Stay up to date with the latest funding opportunities – whenever it suits you!
Never miss a funding opportunity with BAVO’s new Funding Padlet. Designed to make finding funding quicker and easier, our online board is updated regularly with the latest grants and funding opportunities for organisations and community groups.
Why use the Funding Padlet?
✅ Regular updates – New funding opportunities are added frequently, helping you get a head start on applications.
🔔 Receive notifications – Follow the board to receive email alerts whenever a new funding opportunity is published.
🌐 Access anytime – Available 24/7 and embedded on our website, so you can browse funding opportunities whenever it’s convenient for you.
🗂️ Simple to navigate – We’ve organised the board into clear categories, making it quick and easy to find the funding that’s most relevant to you.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact benwilliams@bavo.org.uk.
Click here to visit the Padlet on our website.
Click here to go directly to the Padlet.
Are you looking for an opportunity to recruit volunteers, spread the word about your organisation and meet like-minded groups?
Make sure to join us for the Bridgend Volunteering Event, on Saturday, August 1st from 10:30am – 1pm!
We’ll be on Adare Street, Bridgend Town Centre with Green Top Markets, so you’ll be able to take advantage of the busy market-day atmosphere and meet people from all walks of life – you may even fill that volunteer role, or get a new trustee!
If you would like more information, give us a ring on 01656 810400 or email volunteering@bavo.org.uk
You can book your place by clicking the link below.
Are you caring for someone living with dementia and looking for a new way to help them enjoy the outdoors?
Join BAVO and Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club for a FREE dementia-friendly golf taster session in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
📅 Wednesday 15 July | 🕐 1.00pm – 3.00pm
During the session, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Please note: Carers must attend with the person they support.
Places are limited to just 12 participants, so book early to avoid disappointment. Click the button below to reserve your place.
Today BAVO welcomed the pathology service at Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) and Roche, who have been working together on a social value initiative aimed at supporting local communities through the donation of reconditioned laptops.
BARC Family Centre, based in Maesteg were thrilled at the donation – “It’ll help us expand the support we’re developing for the community”
The laptops, part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability and creating positive social impact, have been donated to groups throughout Bridgend County to help them carry out their important work.
Mark Williams from Mental Health Matters also welcomed the initiative, saying “This will help a lot of people coming into the service who aren’t very confident with technology”.
By working with local organisations to identify those most in need, the partnership hopes to improve digital inclusion, support education and employment opportunities, and ensure the laptops make a meaningful difference to people and community groups across the CTM area.
BAVO would like to say a huge thank you to the pathology service team at CTM and Roche for these donations which will go a long way to supporting groups and their invaluable work helping individuals across Bridgend County.
If you would like information on any future initiatives, please contact Development@bavo.org.uk.
To progress this change, we are asking Full Member organisations to join us for a short meeting to vote on the resolution. The meeting will last no longer than 15 minutes.
📅 Date: April 13th
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 11:30am
📍 Location: BAVO Office, Maesteg or 💻 Online
Members can attend either in person at the BAVO offices or online, and we kindly ask that you book via Eventbrite and indicate your preferred attendance method so we can ensure the meeting is quorate. You can find the Eventbrite page and book your place here.
We welcome any questions about the resolution, the conversion process, or the proposed governing document, which you can find here. Please send any questions in advance to BenWilliams@bavo.org.uk, and responses will be provided during the meeting.
* Full Members are third sector organisations, community groups, and voluntary organisations based in and operating in Bridgend County that have previously been admitted to BAVO membership. If you are unsure about your membership status, please contact us.
Please see the official notice of the EGM below:
Join us to meet and chat with local service providers who support children, young people and families with lived experience of neurodiversity.
This is a great opportunity to discover what support is available in your area, ask questions, and connect with others in your community.
📅 26/03/26
⏰ 10am – 1pm
📍 Halo Life Centre, Bridgend
NEW for this event: 12–1pm will be a dedicated quiet hour for anyone who finds large crowds or noisy environments challenging. During this time, you can speak with stallholders in a calmer, more relaxed setting.
If you are an organisation who would like to attend to share information, please fill in the Microsoft form here.
These qualifications equip learners with the knowledge and confidence to recognise a range of mental health conditions, start supportive conversations, and understand when and how to signpost someone to professional help.
Learners will:
Learners will not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. The course focuses on awareness, early support, and appropriate signposting.
This qualification is UK regulated and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA), regulated by Ofqual and SQA Accreditation, and sits on both the RQF and SCQF frameworks.
Entry Requirements
Qualification Validity
Suitable for individuals, volunteers, and workplaces looking to build mental health awareness and supportive environments.
Please note: This training is worth £85pp (level 1) and £125pp (level 2), with the cost being covered by BAVO. Due to this cost, we ask that you complete a bursary application via a Microsoft form which will be sent via email after signing up on Eventbrite. Any queries, please email either Lucywilliams@bavo.org.uk or Alisonmawby@bavo.org.uk.
The Cwtch Mawr Multibank model, originally developed in Swansea by the charity Faith in Families, is being expanded to Bridgend County Borough, marking a significant step in tackling rising hardship locally.
The Multibank redistributes new, surplus goods from businesses, including clothing, toiletries, nappies and household essentials, to families who are struggling to afford the basics. Faith in Families says growing demand has driven the expansion, with Bridgend identified as a priority area.
The move into Bridgend has been made possible through collaboration with Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO). Working closely with local partners and stakeholders, BAVO has helped connect Faith in Families with trusted community organisations to ensure support reaches families quickly and with dignity.
Local hubs at the heart of delivery
A number of community-based hubs across Bridgend have been selected to take part in the rollout. Each hub will receive regular deliveries of essential goods, ready to be distributed through schools, charities and frontline services that already support families in need.
Faith in Families says its vans are already being prepared, with deliveries expected to begin this week.
A rapid response to local need
The Bridgend pilot will test how quickly large volumes of essential items can be moved across the county while keeping delivery rooted in local communities. The approach mirrors the successful Swansea model, focusing on speed, partnership and trust.
Heidi Bennett, CEO of BAVO said:
“This expansion into Bridgend is about responding quickly to real need, while making sure support is delivered through organisations people already know and trust. Working alongside Faith in Families, Cwtch Mawr Multibank and local community partners has been crucial in making this happen, and this pilot will help us understand how the Multibank model can work and grow in Bridgend.”
Expanding a model built on dignity
Jon Waite, Faith in Families Manager said the Multibank model removes barriers such as long waits, paperwork or stigma, ensuring families can access essential items when they need them most. By working through established local networks, supported and coordinated by BAVO, the charity aims to strengthen joined-up responses to poverty across Bridgend.
The Bridgend pilot will also help shape future plans to expand the Multibank approach further across Wales, with the shared goal of ensuring no family goes without the basics.
If you would like any more information, please contact communitynavigator@bavo.org.uk.
Bridgend ‘Unsung Heroes’ Awards 2026
Volunteers Week 2026
Heronston Hotel on Friday, 5th June
Nomination information, rules and purpose of awards
Every year thousands of individuals and groups volunteer across Bridgend County Borough giving their time, energy, skills and commitment to help others in their community.
Bridgend Unsung Heroes’ Awards 2026 are designed to thank, recognise and honour volunteers and organisations that have made a significant contribution to our community.
This is the ninth year that we have run the awards and we would like to encourage people to nominate individuals and/or groups who they believe have made a significant contribution to the community.
The process of nominating is quick and simple, and all nominees will receive a formal certificate.
The awards categories are:
| · Young Volunteer | · Adult Volunteer |
| · Community/Charity group | · Sports Volunteer |
| · Outstanding Volunteer | · Trustee |
| · Environmental | |
Nomination procedure
Rules for all categories:
Personal details provided on all nomination forms may be passed on to partner organisations and to the media for publicity purposes. If you are not willing for any information to be shared in this way please let us know as soon as possible.
Closing date for nominations:
Completed nominations must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, 10th March, using the official nomination form. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Postal nominations must be marked ‘Private and confidential’ and should be returned to Sharon Headon, BAVO – 112/113 Commercial Street, Maesteg, Bridgend, CF34 9DL.
Electronic versions can be emailed to volunteering@bavo.org.uk
To obtain further copies of the nomination form, information and rules call 01656 810400 or download the forms from our website at www.bavo.org.uk
Bridgend Unsung Heroes Awards 2026 – The categories
Young Volunteer of the Year
Open to 14–25 year olds (as of 31 Dec 2025) who have volunteered in Bridgend County Borough in the past year.
Adult Volunteer of the Year
Open to adults aged 26+ who have volunteered in Bridgend County Borough in the past 12 months.
Team of the Year (Community/Charity)
Recognising the commitment given by a local team that have come together to serve people or communities through supporting or delivering a project in the County Borough.
Sports Volunteer of the Year
Open to individuals who volunteer with any organisation that promotes/delivers a sport or physical activity programme within the County Borough.
Environmental Award
An individual or group of volunteers who make a meaningful difference by protecting the environment and promoting sustainability across the County Borough, helping communities enjoy and work together in our shared open spaces.
Long Service Award
A volunteer that contributed substantially to the volunteering organisation, shown a real commitment, and has had an impact on the people or community being supported. A volunteer that has given 5 or more years regular service to the project/community.
Trustee / Leadership Volunteer of the Year
Open to a Trustee or volunteer leader who has shown exceptional leadership, accountability, and integrity. They consistently act in the best interests of the organisation and the people it serves.
Their contribution may include offering guidance and expertise beyond what is expected, supporting staff and volunteers with energy and enthusiasm, and helping to create a positive environment so everyone’s involved.
