The BAVO Development Team will be In Your Area: Bryncethin & Llangeinor on 5 December.

BAVO is going out and about to meet you “on your patch”. If you work in the Bryncethin & Llangeinor area we would love to visit your group.
We want this to be an opportunity for the team to come and see the fantastic work you do first hand, and also to chat about any support you need.
BAVO supports the third sector with:
Get in touch so we can schedule in a visit to you on 5 December. We look forward to meeting you.
Please email: alisonmawby@bavo.org.uk
BAVO hosts the next Drug Alcohol Mental Health Service Network (DAMHSN) meeting on Thursday 25 January. This will be online via Microsoft Teams 10am – 12noon.
If you are an individual or group whose aim is to promote mental health or provide a service for people with a mental health issue within Bridgend County Borough your invited to connect with DAMHSN.
DAMHSN brings together local and national organisations who work in the field of mental health and mental wellbeing in Bridgend; and staff and volunteers that are involved in supporting people and/or working to combat substance misuse issues in Bridgend.
The network creates opportunities to discuss current issues, potential joint projects, maximising service opportunities and avoiding duplication of work. It is also an opportunity for the wider voluntary sector, which provides services to people who may also have mental health issues, to link in, share information and work in partnership.
For the meeting details please contact Laura Dadic email lauradadic@bavo.org.uk or call 07850 700 377.
BAVOs AGM is on Friday 8 December 2023 at the Heronston Hotel, Bridgend, from 11am -1pm.
Join us for our AGM and afternoon tea. We are joined by special guest speakers Professor Jean White CBE High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan and Jonathan Stock, Assistant Director of Communications at the Charity Commission.
Our AGM is open to any third sector organisation, however tickets will be prioritised for members first.
You can book online or email bavo@bavo.org.uk
At the AGM, the Trustees will present our annual impact report 2022/23 outlining BAVO’s performance and financial statements. The independent auditor will also report. The event will finish with afternoon tea. The 2022/23 year marked 25 years since BAVO started in 1997, so we will be celebrating our silver anniversary.
(Please note: A £15 pp charge will be made if you book but do not attend without giving 48 hours notice.)
Members with voting rights may be asked to vote on current issues such as appointments to the Board of Directors where there are more nominations than places. They may also be asked to vote on the re-appointment of auditors.
Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations is an incorporated charity that means it is both a registered charity No. 1146543 and registered company in England and Wales No. 07691764
Welsh Charities Week is back, taking place this year 13 – 17 November 2023.
The week is about recognising the work of charities, social enterprises, voluntary organisations and community and volunteer groups in Wales.
Let’s celebrate the amazing work you do at your organisation!
BAVO is holding a marketplace and networking event for groups open to the general public at:
The Mem Community Centre, Nantymoel, CF31 7ND on Monday 13 November from 10.30am – 2pm
Come along to:
Speak directly to these services and more…
To book a table at this event, please email: alisonmawby@bavo.org.uk
To find out more about Welsh Charities Week 2023, visit welshcharitiesweek.cymru.
Join BAVO for a coffee morning in support of World Mental Health Day. Drop in between 11am and 2pm.
All welcome. Tea, Coffee and Cakes will be available.
A chance to meet others and find out about organisations that offer support and advice in Bridgend County. It’s an opportunity to relax with mindfulness activities and a cuppa.
Venue: ARC Centre, Quarella Road, Bridgend CF31 1JN
World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone’s mental health. The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.
It’s a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.
Come together with friends, families or colleagues this World Mental Health Day.
This is your chance to meet the funder and to discuss project ideas and eligibility.
When: Wednesday 1 November from 12 noon – 4.30pm
Where: Westward Centre, Cefn Glas, Bridgend CF31 4JR
The funders confirmed are listed below:
With more to follow!
Please add the date to your diary. To register your interest now email Alison Mawby at BAVO: alisonmawby@bavo.org.uk
Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector is currently under review.
Webinar: Wednesday 27 September 2023, 10.30am-12.00pm (Online)
Attend the webinar on 27 September for the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes to Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector.
At this interactive session you will be invited to share your views which will ensure your invaluable insight and experience are considered in the production of a new Code. On the day Phil Fiander, the Chair of the Funding and Compliance Subcommittee along with Welsh Government and WCVA will be there.
For more context about the review see the WCVA website.
WCVA is the national membership body for voluntary organisations in Wales. It enables voluntary organisations in Wales to make a bigger difference together.
The next CTM (Cwm Taf Morgannwg) Third Sector Mental Health Forum is on 6 December 2023.
Where: Hybrid | in-person at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil office or join online via Teams.
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am.
BAVO supports the CTM Third Sector Mental Health Forum with Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (VAMT) and Interlink RCT (Rhondda Cynon Taf). The chair is Janet Whiteman, CEO of New Horizons.
Together we:
The Forum brings the voluntary sector together. It draws upon the skills, resources, capacity and strengths of its members to develop and support partnership working, improve mental health service provision and share good practice. We strive to ensure services meet the needs of the people who need support and help people to access the right service at the right time. This includes people that stigma or circumstance hide from plain view.
If you want to attend or want the meeting link to join please register on Eventbrite
For any queries about meeting please contact Laura Dadic at BAVO on lauradadic@bavo.org.uk or 07850 700 377
Suicide Awareness Training Session
In Person Session @ BAVO, Maesteg
Weds 7th June 1.30 – 3 pm
Join us for this free awareness raising session run by CTM Mind as part of their Project ‘Speak’
We are living in challenging times and many people are experiencing difficulties affecting their mental health. Sometimes all that is needed is someone to listen and bring their emotional state to manageable levels.
This session will help you:
Book your free place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/638636658437
FREE Training from BAVO
Bitesize Session: Chairing a Meeting
On Line Teams Session 5 – 6 pm
Tuesday 6th June
Designed for those new to the role/running a small organisation, or just to refresh chairing skills – tips on getting the most out of your meetings
To book your place please register here
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bavo-bitesize-chairing-a-meeting-tickets-590184526807
Wednesday 12 May from 2 – 4pm
Join Green Links Bridgend during Mental Health Awareness Week (10 – 16 May 2021) for an art workshop celebrating the beautiful sand dunes of Bridgend.
Green Links Bridgend are joining forces with BAVO, Dynamic Dunescapes, Carnegie House, Mental Health Matters Wales and HALO to bring you a free, two hour painting workshop. They will be creating sand dune inspired celebration flags, which will be used to connect with other dune communities on World Sand Dune Day – 25 June 2021. All attendees at this workshop will be invited to this celebration event.
Carnegie House artist-in-resident, Claire Hiett, will take you on an exciting painting journey that will remind you that nature has the capacity to restore our equilibrium and enhance our wellbeing.
Inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe, Claire will explore the idea that rather than copying nature, art can be created through elements of composition, such as line, mass, colour, texture. Claire will guide you through ways to use dune systems as inspiration to create double-sided flags, exploring image and text.
You can find out further details and register your place here.
A zoom link will follow, together with details about the event. Numbers are limited.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact cassie.crocker@plantlife.org.uk
12 May 2021 from 1.30 – 2.30pm
Online session via Zoom
Free session on the vital benefits of connection with nature for mental wellbeing, for people living with dementia and their supporters.
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week (10 – 16 May 2021) is focusing on the benefits of nature. In support of this important work, Dementia Adventure and The Mental Health Foundation have teamed up to deliver a free online session looking at how nature can help you look after your mental health.
Evidence shows that access to nature is crucial for our mental health and millions of people re-discovered that during lockdowns this year. There is significant evidence that connection to nature offers vital benefits for people living with dementia, such as improved appetite, sleep and communication skills, plus a reduction in anxiety and a slowing in decline.
This training will connect you with experienced dementia trainers and other dementia supporters.This interactive session is for family and friends who support somebody living with dementia. People living with dementia are very welcome to join too.
You can find out further information and register your place here.




