A new charter about relationships between paid workers and volunteers is shortly to be launched by WCVA and Wales TUC. Fiona Liddell considers why we need such a document.
Am ddarllen hon yn Gymraeg?
I am an unashamed advocate of volunteering and its potential to enhance pubic services. But if asked about the relationship between paid workers and volunteers, I’ll be first to admit that sometimes, frankly, ‘it’s complicated’!
The general idea of volunteers involved in the delivery of public services is nothing new; voluntary roles such as magistrates, school governors and special constables are well established. Volunteers today work with paid staff in health and care, education, criminal justice, sport, arts and heritage, contributing to the fabric of public services which we take for granted.
There are lessons to be learned that can help us to steer a course which maintains a healthy balance, addressing the needs of volunteers, paid workers and the causes that they serve and avoiding the most common sources of misunderstanding and resentment.
Lessons to be learned
1. Clearly define the roles of volunteers and the roles of paid staff
NCVO has put a spotlight on some of the pitfalls associated with volunteer – paid worker relationships within public service organisations, in its recent report Time Well Spent: volunteering in the Public Sector.
Researchers examined a data subset for 649 volunteers across Great Britain who reported giving unpaid help to a public service organisation in the last 12 months.
Volunteers were generally satisfied with their role (but, notably, less so than volunteers within third sector organisations). One area of frustration, however, was around the clarity of staff and volunteer roles and the boundaries between them.
There were no issues where paid workers and volunteers work alongside one another and roles or tasks are distinct. But when both work on similar roles or where volunteers undertake what was formerly done by staff, negative impacts on workplace relationships were seen, with low morale of staff and lack of trust in volunteers. In these circumstances staff may perceive volunteers as a threat.
Volunteers, in their turn, can feel ‘put upon’ if the expectations of their role are too high, for example with fixed hours, formal procedures, targets to meet; it all begins to feel ‘too much like paid work’, but without the remuneration!
Central to success is having a clear vision of why volunteers are involved and how this links to the wider strategic purposes of the organisation. It may be knowledge of a local community, a particular, lived experience, a wider demographic representation or an independent, ‘lay’ perspective that is important. It may be a flexible and supportive human relationship that is needed, which goes beyond the defined and pressured role of paid workers.
An organisation (and its staff and volunteers) should be able to articulate why such and such a role or task is best suited to volunteers and why another is best undertaken by paid workers.
2. Don’t use volunteers as a way to save money
This brings us to a second ‘danger area’ – bringing in volunteers as a response to funding cuts. The logic is understandable, (if resources are short and volunteers are ‘free’….) but is flawed. For a start, if there are existing staff shortages, this is likely to blur the boundaries between paid and volunteer roles, as there is pressure for volunteers to somehow be ‘filling the gap’ - with the consequences discussed above.
Secondly, there may be insufficient resources to provide for adequate training and support, which are essential for volunteers to perform their expected role. Thirdly, low morale among staff will spill over to affect volunteers, such that either they feel guilty that they cannot be doing more to help, feel awkward that they are somehow ‘in the way’ and adding to staff pressures, or simply be cheesed off with bearing the fallout of others’ bad temper.
Volunteers are generally highly committed to the cause they serve and are motivated by the idea of making a positive difference. If this is frustrated, they can, and sometimes do, walk away! The effect of this on workplace relationships may then be to reinforce a perception among some staff that volunteers are not reliable.
3. Build a culture where volunteering can flourish
The NCVO research cited reminds us that building positive workplace relationships between paid workers and volunteers is about more than boundaries and strategic direction. Building a culture where volunteering can flourish is important too, with buy-in from different stakeholders, inclusion of volunteers in relevant meetings or social events as part of the team, and mutual respect.
The Time Well Spent research has identified and summarised the factors which make for a quality volunteering experience - these by and large are met by developing volunteering in line with the practices set out in the Investing in Volunteers quality standard.
A future for volunteering
The potential for innovative, impactful and mutually beneficial involvement of volunteers is great and we shouldn’t let the inherent challenges get in the way.
Public services are being transformed in Wales as a result of new legislation, increasing demands and growing awareness of the need to use all resources available, to optimum effect. It is an opportunity to rethink the role of volunteering (the WCVA paper Volunteering and Public Services in Wales discusses some opportunities and threats).
Volunteers, for example, are well placed to contribute to public services some of the human kindness which is in danger of being squeezed out. As Julia Unwin argues in her report Kindness, emotions and human relationships: the blind spot in public policy ‘…three huge drivers in public policy – the technological power to manage information, the digital power to manage communication, and the economic force of austerity – have made it ever more important that we look carefully at the role of emotions, and kindness in public policy.’
It is our hope that the new charter will stimulate discussion about the contribution of volunteering to our public services (however broadly defined) and the development of organisational cultures and systems which allow it to flourish.
Download the new Charter for volunteering and workplace relationships: clarifying and strengthening relationships between paid workers and volunteers.
The Charter will be formally launched by WCVA and Wales TUC on 3rd March 2020 with Jane Hutt AM , Deputy First Minister and Chief Whip. Please contact Fiona [email protected] if you would like an invitation.
Fiona Liddell is Helpforce Cymru Manager with WCVA
Helpforce is working with Third Sector Support Wales (WCVA and 19 CVCs), Welsh Government and other partners to develop the potential of volunteering to support health and social care services in Wales.
For more information contact Fiona Liddell [email protected] 029 2043 1730
Bydd siarter newydd am gydberthnasau rhwng gweithwyr cyflogedig a gwirfoddolwyr yn cael ei lansio cyn hir gan CGGC a TUC Cymru. Mae Fiona Liddell yn ystyried pam mae angen dogfen o’r fath.
Rwyf i’n credu’n gryf mewn gwirfoddoli a’i botensial i wella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Ond os ydy rhywun yn gofyn i mi am y berthynas rhwng gweithwyr cyflogedig a gwirfoddolwyr, fi fydd y cyntaf i gyfaddef ei fod weithiau, ‘yn gymhleth’!
Does dim byd newydd yn y syniad cyffredinol o ddefnyddio gwirfoddolwyr i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus; mae rolau gwirfoddol fel ynadon, llywodraethwyr ysgol a chwnstabliaid gwirfoddol wedi’u hen sefydlu.
Heddiw, mae gwirfoddolwyr yn gweithio gyda staff cyflogedig ym maes iechyd a gofal, addysg, cyfiawnder troseddol, chwaraeon, celfyddydau a threftadaeth, ac yn cyfrannu at wead y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rydym ni’n eu cymryd yn ganiataol.
Mae gwersi i’w dysgu a all ein helpu i ddod o hyd i drefniant sy’n cynnal cydbwysedd iach, yn mynd i’r afael ag anghenion gwirfoddolwyr, gweithwyr cyflogedig a’r achosion maen nhw’n eu gwasanaethu, yn ogystal ag osgoi’r ffynonellau mwyaf cyffredin o gamddealltwriaeth a drwgdeimlad.
Gwersi i’w dysgu
1. Diffinio rolau gwirfoddolwyr a rolau staff cyflogedig yn glir
Mae NCVO wedi tynnu sylw at rai o’r problemau sy’n gysylltiedig â chydberthnasau gwirfoddolwyr – gweithwyr cyflogedig o fewn sefydliadau’r sector cyhoeddus, yn ei adroddiad diweddar Time Well Spent: volunteering in the Public Sector.
Roedd archwilwyr wedi edrych ar is-set data ar gyfer 649 o wirfoddolwyr ledled Prydain a oedd wedi dweud eu bod nhw’n rhoi help llaw yn ddi-dâl i sefydliad y gwasanaeth cyhoeddus yn ystod y 12 mis diwethaf.
Roedd gwirfoddolwyr yn fodlon â’u rôl ar y cyfan (ond llawer yn llai na gwirfoddolwyr mewn sefydliadau trydydd sector). Fodd bynnag, mae un maes o rwystredigaeth yn ymwneud ag eglurder rhwng rolau staff a gwirfoddolwyr, a’r ffiniau rhyngddynt.
Doedd dim problemau pan oedd gweithwyr cyflogedig a gwirfoddolwyr yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â’i gilydd a’r rolau neu’r tasgau’n wahanol. Ond pan fyddant yn gweithio ar rolau tebyg neu pan fydd gwirfoddolwyr yn ymgymryd â gwaith a oedd yn arfer cael ei wneud gan staff, gwelwyd effaith negyddol ar gydberthnasau yn y gweithle, gyda morâl isel staff a diffyg ymddiriedaeth mewn gwirfoddolwyr. O dan amgylchiadau o’r fath efallai bydd staff yn teimlo bod gwirfoddolwyr yn fygythiad.
Gall gwirfoddolwyr, yn eu tro, deimlo’n anfodlon os ydy’r disgwyliadau yn rhy uchel, er enghraifft gydag oriau penodol, trefniadau ffurfiol, targedau i'w cyrraedd; mae’r holl beth yn dechrau teimlo ‘yn rhy debyg i waith cyflogedig’, ond heb y tâl!
Yn ganolog i lwyddiant yw cael gweledigaeth glir o’r rhesymau pam y defnyddir gwirfoddolwyr a sut mae hynny’n cysylltu â phwrpasau strategol ehangach y sefydliad. Gallai fod yn wybodaeth am y gymuned leol, profiad uniongyrchol penodol, cynrychiolaeth ddemograffig ehangach neu safbwynt ‘lleyg’ annibynnol sy’n bwysig.
Efallai bod angen perthynas ddynol hyblyg a chefnogol, sy’n mynd y tu hwnt i rôl ddiffiniedig a dan bwysau’r gweithwyr cyflogedig. Dylai sefydliad (a’i staff a gwirfoddolwyr) allu dweud pam fod rôl neu dasg benodol yn fwyaf addas ar gyfer gwirfoddolwyr, a pham ei bod hi’n well i weithwyr cyflogedig ymgymryd â rôl neu dasg arall.
2. Peidiwch â defnyddio gwirfoddolwyr i arbed arian
Daw hyn â ni at ail ‘fan peryglus’ – dod â gwirfoddolwyr i mewn fel ymateb i doriadau ariannol. Mae’r rhesymeg yn ddealladwy, (os oes prinder adnoddau a’r gwirfoddolwyr ‘am ddim’….) ond mae’n ddiffygiol. I ddechrau, os oes prinder staff, mae hyn yn debygol o greu ffiniau aneglur rhwng rolau cyflogedig a rolau gwirfoddolwyr, oherwydd bod pwysau ar wirfoddolwyr i ‘lenwi’r bwlch’ mewn rhyw ffordd - gyda’r canlyniadau a nodwyd uchod.
Yn ail, efallai nad oes digon o adnoddau i ddarparu hyfforddiant a chefnogaeth ddigonol, sy’n hanfodol i wirfoddolwyr gyflawni’r rolau a ddisgwylir ohonynt. Yn olaf, bydd morâl isel ymysg staff yn effeithio ar wirfoddolwyr, a byddant naill ai’n teimlo’n euog am nad ydynt yn gallu gwneud mwy i helpu, neu’n teimlo’n annifyr am eu bod nhw rywsut ‘ar y ffordd’ ac yn ychwanegu at bwysau staff, neu wedi syrffedu â delio â chanlyniadau tymer ddrwg pobl eraill.
Yn gyffredinol, mae gwirfoddolwyr wedi ymrwymo’n gadarn i’r gwaith maen nhw’n ei wneud, ac yn cael eu hysgogi gan y syniad o wneud gwahaniaeth cadarnhaol. Os bydd unrhyw beth yn rhwystro hynny, gallant gerdded i ffwrdd, ac maen nhw weithiau’n gwneud hynny! Yr effaith ar gydberthnasau yn y gweithle yn sgil hynny yw atgyfnerthu canfyddiad ymysg staff nad oes modd dibynnu ar wirfoddolwyr.
3. Meithrin diwylliant lle gall gwirfoddoli ffynnu
Mae Ymchwil NCVO a nodwyd yn ein hatgoffa bod meithrin cydberthnasau cadarnhaol yn y gweithle rhwng gweithwyr cyflogedig a gwirfoddolwyr yn fwy na dim ond ffiniau a chyfeiriad strategol. Mae hefyd yn bwysig meithrin diwylliant lle gall gwirfoddoli ffynnu, gydag ymrwymiad gan wahanol randdeiliaid, cynnwys gwirfoddolwyr mewn cyfarfodydd neu ddigwyddiadau cymdeithasol perthnasol fel rhan o’r tîm, a chyd-barch.
Mae’r ymchwil Time Well Spent wedi nodi a chrynhoi’r ffactorau sy’n creu profiad gwirfoddoli o safon - mae’r rhain, at ei gilydd, yn cael eu diwallu drwy ddatblygu gwirfoddoli yn unol â’r arferion a nodwyd yn safon ansawdd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr.
Gwirfoddoli yn y dyfodol
Mae’r potensial yn fawr o ran cynnwys gwirfoddolwyr mewn ffordd arloesol, effeithiol ac sydd o fudd i bawb ac ni ddylem adael i’r heriau cynhenid rwystro hynny.
Mae gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn cael eu trawsnewid yng Nghymru o ganlyniad i ddeddfwriaeth newydd, galw cynyddol ac ymwybyddiaeth gynyddol o’r angen i ddefnyddio’r holl adnoddau sydd ar gael, i gael yr effaith orau bosibl. Mae’n gyfle i ailystyried rôl gwirfoddoli (mae papur CGGC Gwirfoddoli a Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus yng Nghymru yn trafod rhai o’r cyfleoedd a bygythiadau).
Mae gwirfoddolwyr, er enghraifft, mewn sefyllfa dda i gyfrannu at y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rywfaint o’r caredigrwydd sydd mewn perygl o gael ei wasgu allan. Mae Julia Unwin yn dadlau yn ei hadroddiad Kindness, emotions and human relationships: the blind spot in public policy ‘…three huge drivers in public policy – the technological power to manage information, the digital power to manage communication, and the economic force of austerity – have made it ever more important that we look carefully at the role of emotions, and kindness in public policy.’
Ein gobaith yw y bydd y siarter newydd yn annog trafodaeth am gyfraniad gwirfoddoli yn ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus (waeth mor eang mae wedi'i ddiffinio) a datblygiad diwylliannau a systemau sefydliadol sy'n ei alluogi i ffynnu.
Lawrlwythwch y ddogfen newydd Siarter cydberthnasau gwirfoddoli a’r gweithle: egluro a chryfhau’r cydberthnasau rhwng gweithwyr cyflogedig a gwirfoddolwyr.
Bydd y Siarter yn cael ei lansio’n ffurfiol gan CGGC a TUC Cymru ar 3 Mawrth 202 guda Jane Hutt AS, Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Prif Chwip. Ebostiwch Fiona Liddell [email protected] am wahoddiad.
Fiona Liddell yw Rheolwr Helpforce Cymru gyda CGGC
Mae Helpforce yn gweithio gyda Cefnogi Trydydd Sector Cymru (CGGC a 19 CGS), Llywodraeth Cymru a phartneriaid eraill i ddatblygu'r potensial o wirfoddoli i gefnogi gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru.
Cysylltwch â Fiona Liddell am ragor o wybodaeth [email protected] 029 2043 1730
Is 2020 the year voluntary organisations take centre stage?
Voluntary organisations are a big part of civil society, alongside trade unions and academics. Mat Mathias of ERS Cymru takes a look at civil society in Wales and asks how we can involve more voluntary organisations in shaping it.
Am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
In 2018, I was asked by colleagues in Electoral Reform Society Scotland to chair a panel at a conference called Democracy 21. It was built around a pretty simple premise; that people should have collective power to make good things happen for themselves and their communities and also use that power to stop bad things happening.
Over 450 people attended, including academics, legislators but in the main it was an event that showed the strength of Scotland’s civil society. It was packed with community groups, activists, community organisers, artists and creators who were there to discuss the challenges that democracy was up against.
It obviously made me think about civil society in Wales. Our impact? Our involvement? Could we compare?
Historically there may have already been a reasonably coherent civil society in Scotland as they had stronger institutions even before their Parliament was reconvened in 1999. Of course in Wales we have also had a civil society and if you look at active community groups in the post war years up until the eighties, a very strong one, but would we really be able to call it a distinct Welsh civil society?
Devolution for both nations have developed their respective civil societies further. Say what you like but our institutions are not only closer to the people they seek to represent in distance but in opportunity to influence.
One of the issues is that many of the groups that are involved in civil society don't actually know they are part of it. It is easy for a community group quietly working tirelessly to change the lives of people in their square-mile to think of their work in isolation but they are part of the community we know as civil society - how do we let them know? How do we involve them and what is expected of them when they do?
What about our functioning civil society that has developed alongside the fledgling political institutions of Wales? Where next for them...us? And how do we give Welsh civil society the boost it needs to start emulating Scotland’s distinct and strong civil voice?
ERS Cymru, alongside the Bevan Foundation asked those very questions at the end of last year in an event held in the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay. We looked at where we are now but the main object was to draft recommendations for what needed to happen next.
We asked our 50 or so delegates to work in groups and come up with specific recommendations on how to improve civil society. The room as a whole then voted to back (or not) each group’s recommendations and that left us with a list of 11 recommendations:
The challenge we have is getting beyond that room. 50 people in Cardiff Bay should not be solely responsible for coming up with ideas of how to strengthen civil society across the whole of Wales. That’s why we need you to take a look, add your comments and own ideas and share this among your networks so they can do the same.
If we are going to ever address some of the fundamental challenges facing Welsh civil society then we need a wide conversation about how to do that within but crucially beyond Cardiff Bay.
A gathering of 450 people to talk about Welsh democracy and community empowerment seems a very long way off, but we can be taking steps to bridge the gap and strengthen our civil society for the benefit of all of the people it represents and supports.
Ai 2020 fydd y flwyddyn lle bydd mudiadau gwirfoddol yn cael mwy o sylw?
Mae mudiadau gwirfoddol yn rhan fawr o gymdeithas sifil, ochr yn ochr ag undebau llafur ac ysgolheigion. Mat Mathias o ERS Cymru sy’n bwrw golwg ar gymdeithas sifil yng Nghymru ac yn gofyn sut gallwn gynnwys mwy o fudiadau gwirfoddol wrth ei datblygu.
Yn 2018, gofynnodd cydweithwyr yng Nghymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol yr Alban i fi gadeirio panel mewn cynhadledd o’r enw Democracy 21. Fe'i datblygwyd o amgylch syniad go syml; y dylai fod gan bobl bŵer ar y cyd i wneud i bethau da ddigwydd drostynt eu hunain a'u cymunedau ac i ddefnyddio'r pŵer hwnnw i atal pethau drwg rhag digwydd.
Daeth dros 450 o bobl, gan gynnwys ysgolheigion a deddfwyr, ond ar y cyfan roedd yn ddigwyddiad a ddangosodd gryfder cymdeithas sifil yr Alban. Roedd yn llawn o grwpiau cymunedol, gweithredwyr, trefnwyr cymunedol, artistiaid a chrewyr a oedd yno i drafod yr heriau oedd yn wynebu democratiaeth.
Yn amlwg fe wnaeth i fi feddwl am gymdeithas sifil yng Nghymru. Ein heffaith? Ein rhan ni? A allem gymharu?
Yn hanesyddol efallai bod cymdeithas sifil weddol gydlynol wedi bod yn yr Alban gan fod ganddyn nhw sefydliadau cryfach hyd yn oed cyn i'w Senedd ailymgynnull yn 1999. Wrth gwrs, rydym wedi gweld cymdeithas sifil yng Nghymru hefyd. Os edrychwch chi ar grwpiau cymunedol gweithgar yn y blynyddoedd ar ôl y rhyfel hyd at yr wythdegau – sef cymdeithas sifil gref iawn - ond a fydden ni wir yn gallu ei galw'n gymdeithas sifil unigryw Gymreig?
Mae datganoli yn y ddwy wlad wedi datblygu eu priod gymdeithasau sifil ymhellach. Dywedwch beth y mynnoch ond mae ein sefydliadau nid yn unig yn agosach at y bobl maen nhw'n ceisio eu cynrychioli o ran pellter ond o ran cyfle i ddylanwadu.
Un o'r problemau yw bod nifer o'r grwpiau sy'n ymwneud â chymdeithas sifil ddim yn gwybod eu bod yn rhan ohoni. Mae'n hawdd i grŵp cymunedol sy'n gweithio'n ddiflino ac yn dawel newid bywydau pobl yn eu milltir sgwâr i feddwl am eu gwaith mewn ffordd ynysig, ond maen nhw'n rhan o'r gymuned rydyn ni'n ei hadnabod fel cymdeithas sifil - sut rydyn ni'n rhoi gwybod iddyn nhw? Sut rydyn ni'n eu cynnwys nhw a beth sy'n ddisgwyliedig ohonyn nhw pan maen nhw'n gwneud?
Beth am ein cymdeithas sifil weithredol sydd wedi datblygu ochr yn ochr â sefydliadau gwleidyddol newydd Cymru? Ble nesaf iddyn nhw ... ni? A sut rydyn ni'n rhoi'r hwb sydd ei angen ar gymdeithas sifil Cymru i ddechrau efelychu llais sifil cryf ac unigryw yr Alban?
Gofynnodd ERS Cymru, ochr yn ochr â Sefydliad Bevan, yr union gwestiynau hynny ddiwedd y llynedd mewn digwyddiad a gynhaliwyd yn y Pierhead ym Mae Caerdydd. Fe wnaethon ni edrych ar ble rydyn ni nawr ond y prif fwriad oedd drafftio argymhellion ar gyfer yr hyn oedd angen digwydd nesaf.
Gofynnwyd i tua 50 o gynrychiolwyr weithio mewn grwpiau i lunio argymhellion penodol ar sut i wella cymdeithas sifil. Yna pleidleisiodd yr ystafell gyfan i gefnogi (neu beidio) argymhellion pob grŵp ac arweiniodd hynny at restr o 11 argymhellion.
Yr her sydd gennym yw mynd y tu hwnt i'r ystafell honno. Nid 50 o bobl ym Mae Caerdydd ddylai fod yr unig rai sy’n gyfrifol am ddod o hyd i syniadau ar sut i gryfhau cymdeithas sifil ledled Cymru.
Dyna pam rydyn ni angen i chi fwrw golwg, ychwanegu eich sylwadau a'ch syniadau eich hunan a rhannu hyn ymhlith eich rhwydweithiau fel y gallan nhw wneud yr un peth.
Os ydym am fynd i'r afael â rhai o'r heriau sylfaenol sy'n wynebu cymdeithas sifil yng Nghymru, yna mae angen sgwrs eang arnom ynglŷn â sut i wneud hynny o fewn Bae Caerdydd, ond yn hollbwysig, y tu hwnt i Fae Caerdydd.
Mae dod â 450 o bobl at ei gilydd i siarad am ddemocratiaeth Cymru ac ymrymuso’r gymuned yn teimlo’n bell i ffwrdd, ond gallwn gymryd camau i bontio'r bwlch ac i gryfhau ein cymdeithas sifil er budd yr holl bobl mae'n eu cynrychioli a'u cefnogi.
‘Investing in Volunteers is really important for our sector’
Korina Tsioni is the WCVA Quality Mark Development Officer. Here she talks to BulliesOut about their recent renewal of the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) quality mark and why other organisations should get involved.
Am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
Established in May 2006, BulliesOut are one of the UK’s most dedicated and ambitious anti-bullying charities. Their award-winning work is delivered across the UK and each year, through their work with schools, colleges, youth and community settings, they provide education, training and support to thousands of young people.
Through their innovative, interactive workshops and training programmes, they use their experience, energy and passion to focus on awareness, prevention, building empathy and positive peer relationships all of which are crucial in creating a nurturing environment in which young people and staff can thrive.
BulliesOut have successfully achieved their third renewal and are growing stronger with their team of 20 volunteers, in a wide variety of posts! I spoke to their Founder/CEO, Linda James MBE about the organisation’s IiV journey:
What have been the overall benefits of achieving Investing in Volunteers?
At BulliesOut, through mentoring, engaging workshops and training programmes, we’re on a mission to deal with bullying. Achieving the Award shows how much we value our amazing volunteers and the important part they play within the charity.
We only have one part-time employee so without our team of committed volunteers we wouldn’t be able to deliver our vital services to those affected by bullying.
How would you describe any challenges of the Investing in Volunteers journey on your organisation?
The journey to Investing in Volunteers has had a relatively low impact on the organisation, although it did take quite some time for us to be able to arrange the final assessment day.
What impact has the Investing in Volunteers journey had on your volunteers?
Our volunteers have seen that our enthusiasm to achieve this award in the first place and then to continue to achieve it, is very important to us as an organisation and we are willing to invest in them as volunteers and what it takes to achieve the award.
Our volunteers have felt part of the journey and we hope they feel more valued as a result.
In your opinion, what is the importance of the Investing in Volunteers quality standard for your sector?
The quality standard of Investing in Volunteers is really important for organisations within our sector.
It demonstrates a clear and intrinsic value placed on the contribution volunteers can make to an organisation and in many cases shows how organisations would not exist or thrive without its volunteers.
BulliesOut are driven by their vision to empower and inspire children and young people to overcome bullying and achieve their full potential. Their mission is to support individuals, schools, youth and community settings affected by bullying.
Do you have any advice for other organisations on how to make the most out of their IiV journey?
Our advice to any other organisation considering the IiV journey would be to research the quality standard beforehand to ensure that when you do decide to take the journey you have given yourself the best possible opportunity to achieve the standard.
We’d really like to showcase innovative practice between achievers. Can you share one, or more, examples of good/ innovative practice now in place as a result of your IiV journey?
Our best example of good practice is to have great dialogue with any prospective volunteer at the beginning of their journey.
This ensures that their expectations are managed and also, should they go on to join the team, that they are fully aware of what will be required of them.
You have held Investing in Volunteers for years – a fantastic achievement. What have been the driving factors behind the decision to renew your Investing in Volunteers award?
We strongly believe that having made the effort to achieve the standard in the first place, it would be a backward step to not look at continuing to achieve the standard.
We also believe re-achieving the award highlights our commitment to our fantastic team of volunteers. It also enables us to review our policies and procedures and to keep everything regularly updated.
We’d like to know about any creative initiatives involving volunteers that have had a significant impact on tackling a problem/issue in your local community?
Our most creative initiative involving volunteers is our Youth Engagement programme which provides an opportunity for young people to volunteer with the Charity.
This was developed after numerous requests from young people who wanted to get involved in the work that we do. It also provides them with an opportunity to receive skills-based training and to work towards a nationally recognised award.
Find out more about Bullies Out and get involved.
Find out more about Investing in Volunteers and get in contact with Korina at [email protected] or @korinations any questions and/or ideas.
‘Mae Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn bwysig iawn i’n sector’
Korina Tsioni yw Swyddog Datblygu Nod Ansawdd CGGC. Yma, mae hi’n siarad â BulliesOut ar ôl iddyn nhw adnewyddu’r nod ansawdd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr (IiV) yn ddiweddar, a pham dylai sefydliadau eraill gymryd rhan.
Sefydlwyd BulliesOut ym mis Mai 2006, ac mae’n un o elusennau gwrth-fwlio mwyaf ymroddedig ac uchelgeisiol y DU. Mae eu gwaith sydd wedi ennill gwobrau yn cael ei ddarparu ledled y DU, ac wrth weithio gydag ysgolion, colegau a lleoliadau ieuenctid a chymunedol, maent yn addysgu, hyfforddi a chefnogi miloedd o bobl ifanc bob blwyddyn.
Mae BulliesOut yn defnyddio eu profiad, eu hegni a’u brwdfrydedd yn eu gweithdai a’u rhaglen hyfforddiant arloesol a rhyngweithiol i ganolbwyntio ar ymwybyddiaeth, atal, meithrin empathi a pherthnasau cadarnhaol â chyfoedion. Mae’r rhain i gyd yn hanfodol i greu amgylchedd anogol lle gall pobl ifanc a staff ffynnu.
Mae BulliesOut wedi llwyddo i adnewyddu’r wobr am y trydydd gwaith ac maen nhw’n tyfu’n gryfach gyda’u tîm o 20 o wirfoddolwyr mewn amrywiaeth o swyddi. Siaradais â Linda James MBE, Sylfaenydd/Prif Swyddog Gweithredol BulliesOut, am daith Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr (liV) y sefydliad:
Beth fu manteision cyffredinol cyflawni’r wobr Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Yn BulliesOut, drwy wasanaethau mentora, gweithdai ymgysylltu a rhaglenni hyfforddiant, rydyn ni’n benderfynol o fynd i’r afael â bwlio. Mae cyflawni’r wobr yn dangos faint rydyn ni’n gwerthfawrogi ein gwirfoddolwyr gwych a’r rhan bwysig maen nhw’n ei chwarae yn yr elusen.’
‘Dim ond un gweithiwr rhan-amser sydd gennym, felly heb ein tîm o wirfoddolwyr ymrwymedig, ni fyddem yn gallu darparu ein gwasanaethau hanfodol i’r rheini sydd wedi’u heffeithio gan fwlio.’
Sut byddech chi’n disgrifio unrhyw heriau a wyneboch ar y daith Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Nid yw’r daith Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr golygu llawer o waith ychwanegol i’r sefydliad, ond fe gymerodd amser i ni allu trefnu'r diwrnod asesu olaf.’
Sut mae’r rhaglen Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr wedi effeithio ar eich gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Mae ein gwirfoddolwyr wedi gweld bod ein brwdfrydedd i gyflawni’r wobr am y tro gyntaf ac yna i ddal ati i’w chyflawni’n bwysig iawn i ni fel sefydliad, ac rydyn ni’n awyddus i fuddsoddi yn y gwirfoddolwyr ac yn yr hyn mae’n ei gymryd i gyflawni’r wobr.’
‘Mae ein gwirfoddolwyr wedi teimlo’n rhan o’r daith ac rydyn ni’n gobeithio eu bod nhw’n teimlo eu bod yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi o ganlyniad i hynny.
Yn eich barn chi, pa mor bwysig yw’r safon ansawdd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr i’ch sector?
‘Mae safon ansawdd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn bwysig iawn i’r sefydliadau yn ein sector.’
‘Mae’n arddangos y gwerth clir a chynhenid sy’n cael ei roi ar y cyfraniadau y gall gwirfoddolwyr eu gwneud at sefydliad, ac mewn nifer o achosion, mae’n dangos sut na fyddai sefydliadau yn bodoli nac yn ffynnu heb eu gwirfoddolwyr.’
Yr hyn sy’n cymell BulliesOut yw eu gweledigaeth i rymuso ac ysbrydoli plant a phobl ifanc i oresgyn bwlio a chyflawni eu llawn potensial. Eu nod yw cefnogi unigolion, ysgolion a lleoliadau ieuenctid a chymunedol sydd wedi delio â bwlio.
Oes gennych chi unrhyw gyngor i sefydliadau eraill am sut i wneud y mwyaf o’u taith Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Ein cyngor i unrhyw sefydliad arall sy’n ystyried Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr fyddai ymchwilio i’r safon ansawdd ymlaen llaw i wneud yn siŵr pan fyddwch chi’n penderfynu ymgymryd â'r daith, eich bod chi wedi rhoi’r cyfle gorau posib i chi’ch hun gyflawni'r safon.’
Byddai’n dda rhoi sylw i unrhyw arferion arloesol ymysg y sefydliadau sydd wedi cyflawni’r wobr. Gallwch chi rannu un neu fwy o enghreifftiau o arferion da/arloesol sydd ar waith nawr o ganlyniad i’ch taith Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Ein henghraifft gorau o arfer da yw cyfathrebu’n dda ag unrhyw ddarpar wirfoddolwyr ar ddechrau eu taith.’
‘Mae hyn yn gwneud yn siŵr bod eu disgwyliadau yn cael eu rheoli a’u bod nhw’n llwyr ymwybodol o’r hyn y disgwylir iddyn nhw ei wneud os byddan nhw’n penderfynu ymuno â’r tîm.’
Rydych chi wedi cael yr achrediad Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr ers blynyddoedd – sy’n ymdrech arbennig. Pam benderfynoch chi adnewyddu eich gwobr Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr?
‘Rydyn ni'n credu’n gryf y byddai peidio ag ystyried dal ati i gyflawni’r safon yn gam yn ôl ar ôl ymdrechu i gyflawni’r safon yn y lle gyntaf.’
‘Hefyd, rydyn ni’n credu bod ail-gyflawni’r wobr yn dangos ein hymrwymiad i’n tîm arbennig o wirfoddolwyr. Mae’r wobr yn ein galluogi ni i adolygu ein polisïau a’n gweithdrefnau ac i ddiweddaru popeth yn rheolaidd.’
Hoffem wybod pa fentrau creadigol gyda gwirfoddolwyr sydd wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar fynd i’r afael â phroblem/mater yn eich cymuned leol.
‘Ein menter fwyaf creadigol gyda gwirfoddolwyr yw’r Rhaglen Ymgysylltu ag Ieuenctid sy’n rhoi’r cyfle i bobl ifanc wirfoddoli gyda’r Elusen.’
‘Cafodd y rhaglen ei datblygu ar ôl sawl cais gan bobl ifanc a oedd eisiau cymryd rhan yn ein gwaith. Mae’n rhoi’r cyfle i bobl ifanc gael hyfforddiant seiliedig ar sgiliau ac i weithio at wobr sy’n cael ei chydnabod ar lefel genedlaethol.’
Cliciwch yma os hoffech ragor o wybodaeth am BulliesOut a chymryd rhan! https://bulliesout.com/get-involved/
Dysgu mwy am Fuddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr a chysylltu â Korina yn [email protected] neu @korinations os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau a/neu syniadau.
Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector – What Matters?
Following the launch of the new Wales Safeguarding Procedures in November, WCVA’s Safeguarding Officer, Suzanne Mollison, asked some colleagues to share their thoughts on voluntary sector safeguarding.
Am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
The new Wales Safeguarding Procedures were launched in November. The new Procedures build on the guidance laid out by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and aim to help anyone working with adults or children – paid or unpaid, across all sectors.
The main function of the new procedures is that they give clarity about what is expected of you when it comes to Safeguarding. For example, there are not only pointers for best practise but also specific timescales for certain tasks and when they are to be completed.
Related link: Find out more about the new safeguarding procedures in our upcoming webinar.
I asked some of my voluntary sector colleagues what they think is the most important thing that a voluntary sector organisation should do to safeguard their beneficiaries, their volunteers, and/or their staff and trustees, as we move into 2020.
‘Volunteering should be fun, but also safe’
Ann Woods is the Chief Officer and Safeguarding Lead for Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) having worked for 15 years within Third Sector Family Support Services.
She says ‘I think, that we as Third Sector organisations delivering Public Services should ensure that:
the wellbeing of our service users is of paramount importance – protecting the rights and interests of service users and carers;
our volunteers are recruited, trained and supported to be able to deal with the challenges that delivering public services (and life in general!) bring – volunteering should be fun, but also safe!
our staff and trustees have the knowledge, skills and support to safeguard everyone linked to our organisation from harm - putting good policy into good practice, minimising risk.
It is also vitally important for all of us to seek support (for ourselves and our organisation) if we are unsure about any aspect of Safeguarding. Your local CVC (supported by WCVA’S Safeguarding Service) can help.
All County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) can be found here: Third Sector Support Wales
‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’
Carl Harris is Senior Training and Development Consultant (Wales) / Uwch Ymgynghorydd Hyfforddiant a Datblygiad (Cymru) for the NSPCC.
He also considered the same question. Carl says that voluntary sector organisation should be safeguarding by:
(For Beneficiaries) Ensure beneficiaries have a voice and that this ‘voice’ is listened to;
(For Volunteers) Volunteers must receive a proper and timely induction including necessary safeguarding training and an awareness of the organisations policy and procedure for what to do if they have concerns for the welfare of a child or adult at risk;
(For Staff and trustees) Make sure that all staff and trustees are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities, as ‘safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’.
This is a message that the NSPCC have been conveying for some-time now. Thank you, Carl, for the reminder.
So, the overall message is that safeguarding is a team effort and a shared responsibility.
We can all make our contribution and a difference, to help keep people safe from the risk of abuse, neglect and harm.
No one person should, and no one organisation can, do it alone. Please make use of the various opportunities for help and support mentioned above.
Suzanne Mollison is Safeguarding Officer at WCVA. For Information and Support around Safeguarding, please visit the safeguarding webpages or call 0300 111 0124 (option 6)
Diogelu yn y Sector Gwirfoddol – Beth Sy’n Bwysig?
Yn dilyn lansio fersiwn newydd o Drefniadau Diogelu Cymru ym mis Tachwedd, gofynnodd Suzanne Mollison, Swyddog Diogelu CGGC i rai o’i chydweithwyr rannu eu syniadau ynglŷn â diogelu yn y sector gwirfoddol.
Lansiwyd fersiwn newydd o Drefniadau Diogelu Cymru ym mis Tachwedd. Mae’r Trefniadau newydd yn adeiladu ar y canllawiau a osodwyd yn Neddf Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Llesiant ( Cymru) 2014 gyda’r nod o fod o gymorth i unrhyw un sy’n gweithio gyda phlant neu oedolion – p’un a yw’n waith â thâl neu’n waith di-dâl, ym mhob sector.
Prif swyddogaeth y trefniadau newydd yw egluro’n union yr hyn a ddisgwylir o’r unigolyn mewn perthynas â Diogelu. Er enghraifft, ceir ynddynt nid yn unig awgrymiadau ar gyfer arfer da ond hefyd amserlenni penodol ar gyfer tasgau penodol a phryd y dylid eu cwblhau.
Dolen perthnasol: Dysgwch mwy am y gweithdrefnau diogelu newydd yn ein gweminar sy’n dod diwedd y mis
Gofynnais i rai o’m cydweithwyr yn y sector gwirfoddol beth, yn eu barn nhw, yw’r peth pwysicaf y dylai sefydliad yn y sector gwirfoddol ei wneud i ddiogelu eu buddiolwyr, y gwirfoddolwyr, a/ neu eu staff ac ymddiriedolwyr, wrth i ni symud ymlaen i 2020.
‘Dylai gwirfoddoli fod yn hwyl, ond hefyd yn ddiogel’
Ann Woods yw Prif Swyddog ac Arweinydd Diogelu Cyngor Gwirfoddol Lleol Sir y Fflint ac mae wedi gweithio am 15 mlynedd o fewn Gwasanaethau Cefnogi Teuluoedd y Trydydd Sector.
Dywed: “Fel sefydliadau yn y Trydydd Sector sy’n darparu Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus, credaf y dylem sicrhau:
mai llesiant ein defnyddwyr sy’n hollbwysig – dylem amddiffyn hawliau a buddiannau defnyddwyr a gofalwyr;
bod ein gwirfoddolwyr yn cael eu recriwtio, eu hyfforddi a’u cefnogi er mwyn gallu ymdopi â’r heriau sy’n dod yn sgil darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus – dylai gwirfoddoli fod yn hwyl ond hefyd yn ddiogel!
bod gan ein staff yr wybodaeth, y sgiliau a’r gefnogaeth i ddiogelu unrhyw un sy’n gysylltiedig â’n sefydliad rhag niwed, gan leihau’r risg drwy ddefnyddio arferion da sy’n seiliedig ar bolisïau da.
Os oes unrhyw ansicrwydd ynglŷn ag unrhyw agwedd ar Ddiogelu, mae’n hanfodol i ni i gyd geisio cael cefnogaeth ( i ni’n hunain a’n cymdeithas). Gallwch gael cymorth gan eich Cyngor Gwirfoddol Sirol (a gefnogir gan Wasanaeth Diogelu CGGC).
Gallwch ddod o hyd i bob Cyngor Gwirfoddol Sirol yma:
Cefnogi Trydydd Sector Cymru
‘Mae pawb yn gyfrifol am Ddiogelu’
Carl Harris yw Uwch Ymgynghorydd Hyfforddiant a Datblygiad (Cymru) yr NSPCC.
Mae hefyd wedi ystyried y cwestiwn hwn. Dywed Carl y dylai sefydliad o fewn y sector gwirfoddol ddiogelu drwy:
(Ar gyfer Buddiolwyr) Sicrhau bod gan fuddiolwyr lais sy’n cael ei glywed
(Ar gyfer Gwirfoddolwyr) Mae’n hanfodol i wirfoddolwyr gael cwrs sefydlu amserol ac addas sy’n cynnwys hyfforddiant diogelu angenrheidiol ac ymwybyddiaeth o bolisi a gweithdrefnau’r sefydliad o ran yr hyn i’w wneud os cyfyd unrhyw bryderon ynglŷn â lles unrhyw blentyn neu oedolyn
(Ar gyfer Staff ac ymddiredolwyr) Sicrhau bod pob aelod o staff a phob ymddiriedolwr yn ymwybodol o’u cyfrifoldebau diogelu gan fod ‘diogelu yn gyfrifoldeb i bawb’
Mae’r NSPCC wedi bod yn lledaenu’r neges hon ers tro bellach. Diolch, Carl, am ein hatgoffa.
Felly y neges sylfaenol yw bod diogelu yn golygu ymdrech fel tîm a chydgyfrifoldeb.
Gallwn i gyd gyfrannu a gwneud gwahaniaeth er mwyn diogelu pawb a lleihau’r risg o gam-drin, niwed ac esgeulustod.
Ni ddylai un person, ac ni all un sefydliad, wneud hyn ar ei ben ei hun. Cofiwch fanteisio ar y cyfleoedd amrywiol i gael cymorth a chefnogaeth y cyfeiriwyd atynt uchod.
Mae Suzanne Mollison yn Swyddog Diogelu gyda CGGC. Am Wybodaeth a Chefnogaeth ynglŷn â Diogelu edrychwch ar y tudalennau gwe ar ddiogelu neu ffoniwch 0300 111 0124 (opsiwn 6).
People, purpose, projects: NewLink Wales re-awarded Investing In Volunteers mark for the Fifth Time
For the fifth time running, NewLink Wales has received the WCVA Investing in Volunteers mark, having been the first organisation in Wales to receive the Award in 2005. Here’s NewLink’s Laurence Shanahan to explain more.
Am ddarllen hon yn Gymraeg?
The Award recognises our ongoing commitment to the people we work with across our projects, and helps demonstrate our determination to keep innovating, to uphold high standards, and to do what we do better than ever before.
Making it about people
‘The most important part of running our projects is having a clear understanding of everyone who’s there,’ explains Mel, the coordinator for our MILE programme, which prepares people in recovery from wellbeing challenges for volunteering and employment in the wellbeing sector. ‘There’s no one-size-fits all approach; you have to work to the skills and strengths of each volunteer.’
This focus on individual strengths, needs and abilities is the core of how we work, as is complete honesty and openness with our project members. Our assessment process allows us to place people in the projects that are going to work best for them at their current stage of recovery. This means that if individuals aren’t ready for the project they were hoping to access, we can still include them in work that will move them forward.
‘This way of working means that we can always offer people opportunities that are achievable, and suited to them as people,’ explains Erwan, coordinator of the NewSteps project, which operates as a starting point for people early in their recovery journey. ‘It’s a big part of building their confidence and self-belief, and that’s absolutely essential for their growth.’
Another key of this self-belief element is agency – giving people control over their wellbeing, and over the projects and services that they’re part of. This is something we’ve really focused on over the last year, most notably with our Voices and Choices Group and our Buzzin Buddies programme.
Buzzin Buddies gives volunteers and members from across our projects the opportunity to have a hand in running our Buzzin beekeeping project, and in bringing other members on board. Voices and Choices is a project member group that gives feedback on projects from the point of view of those involved in them, helping shape those projects and also influencing our overall approach. Both groups are a hugely valuable resource and help make sure that that our projects are always working for the people they’re there for.
What does the Investing in Volunteering Mark mean for us?
The Investing in Volunteers mark forms part of the reputation and identity of our services, and also helps show partner agencies that we’re actively working to ensure the quality of our projects. For our external placement volunteers who seek employment in the wellbeing sector, it also shows that their training and preparation are of a high standard, and helps add to the sense of pride they feel in having completed our programmes.
It’s also important for providing a core set of benchmarks on which to base the future growth of our projects; a baseline to aim for and maintain.
‘For us, achieving the investing in volunteers award is our way of showing how much we value the importance of volunteering and recognise the worth of volunteers in our charity and across the sector’ says former CEO John Lowes. ‘Remarkable people give their time freely to help support great causes, and a good volunteering experience can really make such a difference for both organisations and the volunteers themselves.
Ensuring the best volunteering standards, through Investing in Volunteers, is one of the ways we can say ‘thank you’, and commit to facilitating the most worthwhile opportunities.’
What’s next for our projects?
NewLink Wales has recently become part of Platfform, the charity for mental health and social change. Adding our projects to Platfform’s own extensive range allows us to be part of an even stronger team, and a greater force for wellbeing and making change.
NOTES:
Platfform is the mental health and social change charity. Platfform works with people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health, and with communities who want to create a greater sense of connection, ownership and wellbeing in the places that they live. www.platfform.org
NewLink Wales is a wellbeing charity that works with anyone affected by, or at risk of, behaviours that are harmful to health and wellbeing. The charity’s mission is to help build sustainable, long-term positive change for individuals and communities. www.newlinkwales.org.uk
For more information please contact Communications Officer for NewLink Wales, Laurence Shanahan on [email protected] or 029 20 529 002
Pobl, pwrpas, prosiectau: NewLink Cymru yn ail-ennill nod Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr am y Pumed Tro
Am y pumed tro'n olynol, mae NewLink Cymru wedi derbyn nod Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr gan CGGC, ar ôl bod y sefydliad cyntaf yng Nghymru i dderbyn y Dyfarniad yn 2005. Dyma Laurence Shanahan o Newlink i esbonio mwy.
Mae'r Dyfarniad yn cydnabod ein hymrwymiad parhaus i'r bobl rydyn ni'n gweithio gyda nhw ar draws ein prosiectau, ac yn helpu i ddangos ein penderfyniad i barhau i arloesi, i gynnal safonau uchel, ac i wneud yr hyn a wnawn yn well nag erioed o'r blaen.
Y bobl sy'n bwysig
'Rhan bwysicaf rhedeg ein prosiectau yw bod â dealltwriaeth glir o bawb sydd yno,' eglura Mel, cydlynydd ein rhaglen Mentora â Dysgu ac Addysg, sy'n paratoi pobl sy'n adfer ar ôl heriau lles ar gyfer gwirfoddoli a gweithio yn y sector lles. 'Does dim un dull sy'n addas i bawb; mae'n rhaid i chi weithio yn ôl sgiliau a chryfderau pob gwirfoddolwr. '
Canolbwyntio ar gryfderau, anghenion a galluoedd unigol sydd wrth wraidd y ffordd rydyn ni'n gweithio, yn ogystal â gonestrwydd llwyr a bod yn agored gydag aelodau ein prosiect. Mae ein proses asesu yn caniatáu i ni leoli pobl yn y prosiectau sy'n mynd i weithio orau iddynt yn ystod eu cam presennol o adfer. Mae hyn yn golygu os nad yw unigolion yn barod ar gyfer y prosiect roedden nhw'n gobeithio cyfrannu ato, gallwn eu cynnwys mewn gwaith a fydd yn eu helpu i gymryd cam ymlaen.
'Mae defnyddio'r ffordd hon o weithio yn golygu y gallwn bob amser gynnig cyfleoedd i bobl sy'n rhai cyraeddadwy, ac sy'n addas ar eu cyfer nhw fel pobl,' esbonia Erwan, cydlynydd y prosiect NewSteps, sy'n fan cychwyn i bobl sy'n dechrau eu taith adfer. 'Mae'n rhan fawr o feithrin eu hyder a'u hunan-gred, ac mae hynny'n gwbl hanfodol i'w twf.'
Allwedd arall i'r elfen hunan-gred hon yw gallu pobl i reoli eu lles eu hunain a'r prosiectau a'r gwasanaethau maen nhw'n rhan ohonyn nhw. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth rydyn ni wedi canolbwyntio arno yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, yn enwedig gyda'n Grŵp Llais a Dewis a'n rhaglen Buzzin Buddies.
Mae Buzzin Buddies yn rhoi cyfle i wirfoddolwyr ac aelodau eraill o'n prosiectau gynorthwyo â'r gwaith o redeg ein prosiect cadw gwenyn, Buzzin, ac i annog aelodau eraill i helpu hefyd. Grŵp o aelodau prosiect yw Llais a Dewis sy'n rhoi adborth ar brosiectau o safbwynt y rhai sy'n gysylltiedig â nhw, gan helpu i ddatblygu'r prosiectau hynny a dylanwadu ar ein dull cyffredinol o weithredu. Mae'r ddau grŵp yn adnodd hynod werthfawr ac yn helpu i sicrhau bod ein prosiectau yn gweithio ar gyfer y bobl y dylen nhw fod bob amser.
Beth mae'r nod Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn ei olygu i ni?
Mae'r nod Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn ffurfio rhan o enw da a hunaniaeth ein gwasanaethau, ac mae hefyd yn helpu i ddangos i asiantaethau partner ein bod yn gweithio'n galed i sicrhau ansawdd ein prosiectau. Ar gyfer ein gwirfoddolwyr lleoliadau allanol sy'n chwilio am waith yn y sector lles, mae hefyd yn dangos eu bod wedi'u hyfforddi a'u paratoi i safon uchel, ac mae'n helpu i ychwanegu at yr ymdeimlad o falchder maent yn ei deimlo ar ôl cwblhau ein rhaglenni.
Mae hefyd yn bwysig i ddarparu set graidd o feincnodau fel sail i dwf ein prosiectau yn y dyfodol; gwaelodlin i anelu ati ac i'w chynnal.
'I ni, cyflawni'r nod Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yw ein ffordd o ddangos faint rydyn ni'n gwerthfawrogi pwysigrwydd gwirfoddoli a chydnabod gwerth gwirfoddolwyr yn ein helusen ac ar draws y sector' meddai'r cyn-Brif Weithredwr John Lowes. 'Mae pobl anhygoel yn rhoi o'u hamser i helpu i gefnogi achosion da, a gall profiad gwirfoddoli da wneud cymaint o wahaniaeth i'r sefydliadau a'r gwirfoddolwyr eu hunain.
Sicrhau'r safonau gwirfoddoli gorau, drwy Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr, yw un o'r ffyrdd y gallwn ddweud 'diolch' ac ymrwymo i hwyluso'r cyfleoedd mwyaf gwerth chweil.'
Beth sydd nesaf ar gyfer ein prosiectau?
Yn ddiweddar, mae NewLink Cymru wedi dod yn rhan o Platfform, yr elusen dros iechyd meddwl a newid cymdeithasol. Mae ychwanegu ein prosiectau at ystod eang o brosiectau Platfform yn ein galluogi i fod yn rhan o dîm sydd hyd yn oed yn gryfach, a chael mwy o rym dros les a sicrhau newid.
NODIADAU:
Yr elusen dros iechyd meddwl a newid cymdeithasol yw Platfform. Mae Platfform yn gweithio gyda phobl sy'n wynebu heriau gyda'u hiechyd meddwl, ac yn gweithio gyda chymunedau sydd am greu gwell cysylltiadau, perchenogaeth a lles yn y llefydd maen nhw'n byw. www.platfform.org
Mae NewLink Cymru yn elusen lles sy'n gweithio gydag unrhyw un yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan ymddygiad sy'n niweidiol i iechyd a lles, neu sydd mewn perygl o hynny. Cenhadaeth yr elusen yw helpu i adeiladu newid cadarnhaol a chynaliadwy hirdymor ar gyfer unigolion a chymunedau. www.newlinkwales.org.uk
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Swyddog Cyfathrebu NewLink Cymru, Laurence Shanahan: [email protected] neu 029 20 529 002
Don’t do your Christmas shopping this year without checking this list with a difference from Simon Dowling, Marketing and Communications Officer at WCVA.
Ydych chi am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
The festive period is upon us and with the average household in the UK spending an extra £800 in the month of December (according to the Bank of England), our spending habits at this time year have a big impact.
Not only are we spending more this time of year, with all the packaging and delivery miles from online Christmas shopping there’s also a significant effect on the environment.
If, like me, you don’t want to feel like buying all those gifts and supplies this Christmas is doing more harm than good, then this collection of Welsh gifts that keep on giving is for you!
Support people to make a difference by buying social this Christmas
The gifts and shopping suggestions below aren’t only helping the local economy, they are directly supporting charities and social enterprises in Wales tackling a range of issues.
1. Luxury toiletries and gifts from Myddfai Trading Co
Myddfai Trading Company Limited is a social enterprise with a mission to provide employment and volunteering opportunities within the local community in Carmarthenshire. Their ‘innovative, environmentally friendly and original’ products include home fragrances, soaps, shower gels, shampoo and conditioner, hand wash, hand and body lotion, bath bombs and a spa range, also available in a range of Christmas gift sets.
Sales from the online shop and trade are used for rural regeneration within the surrounding area including working closely with the Coastal Project and Colleg Elidyr in nearby Rhandirmwyn to provide work experience for adults with learning difficulties.
2. Christmas decorations and presents for your canine friends
Hope Rescue is a small independent dog welfare charity in South Wales which has been going from strength to strength. Their online shop has a selection of handmade decorations and gifts for your dog including festive bunting, Christmas doggy treat cones, and a selection of adorable dog accessories.
You can also buy a Hope Rescue calendar with delightful photos of the dogs that have been rescued by Hope. Proceeds help Hope to rescue dogs in need in South Wales and provide canine respite schemes which support owners in crisis (such as domestic abuse, homelessness or hospitalisation) to keep their pets.
3. Hand made candles from Beacons Creative
Beacons Creative is a unique social firm producing candles and related products whilst providing employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties and those furthest from the labour market.
Based in the Brecon Beacons, the social enterprise sells a range of wax based products, such as beautiful candles and luxury pine cone fire lighters, and natural soaps, and they use recycled materials whenever possible. Visit the Beacons Creative website to buy online or if you’re in Brecon why not visit Gegin Fach, Beacons’ barista café and deli serving a variety of delicious meals and drinks, or buy directly from the Beacons Whole Foods shop.
4. Hat and scarf kits to ‘knit homelessness in the bud’
Returning for a third year with their successful ‘One Knit Wonder’ Christmas campaign, Welsh homelessness and rough sleeping charity The Wallich have once more teamed up with John Lewis to ‘knit homelessness in the bud’.
This year, in addition to a woolly hat, One Knit Wonder is available as a special edition scarf. Selling for £13.50 and £15.50 respectively at John Lewis & Partners Cardiff, the knit kit contains everything you need to knit a beanie hat or scarf from scratch.
Once their hat or scarf is complete, knitters have the choice of wearing their creation, gifting it or going out and giving it to a person in need (and the kit itself makes a great gift suitable for knitting beginners).
5. Zero waste shopping in Barry
Awesome Wales is the Vale’s first zero waste shop, right in the heart of Barry. The social enterprise operates a zero waste store and coffee shop with the aim of helping shoppers to protect the environment, save money and eat more healthily, all while doing the weekly shop.
Awesome is a plastic free shopping experience, no unnecessary plastic packaging, no plastic straws or coffee cup lids, and ‘definitely no plastic carrier bags!’ The shop offers products that are environmentally friendly and ethically produced. If you’re in the vicinity, why not head to the shop for your Christmas essentials, or you can buy re-usable cups, wooden toys and membership to Club Awesome from their online shop.
Profits go back into the company to help deliver its social aims and are also invested in local community groups and activities, allowing more people to get involved and decreasing social isolation.
Vision 21’s seasonal gifts – all made by their trainees!
6. Seasonal gifts from Vision 21
Vision 21 is a social enterprise that offers ‘realistic work based training opportunities for people with learning needs’. All Vision 21 products are made with the full involvement of trainees and all proceeds are fed directly back into the charity.
As well as seasonal gifts Vision 21 also sells bespoke woodwork products, ceramics and gift cards, plus plants, herbs and vegetables. The Vision Made shop is on Albany Road in Cardiff, visit the Vision 21 website for more information on their other products.
7. Luxury wash products made in Wales
Good Wash are a Welsh social enterprise donating their profits to local projects that improve the lives of animals and people. The Good Wash website stocks a number of high-end luxury wash products such as Siampŵ da shampoo bars, body lotion, shower products and gifts sets (and even a ‘Woof wash’ for your dog!), sourced from only the very finest natural ingredients that are cruelty free.
Profits from Good Wash support charities, groups or individuals to deliver projects that do things like; help the homeless find homes, and improve their life prospects; help those facing poverty or social exclusion find employment, training or volunteer opportunities; improve animal welfare; provide innovative health and wellbeing solutions, that are accessible to all; promote hygiene, and give access to clean water and sanitation; and protect and improve life on land and below sea.
Good Wash products are available in a number of stores throughout Wales and online.
8. Gift someone a visit to the ‘Wonder of Wales’
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a charity dedicated to the research and conservation of biodiversity, to sustainability, lifelong learning and the enjoyment of visitors.
The garden is the most visited in Wales and there are lots of things to see and do beyond the beautiful gardens including a range of activities and the British Bird of Prey Centre.
You can purchase gift tickets to the gardens or gift vouchers (which can used at the cafes, restaurant or shop) or a combination of the two. Information about how to buy these is on the National Botanic Garden of Wales website.
Looking for more ideas for #PresentsWithPurpose?
This year the brilliant folks at Social Enterprise UK have produced a #PresentsWithPurpose Gift Guide, an entire magazine full of Christmas gift ideas from Social Enterprises in the UK. Browse this handy guide online at socialenterprise.org.uk/campaigns/christmas.
Who did we miss? Know a socially conscious Welsh gift that didn’t make the list? Let us know! Please email [email protected].
Are you involved in a social enterprise? WCVA funds Social Enterprises through our Social Investment Cymru team, please get in touch to find out more.
Peidiwch â gwneud eich siopa Nadolig eleni heb fwrw golwg dros y rhestr yma o bethau ychydig yn wahanol gan Simon Dowling, Swyddog Marchnata a Chyfathrebu Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru.
Mae hwyl yr ŵyl ar fin dechrau, a gyda phob cartref yng ngwledydd Prydain yn gwario £800 yn fwy ar gyfartaledd yn ystod mis Rhagfyr (yn ôl Banc Lloegr), mae arferion gwario pob un ohonon ni yn ystod yr amser yma o’r flwyddyn yn cael effaith fawr.
Nid yn unig rydyn ni’n gwario mwy – gyda’r holl becynnu a’r milltiroedd cludo oherwydd siopa ar-lein, mae effaith fawr ar yr amgylchedd hefyd.
Os ydych chithau’n teimlo, fel finnau, y byddai’n braf gallu prynu anrhegion a nwyddau Nadolig heb wneud mwy o ddrwg nag o les, dyma restr arbennig i chi o anrhegion o Gymru sy’n dal i roi!
Cefnogwch bobl i wneud gwahaniaeth drwy brynu’n gymdeithasol gyfrifol y Nadolig yma
Mae’r awgrymiadau isod ar gyfer anrhegion a nwyddau Nadolig yn helpu’r economi leol, ond hefyd yn cefnogi elusennau a mentrau cymdeithasol ledled y wlad sy’n mynd i’r afael â gwahanol broblemau.
1. Luxury toiletries and gifts from Myddfai Trading Co
Menter gymdeithasol yw Myddfai Trading Company Limited sy’n darparu cyflogaeth a chyfleoedd gwirfoddoli yn y gymuned leol yn Sir Gâr. Mae eu cynhyrchion ‘arloesol, ecogyfeillgar a gwreiddiol’ yn cynnwys persawr cartref, sebon, jel cawod, siampŵ a sebon llyfnu, hylif golchi dwylo, hylif golchi’r corff, bomiau bath a chynhyrchion sba, sydd hefyd ar gael mewn setiau anrheg Nadoligaidd.
Defnyddir yr incwm gwerthu o’r siop arlein a masnach i adfywio cefn gwlad yn lleol gan gynnwys gweithio’n agos gyda Phrosiect yr Arfordir a Choleg Elidyr yn Rhandirmwyn i roi profiad gwaith i oedolion ag anawsterau dysgu.
2. Anrhegion ac addurniadau Nadolig ar gyfer y cŵn yn eich bywyd
Elusen fach annibynnol yn y de-ddwyrain sy’n canolbwyntio ar les cŵn yw Hope Rescue, ac maen nhw’n mynd o nerth i nerth. Mae eu siop ar-lein yn cynnig pob math o anrhegion ac addurniadau wedi’u gwneud â llaw ar gyfer eich ci, gan gynnwys rhubanau tymhorol, conau Nadoligaidd blasus, a dewis hyfryd o ategolion i gŵn.
Gallwch hefyd brynu calendr Hope Rescue sy’n cynnwys lluniau o’r cŵn annwyl sydd wedi’u hachub gan yr elusen. Mae’r elw yn helpu Hope i achub cŵn mewn angen ar draws y de-ddwyrain ac yn cynnig cynllun seibiant ar gyfer cŵn i gefnogi perchnogion mewn argyfwng (e.e. perchnogion sy’n wynebu cam-drin domestig, digartrefedd neu gyfnod yn yr ysbyty) i allu cadw eu cŵn anwes.
3. Canhwyllau o waith llaw gan Beacons Creative
Mae Beacons Creative yn gwmni cymdeithasol unigryw sy’n cynhyrchu canhwyllau a chynhyrchion cysylltiedig wrth roi cyfleoedd gwaith i bobl ag anawsterau dysgu a’r rheini sydd bellaf o’r farchnad lafur.
Mae’r fenter gymdeithasol ym Mannau Brycheiniog yn gwerthu llu o gynhyrchion cwyr megis canhwyllau hyfryd a thanwyr moch coed moethus, ac mae’n defnyddio deunyddiau sydd wedi’u hailgylchu pryd bynnag bosib. Ewch ar wefan Beacons Creative i brynu ar-lein, neu os byddwch chi yn Aberhonddu, beth am alw heibio’r Gegin Fach, sef caffi barista a deli cwmni Beacons sy’n gweini amrywiaeth o ddiodydd a phrydau blasus, neu prynwch yn uniongyrchol o siop Bwydydd Cyflawn Beacons.
4. Pecynnau het a sgarff i atal digartrefedd rhag ‘gwau-thygu’
Ar ôl dau Nadolig llwyddiannus o gynnal ymgyrch ‘One Knit Wonder’, mae’r elusen digartrefedd a chysgu ar y stryd The Wallich have once more teamed up with John Lewis to ‘knit homelessness in the bud’.
Eleni, yn ogystal â het wlanog, mae’r One Knit Wonder ar gael fel sgarff am gyfnod penodol. Mae’r pecynnau gwau yn cynnwys popeth sydd ei angen arnoch i wau eich het wlân neu’ch sgarff eich hunan, ac maen nhw ar gael am £13.50 neu £15.50 o siop John Lewis a'i Bartneriaid Caerdydd.
Ar ôl gorffen eu het neu sgarff, bydd dewis gan y gwëwr – gwisgo’r dillad eu hunain, ei roi’n anrheg i rywun, neu fynd allan a’i roi i rywun mewn angen (ac mae’r pecyn yn anrheg gwych i rywun sy’n dechrau gwau am y tro cyntaf).
5. Siopa di-wastraff yn y Barri
Awesome Wales yw siop ddi-wastraff gyntaf Bro Morgannwg, yng nghalon y Barri. Mae’r fenter gymdeithasol yn cynnal siop goffi a siop ddi-wastraff sydd â’r nod o helpu siopwyr i ddiogelu’r amgylchedd, arbed arian a bwyta’n fwy iachus, a hynny i gyd wrth wneud eu siopa wythnosol.
Mae Awesome yn brofiad siopa di-blastig, heb ddim pecynnu plastig diangen, gwellt plastig, caeadon plastig ar gwpanau coffi, ac yn sicr dim bagiau siopa plastig! Mae’r siop yn cynnig cynnyrch sy’n eco-gyfeillgar ac wedi’u creu mewn ffordd foesegol. Os ydych chi yn y cyffiniau, beth am alw yn y siop i brynu eich hanfodion Nadolig, neu gallwch brynu cwpanau amldro, teganau pren ac aelodaeth o Glwb Awesome o’u siop ar-lein.
Mae’r elw’n mynd yn ôl i mewn i’r cwmni er mwyn helpu i gyflawni ei nodau cymdeithasol, ac mae hefyd yn cael ei fuddsoddi mewn gweithgareddau a grwpiau cymunedol lleol, gan ganiatáu i fwy o bobl gymryd rhan a lleihau unigedd cymdeithasol.
6. Anrhegion tymhorol gan Vision 21
Menter gymdeithasol yw Vision 21 sy’n cynnig ‘cyfleoedd hyfforddiant realistig yn y gweithle i bobl ag anghenion dysgu’. Caiff holl gynhyrchion Vision 21 eu gwneud gyda chyfraniad llawn hyfforddeion ac mae’r elw i gyd yn mynd yn syth yn ôl i’r elusen.
Yn ogystal ag anrhegion tymhorol mae Vision 21 hefyd yn gwerthu cynhyrchion pren, crochenwaith a chardiau, yn ogystal â phlanhigion, perlysiau a llysiau. Mae siop Vision Made ar Heol Albany yng Nghaerdydd, ac ewch ar wefan Vision 21 i gael gwybod mwy am eu cynhyrchion eraill.
7. Cynhyrchion ‘molchi moethus o Gymru
Menter gymdeithasol o Gymru yw Good Wash sy’n rhoi ei helw i brosiectau lleol sy’n gwella bywydau anifeiliaid a phobl. Mae gan wefan Good Wash lawer o gynhyrchion ‘molchi moethus o’r radd flaenaf (gan gynnwys ‘Woof wash’ i’ch ci!) sydd wedi’u gwneud o’r cynhyrchion naturiol gorau posib sy’n rhydd rhag creulondeb.
Mae elw Good Wash yn cynorthwyo elusennau, grwpiau neu unigolion i gynnal prosiectau sy’n gwneud pethau fel; cynorthwyo’r digartref i ddod o hyd i gartref, a gwella eu rhagolygon bywyd; cynorthwyo’r rheini sy’n wynebu tlodi neu allgáu cymdeithasol i ddod o hyd i waith, hyfforddiant neu gyfleoedd gwirfoddoli; gwella lles anifeiliaid; darparu atebion iechyd a llesiant arloesol, sydd ar gael i bawb; hyrwyddo hylendid, a rhoi mynediad at ddŵr glân a glanweithdra; a gwarchod a hybu bywyd ar y tir ac yn y môr.
Mae cynhyrchion Good Wash ar gael mewn sawl siop ac arlein.
8. Rhowch ymweliad â ‘Rhyfeddod Cymru’ yn anrheg i rywun
Elusen yw Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru sydd wedi’i hymrwymo i ymchwil a chadwraeth bioamrywiaeth, cynaliadwyedd, dysgu gydol oes a mwynhad ymwelwyr.
Dyma’r ardd sy’n denu’r nifer mwyaf o ymwelwyr yng Nghymru ac mae llwyth o bethau i’w gweld a’u gwneud y tu hwnt i’r gerddi bendigedig gan gynnwys gweithgareddau amrywiol a’r Ganolfan Adar Ysglyfaethus Prydeinig.
Chwilio am ragor o syniadau ar gyfer #PresantauGydaPhwrpas?
Mae’r criw gwych yn Social Enterprise UK wedi creu Canllaw Anrhegion #PresantauGydaPhwrpas, cylchgrawn cyfan yn llawn syniadau ar gyfer anrhegion Nadolig gan Fentrau Cymdeithasol ledled gwledydd Prydain. Ewch i gael cip ar y canllaw defnyddiol yma ar-lein yn socialenterprise.org.uk/campaigns/christmas.
Who did we miss? Know a socially conscious Welsh gift that didn’t make the list? Let us know! Please email [email protected].
Are you involved in a social enterprise? WCVA funds Social Enterprises through our Social Investment Cymru team, please get in touch to find out more.
With our new Catalyst Cymru: Resilient Heritage project now accepting applications, WCVA’s Catalyst Project Manager Alison Pritchard wonders what heritage means to us.
Am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
It’s fair to say that when you think of heritage, the first thing that comes to mind is probably some sort of castle or historic building (especially in Wales where there are more castles per square mile than in any other country in Europe).
In light of our brand-new project Catalyst Cymru: Resilient Heritage kicking off this year, I asked my new WCVA colleagues how they understood Welsh heritage and what it meant to them.
Visitors
Firstly, there’s the more ‘touristy’ side to Welsh Heritage; its award-winning beaches, mountains, almost mountains, estuaries - there’s an area of outstanding natural beauty around every corner (and maybe even some rare wildlife to boot).
Not forgetting the famous churches, abbeys (and ruined abbeys), castles (and ruined castles), and long history with ties to the Tudor dynasty, Owain Glyndwr, the Iron Ring…it’s no wonder tourists flock to Wales every year.
Culture
While the tourists will leave with a knowledge of our landscape, they hopefully also get a glimpse into Wales’ rich cultural identity.
The annual Eisteddfod (which we had great fun at this year – did you see us?) draws thousands from across the world to celebrate Welsh culture and language.
The Eisteddfod is also a battleground for famous Welsh choirs – granted the battle is sometimes between the choirs and the audience – and Wales does love a singalong at every opportunity.
See: rugby.
Finally, Wales’ culinary delights have touched the hearts of people across the globe (quite profoundly in some cases) along with its poets, actors and artists.
Diversity
Of course, there’s the lesser known histories of the people that have come to Wales through the centuries, and helped to shape modern Wales, including but not limited to;
The Italian community developing in Newport and Glamorgan (as was) in the 18th century
The evolution of Tiger Bay and Butetown into a bustling hub of different backgrounds and ethnicities
The influence of Liverpool on North Wales.
Making a difference
And last but certainly not least, when people in Wales want something to change, they don’t waste any time in getting together and making it happen.
Look at groups like the Newport Rising Chartists, and the miners in the 84-85 miners’ strikes... or organisations like the Tredegar Medical Aid Society who created a new way for people to support each other’s health and became a model for today’s NHS.
And this is still evident in the hundreds of charities, community groups, and clubs that we support every day.
‘Very small on our own’
But what does the above tell us? Clearly heritage is not one thing - it means different things to different people.
One of our colleagues shared this definition:
‘To me, understanding ‘heritage’ means understanding that people have been in the exact places you’re in for absolutely ages, and future people will have their own problems and insignificant issues and in the grand scheme of things, we are really very small on our own.’
About Catalyst Cymru
Catalyst Cymru is open to voluntary sector organisations in Wales working with heritage. The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who define heritage as the following:
Historic buildings and monuments
Nature and Landscapes (historic gardens, wildlife, woodland)
Industrial, maritime and transport
Museums, libraries, archives and collections
Intangible heritage (such as the preservation of memories, or oral history projects)
Community Heritage
If your organisation’s primary charitable activities fall under any of the above, you could benefit from participating in any of the Catalyst Cymru: Resilient Heritage activities.
Gyda'n prosiect newydd Catalydd Cymru: Treftadaeth Wydn bellach yn cymryd ymgeisiadau, mae Rheolwr Prosiect Catalydd Alison Pritchard yn gofyn tybed beth mae treftadaeth yn ei olygu i ni.
Mae'n deg dweud pan mae rhywun yn meddwl am dreftadaeth, mae'n debyg mai'r peth cyntaf sy'n dod i'r meddwl yw rhyw fath o gastell neu adeilad hanesyddol (yn enwedig yng Nghymru lle mae mwy o gestyll fesul milltir sgwâr nag yn unrhyw wlad arall yn Ewrop).
Yng ngoleuni'r ffaith bod ein prosiect newydd sbon Catalydd Cymru: Treftadaeth Wydn yn cael ei lansio eleni, gofynnais i'm cydweithwyr newydd yn CGGC beth oedd eu dealltwriaeth o dreftadaeth Cymru a beth mae'n ei olygu iddyn nhw.
Ymwelwyr
Yn gyntaf, yr ochr fwy 'twristaidd' i Dreftadaeth Cymru; ei thraethau, ei mynyddoedd, ei bryniau a'i haberoedd godidog - mae yna ardal o harddwch naturiol eithriadol o amgylch pob cornel (ac efallai hyd yn oed rhywfaint o fywyd gwyllt prin hefyd).
Heb anghofio'r eglwysi, yr abatai (ac olion abatai), y cestyll (ac olion cestyll) enwog, a hanes hir gyda chysylltiadau â llinach y Tuduriaid, Owain Glyndŵr, y Cylch Haearn...does ryfedd bod twristiaid yn heidio i Gymru bob blwyddyn.
Diwylliant
Er bod y twristiaid yn gadael gyda gwybodaeth am ein tirwedd, gobeithio y cânt gipolwg hefyd ar hunaniaeth ddiwylliannol gyfoethog Cymru.
Mae'r Eisteddfod flynyddol (lle y cawsom lawer o hwyl eleni - welsoch chi ni?) yn denu miloedd o bedwar ban byd i ddathlu ein diwylliant a'n hiaith.
Mae'r Eisteddfod hefyd yn faes y gad i gorau enwog Cymru - er bod y frwydr weithiau rhwng y corau a'r gynulleidfa - ac mae'r Cymry wrth eu bodd yn cael cyfle i ganu.
Gweler: rygbi.
Yn olaf, mae danteithion hyfryd o Gymru wedi cyffwrdd â chalonnau pobl ledled y byd (yn eithaf dwys mewn rhai achosion) ynghyd â'i beirdd, ei hactorion a'i hartistiaid.
Amrywiaeth
Wrth gwrs, mae hanes llai adnabyddus am y bobl sydd wedi dod i Gymru dros y canrifoedd, ac wedi helpu i lunio Cymru fodern, gan gynnwys ond heb fod yn gyfyngedig i;
Y gymuned Eidalaidd a sefydlwyd yng Nghasnewydd a Morgannwg (fel yr oedd) yn y 18fed ganrif
Datblygiad Tiger Bay a Butetown yn gymuned brysur o bobl o wahanol gefndiroedd ac ethnigrwydd
Dylanwad Lerpwl ar Ogledd Cymru.
Gwneud gwahaniaeth
Ac yn olaf, ond yn sicr nid y lleiaf, pan fydd pobl yng Nghymru eisiau i rywbeth newid, dydyn nhw ddim yn gwastraffu dim amser cyn dod at ei gilydd a gwneud i hynny ddigwydd.
Edrychwch ar grwpiau fel Siartwyr Gwrthryfel Casnewydd, a'r glowyr yn ystod streiciau 84-85... neu sefydliadau fel Cymdeithas Cymorth Meddygol Tredegar a greodd ffordd newydd i bobl gefnogi iechyd ei gilydd a dod yn fodel ar gyfer y GIG heddiw.
Ac mae hyn yn dal i fod yn amlwg yn y cannoedd o elusennau, grwpiau cymunedol, a chlybiau rydyn ni'n eu cefnogi bob dydd.
'Bach iawn ar ein pen ein hunain'
Ond beth mae'r uchod yn ei ddweud wrthym? Yn amlwg nid un peth yw treftadaeth - mae'n golygu gwahanol bethau i wahanol bobl.
Rhannodd un cydweithiwr y diffiniad hwn gyda mi:
'I mi, mae deall 'treftadaeth' yn golygu deall bod pobl wedi bod yn yr union leoedd rydych chi ynddyn nhw ers oes Adda, a bydd gan bobl y dyfodol eu problemau eu hunain a materion di-nod ac o ran y darlun mawr, rydyn ni'n fach iawn ar ein pen ein hunain.'
Ynglŷn â Catalydd Cymru
Mae Catalydd Cymru ar gael i sefydliadau'r sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru sy'n gweithio yn y maes treftadaeth. Ariennir y prosiect gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol, sy'n diffinio treftadaeth fel a ganlyn:
Adeiladau a henebion hanesyddol
Natur a Thirweddau (gerddi hanesyddol, bywyd gwyllt, coetir)
Diwydiannol, morwrol a thrafnidiaeth
Amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd, archifau a chasgliadau
Treftadaeth anniriaethol (megis cadw atgofion, neu brosiectau hanes llafar)
Treftadaeth Gymunedol
Os yw prif weithgareddau elusennol eich sefydliad yn dod o dan unrhyw un o'r uchod, gallech elwa o gymryd rhan yn unrhyw un o weithgareddau Catalydd Cymru: Treftadaeth Wydn.
Fiona Liddell and Lorraine Waumsley reflect on the joys and challenges of assessing an organisation for the Investing in Volunteers award.
Am ddarllen hwn yn Gymraeg?
Assessing an organisation for the Investing in Volunteers quality standard is a taxing, sometime draining, but usually a rewarding and thoroughly inspiring process. It is always a privilege.
It requires the assessor to familiarise with details of an organisations practice as well as to meet with a selection of staff and volunteers to talk with them about their experience of volunteering.
The assessor must plan the logistics of the assessment days, including selecting a balanced sample for interview and drawing up a realistic schedule. They have to write up a report afterwards which is succinct and objective, satisfying the precise requirements of a UK Quality Assurance Panel as well as, most importantly, being useful to the organisation in its process of continuous improvement.
Most organisations assessed in Wales are small and the face to face assessment takes just one day. We recently managed the assessment of Royal Voluntary Service – for the 2rd renewal of its Investing in Volunteers Award. Operating in 3 UK nations, over the course of a year nearly 20,000 volunteers support the charity aided by its just over 1,000 staff.
Since the charity’s head office is in Cardiff, WCVA took the lead in managing this UK wide assessment, which involved 7.5 days of face to face assessment, carried out by a team of 4 assessors across Great Britain.
Lorraine, one of our experienced assessors in Wales, took responsibility for coordinating the assessment and writing the report. I asked her what made this assessment special.
‘Royal Voluntary Service is developing an interesting model of volunteering for the future’
‘This was a ‘marathon’ assessment, for both the organisation and for me,’ says Lorraine.
‘Not only because of the numbers of volunteers and staff involved, but also because they were going through a period of major change.
‘Many Royal Voluntary Service volunteers are involved in volunteer-led projects, with the charity providing a supportive rather than directive role, making it more of a challenging to contact volunteers and arrange interviews.
‘In the event, many interviews were carried out by telephone, to get wide coverage. These and the fantastic teamwork from colleagues enabled us to get a real feel for the organisation and all its diversity. As an assessor I really enjoyed this collaborative approach.
‘I was impressed by the willingness of Royal Voluntary Service to devote significant resources, of staff time and money, for the assessment process and how keen they were to take on board learning and development issues that were raised.
‘I was impressed, too, by the strong vision leading the change process for the organisation, which came across as both determined and respectful of the long and valued history of the organisation, including the long service of many volunteers.
‘The diversity and scale of the charity’s volunteer offer and the extent of their collaboration with the NHS and the social care sector was so much more than I had realised – and greater than perhaps most people are aware of.
‘I was particularly impressed for example, to discover that the profits generated by cafes, shops and trolley services within hospitals are used to fund care services which enable patients to have a supported return to home.
‘Royal Voluntary Service is developing an interesting model of volunteering for the future. For example, Volunteer Led projects are just that. Someone sees a need in their community, it may be befriending, or setting up a lunch club or a community cafe.
‘All of the organising and recruiting of volunteers is done locally, by the volunteers themselves, and the charity supports the project with compliance issues, insurance, training, resources and advice as and when it is called upon to help.
‘Other services, such as the Positive Steps programme are funded or commissioned programmes which are managed more closely in order to deliver agreed outcomes.
‘Another lesson I learned from Royal Voluntary Service, which is worth sharing, concerns the intelligent use of demographic information for marketing purposes.
‘In London, for example, the charity has identified postcode areas which have a high percentage of younger people and has advertised, on radio and social media, volunteering opportunities which relate to these geographical areas, in an attempt to attract younger volunteers.
‘There is a central, dedicated email and telephone line for compliments, complaints and comments from volunteers, staff or service users. This helps to identify good news stories as well as identifying potential problems at an early stage.’
‘This award is even more precious because it recognises how much we appreciate and value our volunteers’
The Royal Voluntary Service assessment decision was validated at the October meeting of the Quality Assurance Panel and we are delighted to be able to congratulate the charity on their success.
Jennifer Codman, Volunteer Partner at Royal Voluntary Service said ‘Coordinating the Investing in Volunteers renewal was a challenge at times given the size of our organisation and the multiple sites, staff teams and volunteers I had to liaise with to set up assessment visits and interviews. But it was also massively rewarding and we got some fantastic feedback from all of the people involved.
‘This has allowed us to make some positive changes to how we do things and we have established a number of projects as a result, that we hope will further enhance and improve the volunteer experience here at Royal Voluntary Service.
‘I would encourage any organisation thinking about going for this award to take the first step and enquire about it - the process has really helped us to review the way we work alongside, manage and empower volunteers to give the gift of time and support our activities in local communities.’
Laura Morgan, Head of Volunteering for Royal Voluntary Service said: ‘Royal Voluntary Service is delighted to maintain its Investing in Volunteers (IiV) status for a further three years.
‘For over 80 years our volunteers have been at the very heart of the organisation and this award is even more precious because it recognises how much we appreciate and value our volunteers.
‘With mounting pressure on public services, now more than ever, we need people to step forward to lend their support and we have an ambitious target to grow our volunteers’ numbers.
‘But to achieve this, it is imperative we offer volunteers the best possible experience, meaningful roles and introduce newer forms of volunteering to make it easier for people to play their part, whilst also attracting people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
‘As well as recognition of our extensive knowledge and expertise, the re-assessment process for the award and feedback from volunteers and staff, provided us with invaluable insight that will enable us to further perfect our volunteer offer.’
Lorraine Waumsley is an Investing in Volunteers Assessor.
Fiona Liddell is Helpforce Manager Cymru. Helpforce is working with Third Sector Support Wales (WCVA and 19 County Voluntary Councils) and other partners to develop the potential of volunteering in health and social care services. She is also a Lead Assessor, with responsibility for overseeing the quality of IiV assessments including that of Royal Voluntary Service.
Fiona Liddell a Lorraine Waumsley sy’n myfyrio ar y gorfoledd a’r heriau wrth asesu mudiad ar gyfer gwobr Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr.
Mae asesu mudiad ar gyfer y safon ansawdd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn dreth a weithiau’n feichus, ond gan amlaf yn rhoi budd mawr ac yn broses ysbrydoledig drylwyr. Mae wastad yn fraint.
Mae’n gofyn i’r asesydd ymgyfarwyddo â manylion arferion y mudiad yn ogystal â chwrdd â detholiad o staff a gwirfoddolwyr i siarad â hwy am eu profiadau o wirfoddoli.
Rhaid i'r asesydd gynllunio logisteg y diwrnodau asesu, gan gynnwys dewis sampl gytbwys i’w cyfweld a llunio amserlen realistig. Ar ôl hynny, rhaid iddo ef neu hi ysgrifennu adroddiad sy'n gryno ac yn wrthrychol, gan fodloni union ofynion Panel Sicrwydd Ansawdd y DU ac, yn bwysicaf oll, sy’n ddefnyddiol i'r mudiad yn ei broses o sicrhau gwelliant parhaus.
Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r mudiadau a asesir yng Nghymru yn fach, ac mae'r asesiad wyneb yn wyneb yn cymryd diwrnod yn unig. Yn ddiweddar, gwnaethom reoli asesiad y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol - ar gyfer ail adnewyddu ei Gwobr Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr. Yn gweithredu mewn tair gwlad yn y DU, dros gyfnod o flwyddyn mae bron i 20,000 o wirfoddolwyr yn cefnogi'r elusen gyda chymorth ychydig dros 1,000 o staff.
Gan fod prif swyddfa'r elusen yng Nghaerdydd, cymerodd CGGC yr awenau wrth reoli'r asesiad hwn ledled y DU, a oedd yn cynnwys 7.5 diwrnod o asesiadau wyneb yn wyneb, a gynhaliwyd gan dîm o 4 asesydd ledled Prydain.
Lorraine, un o’n haseswyr profiadol yng Nghymru, oedd yn gyfrifol am gydlynu’r asesiad ac ysgrifennu’r adroddiad. Gofynnais iddi beth oedd mor arbennig am yr asesiad hwn.
‘Mae'r Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol yn datblygu model diddorol o wirfoddoli ar gyfer y dyfodol’
‘Roedd hwn yn ‘farathon’ o asesiad, ar gyfer y mudiad ac ar fy nghyfer i,’ meddai Lorraine.
‘Nid yn unig oherwydd faint o wirfoddolwyr a staff oedd ynghlwm â’r gwaith, ond hefyd oherwydd eu bod yn mynd drwy gyfnod o newid mawr.
‘Mae llawer o wirfoddolwyr y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol yn cymryd rhan mewn prosiectau a arweinir gan wirfoddolwyr, gyda’r elusen yn darparu rôl gefnogol yn hytrach na chyfarwyddol, sy’n ei gwneud yn fwy o her i gysylltu â gwirfoddolwyr a threfnu cyfweliadau.
‘O ganlyniad, cynhaliwyd llawer o gyfweliadau dros y ffôn, i gael sylwadau eang. Fe wnaeth y rhain, a'r gwaith tîm gwych gan gydweithwyr, ein galluogi i gael ymdeimlad go iawn o'r mudiad a'i holl amrywiaeth. Fel asesydd, mwynheais y dull cydweithredol hwn yn fawr.
‘Roeddwn yn llawn edmygedd o barodrwydd y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol i ymroi adnoddau arwyddocaol, o amser staff ac arian, ar gyfer y broses asesu, a pha mor barod oeddynt i dderbyn y materion dysgu a datblygu a godwyd.
‘Roeddwn hefyd yn edmygu’r weledigaeth gref ar gyfer arwain y broses o newid ar gyfer y mudiad – roedd yn ymddangos yn benderfynol ond hefyd yn parchu hanes gwerthfawr y mudiad, sy’n cynnwys gwasanaeth hir gan lawer o wirfoddolwyr.
‘Roedd amrywiaeth a graddfa cynigion gwirfoddoli’r elusen, a maint eu cydweithrediad â'r GIG a'r sector gofal cymdeithasol yn llawer mwy na’r hyn yr oeddwn i wedi’i dybio – ac yn fwy nag y mae'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ymwybodol ohono o bosib.
‘Gwnaeth argraff arbennig arnaf, er enghraifft, wrth i mi ddarganfod bod yr elw a gynhyrchir gan gaffis, siopau a gwasanaethau troli mewn ysbytai yn cael ei ddefnyddio i ariannu gwasanaethau gofal sy'n galluogi cleifion i ddychwelyd adref gyda chymorth.
‘Mae'r Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol yn datblygu model diddorol o wirfoddoli ar gyfer y dyfodol. Dyna’n union yw’r prosiectau sy'n cael eu harwain gan Wirfoddolwyr, er enghraifft. Mae rhywun yn gweld angen yn eu cymuned – gall fod yn wasanaeth gyfeillio, neu'n sefydlu clwb cinio neu gaffi cymunedol.
‘Mae'r holl waith trefnu a recriwtio gwirfoddolwyr yn cael ei wneud yn lleol, gan y gwirfoddolwyr eu hunain, ac mae'r elusen yn cefnogi'r prosiect gyda materion cydymffurfio, yswiriant, hyfforddiant, adnoddau a chyngor yn ôl yr angen i helpu.
‘Mae gwasanaethau eraill, fel y rhaglen Camau Cadarn, yn rhaglenni sy’n cael eu hariannu neu eu comisiynu ac yn cael eu rheoli'n agosach er mwyn sicrhau’r canlyniadau y cytunwyd arnynt.
‘Mae gwers arall a ddysgais gan y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol sy'n werth ei rhannu, sy’n ymwneud â defnyddio gwybodaeth ddemograffig yn ddeallus er mwyn marchnata.
‘Yn Llundain, er enghraifft, mae'r elusen wedi nodi ardaloedd cod post sydd â chanran uchel o bobl iau ac wedi hysbysebu cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli sy'n ymwneud â'r ardaloedd daearyddol hyn ar y radio a'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, mewn ymgais i ddenu gwirfoddolwyr iau.
‘Mae cyfeiriad e-bost a rhif ffôn canolog pwrpasol ar gyfer rhannu canmoliaeth, cwynion a sylwadau gan wirfoddolwyr, staff a defnyddwyr y gwasanaeth. Mae hyn yn helpu i nodi straeon newyddion da ynghyd â nodi problemau posib yn gynnar.’
‘Mae’r wobr hon yn fwy gwerthfawr oherwydd ei bod yn cydnabod faint rydym yn gwerthfawrogi ac yn gweld gwerth yn ein gwirfoddolwyr’
Dilyswyd penderfyniad asesu’r Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol yng nghyfarfod mis Hydref y Panel Sicrwydd Ansawdd, ac rydym yn falch iawn o allu llongyfarch yr elusen ar eu llwyddiant.
Dywedodd Jennifer Codman, Partner Gwirfoddolwyr yn y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol: ‘Roedd cydlynu’r gwaith o adnewyddu’r cais Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr yn her ar adegau o ystyried maint ein sefydliad, y safleoedd lluosog, a’r timau amrywiol o staff a gwirfoddolwyr y bu’n rhaid i mi gysylltu â nhw i drefnu ymweliadau asesu a chyfweliadau. Ond roedd hefyd yn brofiad hynod o werth chweil a chawsom adborth gwych gan yr holl bobl a gymerodd ran.
‘Mae hyn wedi ein galluogi ni i wneud rhai newidiadau cadarnhaol i’r ffordd rydym yn gwneud pethau. O ganlyniad, rydym wedi sefydlu nifer o brosiectau, a gobeithiwn y byddant yn gwella profiad gwirfoddolwyr y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol ymhellach.
‘Buaswn yn annog unrhyw fudiad sy’n bwriadu trio am y wobr hon i gymryd y camau cyntaf ac i wneud ymholiadau – mae’r broses wedi ein helpu ni’n wirioneddol i adolygu’r ffordd yr ydym yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â gwirfoddolwyr, yn eu rheoli ac yn eu grymuso i roi eu hamser a chefnogi ein gweithgareddau mewn cymunedau lleol.’
Dywedodd Laura Morgan, Pennaeth Gwirfoddoli’r Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddoli Brenhinol: ‘Mae’r Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddoli Brenhinol yn falch iawn o gynnal ei statws Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr am dair blynedd arall.
‘Ers dros 80 mlynedd, mae’n gwirfoddolwyr wedi bod wrth galon y mudiad ac mae’r wobr hon yn fwy gwerthfawr oherwydd ei bod yn cydnabod faint rydym yn gwerthfawrogi ac yn gweld gwerth yn ein gwirfoddolwyr.
‘Gyda phwysau cynyddol ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus, nawr yn fwy nac erioed, rydym angen i bobl gynnig eu cymorth, ac mae gennym darged uchelgeisiol i gynyddu niferoedd ein gwirfoddolwyr.
‘Ond i wireddu hyn, mae’n angenrheidiol ein bod yn cynnig y profiad gorau posib i wirfoddolwyr, gan gynnwys roliau â gwerth iddynt ac hefyd i gyflwyno dulliau newydd o wirfoddoli i’w gwneud yn haws i bobl chwarae eu rhan, a denu pobl o gefndiroedd amrywiol ar yr un pryd.
‘Yn ogystal â chydnabod ein gwybodaeth ac arbenigedd helaeth, darparodd y broses ail asesu ar gyfer y wobr adborth gan wirfoddolwyr a staff, a mewnwelediad amhrisiadwy a fydd yn ein galluogi i berffeithio ein cynnig i wirfoddolwyr.’
Mae Lorraine Waumsley yn Asesydd Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr.
Fiona Liddell yw Rheolwr Helplu Cymru. Mae Helplu yn gweithio gyda Chefnogi Trydydd Sector Cymru (CGGC ac 19 Cyngor Gwirfoddol Sirol) a phartneriaid eraill i ddatblygu potensial ar gyfer gwirfoddoli mewn gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Mae hi hefyd yn Brif Asesydd sy’n gyfrifol am oruchwylio safonau asesiadau Buddsoddi mewn Gwirfoddolwyr, gan gynnwys asesiad y Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Brenhinol.
