Join us to celebrate Trustees’ Week 2026!
Whether you’re an experienced trustee or new to the role, join us for an afternoon of networking, learning and all things good governance.
It’s a great opportunity to:
🤝 Meet and connect with fellow trustees
💡 Hear from our guest speakers
📢 Get the latest updates from The National Lottery Community Fund and WCVA
📚 Pick up useful insights and guidance to support you in your trustee role
📅 Thursday 12 November 2026
⏰ 4:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Talbot Community Centre, Kenfig Hill
Come along, connect with others and celebrate the incredible contribution trustees make to our communities.
Book your place today!
We are pleased to invite BAVO members to a workshop with BAVO CEO, Heidi Bennett and CEO of BCBC, Jake Morgan to discuss the developing ‘Vision and Transformation’ Strategy: Bridgend County Borough 2040. There are limited tickets available, so please book NOW to have your say!
📅 Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026
⏰ Time: 10.00am–1.00pm
📍 Venue: Committee Rooms, Civic Centre, Angel Street, Bridgend
The Council is currently developing a long-term vision and Transformation Strategy which will set out its aims and ambitions for the future of Bridgend County Borough and help shape how the Council works with communities and partners, including third sector, voluntary and community groups to respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
We would particularly value the views and experience of BAVO members in helping us to test and strengthen the emerging vision.
We will circulate a draft summary of the developing strategy to attendees ahead of the workshop, to provide some context and enable you to come prepared to share your views.
Come and join us for a peaceful, dementia friendly wellbeing walk at Bryngarw Country Park!
This ranger-led walk follows one of the park’s accessible routes, offering a gentle way to enjoy nature, connect with others and spend more time outdoors in a supportive environment.
The walk is open to anyone affected by dementia, whether you’re living with dementia or supporting someone as a friend, family member or carer, or may have done so in the past.
16/09/26
11:00am – 1:00pm
Bryngarw Country Park
Spread joy at the greatest race ever!
Le Tour De France is heading to South Wales next year, with the worlds top cyclists taking on a gruelling 223km cycle from Welshpool to Cardiff and YOU can be involved as a volunteer Joy Maker.
JOY Makers are the volunteers who will help bring the Tour de France to life! From welcoming and guiding spectators to supporting the safe running of the race, they’ll play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience when the world’s biggest cycling race comes to Wales.
You don’t need any previous volunteering or cycling experience, full training is provided, and anyone aged 16+ can apply.
Benefits include:
Click the link below to sign up now! Applications close Tuesday, September 1st.
BAVO’s Meet the Funder event is back for 2026!
Looking for funding for your organisation or community project? This is your chance to meet the people who make funding decisions.
Join us for an afternoon of networking, inspiration and practical advice as you meet a wide range of regional and national funders face to face. Ask questions, build valuable connections, discover what funders are really looking for, and gain insights that could strengthen your next funding application.
📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026
📍 West Ward Community Centre, Bridgend
🕛 12:00pm – 4:30pm
✅ Community Facilities Programme
✅ South Wales Police Trust
✅ National Churches Trust
✅ National Lottery
✅Heritage Fund
✅ National Grid
✅ Sport Wales
✅ WCVA
✅ Coalfields Regeneration Trust
More funders will be announced over the coming weeks!
Whether you’re an established charity, voluntary organisation, community group or social enterprise, this is a fantastic opportunity to expand your network, explore new funding opportunities and speak directly with organisations that could help bring your ideas to life.
To book your FREE place or find out more, contact Alison at AlisonMawby@bavo.org.uk.
Spaces are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid missing out.
Free Volunteer Passport Training for Bridgend Volunteers
BAVO is delighted to offer a limited number of FREE places on our Volunteer Passport training programme for volunteers who are currently volunteering with a project or organisation in Bridgend County Borough.
The Volunteer Passport is a Level 1 NOCN Endorsed Programme, designed to give volunteers the essential knowledge and skills they need to volunteer safely, confidently and effectively.
📅 Tuesday 15 September and Tuesday 22 September
🕙 10.00am – 3.00pm
📍 Bridgend Town Centre
Please note that volunteers must attend both training days to complete the programme and receive their accreditation.
Although the course is free of charge, BAVO covers the cost of each participant’s NOCN accreditation licence, as well as staff time to deliver the training and assess the completed workbooks. As places are limited and incur a cost, we kindly ask that you only book if you are able to attend both sessions.
To reserve your place, please email sharonheadon@bavo.org.uk or call Sharon on 01656 810400 by 31 August.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The summer holidays are here! ☀️
We know keeping the kids entertained for six weeks is no easy task, so we’ve made it a little simpler for you. Check out our handy Padlet packed with family fun days, activities, and places where kids can eat free or for just £1! 🍽️🎉
Got an event or activity you’d like us to share? We’d love to hear from you – send it over to Benwilliams@bavo.org.uk 📩
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 12 August | 🕐 1.00pm – 2.00pm
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.
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.
