Volunteering with Cynon Valley Organic Adventures (CVOA)

Before CVOA, locals just medicated health problems. There was nowhere nearby to focus on lifestyle changes in order to prevent issues and strengthen immune systems. In light of this, there was a need for a place to improve wellbeing and build resilience through interaction with nature. The CVOA team leased a plot of land on the outskirts of Abercynon, and their community garden has helped many volunteers.

Consider “S”. His mother said that due to his autism it would be unlikely that he’d turn up let alone do any volunteering work. Except he did turn up. Week after week, he quietly came to the shed to put on his wellies and he worked hard on the plot from the beginning to end. Nothing has been too much trouble for him, and nothing has fazed him.

He has achieved everything he has set his mind to. S has gone on to start college and enrol in driving lessons, but he still comes to tend the community garden. With his involvement, both he and the garden have flourished.

Weather conditions have been particularly challenging for the CVOA group over the last year. It’s taken real commitment to brave the elements, but their new garden shed and café should provide protection.

Indeed thanks to funding, they have developed practical support for the community, the foodbank, community training programmes, their café, and volunteering opportunities. Interlink RCT are among the funders who have made these projects and CVOA possible. Usually, CVOA finds out about grants through Interlink RCT emails.

The group has received practical support when needed, and taken the training available to make the community project happen. Supporting groups have brought opportunities to CVOA, enabling them to grow and become sustainable too.

Volunteer or find volunteers

We match scores of people with volunteering opportunities across Rhondda Cynon Taf. If you’d like to volunteer, or find volunteers, please get in touch, and we can discuss what’s available.