Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services

Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) serves as the County Voluntary Council championing charitable purposes for public benefit through advancing education, protecting health, and relieving poverty, distress, and sickness among Pembrokeshire communities. Rooted in values of collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning, their grantmaking philosophy emphasizes community-led action, beneficiary co-production, capacity building, and partnership development to foster sustainable voluntary groups, active volunteers, and thriving, connected locales. They drive funding toward measurable local impact via participatory projects that empower grassroots organizations, strengthen sector resilience, and amplify community voice in addressing root causes of disadvantage.

PAVS prioritizes community well-being initiatives tackling social isolation and rural loneliness through befriending, peer support groups, and volunteer coordination; mental health services including counselling, therapeutic activities, and volunteer-led support for individuals facing anxiety, depression, or distress; lifelong learning and education programs like extra-curricular school clubs, community learning initiatives, and skills training for young people and adults; disability inclusion projects offering innovative activities, respite care, and co-produced pilots for people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or complex health needs; environmental sustainability efforts via green community projects, outdoor activities, and climate resilience programs; and safety enhancements through sports clubs, youth work, and family support addressing vulnerability. They fund community-led interventions like equipment for inclusive sports, wellbeing collaborations, test-and-learn pilots, advocacy training, organizational development, and networks fostering employment readiness, carer support, and holistic person-centred approaches to prevent crisis and build resilience among children, families, elderly residents, and disadvantaged groups.

PAVS excludes capital-only projects, pre-existing activities, statutory services without community engagement, and initiatives lacking defined local benefit or evaluation. They prioritize Pembrokeshire's rural communities, isolated individuals, people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and families in distress, favoring grassroots, beneficiary-involved organizations demonstrating coproduction, shared learning, and volunteering. Distinctive as a third-sector enabler fusing grants with hands-on governance, training, and advocacy, PAVS uniquely convenes local action for participatory, evidence-informed empowerment.