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

GAVO Monmouthshire Weekly Burst is your weekly roundup of community news, events, opportunities, and updates from across the third sector in Monmouthshire. From local activities and funding opportunities to volunteering, wellbeing support, and community projects - check back each week to stay connected with what’s happening in your area. This week: Find out more about our Volunteers Week plans!

'Free marketing training for small charity staff doing comms by default: ​This practical, friendly training session is designed for those working in small charities and third sector organisations in Wales who manage social media, newsletters, or websites alongside many other roles. ​If you’re already posting now and then but it doesn't feel effective, this session is for you. We won’t tell you to be on every platform or create more content. Who is it for? ​This training is pe

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

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

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

Across Wales, community groups, charities, social enterprises, and local organisations are working every day to build stronger, more resilient communities. Now, a major new funding opportunity is available to help them take the next step on their sustainability journey. Ynni Cymru, the Welsh Government's programme supporting Smart Local Energy Systems, has launched its 2026–2027 Capital Grant Scheme , offering up to £10 million for projects that cut carbon, lower energy bill

Do You Live with Chronic Pain? Or care for someone who does? Join our Free Introduction to Pain Management course at Bulwark Community Centre, Chepstow, starting Tuesday 14th April 2026 for 6 weeks, 10:30am – 1:00pm. Can’t attend in person? The course is also available virtually. All courses are led by trained tutors who live with a health condition or care for someone with a health condition. 📩 To book or for more info: Email epp@gavo.org.uk

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

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

A major funding opportunity has opened for organisations looking to strengthen and innovate within Wales’ volunteering sector. The Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant (VWSG) —now launching its second round for 2025–28—aims to support a small number of ambitious, strategic projects that can improve volunteering at scale across the country. The grant, offering awards between £50,000 and £100,000 for projects lasting up to 18 months, is designed to help organisations test new id

Calling all Monmouthshire-based groups Do you have a project that needs some funding? Our National Lottery Funding Surgery is taking place on Tuesday 28th April at Magor & Undy Hub. National Lottery funding officer, Mike Dupree will be on hand to answer questions about your projects eligibility for an Awards for All Wales or People & Places Lottery grant. And to give information and support, to help you to strengthen your Lottery bids. Appointments are available to discuss ne

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

Ever tried reading an insurance document and felt like you deserved a medal just for getting to the end? You’re not alone. While insurance might not be the star of any blockbuster movie, it is one of the unsung heroes keeping our community groups safe, supported and able to get on with the good stuff. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s take a look at what insurance actually means for organisations like yours — without any of the baffling jargon or tiny-print induced heada

Across Gwent 12 community sports clubs have been awarded £212,178 in funding support to make their clubhouse facilities more sustainable, helping to reduce energy costs and create better environments for everyone who takes part. Thanks to this funding from The Energy Saving grant administered by Sport Wales and funded by the Welsh Government, clubs have been able to complete a wide range of improvements to the non-playing areas, including: Blaenau Gwent Abertillery Bluebirds

Payroll Giving Month is a chance for organisations across Wales to support charities through a simple, tax-effective way of giving. What is Payroll Giving? A government-backed scheme that allows employees to donate to charities directly from their salary before tax. It’s easy to set up, low cost, and provides reliable income for the voluntary sector. PAYROLL GIVING MONTH February is Payroll Giving Month, get involved by: Setting up a Payroll Giving Scheme Running a Payroll Gi

📊 Wave 2 of Baromedr Cymru is live between 27 January – 24 February and focuses on volunteering in your organisation. 📝 Take part in Wave 2 – it only takes 15 minutes. It’s the International Year of Volunteering! Nearly 1/3 of adults in Wales volunteer, yet volunteer recruitment remains in the top three concerns for 30% of the organisations we surveyed in Wave 1. Meanwhile, a new Home Office policy proposal suggests volunteering could help migrants ‘earn’ the right to live