Have you thought about your training needs for 2026?  Did you know that GVS can arrange training on behalf of our member organisations? 

Barry Rugby Football Club is progressing plans to develop a new all-weather 3G sports pitch at its Merthyr Dyfan Road ground — creating a shared, year-round community sports and wellbeing hub for Barry and the wider Vale of Glamorgan.

Funding of up to £20,000 is available to support community-led organisations to take ownership and to adapt historic buildings for new, sustainable uses.

Hello and Happy New Year! We’re excited to share the latest news on our services designed to support our community. Here’s everything you need to know…

Love Nature, Love Peace, Love Friendship. 5.30pm Sunday 1st February at the Friendship Tree, Knap Lake and Gardens, Barry.

 Every year, over £1 billion in benefits go unclaimed in Wales which is why we’ve launched our national communications campaign – ‘Claim What’s Yours’.

The Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund 2025 is now inviting applications and will remain open to funding requests until the closing date 28th February 2026. Each applicant can bid for up to £2,500 to fund the purchase of one fountain.

An invitation is being made by South Wales Police (SWP) to community organisations and charities with experience in youth mentoring programmes (including ‘lived experience’).

ACRE’s annual campaign shines a spotlight on the contribution that village halls make to rural communities. The campaign is scheduled for 16th to 22nd March 2026.

Now open to applications from community groups pan-Wales for Perthyn grant funding to support with start-up fees during the early stages of developing social enterprises, co-operatives, community-led housing or community land trusts through the medium of Welsh.

Local community organisations and charities will once again be joining Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS) to offer volunteering opportunities at the Big Volunteering Fayre on Wednesday 28th January, from 10am – 2pm at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, especially for community groups, sports clubs and charities that work closely with children, young people and adults. A high percentage of GVS member organisations have direct contact with people of all ages, making safeguarding training essential to creating safe, inclusive and trusted environments.

We warmly invite you to apply to attend and submit a question for consideration to the cross-party panel discussion, addressing the future of health and care in Wales.

We have launched two new services at Citizens Advice Cardiff and Vale, specifically for Veterans, Armed Forces serving personnel, and their families. I thought it would be useful to let you know about them.

Films are being shown throughout 2026 in a new community initiative for the rural Vale of Glamorgan.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. We wish you a restful festive season and look forward to working with you in 2026. Please note that GVS will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from Friday 19 December. We will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.

If you are looking to try something new, update your CV, meet new people, build your confidence, improve your health and wellbeing or just have some structure to your day, then why not get involved in some volunteering activity? There are 500+ volunteering opportunities across the Vale of Glamorgan waiting for you to get involved.

Save the date: Thursday 5th February 2026, 12pm - 1:30pm

Location: Senedd Building, Cardiff Bay in the Neuadd

The Allen Lane Foundation offer grants of up to £15,000 for charitable purposes across the UK. Their focus is on funding specific groups that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination and they are currently offering grants through seven funding programmes.

Bro Radio, the local radio station for the Vale of Glamorgan is promoting the work of four charities working in the Vale of Glamorgan during the festive period.