AS part of Volunteers’ Week 2026, PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services) held the ‘Big Do’. Over 45 people attended The Centre, in Simpson Cross, to have a go at some volunteering activities. Everyone was amazed at what was achieved in just two hours.

In the Community Garden, the group planted 150 wildflowers (plug plants from Keep Wales Tidy), weatherproofed the garden fence with paint, weeded the vegetable and flower patch, cleared out the shed and had a general tidy up.

Inside, 15 letters were written to be sent on to individuals feeling lonely or isolated in our community, kindness badges were made (to wear or give away), arts and crafts created and help provided with exhibition boards for a local history project.

A huge curry lunch was cooked by The VC Gallery volunteers for everyone who attended.

Feedback about the day was so positive PAVS plans to repeat the event, possibly at a different community venue.

Louise Wilkinson, Senior Volunteering Development Officer at PAVS said, “People told us how it made them feel, from finding the letter writing therapeutic to saying the whole event was ‘uplifting’.

“It just proves the feel-good factor you can get from volunteering,” she added. “Everyone really got stuck into the activities and so much got done, as well as all the chatting and networking that was going on.”

The event was supported by a number of organisations who provided the activities including: 2 Wish Cymru, Cwtch Postbox, Pembrokeshire FRAME, St Madoc of Ferns Community Group, The Centre, Simpson Cross and The VC Gallery. A big thank you goes to everyone involved.

If you are interested in volunteering, or just finding out a bit more, contact the Volunteer Centre based at PAVS (01437 769422 / [email protected]) or visit www.pavs.org.uk/help-for-people/volunteering .