PAVO is dedicated to supporting the thriving third sector in Powys, and employs a Social Value Development Officer to help empower non-profit organisations in delivering Social Value to their communities.
The Social Value Forum Development Fund 2024-2025 saw a large number of applications and the panel successfully awarded the entirety of the £150.000 fund. Each awarded project highlighted ways to meet the identified gaps in service and provision within our Powys areas alongside clear alignment with the Powys Health and Care Strategy. The identified priorities for the year were:
Travel for wellbeing
Improving community wellbeing and connections
Support for the vulnerable
Eating better, spending less
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in our locality network meetings and Social Value Forum Coordination meetings which help to highlight the gaps in provision in each of our 13 Powys Localities and determine the fund priorities. Thanks also to our panel, who diligently worked through every application form resulting in an efficient and effective panel meeting and the award of the funds.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about our locality network meetings and how your input could positively impact our communities.
Below is the list of the organisations who have received this current funding.
ORGANISATION | £ | Project | Description |
Hay and District Sports & Community Association (HADSCAL) | £13,405.00 | Growing Space (as part of Hay Community Campus) | An accessible community growing space empowering people to work alongside others sharing knowledge and/or learning new skills, building connections, and improving physical and mental health whilst growing healthy seasonal food for both their own and wider community use. |
In Our Element Organisation | £30,675.10 | Wilderness Therapy with Individual Therapy Programme (bursaries) | Wilderness Therapy is a partnership project between four local organisations; In Our Element, Life at No.27, Mind Ystradgynlais & Credu Carers. We have listened to the local community who expressed that if all barriers were removed, Wilderness Therapy would benefit their mental and physical wellbeing along with access to counselling services, and we have come together to transform a successful pilot project into eight-week ‘Wilderness Therapy Programmes’ taking place across 2024; which aim to support adults experiencing early mental health challenges and isolation. We will provide a specialist nature-based group intervention including nature connection, bushcraft, guided self-reflection, mindfulness, woodland crafts. The programmes will run from Craig Y Nos Country Park, with free transport provided from central locations, making it accessible to those within Ystradgynlais and surrounding areas. We will offer two bursaries within each Wilderness Therapy Programme for individuals to receive 6 weeks of personal counselling. |
Llanidloes Energy Solutions (LLES) | £5,086.00 | Happy Skills Project/ Prosiect Sgiliau Hapus | The Happy Skills Project / Prosiect Sgiliau Hapus will help people to spend less and live better while helping to save the planet. Using the tools and equipment in Llanidloes Library of Things we will offer courses in basic home DIY, low energy cooking and repairing clothes. These will be small, friendly classes which build confidence while sharing skills, making friends and having fun. |
Rekindle Home | £20,664.58 | Rekindle Live-Well Safe Space “drop-in” | Rekindle will provide a weekly ‘drop-in’ / 'safe space' service to improve accessibility of mental-health support to young people aged 16 and 25 in Newtown, Powys. Young people will be able to access in-person support from skilled mental-health practitioners, meet with other young people who may be experiencing similar mental health challenges and take part in activities to improve mental-health and wellbeing and build on existing life skills. Young people will be able to build a network of support, challenge themselves in a safe, understanding and non-judgemental environment and, through regular timings and weekly availability, build trust in the service. To ensure accessibility where transport can be a barrier (mobility or rurality issues) we will set-up transport provision so that everyone can access the service. To support well-being, food and refreshments will be available along with regular cooking and nutritional workshops being delivered in collaboration with local organisations. |
BCA Independent Advocacy Services | £18,145.70 | Inclusive Wellbeing Project | The Inclusive Wellbeing project will enable adults with a learning disability to lead a healthier lifestyle by supporting them to attend local gyms, attend accessible yoga and mindfulness sessions and walk in the local area. Regular cooking sessions will support project members to plan, shop for and cook simple, nutritious, affordable meals which they will sit down and eat together providing a social element whilst eating better and spending less. The Inclusive Wellbeing project will give adults with a learning disability something to look forward to each week, the opportunity to make new friends and the information to make healthier choices, boosting confidence and well-being and reducing social isolation. |
Welshpool Community Haven (working in collaboration with CREDU) | £22,286.00 | “Making connections” @theHaven | Our project “Making connections” is designed to create a sense of belonging and community to those who need it most, not only improving wellbeing and tackling isolation but providing opportunities to develop and enhance skills that will benefit people’s daily lives and their families. We will offer a place of well-being to look forward to, that is inclusive and helps to develop confidence, skills and community, providing safe respite for families, support for the vulnerable with an environment that is conducive to extending learnt skills into supported placements and opportunities in the wider community. |
Dementia Matters in Powys | £14,484.00 | Powys Pop-Up Meeting Centres | Meeting Centres follow an evidence-based, international model that provide advice, support and information to those living with Dementia and their Carers. Powys Pilot Pop-Up Meeting Centres will take the work of Powys Meeting Centres to those in more isolated communities and locations of Llanidloes and Llanfyllin areas, reaching people that are currently dealing with Dementia in isolation, involving local communities and reducing stigma associated with the disease. |
Celf o Gwmpas | £17,564.82 | Art for Everyone (Celf I Bawb) | Art for Everyone/Celf I Bawb supports mental health and wellbeing through high quality, affordable, accessible, focused and guided experiences of different art media chosen by specific community groups we have consulted with and which members of the public and local stakeholders have requested. It supports living and ageing well in the community, reaching adults, including those with learning disabilities, enabling them to gain confidence, feel greater community engagement and tackle social isolation, by growing communities. Courses will include art and crafts, sewing, life drawing, creative writing and willow weaving. Have a go days will allow people access to taster sessions and any young people attending will be signposted to our established Youth Clwb Celf. All sessions will be fully inclusive. |
The Outdoor Partnership | £4,508.50 | Adventure Therapy Programme Powys | This programme is for young people aged 18-30 living in Powys who are looking to overcome mental health challenges by engaging in outdoor adventurous activities such as climbing, paddleboarding and hill walking. Participants will experience firsthand the therapeutic and health benefits of being in the outdoors, engaging in physical activity and socialising with peers and be supported to take up outdoor activities as a life-long pursuit. As part of the programme, support workers will be upskilled to deliver low level outdoor activities to groups and individuals to ensure opportunities are extended beyond the length of the programme. |
The Game Change Project (TGCP) | £3,180.30 | Game Changer Holiday Club | Game Changer Holiday Club is a new pilot project which will provide a lifeline for vulnerable young people to improve their wellbeing and social connections. The holiday club will provide intergenerational engagement and support for teens who are at risk of becoming isolated, particularly during school holidays. The Club will provide fun, outdoor activities in a beautiful countryside environment, focussing on improving mental health, wellbeing and social skills. |
Total amount awarded | £150,000.00 |
Thank you to everyone who applied to the recent round of the Social Value Forum Fund. We had an exceptional number of applications many of which the panel wished they could have funded. The fund has been awarded as follows.
Funding: £24,515.79
Project Title: Machspace Community Workshop
Description: We will create a free community makerspace, a workshop full of tools and equipment members can use to make, craft, and repair. The space will promote social inclusion for marginalised people, based around shared interests and constructive activities.
Funding: £68,253.00 Skills
Project: Title Sharing for all – empowering disabled volunteers
Description: Believing those with difficulties & disabilities also have strengths and abilities and that helping others promotes wellbeing we will match people with different needs and strengths, offering volunteering opportunities, supporting independent living and reducing loneliness and isolation.
Funding: £37.639.00
Project Title: Community Shopping Bus
Description:The aim of the project is to make shopping and transport available to all. We aim to make this service affordable and accessible and introduce a bus buddy scheme, so anyone with additional needs can also be supported and able to access the service.
Funding: £172,474.24
Project Title: Bringing People Together - An Informal Volunteering Powys Wide Project
Description: The project aims to utilise eight delivery partners based around Powys working as a consortium to pilot Pan-Powys informal volunteering. The pilot projects main aim is to ensure access to small support needs which have a huge impact within local communities and for the individuals accessing informal Volunteers.
Funding: £37,117.97
Project Title: Welshpool Community Haven – Fridays Haven Club!
Description: We plan to provide a space for some of the elderly residents (65+) of the town to come together and enjoy a weekly meal together and other activities ranging from games, guest speakers to craft and digital skills. The activities will follow the input from those attending and will be co-produced following their lead. The project has been designed to tackle isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly residents and their carers and has been designed following feedback from CREDU and conversations held during our Weekly coffee and chats about the need in the area and the lack of support carers of elderly residents are receiving and the lack of supportive wellbeing opportunities for our more vulnerable elderly. Meals will be provided by Meals on wheels – already operating from the centre. The project will include helping people with transport to attend the venue and will provide a warm meal and drinks.
The Social Value Forum Development Fund 2022/23 saw £170k distributed as a grant scheme to meet identified gaps in provision aligned with the Powys Health and Care Strategy. The identified priorities for the year were:
The provision of good neighbour schemes offering low level, practical help to people. (Collaboration with Amser i Ni time banking initiative encouraged)
Strengthening the provision of community transport, with a particular focus on transport for young people and people that live with disabilities.
The provision of befriending services for young people.
The maximisation and encouragement of intergenerational provision where appropriate.
Projects that did not directly meet a priority but still met the criteria of the fund were also considered. Out of the fifteen projects initially funded, fourteen were carried to completion. One project unfortunately had to withdraw due to circumstances beyond their control. Overall the projects achieved significant outcomes for a large number of beneficiaries representing excellent value for money, and attracted volunteer support valued at over £40k. Details of the projects, outputs and outcomes can be found below.
Number of people engaged in the initiative - 1712
Number of volunteers - 247
Total volunteer hours - 2938.5
People reporting initiative has helped to improve their health & well-being - 90.51%
People rating the initiative as good or excellent - 96.68%
Funding paid trainee placements for socially and economically excluded individuals to teach construction based employability skills, and support their wellbeing, that will result in an additional tangible community benefit of improved accessibility in the Elan Valley.
The aim of this project is to prevent substance misuse relapse that can lead to further offending and damage communities through the use of a wide range of diversionary activities that will help improve physical/mental and social functioning. By preventing relapse it reduces the burden on not only treatment services but that of NHS, Police and Social services
The Community Listeners programme is designed to build a network of people who are able to give skilled, strength-based, empowering listening support within their communities.
‘When we are listened to, we feel better about ourselves and it helps us think more clearly to move forward.’
The project will identify and engage with people with disabilities, developing appropriate sessional facilitated opportunities. The project will reduce isolation and improve well-being, overcoming the barriers to participation, reducing the need for higher level intervention. and provide the experience of being welcomed into community settings, demonstrating how inclusion is possible.
Bringing young people together to use creative techniques to investigate what supports their wellbeing and resilience locally and how it can be improved. They will come up with practical solutions they and the community can put into action for themselves, and will form friendships that will support them going forward.
The project is to extend and develop children’s services to include outreach, social and cultural outings, joint work with the library, garden projects and work with other professionals.
A project that offers the free opportunity to learn culinary and kitchen craft skills with a focus on producing healthy food on a small budget, helping people to be able to live well without it being a heavy financial burden.
An intergenerational project that allows participants to explore real life personal and community issues from different perspectives through the medium of drama.
The project will provide a space for young people to engage and participate in the arts. They will learn a range of skills, have fun and build friendships while being creative, leading to improved health and wellbeing and reducing the stressors that can have a negative impact on their mental health.
The aim of the project is to tackle isolation and loneliness as well as developing well-being among community members through 6 months of facilitated 3 hour weekly workshops, 15 podcasts and the launch of the time banking concept with a range of generations.
An opportunity, in a supportive setting, for the older generation to record their memories of growing up in Hay, for self-satisfaction and to preserve local history for the benefit of future generations.
An activity-based consultation including a centre based inspirational event supported by a skilled facilitator to develop a community supported plan to ensure the sustainability of the Clatter Community Centre. The project will provide a business plan and road map, inspired by the community, for a sustainable future with an increase in involvement and diversity of trustees. It aims to inspire and engage the community in the opportunities for the centre as the heart of community life. (Part funding)
A redesign of our therapeutic bursary, piloting a new, sustainable financial model. This early intervention program supports those on low incomes, with chronic conditions, who don’t currently receive sufficient health and wellbeing provision. As such it reduces the need for higher level interventions such as GP appointments and hospital admissions.
Inter-Links will enhance and expand the support services already provided by DMiP in Meeting Centres accessed by people living with dementia/memory loss and their wider family/carers. This will be done through planned activities with primary school pupils, including those living with disabilities, and young people in secondary schools undertaking Social Studies and/or DofE Awards.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of community-based support and the role of communities in tackling loneliness and social isolation. This fund aims to build capability and sustainability of grassroots voluntary and community organisations that bring people of all ages together.
Funding came from the Welsh Government and grants of between £250 and £2,500 per year were available for up to three years. We received 29 applications, and funded ten projects.
Circles of Connection: The project will deliver in-person wellbeing sessions to young females across the age span of 9-16, with the aim of supporting them in their transition into and
through adolescence.
Connect and Engage: Employment of an engagement officer which will create opportunities for people who are isolated in volunteering at the museum. They will also co-design and promote projects which promote real-life volunteering opportunities.
Come to your Senses: To engage with young people, in partnership with Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, Ennyn Cymru, Elin Chick - Youth Worker and Julie Evans Cub leader to reduce vandalism, alcohol and drug use and promote constructive engagement with each other and the wider community.
Supporting people with sight loss in Powys: The project will deliver practical and emotional support for people with sight loss in Powys, including eight local peer support groups, telephone befriending and support with technology, enabling them to regain their independence, reconnect with their communities, increase their ability to perform everyday activities and improve their general wellbeing and quality of life.
New Parents creative peer support group: A weekly group for new parents to come together, support one another and share experiences of early parenting whilst also partaking in creative activities (writing, crafts, music etc)
Pop up Play’ sessions: Will deliver open access play sessions to areas where there is rural isolation. These will be aimed primarily at 8-12 year olds but younger children will be able to attend if accompanied by a responsible adult/carer. Older children will also be able to access these sessions.
Community outreach: Continue to run the weekly outreach groups. Mid & North Powys Minds’ Friday Group (in Knighton) and Builth Group are activity based support groups run weekly and are essential in enabling people who live outside of Llandrindod Wells to access support.
Llanfyllin Men’s Shed Development Project: Plans to expand the existing Men’s Shed into a new Llanfyllin Shed that is open to all, and create a community hub which provides space for other groups to host activities and even for bands to practice.
Thursday Club (Ystradgynlais): Funding to continue an existing support group in the area which supports local people to come together at least once a week in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The club provides light refreshments, companionship, and a base for group activities, gentle walks, and lunches.
Prosiect Peilot Ieuenctid a’r Hinsawdd / Youth and Climate Pilot Project: This pilot project aims to support a group of young people aged 13-18 who have missed out on a range of opportunities to socialize and mix during the Covid period, to meet regularly through a project on the theme of Climate.
