Volunteering and Community Development

There are several ways to volunteer for various projects in your community. We've listed some below for you to check out.

GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations)

GAVO was first established in 1927 as the Monmouthshire Rural Community Council. It is now the oldest County Voluntary Council in Wales.

GAVO aims to recruit volunteers for voluntary organisations within Gwent, including Blaenau Gwent. They also aim to recruit organisations that provide a meaninful placement to volunteers.

Your local volunteer officers for Blaenau Gwent, are:

Amanda Newman : amanda.newman@gavowales.org.uk
Sinead Evans :  sinead.evans@gavowales.org.uk 

Both officers are based in the GAVO Brynmawr office:
16A Market Square
Brynmawr
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 4AJ
Tel. No: (01495) 315626
Tel. No: (01495) 315534
Fax: (01495) 315339

Volunteering Wales

Volunteering Wales will give you information and advice about getting involved in volunteering. You may be thinking about volunteering for the first time, you might have volunteered before and be looking to broaden your experiences or perhaps you work for an organisation that is involving volunteers.

On their web site, you will find tips and guidance about volunteering and what it could mean for you, get an idea of the wide range of choices available and find out how to get started. You can search online for volunteering opportunities in your geographical area or we can put you in touch with your local volunteer centre whose friendly team will give you support and advice about your local community.

If you are thinking about involving volunteers in your organisation, you can access information about the benefits and implications, read advice about some of the things you need to consider and look at some practical suggestions on how to move forward.

Just take a look at their web site to see how they can help you.

Visit the Volunteering Wales Web site
View Volunteering Opportunities in Blaenau Gwent

Careers Wales

The Careers Wales web site has some questions and answers regarding voluntary work, as well as other sources of information.

Take a look at their web site

Self Search

If there's somewhere in Blaenau Gwent that is a charity and relies on the help of others, why not pop in and ask them about their available opportunities?

Some companies look for experience when employing people, so adding that bit of volunteering experience to your application form or CV could boost your chances. Remember that there are lots of various ways to volunteer within a charity, including helping at a shop.

You can search for an up to date list of charities in the area by going to the Charity Commission web site and doing an advanced search for the Blaenau Gwent area.