By Vanessa John, Third Sector Support Manager at Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services.
Pembrokeshire Associationof Voluntary Services (PAVS) has always had a strong reputation for
administering grant schemes to benefit local voluntary groups. Usually run by
the traditional process of written applications being assessed by a panel.
Then in 2021
something different happened. With funding from Welsh Government, it was
proposed that there must be a different way of delivering services for people
with learning disabilities in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
An innovative
grant scheme was developed, completely co-produced with people with learning disabilities,
with the West Wales Learning Disabilities Charter at
its heart.
The grant priorities are:
- All projects have to be co-devised, produced and delivered by people with learning disabilities
- All projects need to be innovative
- All projects need to specifically take forward the aims of the LD Charter.
PAVS as the administrative lead, worked with Pembrokeshire People First ( an independent charity run by and for people with learning disabilities www.pembrokeshirepeople1st.org.uk) and the Dream Team ( a group of people with LD who represent people with LD) to develop the grant scheme.
So, what has been different?
- Everything was written in easy-to-read format…and in Welsh
- All applications had to be submitted in easy read – a challenge for some organisations
- A short film was required to highlight the need for the project, and that people with LD were involved
- All the funding decisions were made by the Dream Team panel (who had received training about sitting on a grant panel)
- Covid restrictions have meant the entire process has been held virtually – a steep learning curve for everyone!
- We are producing a Toolkit, so we can share what we have done
- Other funders and local authorities are interested in delivering their funding in such a co-produced way
- The second round of the fund has just happened, so watch this space for more fabulous co-produced projects.
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