About Us
As part of the Third Sector Support Wales network, consisting of the 19 County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) and national support body, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), our shared goal is to enable the Third Sector and Volunteers across Wales to contribute fully to individual and community well-being.
Our Story
Established in 1927, GAVO is a County Voluntary Council (CVC), covering Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Newport. We have a wealth of experience in volunteering, community and project development, training and building social capital & engaging with communities.
Our Vision
A society where communities, individuals, partner organisations and the third sector work together in a culture of equality, shared ownership, responsibility and support to build a sustainable future.
Our Mission
To support, facilitate and broker positive change in the well-being of people and communities, through collaborative approaches.
Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025
GAVO’s vibrant and evolving Strategic Plan ensures that the organisation has clear strategic direction to achieve, not only the Organisation’s aims but to ensure it is continually supporting the changing and growing requirements of a vibrant Third Sector and its volunteers in our areas of Gwent.
Meet The Senior Management Team
Stephen Tiley
CEO
In April 2020 Stephen was appointed as the GAVO Chief Executive Officer and in doing so, has expanded on his previous responsibilities as Finance Manager, to drive the Organisation and its strategy forward. Stephen is passionate about Communities and the Third Sector, and ensures that the voice of the Sector is heard, with a specific key aim and desire to work in collaboration and with integration of all partners across all GAVO regions.
Being a strong advocate for personal training and self-development, since becoming a qualified Accountant, Stephen has moved onto becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management through achieving the Level 5 and Level 7 accreditation.
Stephen lives in the Caerphilly Borough with his wife and 2 children and in his spare time enjoys travelling, socialising, movies and sport.
Alison Palmer
Deputy CEO
Alison was appointed as Deputy CEO in October 2020 following 20 years working with GAVO, 18 in a partnership post with the Public Services Board in Caerphilly. This provided the opportunity to promote partnership working and supported the development of the first PSB approved Third Sector Partnership Agreement in Wales. Having worked previously with a local carer’s organisation and before that with a national disability organisation, Alison has wide experience of the third sector at all levels and is keen to ensure GAVO provides quality support to the sector. Alison has worked with Stephen to re-develop area based multi-disciplinary teams, based in each of the four boroughs GAVO covers to ensure they are accessible to local groups and have a keen understanding of the needs of those communities.
Alison was born and brought up in Caerphilly, and lives there now, after a few years in West Wales with horses, dogs and chickens. Her large black dog appears regularly in Teams calls from home.
