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

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.