Community groups, schools, non-profit organisations and local residents in Newport are being encouraged to apply for funding of up to £5,000 to support projects that deliver lasting impact in their communities. The latest round of the Microsoft Wales Community Fund is now open for applications, offering both financial support and practical resources to help bring new or existing ideas to life. The fund is focused on supporting projects that help build thriving, inclusive and

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

Our latest Development Newsletter will be published on this page by the 1st of each month. You can access the newsletter through the link provided below, which will take you to our MailChimp page. There, you can also browse previous editions and choose to subscribe. Subscribers receive the newsletter around five days before it appears here on the GAVO website, giving you an early look at upcoming events, funding opportunities, and other updates for the third sector. In the Ju

As part of GAVO’s ongoing series showcasing the incredible work of community organisations across Newport, we are proud to highlight Seeds of Hope who are making a powerful difference to local families through inclusion, creativity and support. Seeds of Hope is dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children and their families, the group focuses on creating safe, welcoming spaces where individuals can connect, build confidence and feel celebrated for who they are. Through a g

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

Two inspiring projects based here in Newport have been recognised on a national stage after being nominated for the National Diversity Awards 2026, which celebrate individuals and organisations making a real difference to equality and inclusion across the UK. Among this year’s nominees are Muslim Women's group Active Lives, recognised for its work helping people of all backgrounds become more active and connected, and Autism’s Hidden Voices, led by Yvonne Odukwe, which suppor

Community groups and organisations across Newport are being invited to apply for funding through the Newport Community Endowment Fund, administered by Community Foundation Wales, is dedicated to enhancing education and strengthening communities across the city, supporting projects that sit outside of statutory provision. The programme aims to support initiatives that demonstrate a clear and positive impact on local people. Successful applications will show how their work impr

People living, working, or strongly connected to Newport city centre, Maindee and Pill are being encouraged to get involved in shaping the future of their communities. Earlier this year, Newport was awarded £20 million of UK Government funding through the Pride in Place programme. This investment will support long-term regeneration in key neighbourhoods over the next 10 years and local people will play a central role in deciding how it is used. Getting involved Newport City C

Across Newport, community groups and charities continue to make a vital difference every day, supporting residents, running services, and bringing people together. But as many organisations will recognise, securing sustainable, long-term funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing the third sector. One funding stream that is often overlooked but holds significant potential is legacy giving. Legacy fundraising, sometimes called “gifts in wills”, gives people the oppor

Our Newport Development Officer will be on hand to meet local groups to provide guidance and support for your group to apply for a wide range of funding opportunities that include National Lottery schemes as well as other local grant schemes available as outlined here - Find local funding schemes closing soon here To find out more simply book your preferred time slots between 10am -3pm on one of the upcoming dates listed, complete the form below the table by clicking on next

I hope you're having a lovely spring here is what is in store for May ... Download your copy at the bottom of the page. The May newsletter includes the following topics: May is Local Community History Month - We're looking at Free Bikes 4 Kids who have done a lot for our community! Changes to Office of the Public Guardian’s investigation process “At breaking point” The urgent need to improve support for unpaid carers Gwent Third Sector Provider Forum - summary from the last

Rachelle Pawley joined the Newport team at GAVO in 2025 as Youth Volunteer Officer, supporting young people and third sector organisations across the city to develop and access meaningful volunteering opportunities. Rachelle’s role focuses on promoting youth volunteering as a positive pathway for personal development, wellbeing, and future opportunities. She works closely with schools, youth groups, community organisations, and partners to raise awareness of volunteering oppo

'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

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

Spring is here and everything is waking up! It has been a very busy month so expect a very full Newsletter for April! Download your copy at the bottom of the page. The April newsletter includes the following topics: April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Information to share about screenings Free NHS Screening Awareness Sessions Gwent Women's Health Hub News on The National Health Service (Direct Payments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 Meningitis Vaccination Update - Checking y

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