Pave the Way

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Achieving Wellbeing through Volunteering

What is Pave the Way?

Pave the Way is a new project funded by the Big Lottery to support people into volunteering to achieve wellbeing.

Operating throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, it is led by Cardiff and Vale Action for Mental Health (cavamh) in partnership with Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS) and Voluntary Community Services (VCS). This ensures that our project can be delivered in your community and led by the organisation which understands your area and the volunteering opportunities available

Why ‘Wellbeing through Volunteering’?

Research shows that many people face barriers to volunteering because of poor mental health. This may be because of :-

Lacking confidence and/or self esteem
Feeling isolated or anxious about group/social settings
Lack of motivation
Just not knowing where to start

Pave the Way recognises this so we can tailor our work to meet any specific needs that you have to prepare for volunteering. We also have ‘buddies’ who can provide that additional personalised support if you think this would be helpful.

Research shows that volunteering makes people feel healthier, happier, lifts their mood and gives them a sense of purpose in life and a new way forward. There are so many benefits volunteering can bring:-

Good for your physical & mental WELLBEING
Helps you to meet new people and make friends
Get you out and about
Helps builds your confidence to do new things
Gets you into a routine and structure for your days
Helps you to learn new skills that could lead to a job
New opportunities for you to achieve and contribute through something you enjoy
Try out new activities like the arts, sport and recreation
Help you to achieve your potential and that of others in the wider community
……..Have some fun along the way

All of this is great for your physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we want to make sure you have a good experience. We will spend time with you at the start assisting you to find a volunteering opportunity that you will find interesting and beneficial.

Aims of Pave the Way

To introduce people into volunteering and provide them with the support needed to succeed and improve their physical and mental wellbeing
To provide information and support to Volunteer Involving Organisations (these can be businesses, voluntary sector or public sector) so that they are better prepared and more willing to support volunteers wellbeing needs. We will also provide education and support around anti stigma and anti discrimination
Recruit and train volunteer Buddies for the project to work with volunteers

How to become part of Pave the Way

You can contact us yourself to discuss your eligibility for Pave the Way or if you are supported by an organisation or voluntary group you can ask the person who currently supports you to contact us to make a referral. The process is straightforward as we want to make it as easy as possible for people to access Pave the Way

Next Steps

If you live in the Vale of Glamorgan then contact our Vale Volunteering Officer :-
Clare Humphreys at GVS on 01446 741706 or e mail clare@gvs.wales

If you live in Cardiff then contact our Cardiff Volunteering Officer :-
Jo Harry at VCS on 029 2132 2627 or e mail Jo.H@vcscymru.org.uk

If you are a business or organisation that wants to get involved with Pave the Way or you just want to find out more about our project then contact Andrew Jones – Pave The Way Co-Ordinator on 029 2022 2200 or e mail andrew@cavamh.org.uk

Pave the Way on Social Media

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