As part of National Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the incredible difference volunteers make in communities across Monmouthshire every day. On Friday 15th May, employees from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) took part in a Corporate Volunteering Day with Friends of Bailey Park in Abergavenny. Between 2pm and 4pm, the team worked alongside local volunteers to help maintain and enhance this much-loved community green space. The group got stuck into a variety of g

Volunteers' Week is a UK-wide campaign held each year from 1–7 June to celebrate and recognise the incredible contribution volunteers make to our communities. Across Gwent and beyond, volunteers give their time, skills and energy to support local organisations, community groups and charities. What is Volunteers Week? Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers, the campaign highli

The word gofod means space in Welsh, and gofod3 is exactly that – a space for the voluntary sector in Wales to come together, learn from one another and look ahead to the future. Events such as gofod3 provide a unique opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, build new partnerships and return with ideas that can benefit local communities across Gwent. GAVO is encouraging voluntary organisations, community groups, trustees, volunteers and sector professionals across Gwent to boo

Latest grants, funding opportunities, and support for Blaenau Gwent community groups and organisations.

GAVO Blaenau Gwent Weekly Update brings together the latest community news, events, opportunities, and updates from across the third sector in Blaenau Gwent. From local activities and funding opportunities to training, wellbeing support, and community projects, this page helps keep organisations and residents connected with what’s happening across the county borough.

Cllr Debbie Harvey is sworn in as the 394th mayor of Newport. Credit: Newport City Council “Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our city and organisations like GAVO play a crucial role in supporting and championing them.” - Cllr Harvey GAVO is delighted to have been selected as one of the Mayor of Newport’s chosen charities for the year by Cllr Debbie Harvey. Following the robing and swearing-in ceremony, Cllr Harvey announced that during her mayoral year she would champion v

Community organisations across Wales are invited to apply for funding to deliver activities celebrating National Windrush Day 2026, which marks 78 years of the Windrush generation in Wales. The Windrush Cymru @79 Grant supports projects that recognise and promote the historical, cultural, and social contributions of the Windrush generation and Commonwealth communities. The grant programme is Welsh Government funded and administered by Race Council Cymru, led by Windrush Cymru

Over the winter period, Warm Hubs across Newport have once again played a vital role in supporting residents through some of the coldest and most challenging months of the year. Between September and the end of March, a total of 1,257 Warm Hub sessions took place across the city, welcoming 18,654 attendances. These sessions were delivered by 40 different community organisations, all working collaboratively to support local people using a share of £199,046 in funding made avai

This summer, communities across the UK are coming together for something special—and you’re invited. From 5–8 June 2026, The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are teaming up for one big weekend of friendship, food, fun and action. It’s a chance for all of us - neighbours, volunteers, community groups and organisations - to come together, connect, and make a difference locally. At GAVO, we see every day how powerful community action can be. This weekend is a chance to be part of

The Caerleon Sunshine Community Grant Scheme is now open and inviting applications from groups within Caerleon and those delivering services and projects to its residents. Eligible applicants can receive up to £4000 to fund projects that benefit the local community. About the Grant Funded by profits from the local solar farm, this grant is available to community groups, registered charities, CiCs, CIOs (Not for profit groups), schools and social enterprises that can provide a

During Tree Planting Week (23–27 March), Rhymney Memorial Park was transformed thanks to the incredible efforts of 77 volunteers from a range of organisations. Coordinated by GAVO in partnership with Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) and the Public Services Board (PSB), the initiative brought the community together with a shared goal: creating a greener, more resilient local environment. Despite challenging weather conditions, volunteers successfully planted 1,500 sapl

Cwtch Communities is a Wales-wide grant programme funded by Comic Relief and delivered by WCVA . It has been created to support small, grassroots organisations that play a vital role in strengthening their communities. The programme recognises that meaningful and lasting change often begins at a very local level, where community groups understand the needs of local people and can respond quickly and compassionately. Through grants ranging from £15,000 to £35,000, Cwtch Commu

We’re pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Regional Integration Fund (RIF) Third Sector Grants 2026. Delivered by GAVO in partnership with TVA and the Gwent Regional Partnership Board, this funding offers an opportunity for community groups and third sector organisations across Gwent to access grants of up to £20,000. This fund is focused on supporting projects that support work that promotes early intervention and prevention, helping people to stay well

Gwent Regional Partnership Board have agreed to provide a small grant fund through the Further Faster Programme. This scheme is aimed at providing additional funding to community groups and the third sector to support the themes of Early Intervention and Prevention and support people to remain well. Closing Date: Monday 27th April 2026 at noon. This is a short-term fund and all funding must be spent by 31 March 2027. Applications can be made for projects to a maximum of £2

This page has been created to help you and your Recreation/ Sport group have access to all the support GAVO has to offer your group and to accompany the event on 6th March 20206, entry is free to all groups on the day with no booking required, just arrive any time between 10-2pm. What are the challenges sporting groups face in Newport? The Active Newport Report , brings together feedback from grassroots sports clubs, community groups and local stakeholders to understand the c

There’s something truly special happening at Little Pips Cuppa Club 💛 Recently crowned winners at the MVA 2025 (GAVO and Monmouthshire Housing Association Volunteer Awards) as ‘Business in the Heart of the Community’ , Little Pips is shining brightly — and after seeing it for ourselves, it’s easy to understand why. My colleague, Chris Irving, and I had the pleasure of visiting Claire Duddridge, the heart and driving force behind Little Pips, to see Little Pips Cuppa Club i

The way you apply for National Lottery funding through the Be Active Wales Fund has changed in recent years. Instead of applying all year-round, you will be able to apply during specific windows to make sure that all applicants are given the highest standards of customer service. Window one has opened today, so your club can apply for grant funding for on-field improvements such as equipment, coaching courses, venue hire and more to help you get more people playing. There wil

Community organisations across Gwent have two key opportunities to apply for financial support through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Community Partnership Fund and Community Engagement Fund . Both initiatives are designed to empower local groups, strengthen community cohesion, and help deliver the priorities set out in the Police, Crime and Justice Plan. Community Partnership Fund: Supporting Grassroots Community Safety Work The Community Partnership Fund offers

Newport Carers’ Forum recently brought unpaid Carers from across the city together for a Question Time–style event , giving them the chance to put their priorities and concerns directly to several of the candidates standing in the May 2026 Welsh Senedd elections . Held at The Place , the session focused solely on the experiences and needs of unpaid Carers —from access to support and assessments, to funding pressures, and how each political party plans to recognise and value C

GAVO would like to make you aware that the applications are open for the Carers Support Fund 2026–29 , following Welsh Government’s commitment to continue funding this vital programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations who support unpaid carers to help make a real difference to those facing financial hardship. What’s on offer? Funding available: approx. £1.5m Minimum grant size: £20,000 Open to current and new delivery partners Application deadline: 10am