Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Wendy Jones, Community and Voluntary Support Conwy and Helen Wilkinson, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council.  

2.40-3.10 p.m.

Wendy Jones, Community and Voluntary Support Conwy (CVSC), delivered a power point presentation on supporting community empowerment.

Members were advised on the role of CVSC and the services provided. Details were also provided to the funding the registered charity obtained from Welsh Government and funding which included support from third sector services. Encouragement and guidance was key to the work carried out by the service.

From the presentation it was established that a training programme had been constructed to encourage the development of individuals and share experience and knowledge. Support had been given to learners to empower them to take learnings and support other individuals. Joint working with Llandrillo had taken place with an excellent pass rate.  

Information and advice had been given regarding funding with surgery groups held to encourage potential projects and funders to meet and provide feedback.  A large number of project proposals had been successful in obtaining funding. The surgeries had been received well from both volunteers and organisations.  Also it was confirmed that a new grant finder portal will be launched later this year.

It was shared with members that representatives from the CVSC sat on over 70 different boards and groups to share practices and offer support. At times this had been problematic as meetings had clashed. Overall work completed by CVSC had been positive.

The Chair thanked the CVSC representative for her detailed presentation to members. She raised a concern over the number of meetings that they have to attend, asking if there was any support the PSB could offer. In response to the Chair, Wendy Jones confirmed the main issue was resourcing and supporting partnership work. To ease the pressure, additional resources and funding for more officer time would be the most positive support. Due to the amount of meeting invites received representatives had to decline attendance due to prioritising of work.

Helen Wilkinson, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), presented the work undertaken by the organisation. Members were informed of the recent changes to DVSC including, a new team structure, new logo and a refreshed website launched in 2018. The priority of the DVSC had been to provide excellent support and information to volunteers. Engaging with the public was hoped from the improved social media coverage. It was explained like Conwy, DVSC is a 3^rd sector support service that received funding form Welsh Government and partnership arrangements.

It had been observed that a number of changes had taken place with DVSC, with the team, learning and developing the service consistently to achieve a positive service to organisations and volunteers. Promotion of the service and engagement had been established.

The Chair thanked the DVSC for the presentation and was pleased to see work had progressed in a positive manner. Close work with the Voluntary councils of both Conwy and Denbighshire and the PSB was needed to support and promote the service through other organisations. Exploration around the structure of the voluntary process and how PSB could support would be beneficial.

The Chair asked both representatives how they felt PSB could aid and support the voluntary service. If they could discuss together and bring back a report to the next scheduled meeting for members to discuss and address issues and concerns.

RESOLVED that the presentations and information be received and noted. An update report as requested above to be presented at the September PSB meeting.