Events

Our Events page enables voluntary and community groups to advertise details of their forthcoming events to the wider community.

It also provides details of the many forums, networks and partnership meetings that BAVO arranges and facilitates for, and on behalf of, local voluntary and community groups.

Statutory agencies such as the Local Health Board and Local Authority also work with us from time to time, to help co-ordinate and raise awareness of county-wide events.

All such events, conferences and meetings will be posted here on this 'Events' page which will be updated regularly and we hope this will provide a single point of reference for events within the community.

If you would like to advertise your event here free of charge, please contact Pat Lindsay on 01656 810400 or email patlindsay@bavo.org.uk.

Events

Funding Surgery

BAVO is holding a funding surgery at our offices in Maesteg on Wednesday 7th May 2008 with Lloyds TSB Foundation.

Organisations wishing to meet with an advisor on an individual basis please contact Maureen Williams at BAVO on 01656 810400 as soon as possible to book your slot.

Public Procurement and the third sector- Realising Benefits and Maximising Opportunities

Wednesday 7th May 2008, Glamorgan Cricket Club, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Attend this free buyer / supplier event to understand how third sector organisations and the public sector can work together to improve service delivery through effective procurement.

The event will comprise a series of informative presentations, as well as networking opportunities to help promote wider engagement and contracting between the public and third sectors. Delegates will learn more about:

the diverse range of third sector organisations in Wales and the products and services they offer
third sector organisations' crucial role in sustaining a just and inclusive society
good procurement practices that open up supply opportunities to third sector organisations.

The event will be of particular interest to buyers / commissioners and third sector organisations involved in social care, children and family services, housing and related support, youth services, recycling, transport, education and training.

The Draft Programme includes opening remarks by Andrew Davies AM, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery, an introduction to public sector procurement (Gunther Kostyra, Welsh Assembly Government - Value Wales) and a presentation on 'Opening Doors' and the publication of new guidance for procurement by Melanie Meaden, Welsh Assembly Government - Value Wales

The event is due to close at 3.20, but will also give an opportunity to meet buyers and sellers across sectors.

There will be room at the event for small exhibition stands. For further information, and to reserve your place, please contact Gerrard O'Neill, Project Administrator on 01443 663658 or gerrard.oneill@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Wales Charity Law Conference

The Wales Charity Law Conference 2008 will be held on 13 May at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff. This year’s programme introduces a number of changes including more workshop choices, and a Panel discussion where delegates can submit written questions in advance or raise them directly from the floor.

Download further information or a booking form. Alternatively the full programme and brochure is available on the WCVA website, or you can contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329, email help@wcva.org.uk.

Positive Steps for Bridgend - 17th May

Are you interested in taking part in a sponsored walk from McAthur Glen to Bridgend town centre on Saturday 17th May at 10am, to raise money and the profile of your project or charity of your choice? If you are interested, please contact Deb Craddock on 07989029276 for a sponsor form and to register or for more information .

(Please note that Deb Craddock is facilitating this project only and the responsibility of risk assessment and insurance is purely on the group.)

Bridgend SMAT (Substance Misuse Action Team) Workshops

These events are being delivered by New Link Wales in response to a request from Bridgend SMAT to provide training to support service users in becoming more involved in SMAT work. These events do not assume any prior knowledge about service user involvement on the part of the service users, but they are aimed at people who are interested in getting involved or knowing more.

Please note that these events are for service users. although staff may be very interested in attending, these events are not aimed at staff working within agencies but for the people who attend the agencies, or have attended them in the past.

For more information contact Angharad Evans on 01656 754400. Download the poster here.

Person Centred Planning Drop In Sessions

Drop in sessions have been arranged for individuals who have a Learning Disability and would like some help with a Person Centred Plan. There are two venues for the sessions, one at Bridgend Day Centre more information here and one at Trinity Church in Porthcawl, more information here.

RNIB Cymru Conference Event 'Breaking Down the Barriers to Digital Inclusion'.

This conference will concentrate on the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people when trying to access ICT in their community and how organisations can work in partnership in order to overcome these barriers. Conference to be held on 21st May 2008 in Cardiff. Download more information here.

Health Challenge Bridgend - Workshop

'Moving Health Challenge Bridgend Forward' workshop is being held on Thursday 29th May at Waterton Technology Centre Bridgend. Download more information here.

FireBrake Wales Achievement Awards

Formerly the Golden Flame Awards, they will recognise and reward fire safety projects throughout Wales. This is an opportunity to showcase your contribution to fire safety and receive recognition not only for the project but also for the people involved. To download an application and for more information visit www.firebrake.org. Closing date for entries 6th June 2008.

Fair Trade Wales Conference - Saturday 7th June

This year's conference to be held at Caerleon Campus of Newport University, Caerleon. Download more information here. Download the booking form here.

WAG Consultation event on its proposals to change the NHS structure in Wales: Bridgend - June 12th at 9 am

The event will be held centrally in Bridgend town to book your place, contact the Community Health Council, Bridgend on 01656 657909

Tidy Wales Week

Tidy Wales Week will be taking place from 23rd - 29th June and aims at getting as many people as possible to lend a hand. You can organise your own event or join one that is taking place in your locality. Download more information here.

For you FREE clean up kit download your application form here.

Bridgend County Borough 'Never Too Old' series of events 2008.

A series of events specifically for those over the age of 50 has been organised as part of the Never Too Old Strategy for older people in Bridgend County Borough and Mentro Allan Venture Out. It has been developed in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, Bridgend Local Health Board, Bro-Morgannwg NHS Trust, Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations, SHOUT and the British Heart Foundation.

Thursday the 3rd of July – Bridgend Recreation Centre – New beginnings for the 50 plus– 10.00am to 4.00pm – healthy range of indoor and outdoor activities for people over the age of 50. Plus an extensive range of organisations with information on services in Bridgend County. Download the poster here.

Sunday the 28th of September – Bryngarw House – Later Life Event 2008 – 9:30am – 4:00pm – as above a range of health intervention in and outdoors, including a sponsored walk for the British Heart Foundation, and a Medieval reenactment group which will promote an intergenerational event.

For more information contact Stuart or Claire on 01656 643529 or 01656 872491.

Local Voluntary Sector Meetings

The Drugs & Alcohol Voluntary Action Network (DAVAN) meet at 12.30 in the offices of Ogwr Dash Nolton Street. The next meeting date is tbc

Mental Health V S Network meets bi-monthly 3rd Wednesday of the month. Venues are chosen at each meeting usually at Hafod Housing offices or Gofal Cymru's offices - call Andy Fraser for further info 810400.

Service Users Network (SUN) meetings are now held at the Coed Parc Library, Park Street, Bridgend on the first Monday of every month, starting at 4.30pm. The meeting is open to all who access mental health services in Bridgend County Borough. Contact HAFAL for more information.

Childrens Voluntary Organisations Forum (CVOF) The next meeting dates are:

11th June 2008, 10am at BAVO offices Maesteg
17th September 2008, 11am at BAVO offices Maesteg

Extending Entitlement Network (EEN) The next meeting dates are:.

21st May 2008
16th July 2008
24th September 2008
1st December 2008 Contact Angela on 01656 810400 for more info

Volunteer Managers Forum .

The next meeting is on 10th June 2008 at Bethlehem Church Life centre, Cefn Cribwr at 2pm. More info from Sharon on 01656 810400

Funding Workers Network.

We are currently undertaking a review of the network, please see our next newsletter for an update.

Local Partnership Meetings

BAVO provides sector representation on the following partnerships. If you would like further information or wish to raise any issues, please contact BAVO. Issues highlighted and general feedback may also be left on the forum pages.

Partnership	Next Meeting	Vol Sector Rep
Bridgend Local Service Board (LSB)	16/5/08	Heidi Bennett
bridgend Learning and Skills	May 12th 08	Heidi Bennett
Bridgend LSB 'Delivery Group'	tbc	no place for the sector
Local Safeguarding Children Board	June 08	Heidi Bennett & Sally George
Bridgend Regeneration & Environment	May 20 2008	Heidi Bennett & Nigel Draper
HSCWB Partnership Board	June 08	Jan Kearn & Heidi Bennett
Bridgend Local Health Board	tbc	Mal Reeves & Margie Ings
Children & Young Peoples Partnership	June 2008	Heidi Bennett
Young Peoples Partnership sub groups	tbc	Angela Davies
Community Safety Partnership Exec	July 08	Heidi Bennett
Joint Mental Health Strategy Planning	9th May 2008	Andy Fraser, Jan Kearn, Ewan Hilton
Community Health Council	May 2008	Martin Hooper, Peter Wakeford, Doreen Gunning
Voluntary Sector Liaison Group	tbc	Sylvia Jones & Heidi Bennett