Practice Solutions are reaching out on behalf of the Welsh Government to ask if you or your organisation can help make a real difference for people in Wales living with persistent pain. The Welsh Government’s Persistent Pain Clinical Implementation Team is creating a People’s Panel as part of their Living with Persistent Pain in Wales plan. This panel will play a vital role in improving the services and support available to those affected by long-term pain.
The impact of persistent pain
Persistent pain—lasting over 12 weeks, like long-term back pain or nerve pain—affects an estimated 12-25% of people in Wales. While some people manage it well, others face major impacts on their daily lives, affecting not only them but also their families, friends, and communities. Welsh Government wants to understand the real experiences of people with persistent pain, whether or not they are using healthcare services, to ensure that policies truly meet their needs.
About the People’s Panel
The People’s Panel will bring together individuals living with persistent pain and those who support them, such as carers and family members. Panel members will share their experiences, insights, and ideas to help improve understanding and shape more supportive, effective services across Wales.
Who can join?
We’re looking for people from all walks of life, including:
How your organisation can help
If you work with individuals who live with persistent pain or those who care for someone affected by it, please share this opportunity with them. Welsh Government would love to hear from anyone interested in sharing their insights to help improve pain support in Wales.
Next steps
You can easily join the People’s Panel by filling out the short interest form here. Welsh Government will then follow up with more details, including an invitation to an online information session on Thursday, 28 November 2024, at 10:00am.
Yesterday (19 November) BAVO’s Community Navigator team received a visit from Welsh Government and local health care officials.
The cohort included Nicola Evans, Head of Health Inequalities and Healthy Communities; Jonathan Morgan, Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board; Krysia Groves, who is working on the core competencies for the national framework of social prescribing and Cllr. Jane Gebbie, Deputy Leader for Bridgend County Borough Council, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board.
The visit gave our Community Navigator team the opportunity to showcase the impactful work they do, visiting various community groups and projects such as the Squirrel’s Nest, a Men’s Shed based in Tondu.
Cllr. Jane Gebbie labelled the Squirrel’s Nest as “absolutely inspirational”, describing it as a “caring, welcoming, warm space” where people have the opportunity to “develop and nurture themselves”.
In addition, Jonathan Morgan praised the Squirrel’s Nest for its “fantastic job” in helping people improve their wellbeing in a way that is “practical, supportive and focused on their wellbeing needs”.
The next stop took the group to Wyndham Boys and Girls Club where there was an opportunity to meet members of Mental Health Matters Wales’ Wellbeing Hub and Tanio’s Breathing Spaces.
They had the chance to sit and talk to members informally on a one-to-one basis, with participants giving insight into the reasons they attend the groups and exactly how going along has been key to supporting their mental health and wellbeing.
Jonathan Morgan described the visit as a “real privilege” and relished the opportunity to spend time with the groups and see the impact they have on so many people’s lives.
As well as visiting these community groups, Bridgend Food Bank opened its doors, giving them a glimpse behind the scenes at their facility whilst explaining the referral process and the measures they take to help people besides providing emergency food, such as working with Citizen’s Advice and signposting to other services.
This visit not only highlighted the incredible work done by the foodbank, but also the huge demand put on foodbanks due to issues such as the cost-of-living crisis.
Overall, the visit was a huge success, with Nicola Evans stating that “seeing the work that’s being done really brings to life what we’re trying to achieve through the framework for social prescribing and it shows you the value of working together and how it can change people’s lives”.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have just announced their ‘Gift of Kindness’ festive campaign 2024, where they aim to highlight the generosity of our communities and give back through local charities that support health and wellbeing.
Starting next week, they are inviting all CTM UHB staff, patients, and community members to embrace the spirit of giving and make a meaningful impact through local charity initiatives that support our health and wellbeing.
From putting pounds in a collection box, to volunteering your time or making a kind gesture, this campaign is built on the idea that there’s something for everyone who wants to spread joy and make a difference.
For more information and to see how you can get involved, click here.
The Welsh Government is currently consulting on a new statutory framework for youth work in Wales. The consultation period will run until 10 January 2025. You may already have responded or are planning to respond as an individual or as part of a collective response from your organisation.
For young people to have a full awareness and understanding of these changes, and to have the confidence to share their own experiences and opinions with Welsh Government, we need your support as youth workers, youth support workers and others working with young people across Wales to encourage them to share their views.
To this end, we have developed discussion points for young people based on some of the key features of the proposed new statutory framework. We would advise you to read these (below) alongside the proposals and the consultation document itself. Whilst these are some suggested discussion points, you may wish to explore other aspects of the framework with the young people in your organisation, depending on their interests and experiences.
Following the recent announcement of the UK Government’s 2024 budget, you will be aware of the increase in National Insurance contributions faced by employers and the negative impact this will have on voluntary organisations’ finances.
In response to this, WCVA will be sending a letter on behalf of the Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) and Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW) to Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.
BAVO would like to assure all of its members that we have fed in a local sector response and will be a signature on the letter.
For more information, or to add your signature to the letter, please click here.
Available in both English and Welsh, Screening Matters has been produced by the Screening Engagement Team of Public Health Wales. The bulletin aims to keep you informed of changes within NHS screening programmes in Wales whilst also telling you about the work of the division and the different engagement opportunities.
The bulletin can be found here.
Our older population is increasing and there will be a much greater demand for our mental health dementia services in the future. We want to ensure that people living with dementia, now and in the future, have access to the support they need, at the right time, and in the right place.
Currently, our service is provided in day care settings, but we are inviting our communities to share their views on a proposed ‘peripatetic community service’ in the future.
A 10-week engagement period is open, running from 9.00 a.m. on Monday, 2nd September 2024 until 5.00 p.m. on Monday, 11th November 2024.
There are many ways in which you can share your views. They are explained here, along with further information about the proposal. Attached are a briefing paper, Easy Read and surveys in pintable format. The electronic survey can be found here: Planning Future Mental Health Dementia Services for Older Adults (office.com) .
Planning Mental Health Dementia Services Briefing Paper 30082024 (eng)
Planning Mental Health Dementia Services Easy Read
Older Adult Mental Health Dementia Survey 200924 (english)
Arolwg Gwasanaethau Dementia Iechyd Cymuned 200924 (welsh)
Cynllunio Gwasanaethau Denmentia Iechyd Meddwl Dogfen Briffio 30082024 (cy)
Come join us for our Annual General Meeting at the Heronston Hotel!
This is a fantastic opportunity to listen to updates from the Welsh Government Communities Unit and CTM Regional Partnership Board and ask questions!
You will also meet fellow members, share ideas, and have your voice heard. We’ll elect board members too.
We also welcome Chris Buchan, Head of Communities and Third Sector Policy at Welsh Government leading on the funding code of practice, communities and volunteering policies . Also Cllr Jane Gebbie, Deputy Leader BCBC, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Parternship work – leading on community and prevention activity. Get your questions ready!
All of this topped off with a spectacular Heronston high tea.
Spaces are limited so reserve your place now before the booking link closes. https://BAVOAGM24.eventbrite.co.uk
Please note that bookings are subject to fair requests and so tickets may be limited to 2 per organisation. Also due to the cost of the high tea, bookings that result in late cancellation or no show will be invoiced for £20 pp
Nominations are also open for two trustee vacancies. If interested, please read the guidance carefully and complete and submit the form.
Nominations must be from full member organisations. If you aren’t sure whether your group is a full member, contact JuliaAndrews@bavo.org.uk
We are looking for people with specific areas of expertise to join our board, check pages 2 & 3 for more information .2024 AGM Notice_ENG
Nominations must be submitted by 10th November 2024
We currently have a dozen of funders to choose from, and more are being added!
Meeting with a funder will help you ensure you are targeting the right ones, and that you know how to pitch your application. Remember, funders are connected to their assessors and will be able to give some good tips on how to write a successful bid.
Equally if they aren’t able to fund your particular project due to it not falling into their priorities, it can save you valuable time and help you focus on the right funders.
It is essential to book your time slot (up to 20 mins each funder). These slots get booked quickly so to avoid disappointment email alisonmawby@bavo.org.uk or call 01656 810400 – priority is given to member organisations!
Take a look at our newly launched and extensive training programme by visiting our Training web page HERE
There are over a dozen to choose from, whether you want a quick ‘bite’ size refresher, or an accredited course – there are plenty of options available!
All of our sessions are heavily subsidised which means we can offer many of them at a low cost or free of charge.
Please remember though, it still costs our charity substantially more to run them.
Unfortunately we have had far too many instances where people have cancelled with very short notice or have not turned up at all. This makes a session costly and unviable.
As such we have had to amend our policy to account for those late cancellations and no-shows. Our training figures are affected
in these situations and we need to re-coup the costs and arrange a re-run of the session.
Communications and Engagement Officer
BAVO is about to launch our new strategy and forward programme of work and we are looking for someone who can lead and transform our digital comms and pull together the marketing and engagement work of the organisation.
Our new officer will have a can-do attitude, be dynamic and will already have a wealth of social media and digital tools in their skill set in order to hit the ground running with some pieces of work.
We offer:
We are a supportive organisation. Our team is our greatest asset, they have been instrumental in elevating BAVO’s reputation for delivery and to creating the successful organisation that we have become.
Staff wellbeing is important to us. We care for our staff and equally, our staff care about BAVO. We are looking for someone to join an awesome and dedicated team with the same level of care and enthusiasm.
We offer guaranteed interviews for those with disabilities, armed forces veterans and reservists who meet the essential criteria.
CLOSING DATE 15th September 2024 at 2pm
Fo an application pack, click here
