Archive

2006

A very successful and well attended event celebrating the range of Voluntary Action in the county was held at Letterston Memorial Hall on November 30th.

The event, introduced by local businessman and radio personality, Brian Harris, began with an opportunity for interesting and informative conversation over a traditional lunch of cawl served with bread and cheese.

PAVS AGM was conducted after lunch, with the Director presenting an overview of the year, along with information about the year ahead. The annual accounts were adopted and new Trustees to the board were elected.

Workshops looking at funding questions in the sector and a quiz, challenging participants to look at thier understanding of the sector proved to be extremely informative and a full report will follow.

Certificates, signed by Rhodri Morgan, were presented to two young volunteers for their achievments. Both have completed over 200 hours of voluntery work and recieved a rapturous applause from the event attendees.

E-learning - Work has been ongoing over the last year researching the pportunity and availability for e-learning in the voluntary sector. The final report and e-learning brochure were launched at the event and are available to view here

Learning for Living Project - In partnership with PAVS and Pembrokeshire College, a pilot project, enabling carers in Pembrokeshire to do an online learning course accredited by City and Guilds was delivered. The course has not only provided a learning opportunity to carers who are often limited by time and responsibilities, but has also enabled carers wanting to take the course to learn some basic IT skills in order to participate in the learning.

A video of the carers, talking about what the course and the opportunity meant to them, and how it has given them new confidence and skills is available. To view you will need to have Windows Media Player installed on your pc.

The Learning for Living Online Course was developed in partnership between PAVS and Pembrokeshire College with help from Age Concern. The course designed by City and Guilds to meet the personal development needs of unpaid carers, and leads to a nationally recognised certificate. For more information about the course click here

At a ceremony in Cardiff on the 25th of July the carers were awarded for all their hard work with a "Special Award". For more information visit Care Council for Wales

If you would like to take part in the next course, starting in September contact Sally Davies or Sue Leonard on 01437 769422

PAVS have now launched a catalogue of frequently requested information sheets. It is possible to access this information in two ways:

Access to this information is free, and we welcome your feedback on using this service.

The National Offender Management Services for Wales (NOMS) /Voluntary Sector Conference was held on 23rd March 2005 in Llandrindod Wells. The conference is in response to ongoing work by NOMS.

In December 2003 in 'Managing Offenders, Reducing Crime - A New Approach', a report by Patrick Carter, a rationale was provided for the more effective use of prison and probation resources in the context of an unsustainable rise in the prison population. The report recommended an alignment of the functions of both HM Prison Service and the National Probation Service within a regional framework, to provide an integrated approach to the management of offenders throughout the criminal justice system. Key to the recommendations is the concept of 'contestability' as the driver to the joint commissioning and delivery of services...

The final version of the Pembrokeshire Carers' Strategy 2005 and the accompanying Action Plan are now available for download - click here

To be held on March 9th in the Picton Centre, Haverfordwest. The programme for the day can be found here. If you would like to book a place please e-mail Lee Hind or telephone 01437 769422

There will be Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Event on March 16th in the Picton Centre, Haverfordwest. Details of the event can be accessed here. To book a place on the event click here

The theme for the AGM this year was 'Working Together' and gave voluntary organisations an opportunity to reflect on the many partnerships and support mechanisms available throughout the county. Speakers included members from the Voluntary Sector who had benefited from, and contributed to, the array of networks not only within the sector but also between the sector, Local Authority, Local Health Board and other statutory organisations.

The new Pembrokeshire Mind website was launched last night at a very relaxed and happy Pembrokeshire Mind AGM. The website was worked on by volunteers and clients to create a source of information about their activities and help available, and was supported by the 123 communicate programme at PAVS.

Oct 2004 - E-learning research project - PAVS have recently been successful in obtaining funding to run an e-learning research project. This project will look at the benefits and barriers to e-learning along with availability of resources within the community.

PAVS have been made aware of a bogus scheme from a company called Domain Registry Services. The company sends invoices to registered domain name owners claiming that as the domain name is due to expire they require £60-00 to ensure continuation of service. The company are based at Church End, Cambridge and are NOT the authorised domain registration company for PAVS or any of our hosted sites. If anyone receives invoices from this company please let us know so that we can forward the information to the appropriate authority.

Learning for the Future ...preparing the voluntary sector for the day after tomorrow. The Training Project gets its official launch at this free one-day event at the Stackpole Centre.

No-one knows exactly what the future holds, but one thing is clear. Changes are coming. The voluntary sector is facing a big shake-up with changes to traditional patterns of funding and service delivery. Doing nothing is not an option, so take positive action now and make this event your first step towards planning a successful future

There will be presentations throughout the day, case studies and a chance to take part in a workshop. For more information please have a look at the brochure or email us training@pavs.org.uk

Pembrokeshire Centre for Voluntary Action received many positive comments today when it was officially opened by Lord Gordon Parry. Visit the ground floor of 36-38 High Street, Haverfordwest to find meeting rooms, fully equipped training rooms as well as library and office services. These are available to anyone involved in voluntary action at affordable rates – some services are free to PAVS members.
Please contact PAVS for more details of how the Centre can help your group or organisation.

This year Carers Week will be held in the week June 14th – 20th. Carers Week is a national event which is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Health is the theme in 2004 and the main aims of the week are to:-
raise awareness of the extra role that carers take on, and the resultant health issues they face
encourage practices which improve carers’ health and well-being
support carers to take action which positively enhances their own health
In Pembrokeshire a Carers Day is being held on Thursday June 17th at the Plas Hyfred Hotel in Narberth. In the morning there will be a Carers Forum, an opportunity for carers to have some input into the planning process, and in the afternoon there will be a range of therapy taster sessions for carers to enjoy.
If you would like to come along, please contact Sally Davies, Carers Development Worker at PAVS on 01437 771196.

Cars for Carers
RSVP - Cars for Carers is a community transport programme providing funded transport for unpaid carers of family members and friends. We can help with any essential journey around Pembrokeshire, be it shopping, an appointment or that vital contact with friends or organizations.

Our friendly volunteer drivers are here to help you and with a small contribution from you towards the cost of the journey, you can get moving! So give Rachel Evans a call on 01437 768195.

(RSVP) Cars for Carers is based at:

We have just received confirmation that funding for a further three years has been granted to continue and expand on the IT for Groups project. Details of the new programme will be announced in the new year.

November 2003
The new PAVS website and the first edition of the Voluntary Sector Almanac have been launched at the PAVS AGM held on 12th November 2003. The new look website is the first stage in the development of a more interactive and informative web presence for the Association.

The ICT project, which worked with voluntary and community groups to create their own websites, is coming to an end in November. PAVS will continue to provide web hosting for existing websites, while we await news of our next ERDF bid.