Round 3 of the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant is open for organisations looking to improve their volunteering systems.
The aim of the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant (VWSG) scheme is to support a small number (8-10) of strategic projects to build on and learn from the new or improved approaches to volunteering across Wales. The grants will enable groups to explore the progress that has been made to volunteer practices during the pandemic and ‘hard wire’ successes into future ways of working.
WHAT’S NEW FOR ROUND 3?
Following a detailed evaluation of the VWSG pilot round by Wavehill Ltd, the scheme has been adapted and developed and round 3 will be focusing on the following priority areas:
- Health & social care
- Education & young people
- Environment/climate emergency
- Arts/culture/sport
- Welsh language/communities
Applicants can apply for grants up to £100,000 for activities delivered up to 18 months. Please make sure you read the full guidance about the scheme before applying.
FOOTHOLD CYMRU’S BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS
Foothold Cymru utilised the VWSG pilot scheme funding to bring together private sector organisations to discuss the pros of employer supported volunteering schemes and addressed the barriers for private companies. As a group they worked together to develop better ways of working that are replicable in other communities across Wales.
As part of the project staff from TRJ did some employer supported volunteering with Foothold, using their expertise to help with much-needed painting and decorating in the organisation’s Zero Waste Hub.
‘Not only did TRJ carry out a professional painting job,’ said Janice Morgan, Deputy Chief Executive at Foothold Cymru. ‘But whilst doing so gave advice on painting, preparation and cutting to the Foothold Cymru work placements, who will be working in our repaint shop.
‘The Foothold Cymru staff and work placements will now be able to pass on this new knowledge to customers of the store and show them the quality of the recycled paint that was used on the walls of the corridor. This will help so many of our families save money, as they can refurbish their own homes cheaply and with expert advice passed on from TRJ via Foothold Cymru.’
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applicants is 21 July 2023. If you’re interested in applying, please visit our VWSG page, and feel free to contact one of the team listed below.
- Sian Baker Maurice, Grants and Income Manager – sbakermaurice@wcva.cymru
- Fiona Liddell, Helpforce Wales Manager – fliddell@wcva.cymru
- Natalie Zhivkova, Policy and Insights Manager – nzhivkova@wcva.cymru
- Judith Stone, Assistant Director of Support & Invest – jstone@wcva.cymru
- Catherine Miller, Head of Grants and Income – cmiller@wcva.cymru
- Welsh Government Third Sector Support Team – thirdsectorqueries@gov.wales