"Strength in the Third Sector" Event
- Dan Coast
- Feb 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Welcome to the official landing page for our "Strength in the Third Sector" event, taking place on March 26, 2025.
Spaces are limited, for this third sector only event open to organisations operating within Newport. To secure your spot, be sure to book once tickets now go live at 3pm on March 5th.
Unable to attend or simply would like to listen back to the panel session? - You can now do this via our recording on YouTube
Reserve Your Ticket
Complete the form below to apply for a place. Tickets are limited to two per third sector organisations operating within Newport and tickets will then be issued to successful applicants shortly after the 20th March.
Event Schedule
The venue will open at 10:15am with warm drinks provided, opening speeches begin at 10:30 AM. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local and national leaders, highlighting the crucial role the Third Sector plays in both the local community and across Wales. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the sector's future, particularly in light of newly confirmed budgets for the coming year.
After a short break, we will begin our second activity at 11:30 AM, where participants will break into smaller groups to discuss three key challenges the Third Sector anticipates in the year ahead. These topics have been selected based on responses gathered through the ticket application process.
Group 1 - Funding Support
Group 2 - Support in Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers
Group 3 - Feeling stretched by demands placed on it by our users
At midday, the event will transition into a networking session—an opportunity to connect with members of the GAVO team and learn more about the support available for your organisation. A light lunch will be provided, and the event will conclude at 1:00 PM.
About the Venue
Our event will take place at The Place, a community space on Bridge Street in Newport City Centre. Formerly the old Post Office and Ritzy’s nightclub, the venue is conveniently located just a two-minute walk from both the central bus station and the train station.
The building is fully accessible, featuring level access throughout. We have also reserved quiet rooms to serve as a designated prayer space. Complimentary hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the event.
Getting to the venue - The Place, 9-10 Bridge Street, Newport, NP20 4AL
Arriving by Bicycle
Cycle parking stands are available right outside of the place, though we would recommend using the nearby SPOKESAFE indoor cycle storage hub in Skinner street less than 100m away.
Public Transport
All bus journeys terminate in the city centre close to the indoor market, head the Westgate hotel and then pass the banks and You'll see the place on the left-hand side.
If arriving by train the station is just a 2min walk, leave the station via platform 1 side of the station and cross the road (Queensway) via the traffic control and head down Railway Street passing the Travelodge hotel, at the end of the road turn left and you'll see The Place on the righthand side of the pedestrianised section of Bridge Street.
Motor Vehicle
Blue badge holders have designated parking bays along Railway street, and Baneswell road, the closest of these are just 50m from The Place.
The closest NCP carparks are located along North Street or by the Travelodge hotel, this parking locations are less than a 2min walk from The Place. Alternatively, you can park at Friars Walk where it's around 5mins walk to The Place.
Meet our Panel
John Griffiths MS - Newport East
Personal history
Born in Newport, John Griffiths is a law graduate and has a diploma in psychology from the University of Wales, Cardiff.
Professional background
John worked as a lecturer in further and higher education before becoming a solicitor, prior to his first election to the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.
Political history
John has served as a Gwent County and Newport Borough councillor. His political interests include economic development, social inclusion, education, Europe, sport and sub Saharan Africa.
John has previously served as Minister for Culture and Sport; Minister for Natural Resources; and Minister for the Environment and Sustainability in the Welsh Government, and before that he served as Counsel General; Deputy Minister for Education; Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, and Deputy Economic Development Minister.
Peredur Owen Griffiths MS - South Wales East
Personal history
As the son of a minister, Peredur had already lived in many different parts of Wales before he went to Glan Clwyd secondary school in St Asaph, including Pumsaint in Carmarthenshire, Moelfre in Ynys Môn, Lixwm in Flintshire. Peredur has a Masters Degree in Control Systems Engineering from the University of Sheffield, and now lives in Caerphilly.
Professional background
As a student in Sheffield, Peredur took a job in banking. After completing his degree, Peredur was fast-tracked into being a Bank Manager for Santander, and was able to move back to Wales to complete his training. Whilst with Santander, Peredur worked in branches across south Wales, including Newport, Monmouth, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Blackwood, Cwmbran, Barry, Tonypandy, and Cardiff. After Santander, came Principality Building Society, where Peredur worked as a Business Development Manager for the residential mortgage arm of the business. After 13 years in the Financial sector, Peredur joined Christian Aid as Regional Coordinator for South Wales and Legacy Officer for Wales as a whole. During this time, he joined the Board of Directors for Displaced People in Action, a charity working to place refugees. His next step was to join Cytûn: Churches together in Wales, where he worked with the many faith groups across Wales.
Political history
Peredur has been a Community Councillor for Trecenydd in Caerphilly since 2017 and served for two years as the Chair of Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council. He previously served as Chair of the Plaid Cymru Caerphilly Constituency. A long time campaigner for Plaid Cymru, Peredur was elected to the Senedd the first time he stood for election.
Stephen Tiley - GAVO CEO
About Stephen
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.
Councillor Dimitri Batrouni - Leader Newport City Council
About Dimitri
Cllr Dimitri Batrouni became Leader of Newport Council in May 2024, has served as a Councillor since May 2022 in Newport and previously as opposition Leader in Monmouthshire Council and as Cabinet Member for a range of areas, including Organisational Transformation.
Dimitri is the Welsh Local Government Association lead/spokesperson for Digital Leadership.
As an IT graduate, Dimitri has an extensive working background and has worked at both UK and Welsh Parliaments in senior researcher roles and lectured politics at the University of Bristol.
Dimitri was a Senior Analyst for the Independent Monitoring Authority attached to the Ministry of Justice to monitor Brexit and citizens’ rights.
All report and write up from the event will be posted here within two weeks of the event.
Follow us on Linktree to have this as soon as this becomes available.
