunteer Highly Commended at CAVS Volunteer Centre Awards Evening 2008

Llwynhendy volunteer Tina Miles' efforts have been recognised at the CAVS Volunteer Centre Awards Evening 2008 where she was Highly Commended for the WCVA Wales Volunteer of the Year Award.

Tina volunteers with a range of community groups in the Llwynhendy Communities First ward and helps out with Communities First activities and events. Tina was nominated by Michelle Batten, who used to work in the Llwynhendy Communities First team.

Tina's voluntary activities and the spirit with which she volunteers are encapsulated in her nomination testimony:

Tina is involved in a wide range of Communities First Llwynhendy activities. She helps out with a club for under 7’s, a day club for over 7’s, a food cooperative and plays in the Samba Band. They can always rely on her to be there whatever they are doing. Tina is a true star that they couldn’t do without. She is also the office cleaner and keeps all the staff in order! They have seen her grow in confidence over the last few years and they really appreciate her contribution.

Tina is a key volunteer within Llwynhendy Communities First. She gets everyone involved by telling them what’s going on. She’s always the first to help set up at events and the last to leave. She always gives 100% and cannot do enough to help.

Tina Miles is presented with her certificate by Hywel Gwynfryn

Tina with Llwynhendy Communities First Development Officers Lindy Butler (left) and Gillian Handscomb (right)

Tina, Lindy and Gillian with international rugby referee Nigel Owens (left) and Welsh TV and radio personality Hywel Gwynfryn (right), who were both presenting awards and certificates at the evening

Lindy tells us what groups Tina is involved with

Tina tells us about her evening at the Volunteer Awards

The 2008 Awards Evening was held on Tuesday at The Mountain Gate near Ammanford. The evening was a celebration of volunteering in Carmarthenshire. Certificates for four volunteering award schemes were presented at the event: CAVS Volunteering Awards 2008; WCVA Wales Volunteer of the Year; Millennium Volunteer programme; CAVS Volunteer Centre Training course.

This year's Awards Evening saw the first CAVS Volunteering Awards. Nominations were invited under four categories: Volunteer of the Year (over 25); Green Volunteer of the Year; Young Volunteer of the Year (under 25);and the Ray Gravell Memorial Award. The award winners were Vaughan Williams (volunteer Chairman for Llanelli Centre for the Deaf); Denys Smith (volunteer for The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales); Sian Edwards (volunteer for Carmarthen Youth Project - Dr Mz); and Barbara Louis (volunteer Parent Mentor for families of young offenders) respectively.

The variety of volunteering activities undertaken by those at the evening and the range of volunteers' ages showed how active and diverse the volunteering sector in Carmarthenshire is. The bringing together of people with a like-minded sense of altruism made for a very enjoyable evening for all.

For more information on the CAVS Volunteer Centre see CAVS' website and click on 'Volunteering'. For a list of current volunteering opportunities registered with the CAVS Volunteer Centre, see their pages on the Volunteering Wales website.

New Funding Schemes for Carmarthenshire Community Groups

Left to right: Cris Tomos, Deputy Director, CAVS; Rachell Lovell, Volunteering Officer, CAVS; Helen Martin, Giving Sir Gar Project Officer, CAVS; Joyce Watson AM

Joyce Watson AM, met representatives from the business, public and voluntary sectors on Thursday at the launch of two Welsh Assembly Government initiatives being lead by Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) to provide not-for-profit voluntary and community groups with new sources of funding.

Giving Sir Gar
Giving Sir Gâr is the continuation of the very successful pilot project conducted in Carmarthenshire to develop a county fund through employer partnerships with local groups and has been further funded to extend the initiative to four neighbouring counties over the next three years.

Helen Martin Project officer at CAVS said “we are delighted to be supported by the AM at this very exciting time for the project. We hope that through working closely with county employers in developing their community involvement programmes, we can develop a robust and long-term source of support for local charities and other voluntary groups.”

If businesses or other organisations want to learn more about the schemes we have on offer such as employee volunteering opportunities or staff fundraising ideas then please get in touch with us on 01554 777112, email: helen@cavs.org.uk

CAVS Community Development Fund
Also highlighted at the meeting was the new round of the Community Development Fund. This grant scheme is designed to provide not-for-profit voluntary and community groups in Carmarthenshire with a new source of capital funding to develop community facilities and activities.

Projects could include the following: creating or refurbishing facilities; improving the built or natural environment; encouraging healthy and active lifestyles; promoting activities to increase social inclusion and equality; training programmes; community business support and strengthening cultural and linguistic identity. Grants can be provided for capital costs only.

The closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2008. Guidelines and application forms are available from Matthew Lawlor, CAVS, 3 St Peter’s Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN, email: matthew@cavs.org.uk, phone 01267 236367, and can be downloaded from CAVS website http://www.cavs.org.uk/.

For further information and guidance on the grant scheme please contact Matthew Lawlor, Funding Advice Officer at the above address.

GIft Aid Training

Around 40 delegates from Carmarthenshire Community groups attended Gift Aid Training at Brynaman Community Centre's new conference facility on Friday. CAVS, Communities First and Giving Sir Gar collaborated to provide the training (delivered by Dot Griew, formerly of the Insitute of Fundraising) to inform local charities and voluntary groups of the benefits of the Gift Aid scheme.

Dot Griew delivering the training at Brynaman Community Centre

Gift Aid is a scheme which allows charities and other voluntary groups to reclaim income tax from personal donations. This can mean that for every £1 donated by a member of the public, a charity or voluntary group can claim an additional 28p from the government. During the training delegates learned how the scheme operates, what kind of groups and donations are eligible and how to fill in the forms.

Dot Griew explains the basics of Gift Aid

More information about the Gift Aid scheme can be found at the website of HM Revenue and Customs and at the Tax Effective Giving website of the Institute of Fundraising.

Local groups wanting more information or advice about the scheme can contact Simon Pearce at CAVS on 01554 777112.

CAVS Volunteering Awards

CAVS Volunteer Centre is launching a new Awards Scheme to celebrate and recognise volunteers that make a difference to both their communities and themselves across Carmarthenshire.

Do you know of a volunteer who has carried out exceptional work in their community?

Someone who has made a real difference to others or themselves?

If yes, then why not nominate them and give them recognition!

Categories

1. Volunteer of the Year (over 25)
2. Young Volunteer of the Year (under 25)
3. Green Volunteer of the Year
4. Ray Gravell Memorial Award

Nomination forms can be obtained from -

CAVS Volunteer Centre, Ty Carwyn, 3 St Peters Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN

01267 236367 ~ fflur@cavs.org.uk

Closing date for entry of nominations is Wednesday October 15th 2008.

===========================================

Mae Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS yn cychwyn Cynllun Gwobrau newydd i ddathlu a chydnabod gwirfoddolwyr sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth i’w cymunedau ac iddyn nhw’u hunain ledled Sir Gaerfyrddin.

Ydych chi'n gwybod am wirfoddolydd sydd wedi gwneud gwaith arbennig yn eu cymuned?

Os ydych, beth am eu henwebu a rhoi cydnabyddiaeth iddyn nhw!

Categoriau

1. Gwirfoddolydd y Flwyddyn (25+)
2. Gwirfoddolydd Ifanc y Flwyddyn (o dan 25
3. Gwirfoddolydd Gwyrdd y Flwyddyn
4. Gwobr Goffa Ray Gravell

Er mwyn cael ffurflen enwebu, cysylltwch a -

Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS, Ty Carwyn, 3 Heol San Pedr, Caerfyrddin, SA31 1LN

01267 236367 ~ fflur@cavs.org.uk

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer enwebiadau yw Dydd Mercher Hydref 15fed 2008.

Small Grant Scheme for Youth Volunteering

Russell Commission Youth Led Grant
Acting on the recommendations of the Russell Commission to make volunteering truly youth-led, CAVS Volunteer Centre has set up a small grant scheme. The grant will support a range of small volunteering projects and activities, led and carried out by young people.

Groups who work primarily with 16-25 year olds with an idea that involves youth volunteering can apply for the grant. These can be school groups, youth groups and constituted groups. Projects can be one-off events or ongoing activities, but must benefit the local community in some way. If a group isn’t constituted, the panel will consider paying the grant to an eligible organisation that will support them. Priority will be given to groups from Communities First areas, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities and young people with disabilities.

CAVS Volunteer Centre has put together a panel of young people, representatives from Carmarthenshire Youth Council, who will be responsible for assessing project applications and deciding which projects get funding, and how much they get!

The total fund available is £4,000, with a maximum of £400 per grant. The closing date for applications is Monday 15th September 2008. Application packs can be obtained by contacting CAVS on 01267 236367 or visit the website www.cavs.org.uk

Grant Dan Arweiniad Pobl Ifanc Comisiwn Russell
Gan weithredu ar argymhellion Comisiwn Russell i wneud gwirfoddoli yn rhywbeth sydd o ddifrif yn cael ei arwain gan bobl ifanc, mae Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS wedi sefydlu cynllun grantiau bychain. Bydd y grant yn cynnal a chefnogi nifer o brosiectau a gweithgareddau bychain, sy’n cael eu harwain a’u cynnal gan bobl ifanc.

Gall grwpiau sy’n gweithio’n bennaf gyda phobl ifanc 16-25 oed sydd â syniad sy’n cynnwys gwirfoddoli gan bobl ifanc wneud cais am y grant. Gallai’r rhain fod yn grwpiau ysgol, grwpiau ieuenctid a grwpiau cyfansoddedig. Gall prosiectau fod yn ddigwyddiadau unwaith-ac-am-byth neu’n weithgareddau rheolaidd, ond rhaid iddynt elwa’r gymuned mewn rhyw ffordd. Os nad yw grwp yn un cyfansoddedig, bydd y panel yn ystyried talu’r grant i fudiad cymwys fydd yn eu cynnal a’u cefnogi. Rhoddir blaenoriaeth i grwpiau o ardaloedd Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, Cymunedau Du, Asiaidd a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig a phobl ifanc ag anableddau.

Mae Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS wedi trefnu panel o bobl ifanc, cynrychiolwyr o Gyngor Ieuenctid Sir Gaerfyrddin, a fydd yn gyfrifol am asesu ceisiadau prosiect a phenderfynu pa brosiectau sy’n cael arian, a faint maen nhw’n gael!

Cyfanswm y gronfa yw £4,000, gydag uchafswm o £400 y grant. Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer ceisiadau yws Dydd Llun 15fed Medi 2008. Gellir cael pecynnau cais trwy gysylltu â CAVS ar 01267 236367 neu ewch i’r wefan www.cavs.org.uk

CAVS Volunteer Centre Thank You Day

To celebrate national Volunteers' Week and the hard work of volunteers from across Carmarthenshire, CAVS Volunteer Centre held a Volunteer Thank You Day at The Botanic Garden of Wales on Monday 2 June.

CAVS' Director Ieuan Williams tell us about the Thank You Day. Filmed by Adrianna, Manager of Oxfam Carmarthen.

Volunteers could enjoy free entry to the garden. The day started with a welcome by Ieuan Williams, a few words by Peter Hamilton, Development Manager at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and a performance by Tumble Primary School Choir.

Then attendees had some time to explore the gardens, meet Volunteer Centre staff and enjoy a massage, reflexology or salsa dancing workshop. The British Red Cross were also holding First Aid workshops.

Volunteering Officer Bill Martin with the Mobile Volunteer Centre.

Volunteers from Tyisha Tenants & Residents Association, Parents In Action Group and Women Only Group (all from the Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First ward) and also WRVS.

Members of Felinfoel Senior Citizens who volunteer for Felinfoel Luncheon Club. Taken by Margaret.

The second party from Felinfoel Senior Citizen Group. Taken by Kevin from Glanymor and Tyisha.

Ty Ni (Carmarthen Family Centre) volunteer Linda (left) and Julie, Centre Co-ordinator.

Raine, Centre Officer for Carmarthen Learning Centre, with valued volunteer Dave, who has been volunteering with Carmarthenshire Basic Skills Service for 6 years. Taken by Eve.

Mary from WRVS. Taken by Meryl.

Free Training for Reclaiming 'Gift Aid'

GIFT AID is tax relief on money donated to UK charities. Donations are treated as if basic rate tax has been deducted. The charity can then reclaim this tax to increase the value of a donation.

Changes in the recent budget regarding Gift Aid mean that charities will continue to receive an additional 28p. Charities can claim Gift Aid tax relief of 25p on every pound in donations. HMRC will also be operating transitional provisions for Gift Aid donations made from 6 April 2008 until 5 April 2011, paying a Government supplement of 3p on every pound donated.

It has also been highlighted that some charities and voluntary groups are not re-claiming the Gift Aid on their donations. Gift Aid can apply to one-off donations or those over a specific period and can even be backdated for up to 6 years. It can apply to sponsorships and certain membership fees.

The low numbers of groups re-claiming may be due to issues such as:
o Low awareness of how Gift Aid works
o Lack of time and manpower
o Requirement for training and support on how to administer
o Fear of getting the rules wrong.

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS), Communities First and Giving Sir Gâr, the new Giving initiative for Carmarthenshire, would like to offer both registered charities and any other third sector organisations (who can re-claim under an umbrella charity such as CAVS) the opportunity to learn about Gift Aid and how to make it start working for you.

In order for us to know whether groups would like training and support please could you register your interest with Simon Pearce at simon@cavs.org.uk or call 01554 777112.

http://www.cavs.org.uk/

http://www.givingsirgar.org.uk/

Carmarthenshire Volunteer Centre Grand Opening

Volunteers, members of the public and CAVS staff all came together this morning to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Carmarthenshire Volunteer Center in Johns St, Llanelli along with tea, coffee, welsh cakes and champagne being served to mark the special occasion!

(Pamela Edmunds cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre with Gareth and Mike)

The morning was filled with enthusiasm, smiles and chatter by people from all walks of live, CAVS hopes the new centre will further encourage and promote volunteering as well as attracting more people to to become volunteers in their local communities. The volunteer officers were on hand all morning to give advice and information on volunteer in Carmarthenshire and to show how much can be benefited from volunteering.

(Left to right, Gareth Richards - Volunteer, Mair Stephens - CAVS Trustee, Pamela Edmunds - Volunteer, Ieuan Williams - CAVS Director and Mike Williams - Volunteer)

The CAVS Volunteer Bureau supports voluntary work in Carmarthenshire. Through their extensive links with organisations throughout the county they are able to provide a service to individuals, who are interested in volunteering, and to organisations, who involve volunteers in their work.

The Bureau's aim is to encourage the use of volunteers and to raise standards for volunteers, service providers and service users. The service is available to all voluntary organisations in Carmarthenshire that register with the bureau and agree to work towards a Code of Good Practice. They help organisations to develop policies, and provide information from their extensive library of resources about all issues relating to the management of volunteers.

If your have a spare couple of hours a week or want to get out the house then why not volunteer, you can get started by calling into the new center or calling the team on 01554 778 601.

International Women's Day

International Women's Day was celebrated early at the YWCA in Llanelli at an event organised by Sharon Davies and Emma Jones of the YWCA and Sam Hudson, Black and Ethnic Minority Support Worker for CAVS.

Sharon Davies, Sam Hudson and Emma Jones at the International Women's Day event at Llanelli YWCA

Celebrated on or around the 8th March, International Women's Day is a global event connecting women from around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. Visitors to the Llanelli event took part in an International Flag competition, created Easter egg displays and enjoyed food and songs from the many different communities living in Llanelli (including Poland, Nepal and Wales.)

A selection of Healthy Eating and International Food (Photo taken by Aneta Jaszcsak)

The Community Safety Department of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were also on hand to give advice on fire safety and promote free Home Fire Safety Checks and smoke alarms. For more information visit their website at: http://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/.

CAVS AGM Question Time

During the CAVS Annual General Meeting (15th November 2007) we briefly interviewed representatives of community groups, and asked them to following;

What are you most proud about within your community group?

What barriers are there within the group that stop you doing more?

Please view/listen to their answers below.

David Groom from Brechfa Community Shop

Audio Interview - Sandra Ozolins from Vegfam (click to play/download)

CAVS AGM Winter Fayre

Pyro.pyxie-trix perform

To finish the day a Winter Fayre was held where displays and stalls could be enjoyed over a glass of mulled wine. Entertainment was provided by Pyro.pyxie-trix youth circus group (find out more at http://www.pyropyxies.co.uk/) and Tumble Primary School Choir. Then goodies were won as Cris Tomos, CAVS' Business Manager, drew the raffle.

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.

The Way Forward for the Community Sector in Carmarthenshire

Liz Dutch and Ceri Davies, Shelter Cymru

CAVS’ AGM looked forward to the future for the community sector in Carmarthenshire.

Jayne Jeffs, the Chair of the Local Health Board launched the Compact Consultation which is looking for views from the voluntary sector on the shared values and principles and working practices set out in the compact. Dr Brickchand Ramruttun, Health and Social Care Partnership Manager spoke about the consultation on the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy.

They were followed by CAVS Business Manager, Cris Tomos, who outlined the next steps for CAVS and its support for the community and voluntary sector in Carmarthenshire. The most exciting development in the near future is the development of the new Mount Centre in Carmarthen funded by the Welsh Assembly, National Lottery and County Council. Work has began on building the centre which will include a basement recording studio and provide room and equipment hire for the sector. Cris launched an appeal for appropriate memorabilia to be put in the time capsule which is to be sealed in the building’s foundations.

Rounding off the session were two presentations from community organisations. Liz Dutch and Ceri Davies from Shelter Cymru introduced a three year project they’re working on with smaller rural communities in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, this project will help the communities recognise and realise their rights with a comprehensive information resource, providing advice and information on housing, debt and welfare benefits.

Fay Sharpley of Popl y Fforest spoke about their ambitious project to create a community facility in Llansawel. It will include a community shop, IT and business facilities and rooms for visiting health professionals. The £850,000 building project will be environmentally friendly and aim to be self-sustaining.

Keynote Speech: Kate Braithwaite, the Charter for Rural Communities

Keynote Speech: Kate Braithwaite, Carnegie Trust

Dr Kate Braithwaite MBE, leader of the Carnegie Trust Rural Programme gave the keynote speech of the AGM. Dr Braithwaite outlined the results of the Carnegie’s Commission of Enquiry into the future for rural communities which identified great opportunities in the future.

The enquiry identified three things which will become fundamental for the community and voluntary sector: an increased emphasis on new skills such as online networking; enhancing community assets through building capital and increasing the scope and quality of community planning.

The enquiry criticises the current deficit model of funding where a community often has to denigrate itself in order to apply for grants and promotes a positive vision of the future for rural communities. It envisages a future where the local community becomes central to administration, governance and service provision, is provided with the finance to pay for it, and where volunteering and social action are encouraged and supported.

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services Annual General Meeting

Principality House, National Botanic Gardens of Wales

Today Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) holds its AGM in the wonderful surroundings of the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. This year is CAVS’ tenth anniversary and the AGM will celebrate the good work the voluntary sector does in Carmarthenshire and look forward to the next ten years. Speakers include Kate Braithwaite from the Charter for Rural Communities, representatives of a number of community organisations and Louise Spierling of the Big Lottery Fund. The event concludes with a Winter Fayre bringing together local craft stalls and entertainment.

Carmarthenshire Connect is attending the AGM and will be blogging live from the event, bringing you all the news and views from Carmarthenshire’s community and voluntary sector.