The scheme is for the many people who feel they miss out online A new partnership has been formed to loan electronic devices such as laptops and tablets to support more people to get online and take part in digital activities. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that much of life has moved online, including staying in contact with loved ones, shopping, pub quizzes or finding out what is happening in your local community. However, many people are missing out as they are not online. To address this, a new partnership has been formed, called Pembrokeshire Digital Connections. This partnership includes Pembrokeshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, as well as Digital Communities Wales and several other community partners.
Sue Leonard, of Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) has revealed her delight that the county has recently received a Welsh Government Coronavirus Recovery Grant totalling £242,000, following her calls for changes in the voluntary sector and for more support from the government. Pavs is planning to continue and sustain its current volunteering infrastructure, but also wants to start recruiting more people and further their training. Other plans include introducing volunteer rewards and awards, increasing the use of the Welsh language, a volunteering passport, and setting up research into the value of volunteering in local community. However, there are some volunteer organisations that will not benefit from this grant due but Pembrokeshire County Council has said there are other avenues that grassroot volunteer organisations can follow to receive funds, which include the Volunteering Wales Grant Scheme.
Pembrokeshire foodbank Patch temporarily closed after Covid case PATCH, one of Pembrokeshire’s local foodbanks, has had to close until February 9 due to a connection with a positive case of Coronavirus. The Pembrokeshire Community Hub wants to reassure members of the public that people will not be left without food and that support is still available. Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) are working closely with Patch, Pembrokeshire Foodbank and other community partners to ensure that alternative arrangements are put in place to support people experiencing financial hardship who need support with food over the next week.