Support for carers of substance misusers in Pembrokeshire

This project was conducted between May and October 2009.

The research aimed to estimate the number of carers and family members of substance misusers in Pembrokeshire and discuss associated problems. The research looked at what services are available at the moment for carers and family members of substance misusers, where the gaps in service provision are and what new or extended services should be provided. Following on from this the project identified training needs and looked into the development of services addressing any gaps found in the research.

The report is available here.

Advocacy for carers

It is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 carers in Pembrokeshire, many of whom need support/advocacy at times of major decision making or difficulties. In Pembrokeshire’s Carers Strategy Action Plan, one of the action points is ‘to develop advocacy support systems for carers’. There is no dedicated advocacy service for carers in Pembrokeshire, and there is concern that the advocacy services available to carers at the moment are not sufficient and not specific enough. The research aims to establish what services are available at the moment, where the gaps are and what new or extended services should be provided.

The research aimed to establish:

• What advocacy services are currently available for carers

• What advocacy services carers feel they need

• How the gaps can be bridged

• Find an appropriate model for a service: need for a generic advocacy service for carers or for more specialized services according to the client group of the cared for person

A full report of the Carer's Advocacy Research is available here, or alternatively, the summary of the research report is here.

Reducing Re-offending – the Voluntary and Community Sector Contribution in Dyfed – Powys

Aims:

• To investigate the contribution of voluntary and community sector organisations in Dyfed-Powys to the reduction of crime and to explore the potential to enhance this contribution

• To provide evidence relating to current government initiatives aimed at increasing the role of the voluntary and community sector to reduce re-offending and prevent offending.

• The findings will support the voluntary and community sector to increase its contribution to the reduction of crime, and will also enable statutory partners to work better with voluntary and community organisations.

This was a regional research project conducted by the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) in partnership with the other three County Voluntary Councils (Carmarthenshire - CAVS, Ceredigion - CAVO, Powys - PAVO) and supported by Dyfed-Powys Probation Service, Dyfed-Powys Police and the four Community Safety Partnerships. The project was funded through the New Ideas Fund of the Welsh Assembly government. The full report for the project is here: reducing reoffending final report

Survey of voluntary environmental groups in Pembrokeshire

Aims of the survey:

• To find out what the voluntary sector is currently doing in the field of the environment in Pembrokeshire

• To identify aspirations and needs for further action

• To analyse the impact of Objective 1 funding 2001 – 2006 and to support EU funding bids 2007 - 2013

• To support the establishment of a Voluntary and Community Sector Environment Network

Documents: Report of findings

The Environmental Network for Pembrokeshire (TENP)

The Environmental Network was launched in November 2006 at an event in the Queen’s Hall in Narberth. It is open to all voluntary and community sector organizations that work to protect and enhance the physical and natural environment. For more information see www.tenp.org.uk.

Advoc8 – An evaluative audit of advocacy services for children and young people in Pembrokeshire

“Advocacy is about speaking up for children and young people. Advocacy is about empowering children and young people to make sure their rights are respected and their views and wishes are heard at all times. Advocacy is about representing the views, wishes and needs of children and young people to decision-makers, and helping them to navigate the system.”

(National Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy Services, WAG 2003)

Aims of the project were:

• to map the existing provision of advocacy services for children and young people in Pembrokeshire

• to evaluate these services focusing especially on services for vulnerable children (disabled children, children in care, children with mental health problems, children at risk)

• to develop a strategic plan to for advocacy services for children and young people in Pembrokeshire

Documents: Final report, Final report foreword