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Third sector winners announced

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THE WINNERS of Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s (WCVA) prestigious Third Sector Awards Cymru 2014 were announced last night at a gala dinner

Ethnic Youth Support Team: Winners of the Award for the most admired organisation, posing with host Jason Mohammad

Ethnic Youth Support Team: Winners of the Award for the most admired
organisation, posing with host Jason Mohammad

hosted by BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammad at the Marriott Hotel, Cardiff.

Run by WCVA and supported by voluntary sector services specialist Class Telecommunications, the awards had a shortlist of 19 groups from across the country.

WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks said the quality of work of the organisations nominated for awards continued to impress year on year: “The creativity and dedication of these groups never ceases to amaze our judges,” she added.

“The strength and breadth of the nominated organisations is testament to a vibrant third sector. The awards are a way to applaud and to give something back to the groups that make such a hugely positive impact on communities and individuals across Wales.”

Jonathan Levy, Chief Operating Officer with Class Telecommunications said: “Class is very proud to be supporting the Third Sector Awards Cymru for the seventh consecutive year. Each year, we are both humbled and inspired by the work of all the nominated organisations. This year was no exception.”

List of Third Sector Awards Cymru 2014 winners and runners-up

The Class award for best communications – for groups with effective or innovative ways of communicating their message to service users and volunteers.

WINNERS

Communities 2.0, a Welsh Government and European-funded programme aimed at promoting the benefits of being online and reducing digital exclusion.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends is a communications initiative with the aim of helping people with dementia feel included in their local communities.

RUNNERS-UP

Calan DVS one of South Wales’s leading domestic abuse support organisations.

WWF Cymru’s Welsh Wish\ Dymuniad Cymru is a campaign run by the Welsh arm of the world’s largest environmental network.

The environmental award – for organisations that have helped deliver environmental benefits for their communities.

WINNER

FareShare Cymru, which takes edible surplus food from the food industry and redistributes it, working with charities and community organisations across South East Wales.

RUNNERS-UP

Cardiff YMCA Housing Association’s Prefab Clothing, which trains homeless people to learn skills to help them find paid employment.

Draig Tex, based in Llandudno Junction, Conwy, a consortium of three North Wales social enterprises which exports surplus clothing from the third sector to Pakistan, East Africa, West Africa and Eastern Europe and works to keep the value of textiles in Wales, to benefit Welsh communities.

The health, social care and wellbeing award – for groups that have helped people ‘to be happier and healthier in their communities’.

WINNER

Gofal y Ddolen Community Support Service is run by The Red Cross Gofal service and developed with Denbighshire Social Services. Now, the service has been rolled out across most of Wales, supporting older people to cope and deal with the challenges of ageing.

RUNNERS-UP

The Ash Wales Filter Project (the Young Person’s Quit Smoking Project for Wales) is the only smoking cessation and prevention service in the country targeted solely at young people aged 11-25.

Neuro Therapy Centre, Saltney, Flintshire, which supports more than 400 people with conditions including MS, Parkinson’s, MND and ME.

Spice, a social enterprise that helps organisations to develop Time Credit systems. Founded in 2009 in the Rhondda Valley, it now operates across the UK with its main office in Cardiff.

The award for good governance – to recognise those groups whose trustees ensure their organisation is well run and exemplar.

WINNER

Calan DVS one of South Wales’s leading domestic abuse support organisations.

RUNNERS-UP

NewLink Wales, which was established to address skills deficits across the substance misuse sector in Wales and boost the capacity of treatment services by providing and training volunteers.

Tai Pawb (housing for all), a charity promoting equality and social justice in housing through a membership system open to local authorities, registered social landlords, third sector organisations, contractors and individuals.

The award for innovative fundraising – for organisations that have run campaigns or events demonstrating creativity and innovation in fundraising.

WINNER

Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association Youth Group was set up to help Merthyr Housing reach its goal of raising the aspirations and life experiences of its young people through education and fundraising.

RUNNERS-UP

Inner Wheel District 15 is part of the largest women’s organisation in the world. The District has 31 clubs across West and South Wales, and in 2013 – 2014 raised more than £30,000 for charities.

Xcel Project– Towy Community Church in Johnstown, Carmarthen – the only charity-run bowling alley in the UK. Proceeds are invested back into the community through a foodbank and a recycled furniture project.

Award for the most admired organisation – for organisations most respected for their inspirational work and the causes they represent.

WINNER

Swansea-based Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST), which was set up in 2005 by a group of ethnic minority young people to fill a gap in provision for young BME people aged 11 to 25 by providing a culturally sensitive and holistic support service to meet their needs.

RUNNERS-UP

Taking Flight Theatre Company was founded to promote complete inclusivity for disabled actors.

Time to Change Wales, the first national campaign to address the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.

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Community

Wonderful night at Haverfordwest Library for special Poet Laureate event

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HAVERFORDWEST Library was delighted to be part of the prestigious Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024 with a special event on Friday, March 8.
Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Cllr Thomas Tudor extended a special welcome to the guests of honour: Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; his guests Owen Sheers and Bethany Handley; plus the winners of the recent library Poetry Competition.
The poetry began with writer, poet and disabled activist, Bethany Handley. Bethany campaigns for better access to nature for disabled people, and her work explores nature and disability, challenging the barriers that disabled people experience.
Bethany’s first poem was heartfelt and humorous about her experience of visiting a beach in her wheelchair. Her final poem also drew on her experiences, being a compilation poem of many well-intentioned, yet impractical or inappropriate, advice that she has received as a wheelchair user.
Owen Sheers is an award winning Welsh poet, author and playwright. He has twice won the Wales Book of the Year as well as the Hay Festival Poetry Medal.
His film-poem, the Green Hollow, about the Aberfan disaster, was BAFTA and Grierson nominated and won three BAFTA Cymru awards, including best writer.
Owen read an extract from the Green Hollow, bringing the horror of the disaster to life. He also read poems about parenthood and his experiences as a son and as a father.
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Simon launched into a poem about humanity, the universe and working as one. He then used his back catalogue of poems written for music. His poems covered some unusually random themes, particularly those he crafted during the Covid pandemic.
He said that he’d even written a poem inspired by a Velux window and read a beautiful poem about laying in a hammock watching a pair of newly-weds sail overhead in a hot air balloon.
His performances were engaging, humorous and moving and he brought the words to life.
Simon also spoke warmly about the importance of libraries as a child but also as an adult travelling about the country, with libraries always offering a warm welcome.
Ashok Ahir, President of the National Library of Wales thanked the three poets and introduced the new exhibition in the gallery, Dylan: The Lyrical Life of Dylan Thomas.
The exhibition is open to the public until 14th September 2024. Further information can be seen online.
The event drew to a close as Cllr Tudor issued the prizes to the winners of the recent poetry eisteddfod competition. The competition celebrated the language, culture, heritage and literature of Wales.
The theme was Dylan Thomas. Entries could draw inspiration from any of his works or seek inspiration from a specific quote: “from where you are, you can hear their dreams”.
Entries received were of a high standard and were judged by Wendy Morse (leader of the Haverfordwest Library Poetry Group, who would welcome new members, contact Haverfordwest Library for more information); representatives from the Library staff and the National Library of Wales staff. The poems will be on display at Haverfordwest Library until the end of the Easter Holidays.

Prizes have been awarded to:
• Sian Davies: Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, adult written poem category
• James Purchase: I Shall go Gentle into that Good Night, adult written poem category
• Philippa Davies: Dylan is in the Library, adult spoken word category
• Tony Potts: Windfall, adult illustrated poem category
• John Matthews: Dylan Cwmdonkin, adult Welsh language category
• Ellie McGrath: It was all a Dream, 11-14 age category
• Skye-Lea Jones: Are you Listening?,11-14 age category
Thanks to the judges of the poetry competition and to Faber & Faber, who donated the book prizes in support of the Poet Laureate’s Library Tour.
Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “The Riverside opened its doors in December 2018 and has enjoyed many fascinating exhibitions since thanks to the continued partnership with the National Library of Wales.
“The Riverside was one of just six libraries to host this Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024.
“It is a fantastic achievement for Haverfordwest Library to be a part of these significant events, helping to raise the profile and regeneration of the County Town and I thank everyone who has worked hard to make the event a success.”
The event would not have been possible without the continued support from The National Library of Wales and Haverfordwest Town Council. The President of the National Library of Wales and the Mayor, Sheriff and Clerk of Haverfordwest Town Council were all present.

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Charity

Bags of Books returns to Milford Haven and surrounding areas this Easter

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THE INFAMOUS Bags of Books is set to return to Milford Haven and surrounding areas over the Easter holidays.

Milford Haven School who launched the project with Milford Youth Matters over 3 years ago are continuing in their bid to improve literacy skills and encourage a love of reading for pleasure by giving away over 700 books.

Thanks to funding from the South Hook LNG Community grant they have purchased books for young people of all ages and reading abilities and will be hanging them on the fences of the schools in their catchment area.

The community are invited to come and choose a book from the following locations over the Easter holidays:

  • Neyland Community Primary School – Monday 25th March
  • Johnston Community Primary School – Tuesday 26th March
  • Coastlands Primary School – Wednesday 27th March
  • Gelliswick Primary School – Tuesday 2nd April
  • Milford Haven Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April
  • St Francis Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April

Milford Haven Secondary School will also hang over 150 books on their fence after the Easter Holidays on Wednesday 10th April for those in our community who cannot attend the other locations.

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Community

Community-powered conservation projects flourish with Force for Nature grants

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NINE local projects that were given a helping hand by the Force for Nature grants are now thriving and providing a much-needed boost to biodiversity and conservation, the fight against climate change and the availability of green spaces throughout the county.

Successful applicants in the last round of funding included: Pembrokeshire College, Stepaside CP School, Llawhaden Community Council, Dinas Wellbeing Hub, Simpson Cross Activities Group, Tabernacle United Reformed Church in Pembroke, and Warren-based Esteam.

Several months on, the groups have provided project updates, showcasing their remarkable progress – from the transformation of an old church garden into a diverse habitat, to the creation of a Welsh heritage orchard and the rewilding of unused land on education campuses.

Tabernacle URC’s “Garden through Time” was put to good use in the run-up to Christmas as the venue for a Community Nativity Trail, enabling local families to enjoy the festive sights and sounds, while appreciating the biodiversity improvements that have taken place.

The installation of oak signposts in December marked the completion of a rewilding project at Ysgol Harri Tudur, where pupils from Years 7 and 8 have since taken part in curriculum-linked outdoor activities. Remaining funds will be spent on seeds and native plantings to further enhance the newly restored areas.

Pembrokeshire College’s campus improvements were timed to coincide with the recent COP28 summit, where a day was dedicated to biodiversity. All animal habitats and lodgings, including swift boxes, have now been installed, and wildflower seeds have been sown on prepared ground.

Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, Katie Macro, said: “The Force for Nature grants not only provide financial support, but are also effective in fostering a sense of collective responsibility and stewardship among local communities.

“Over 600 volunteer hours have been accrued across the nine projects, with 15.95 acres of land enhanced.

“It has been an absolute delight to watch these projects grow and come to fruition and shows how small actions on a grassroots level can lead to significant change for the better.”

Set up in 2021, the Force for Nature mini grants scheme is funded by the Welsh Government and run by the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust. It offers grants of up to £4,000 to local projects within the local community that either support biodiversity, create new green spaces, or deliver on conservation or climate change.

Further information about the scheme is available at www.pembrokeshirecoasttrust.org.uk.

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