PAVS – a few January highlights…
2025 has well and truly kicked off with high energy and engagement throughout this first month of the year. We have seen deep community connection and impressive change across all the PAVS teams.
In the office, we refreshed some of our policies and made a collective effort to update our website. Out in the community, we attended and hosted memorable events in both the ‘shire and Welsh cities. It was good to receive advice and insight from our valued Trustees at a Board meeting.
Sophie, our Strengthening Communities Programme Manager, was a speaker and panel member at a Project Dewi Involvement series workshop in Aberystwyth. Hosted by the Co-production Network for Wales and the Future Generations Commissioner’s Office, the event explored how citizens can help realise the goal of a Prosperous Wales under the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Sophie presented the Addressing Poverty Research, commissioned by PAVS, which contributed to the Tackling Poverty Strategy for Pembrokeshire. Sincere thanks to those who shared their stories with us, and to researchers Karen Scott & Sarah Hughes. The research is available bilingually on the PAVS website.
Our Community Connector for Children and Families, Sarah, delivered a project to 16 families, 56 children and adults in partnership with Springboard. In four after school sessions, parents and partners prepared and cooked a meal, children served to parents as well as singing songs, and taking part in a range of activities including playing board games, arts and crafts, and sports, with Sport Pembrokeshire.
PAVS funding team, Lorna, Liz and Rachel met with our partners the Port of Milford Haven, to assess applications to their Community Fund. Eleven groups have been awarded over £20k in total which will make a big difference to their work in the community.
Ana, Third Sector Health & Wellbeing Facilitator, convened the second meeting of the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Network, at Queen’s Hall Narberth. It was a well attended session that sparked meaningful initiatives to enhance the lives of women in Pembrokeshire.
Our CEO Jess, launched the Pembrokeshire Charity CEO Forum, which brought together leaders from local charities: Citizens Advice, Care and Repair, Age Cymru Dyfed, Paul Sartori, PACTO, PATCH, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Milford Youth Matters. Going forward, we will be hosting these sessions regularly for PAVS member organisations. One attendee commented: “It was both useful and reassuring to hear that other third-sector leaders and managers are facing similar challenges. It’s encouraging to have this forum as an avenue to discuss these issues, share strategies, and explore collaborative approaches to highlight our concerns with local government officials. This forum is truly invaluable, and I want to thank you once again for bringing us together and facilitating these discussions”.
Our Pembrokeshire Community Hub Manager Lee delivered Safeguarding Training for community organisations. Check out future training opportunities. Learning and development is so important to us: we launched our PAVS Academy as a space for PAVS colleagues to share their learnings, so we can upskill together. Our Community Connector Mia started a Digital Learning Practitioner Diploma. Go Mia!
On a human kindness note, our Comms Officer Jen reflects: “ I turned up without enough warm layers to a staff meeting at a community hall, on a particularly frosty January morning. I felt moved by kindness as team members offered a blanket, a fleece jacket, and a hot water bottle! I have never worked with people that care so very much. It was a literal PAVS cwtch”.
Photo Caption: Sophie, our Strengthening Communities Programme Manager, alongside peers at a Project Dewi Involvement series workshop in Aberystwyth.
Come and join the PAVS adventures on our socials…
