Welsh Government boosts support for valued charities and third sector organisations in Wales
Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi rhagor o gefnogaeth i elusennau a sefydliadau trydydd sector yng Nghymru
The Welsh Government is once again backing volunteers, charities and third sector organisations in Wales who have played a vital role in response to Covid-19, with additional funding support to help meet their needs.
Grant funding of over £2.5m has been awarded to 27 organisations through the Welsh Government Coronavirus Recovery Grant for Volunteering, to help sustain volunteering and community action during recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said: “We’ve been working closely with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and public sector organisations throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, helping charities and third sector groups to expand and adapt services to meet specific needs.
“This grant funding recognises the huge contribution made by voluntary organisations who have been working on the front line to support our most vulnerable communities, and the partnerships they have formed.
“Funds will be used to improve or introduce new systems, and to help recruit, retain and train volunteers. The grants will also boost partnerships between third sector organisations and public bodies, like local authorities and health boards, to help make a lasting impact on communities.
“I want to acknowledge and celebrate the admirable work done by volunteer groups, charities and the third sector right across Wales, which has provided much-needed help and support during a particularly challenging time. Thank you for continuing to protect the wellbeing of Wales, its people and communities. Your dedication has been an inspiration.”
Wales Council for Voluntary Action Director of Operations, Matthew Brown, said:
“Voluntary organisations in Wales have provided invaluable support for individuals and communities over the past year, since the beginning of the pandemic. Now with the vaccination programme underway, voluntary organisations will have a crucial role to play in the recovery. Therefore, it is vital that this funding is allocated to support organisations in rebuilding and strengthening our communities.”
Notes to editors
Case studies
Snowdonia Society
The Snowdonia Society received £86,733 in funding from the Welsh Government through the Coronavirus Recovery Fund for Volunteering. The project involves 5 partners, the Snowdonia Society, Snowdonia National Park Authority, the National Trust, the Outdoor Partnership and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
Mary-Kate Jones, Project Manager for the Snowdonia Society, said:
“Last summer, partners came together to recruit volunteers and provide them with protective equipment and training. These volunteers complement the work of National Park and National Trust wardens to help visitors enjoy safe, responsible and enjoyable trips to Snowdonia through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With the focus likely to be on staycations again this year, we’re expecting many people to visit the region again, including some who may never have been up a mountain before.
“We’re working to recruit even more volunteers this year and to provide them with the equipment and training they need to look after the most popular and busy sites in the National Park.
“We're also creating resources to help visitors to understand the impact that walkers and tourists can have on wild areas, farmland and popular beauty spots. We’re developing messages and signs to help people stay safe in mountain areas, to explain the reasons why dogs need to be kept on leads, the rules around fly camping, and the dangers of open fires and litter.
“The Welsh Government funding has enabled us to invest in new software to streamline our partnership work and to improve our volunteer recruitment, admin and management. We’re also working with an expert in outdoor leadership to prepare resources for volunteers, including information on parking, toilets, route options, and the special qualities of Snowdonia National Park.
“There are countless beautiful areas to explore within the National Park – there is a lot more to see than just Snowdon. The resources we’re creating will help volunteers introduce visitors to less well-known areas respectfully, and also to stay safe.
“We’re investing in video clips which will explain the issues around footpath erosion, the dangers of litter for wildlife and the habitats they live in, and the management of the National Park.
“We’re also working with Adventure Smart to develop a video which will help visitors understand what preparations they need to make, and how they can keep themselves safe in wild, mountainous regions.
“This Welsh Government funding has helped us to make sure that we’ll be ready to welcome visitors back to this amazing area when regulations allow. It will enable us to give visitors the best experience possible, and above all, to keep them safe.”
Officers from the Snowdonia Society are available for interview.
Please contact:
John Harold (Snowdonia society director) john@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Mary-Kate Jones (Project Manager) mary-kate@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Hidden Abilities – Living with Aspergers
Aspergers syndrome is a lifelong condition that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information, and relates to other people.
It’s at the mild end of a group of neurological disorders known as autism spectrum disorders.
People with Aspergers often have above normal intelligence, and remarkable concentration and focus. Their attention to detail can make them extremely successful at problem solving, but social interaction, understanding emotional issues from another person’s perspective, and picking up on nonverbal cues, like facial expressions and body language, can be difficult.
Hidden Abilities has received £20,436 in funding from the Welsh Government Coronavirus Recovery Grant for Volunteering, to support their partnership work with Cardiff University students who work with families in the community who are living with Aspergers or a social communication disability.
Will Evans, Director of Hidden Abilities, said:
“We’ve been working in partnership with Cardiff University for 8 years. This funding will enable our student volunteer network to expand to deliver support to disabled individuals, helping them to develop valuable interpersonal skills and build their confidence and independence, and reducing isolation for adults in the community who have Aspergers or other related conditions.
“The funding will allow us to improve our governance processes for our leadership and volunteering program. We plan to recruit and train more volunteers, and to grow our network of partnerships with public sector, private sector, and third sector organisations to deliver real change in the community. It will also enable us to expand our befriending service, providing immediate support to a family unit and supporting day-to-day challenges.
“Our volunteers can provide short term support by planning weekly shopping, and identifying support groups which can help with delivering food and medication.
“Advocacy is another area which we’re developing. We aim to give individuals a voice, and to provide guidance through signposting, supporting the family unit by liaising with the wider community as it affects day to day living, including encouraging organisations to adopt reasonable adjustments, and referring families to partner solicitors.
“Our volunteers play a very important role in supporting friends and family to understand the condition, and how best to deal with escalating behaviours when anxiety is building.
“Covid-19 has meant that we have moved all of our training online, and have developed separate modules. This means we can offer training more widely to those who wish to volunteer, to simply improve their awareness of Aspergers and other social communication disabilities, or to learn how to advocate for people with these conditions. 'We are looking to work with the digital team at Cardiff University to develop these animated training modules.”
Will Evans is available for interview. Please contact Mailroom@hiddenabilities.co.uk