The Community Hub is currently raising funds to develop its community garden project.

To deliver this project we will need to increase capacity for food growing, craft activities, pond improvements and accessible tools/areas to promote an all-inclusive experience to allow our garden to be utilised more, for education to be shared and behavioural changes to be role modelled across the community, aims being an improved outdoor space for horticultural activities, sustainable food growth and improvement of our biodiversity and pollinating areas.

To donate to our Crowdfunder page please click the link below:

https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/community-heart-1

WCVA is conducting a survey on the impact of inflation on voluntary sector organisations delivering public services.

Income from government and public bodies through grants and contracts to deliver public services makes up around 26% of the voluntary sector’s income in England and Wales. Underfunding of these services is a longstanding problem for the sector, and it is now being exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.

We are working alongside sister councils across the UK to make the case to UK and national governments for sustainably funded public services. Your responses to this survey will help us build an evidence base from Wales and support our influencing efforts.

Our questions focus on services funded by contracts and grants from UK Government, Welsh Government, local authorities, NHS Wales and other public bodies. It is not about funding from trusts and foundations, public giving or enterprise.

The survey closes at 12 pm on 13 October 2023.

The VWMG is now open for application.  You can apply via WCVA’s Multi-purpose Application Portal (MAP). Here
 
Main grants up to £25,000 are available for a 12 month period.
 
For information about the scheme and guidance on how to register on MAP, please visit the webpage here - https://wcva.cymru/funding/vwg/
 
The deadline for applications is 22/12/2023 23:59.

Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector is currently under review, but why is it being reviewed, what changes are being proposed, and how can the sector ensure its voice is heard?

The Code is an integral part of the Third Sector Scheme and it sets out principles that underpin Welsh Government funding for the voluntary sector and what Welsh Government expects from the sector in return. Its purpose is to ensure fair access to public funding both directly from Government and indirectly through funding provided via public bodies, such as local authorities and health boards to enable the sector to support communities in Wales.

So, isn’t it all already in place? Why does it need to be reviewed? There are a number of issues that have been identified and documented with the current code:

• As a 30 page document, it’s too long
• Published in 2014, it’s out of date
• It is not easy to find on the Welsh Government website
• There’s a lack of awareness in both public and voluntary sectors

Therefore, although a code of practice already exists, more can be done to make sure it’s working in practice.

HOW TO GET INOLVED

There have been a series of engagement events over the past few months but there’s still time to get involved and ensure your opinion is heard.

WCVA will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 27 September 10.30 am – 12 pm which will give you an opportunity to find out more about the review, proposed changes and provide your opinion to help shape the next steps.

For further details about the event and how to book your place click here.