Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board (RPB) is looking to identify a third sector partner to support hospital discharge across the region through providing Trusted Assessor roles. For more information download the Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) document (Word, 10 pages)
The closing date is: 5 January 2024
Please send your EOI to sarah.mills@rctcbc.gov.uk not BAVO.
BAVO is proud to hold the Cultural Competence Certification Scheme silver award.
Diverse Cymru coordinate the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competence scheme with funding from Welsh Government and independent validation from United Kingdom Investor in Equality and Diversity (UKIED). The scheme recognises good workplace practices, for provision of fair and equitable services for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in Wales.
There are two parts: cultural competency awareness training sessions and the completion of a self-assessment evidence workbook. During 2023 the BAVO team completed the training and the workbook.
In October 20 organisations, including BAVO, received recognition at the Cultural Competence Awards at Cardiff City Hall.
The event was compered by Diverse Cymru’s CEO Chris Dunn, Suzanne Duval Cultural Competence Scheme Manager and Dr. Charles Willie; the founder of Diverse Cymru. Diverse Cymru is committed to promoting diversity and cultural competence in creating a more inclusive Wales.
Guests enjoyed a meal, entertainment and the inclusive celebratory atmosphere. The City Hall was alive with harmonious singing from Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir, and Hubert Placide (Wahda) of Duo-Flex Sounds of Steel bringing the spirit of the Caribbean to Cardiff.
Gail, who attended with Laura from BAVO, said:
“What a lovely evening meeting people working toward same goals.
We are proud as a small organisation to achieve silver in first year of working on this….and be in great company. It was inspiring see what can be achieved. And the Duo-flex steel drumming was great!”
See the list of Award holders on the Diverse Cymru website.
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
Everyone is welcome to these informal and interactive events, including health and social care staff and the general public.
Join the conversation about the challenges that the health and social care sector is facing and have your say about:
Join one of the workshop events being delivered by the Bevan Commission, Wales’ leading health and care think tank.
The Bevan Commission will use the opinions and ideas from these conversations to produce a report for Welsh Government and each Health Board in Wales, making recommendations about what needs to change. Refreshments will be provided.
In person 10.30am – 1pm at the following locations:
Online 6pm – 8.30pm
Please book to be part of the conversation; select a date and location on Eventbrite
Share your views on crucial decisions about the future of health and social care in Wales by completing the Bevan Commission online survey
The Bevan Commission is Wales’ leading health and care think tank, hosted and supported by Swansea University. They bring together a group of international health and care experts to provide independent, authoritative advice to the Welsh Government and leaders in Wales, the UK and beyond. They ensure that Wales can draw on best healthcare practices from around the world while remaining true to the principles of the NHS as established by Aneurin Bevan.
We are looking for a proactive, dynamic and skilled Communications and Engagement Officer to lift our profile and help us shout about the excellent work we do, and that of our local voluntary and community sector.
Are you up for a challenge? Will you help us in our trail blazing ambitions? Are you a team player with a ‘can do’ attitude? If so, click this link and find out more about the job description!
There’s a lot of autonomy to the role and we need someone who can take some initiative to deliver engaging content across our platforms and introduce us to new ones!
Deadline for applications 14th June 2023, 5pm
Return your application to bavo@bavo.org.uk
Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.
Volunteers’ Week is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities.
Together they run hundreds of activities across the UK, which showcase and celebrate volunteers and their contribution to our communities.
Volunteers’ Week 2023 is a time to celebrate and inspire. We aim to highlight that our diversity is our strength, show that there’s more than one way to volunteer and encourage people to be the change that we want to see.
Volunteers are always active at the heart of every UK community. So taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate and recognise their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole have never been more important.
Every year hundreds of events, both online and in–person, take place to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and the huge range of ways in which volunteers give their time. This year will be no different.
A wide variety of activities will be happening across the country from volunteer recruitment events and open days to celebration and recognition events.
We are looking forward to you joining us in celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2023 to recognise the huge role volunteers play in our communities.
They are now entering the consultation phase of the draft document and are looking to gather views from across the sector including volunteers, those that access care and support, their carers and families.
There are a range of options as to how you can respond including Microsoft forms, via a word document or by submitting an email with your comments or a video or audio recording outlining your responses.
The consultation documents will be live until midnight Sunday 25th June 2023.
https://socialcare.wales/consultations/workforce-strategy-consultation
The Community Navigator Service operates geographically across the County Borough of Bridgend. The service is supported by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC), Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board (RPB) and funded via Welsh Government Funding.
As a result of being based here at BAVO, Bridgend’s County Voluntary Council (CVC), we are able to provide an independent service to individuals needing help, or looking for activities to get involved in.
We hold a ‘what matters’ conversation with the individual and signpost them to a community based group or service that best meets their needs and interest.
Being based in community buildings, our Navigators are not only able to link into over 450 member organisations on our database, but they can tap into ad hoc local community provision as and when it in different community centres and buildings. They have up to date information on what is available by keeping their finger on the pulse.
As part of our ‘Resourceful and Connected Communities’ model , we are also able to collaborate with a range of agencies on specific pieces of work such as supporting food banks and distributing food and fuel vouchers. We recently also received a grant from National Grid and can distribute warm packs alongside supporting warm hubs.
Importantly, when people come to BAVO, they are not passed from pillar to post. They get the intervention they need in the right place and at the right time. Our navigators will even take them to activities a few times so they aren’t so anxious, and can be introduced to people to break the ice.
Our Navigators are trained in ‘making every contact count’ through our NHS partners, and a number of our Navigators have undertaken Wrexham Glyndwr University Social Prescribing degree level module. Each Navigator also comes with a specialism, such as green prescribing, housing, Mental health and substance misuse, physical activity and carer backgrounds for example.
The Community Navigators team forms the ‘supporting people’ element of our ‘transformation programme’ in partnership with BCBC.
The other crucial element to this programme is providing help to community groups. We offer robust volunteering, governance and development support as well as sustainable funding avenues to community organisations so that we can confidently and safely signpost to them and ensure they have all the help they need to to take on referrals.
We also provide brokerage through Social Services’ ‘Common Access Point’ and have previously managed Navigators on behalf of GP Cluster. If you would like to talk about our service and how it might expand to support your client base, please give us a ring.
The service is open from 9am – 5pm
For more information contact Gail E; communitynavigator@bavo.org.uk or call 01656 810400
Read our Annual Impact Report here
Members were invited to attend the BAVO Annual General Meeting followed by afternoon tea and discussion on the cost of living crisis and how communities can help those most in need, and what is currently being offered by members.
The Chair Steve Curry opened the meeting and CEO Heidi Bennett delivered the Annual report with the Auditor Alison Vickers from Bevan and Buckland presenting the Audited accounts.
Following the formal business, members heard from Dr Steffan Evans of the Bevan Foundation, who gave a stark picture of the current information, trends and data available in relation to poverty in Wales and what that meant for local communities as well as voluntary and community groups.
Following this Sarah Murphy MS and His Worshipful the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, Cllr Martyn Jones also spoke.
Members were also joined in discussion with Huw Irranca-Davies MS and Leader of BCBC, Cllr Huw David.
We also celebrated and congratulated Julian Cash of Community Furniture Aid on his recent receipt of an MBE in the Honours lists.
The new website section provides employers with advice on how they can support their staff’s health and wellbeing through the current economic crisis. It also contains links to useful financial wellbeing services and resources, including Healthy Working Wales’ expert podcast with the Money and Pensions Service.
The new “Cost of Living Crisis” guidance can be found here.
Today is National Anti-Slavery Day (18 October) which provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, and to encourage government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address the problem.
BAVO is helping to raise awareness about the perils of modern slavery along with highlighting the support that is readily available to victims.
What is Modern slavery?
Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain.
It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting.
Victims of modern slavery can be any age, gender, nationality and ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may feel unable to leave or report the crime through fear or intimidation. They may not recognise themselves as a victim.
Anti-Slavery International estimate that 40 million children and adults are trapped in slavery in every country in the world, including in the UK and in our area too.
Signs to watch out for:
Modern slavery could be happening in your community so it’s important you know the signs that could indicate someone is a victim of this crime.
The signs aren’t always obvious but there are some that you may notice:
How to report it:
Communities have an important role to play in recognising abuse. If you recognise any of the above signs and suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, please tell someone and #ReportModernSlavery. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support are readily available.
To report a suspicion or seek advice you can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can report modern slavery online or call South Wales Police on 101 at any time to report an incident. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
Should you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make an online report at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Always call 999 if there is a crime in action or immediate threat to life. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
If you have any information about the mistreatment of workers, labour providers operating without a licence or a business, you can contact Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority on 0800 432 0804 or go to www.gla.gov.uk
Third Sector Trends began in 2008 and is the longest running study of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in the UK. The study, which takes place every three years, covers England and Wales – receiving over 4,000 responses in 2019.
So far, in 2022, we have received 4,575 responses (Friday 12th August), but we want more evidence and data from Wales groups.
You can click this link to join the survey: Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2022 (onlinesurveys.ac.uk)
The findings from the study complement Charity Commission, NCVO Civil Society Almanac and 360Giving data to produce robust estimates on employment, volunteering, sector finance and assets. The study then looks at how the ‘energy’ the sector has at its disposal is applied to local causes.
Even though this is a large-scale study, its purpose is to study the structure, dynamics and impact of the ‘local’ VCSE sector. Only by looking at several areas, is it possible to understand individual localities properly.
Over the years, study has been supported by a range of funders including Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Charity Bank, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Garfield Weston, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Millfield House Foundation, Power to Change, Northern Rock Foundation, Sport England together with several local authorities, combined authorities and the NHS.
‘Third Sector Trends’ is independent and impartial. As such it aims to provide objective interpretation of rigorously collected data to serve the interests of the voluntary sector, local public and health sector, the Lottery, charitable trusts and foundations and businesses.
The survey has a core set of questions which never change to ensure comparability. But in each round of the research, there is space to explore contemporary issues. The 2022 survey has, for example, specific focus on the following issues:
The study is widely used by local authorities, combined authorities, NHS partnerships and VCSE infrastructure organisations in their strategic work and policy formulation. To view the various study reports, visit this website: Third sector trends research | Community Foundation
For further information, please contact Professor Tony Chapman, Director of Policy and Practice, St Chad’s College, Durham University, Email: tony.chapman@durham.ac.uk
