WCVA's Volunteering in Wales Fund extended until 2011.

Volunteering in Wales has been given a boost with confirmation that a leading grant scheme has been extended to 2011.

The Volunteering in Wales Fund, managed by WCVA, has received continued support from the Welsh Assembly Government meaning that organisations will be able to apply for funding to support projects for the next year.

The Fund can offer grants of up to £25,000 to support and develop new volunteers through covering the cost of the volunteer expenses and training; contributions to organisations’ running costs and the recruitment of specialist staff to help support new volunteers.

The deadline to make a grant application is 5pm on Friday 14 May 2010.

Mark Bendon, Senior Grant Assessor for the scheme commented:

‘Volunteers are the lifeblood of many charitable and not-for-profit organisations, so it’s great news that the scheme has been extended.

‘In the last year alone, the scheme has helped recruit over 2,000 new volunteers who have contributed more than 200,000 hours to the benefit of local communities.

‘This work would otherwise cost around £3m in economic terms.

‘Currently, the fund is supporting a range of organisations including Friends of Pedal Power Project Ltd, Girlguiding Carmarthenshire, Newport Mediation, Prime Cymru, Aids Trust Cymru, Dragon Bands and Cruse Bereavement Care.

‘These organisations rely on volunteers who need training and support so that they can offer maximum support to their communities and service users.

‘Demand is always high for this grant and we carefully consider the outputs likely to be achieved by supported groups. We are particularly interested in those areas of volunteering activity which are under-represented or where volunteering activities may be limited.

‘Additionally, the scheme encourages the recruitment of volunteers from the following groups: 16-25 years; 50 years plus; people with disabilities; BME groups and migrant workers; unemployed people and other groups at risk of social exclusion.’

For further details and an application pack, contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or by this email address.

Downloads available by clicking the below links:

download Equal opportunities monitoring form
download Application letter
download Guidance and notes for applicants
download Application form
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