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What we do

Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations is the County Voluntary Council for Bridgend County Borough. We provide FREE support and assistance to all member community and voluntary groups, not-for-profits and social enterprises in our area.

We’re focused on creating connected, co-ordinated and resourceful communities where people develop trust, respect and understanding, can  access the help and resources they need to maintain good health and happy lives.

We take a ‘strength-based, asset based’ approach which means we don’t focus on deficits or deprivation, we encourage people and communities to recognise and work with the positive things in their area, such as the people, buildings and land – communities really can take action on what really matters tp them, and we are here to help every step of the way.

BAVO provides support, guidance, practical assistance and information to local voluntary sector groups to develop skills, services and activities, ensuring they are represented across a wide range of issues locally, regionally and nationally.

Our main areas of work are: 

• Advice – supporting groups with information, networking, peer support, training, events and funding.
• Volunteering – supporting volunteers and volunteer organisations.
• Wellbeing – supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing through our Navigator service
• Collaboration – working together, building  connections with like-minded groups and public sector/service partners to add value,  invest and support sustainable preventative community-led services and activities

We are a free of charge membership organisation open to all voluntary and community groups based in Bridgend County Borough.

We are part of a national infrastructure called ‘Third Sector Support Wales’, funded by Welsh Government. We are quality assured across a number of work areas and hold the Trusted Charity Mark

See our Data Protection Policy (GDPR compliant) here

Our mission statement:

BAVO’s purpose is to support, encourage and promote the development of a sustainable and flourishing voluntary and community sector in Bridgend County Borough, that is effective and efficient, informed and influential and delivers positive outcomes for local people.

BAVO’s values:

The work of BAVO is guided by a set of values that help to determine priorities and the overall style of working. We recognise that Bridgend County Borough is diverse and everyone has the right to equality of opportunity and to make a contribution to their community.

Are you a community group or charity, or do you want to start one?

Are you a looking for funding?

Do you need more volunteers?

Do you want to meet like minded groups?

Do you need help sorting a problem?

By becoming a member of BAVO, we can help with just about anything you need: 

• Starting up and managing a voluntary/community group;
• Charity/CIO registration;
• Employment and HR issues;
• Funding and fundraising support;
• Networking opportunities;
• Volunteering and recruitment;
• Interim and project management;
• Governance issues and governing documents;
• Consultancy;
• Policy development;
• Marketing and media;
• Bespoke training;
• Meeting space;
• Photocopying;
• Equipment hire;
• Planning and bid writing;

Membership to BAVO is FREE!

Find out more about becoming a member of BAVO

BAVO’s Safeguarding Policy

Our organisation is committed to keeping people safe from harm. We work with service user groups and individuals who may be at risk due to age, illness, disability, or other vulnerability. We endeavour at all times to provide services and activities which minimise risk and are as safe as we can make them.

We aim to protect our service users from harm or maltreatment, prevent the impairment of health or development, ensure the provision of safe and effective care, promote people’s life chances and ensure children enter adulthood successfully.

We work in partnership with other local / national agencies to put in place appropriate procedures for reporting, making referrals, accessing training and specialist support, as and when required.

We comply with all relevant legislation, including the requirements of Part 7 of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2016 and All Wales Child Protection procedures.

Read BAVO’s Safeguarding policy here

Rentable office space available to members

BAVO members can rent office space at our Head Office in Maesteg for meetings, training, service delivery or outreach sessions. We also have hybrid meeting equipment available.

Complaints policy and procedures

BAVO is committed to providing a high quality service to everyone that we deal with. In order to accomplish this, it is important that we listen and respond to the views of people who use our services. By responding promptly and positively learning from this feedback we learn from mistakes and continuously improve our services.

Take a look at our Complaints Policy and Procedures here

Privacy notice for suppliers

Under data protection legislation, BAVO is required to explain to our suppliers why we collect information about you, how we intend to use that information and whether we will share your information with anyone else.

Download our privacy notice for suppliers here

Contact us

For further details, T: 01656 810400 or E: bavo@bavo.org.uk