We're looking for Informal Volunteers in the community.

What is it? What will I do?

• Informal Volunteering is a valuable way to make a positive impact on your community without committing to specific schedules or formal roles. 
• Informal volunteering provides regular social contact, which is crucial for mental health. Whether it’s buying groceries, fetching medicine, doing small repairs or assisting the elderly, your contribution matters.
• Unlike formal volunteering, informal volunteering adapts to your schedule. It can involve simple acts like putting out a neighbour’s bin or having a chat when you see them. Small gestures count during difficult and uncertain times.
• Perhaps you could mow someone's lawn, offer some language tuition, collect groceries or do a myriad of other day to day things which others in your community find difficult.

If you'd like to contribute some time and expertise to helping others in your community then sign up by clicking the link below. You're not committing yourself to anything other than letting us know you're interested and the type of Informal Volunteering tasks you might be up for.

By adding your details you're agreeing that we may contact you to discuss volunteering. This initial contact will most likely be in the form of an email asking you how you'd like to volunteer: Do you have specific skills you'd like to use, do you just want to be offered anything that comes along?

We won't pass your details to any third party or start spamming you. We will use your information as part of aggregated reports where you will not be personally identfiable. You can ask for your details to be updated or removed at any time.

We're recruiting people who are able to offer some time and help to the Ystradgynlais Community in an initiative taking place across Powys. If you are outside of Ystradgynlais but within Powys, we may be able to connect you with someone in your area. Even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

I'm interested in Informal Volunteering - Send me details: Click here

New signs at the YVC!

We're pleased to show off our new signage across the centre.

With so much going on here, visitors will appreciate the crisp, clear signs highlighting our retail area, wonderful café, foodbank and other offerings.

We're even easier to spot from the road too. Now all we need is a sunny day to take a photograph of the entire front of the building. 

If there are any willing gardeners happy to take on the wild weeds around the building or even apply their skills to our needy communal beds please pop in or call. You can send us a message using the contact form.

For many, December can be a time for fun and over indulgence. For others, the festive period can be anything but, especially for parents. Finances will be stretched to the point where even marking the main day with a traditional meal could be out of the question. Christmas 2023 was as difficult as the previous year. Possibly more so.

During December, the Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre were proud to team up with Community Dreams to provide a Christmas Hamper to many deserving families. Our resources are limited but we try to provide the essentials; vegetables, turkey (or alternatives), snacks and chocolate as well as a Christmas pudding. We even include some crackers! As well as these items, we do our best to include some appropriate toys or gifts for any children we are aware of in the home.

In 2022 we delivered 60 hampers bringing some joy to children and communities who have it tough. December 2023 saw us packing and distributing 111 hampers – an increase of 85%. All of this was made possible through the generosity of businesses and individuals who donated items and time.

We’re proud of this achievement although worried about the year-on-year increase. Let’s hope Christmas 2024 brings better tidings.

Our thanks go out to Community Dreams and the many schools and businesses who contributed to this outstanding effort including, Boar Valley Bakes, Ystradgynlais Butchers.