Our Monmouthshire Volunteer Awards are back! Do you know someone making a difference in their community? Nominations are now open (closing 13th of July) for the Monmouthshire Volunteer Awards 2026, delivered in partnership with Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA). The awards celebrate the volunteers, community groups and local champions who dedicate their time, skills and energy to supporting others and improving life across Monmouthshire. The awards are your chance to re

Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. They help in many ways, from shopping for a neighbour to running a group. Nominating a volunteer or a community group is a great way to show your appreciation. Taking place later this year, the annual awards will celebrate the incredible work of volunteers in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Newport. The awards are an opportunity to say thank you to those that make a positive impact in their community. The closing date for nominati

Do you know an individual, volunteer or organisation making a real difference in your community? Organised by WCVA, the awards highlight the outstanding contribution charities, community groups, volunteers and not-for-profit organisations make to improving people's lives. Award categories: Volunteer of the Year (26 and over) Young Volunteer of the Year (25 and under) Fundraiser of the Year Champion of Diversity Use of the Welsh Language Most Influential Small Organisation Hea

Want to stay up to date with the latest opportunities, events and news from across the voluntary and community sector in Gwent? GAVO's newsletters are designed to help community groups, charities, volunteers and third sector organisations stay informed and connected. Our local newsletters feature: Funding opportunities Volunteering opportunities Training and events Community news and updates Partnership opportunities We also offer Health, Social Care and Wellbeing newsletters

It is the end of another fantastic week recognising and celebrating our volunteers, take a look to see what the Monmouthshire team got up to! Monday 1st - the Monmouthshire Volunteer Awards Launch What better way to recognise the people who selflessly give their time to make a difference in their community than to nominate them for an award?! This will be our third year hosting the awards in partnership with Monmouthshire Housing Association to celebrate our community champio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WCVA has launched a brand-new Trustee Network designed to support trustees from across Wales to feel informed, connected, and confident in their roles. Following extensive engagement with trustees and voluntary organisations, the network has been shaped directly by the people who will benefit from it. Why the Network Was Created Trustees play a vital leadership role in charities and community groups, ensuring organisations act in the best interests of their beneficiaries and

📊 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

GAVO is proud to once again offer funding of up to £2,000 to community and voluntary groups in Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent through the 'Youth Volunteers Fund, supported by the WCVA. This is a youth-led grant designed to inspire young people (aged 14-25) into volunteering and help develop youth-focused community services across Gwent. 📝 Apply Now Submit your applications by 30th April 2026. 👉 Click YOUTH VOLUNTEERS FUND 2026/2027 - APPLICATION F

At GAVO, our team is driven by a shared commitment to supporting communities and strengthening the voluntary sector across Gwent. In this latest staff spotlight, we’re introducing Sam Sims, our Adult Volunteering Officer for Newport, whose passion for connecting people and championing inclusive opportunities sits at the heart of his work. Supporting volunteers and strengthening organisations Sam joined GAVO in August 2022 and works across the Newport team supporting both indi

Meet Newport’s elected Forum members Check out our guide to setting up a community group Funding News - Welsh Government Capital Grant Pilot fund Read the latest updates from our Health, Social Care & Wellbeing team Climate Resilience Communities Workshop - 15th Jan 2026 Join the Local Access Forum Funding Surgeries to restart on the 23rd January Make volunteering your New Year’s resolution Promote the great work you're doing during #Porthour Open Table Consultation - Arts fo

The EU Delegation to the UK hosted its annual EU-UK Youth Dialogue, which brought together young leaders from across the UK. This year it took place in Newcastle on 6th-7th November 2025 . The Delegation were looking for young leaders ( aged 18-30 ) from Wales who would like to attend this conference and the WCVA asked County Voluntary Councils to nominate young people. T Howells from Newport has volunteered with GAVO for many years, supporting the GAVO Youth Volunteers Fun