The
EVi is ProMo-Cymru’s landmark community venue that provides
a programme of creative activities, learning and social enterprise developments. It is
home to a variety of third sector organisations and welcomes over
5,000 people a month.
One
aspect of the work to reduce energy consumption at this historic building was
the lighting improvements, which we will look at in this article. We’ll also
take a look at why LED lighting is a good idea for all homes and buildings.
Light
Improvements
A massive 21%* of the EVi’s energy consumption went towards keeping all the lights on. It’s a big building so it needs a lot of light! (*Results of an energy review carried out by REW)
“Our lighting was out of date and inefficient,” explains Samantha James, Operations Coordinator at the EVi.
“The fluorescent
tubes were constantly shorting out, some of the diffusers were broken and
we were continuously purchasing new bulbs.”
The main hall is the
biggest space in the building. The space has been hired out for live
performances, conferences, exhibitions, private parties, weddings and more. But
two banks of lights in the main hall were not working, not a great look when hiring
out the space to people! But the cost of replacing them was high, not just
because they needed specialist bulbs, but also scaffolding had to be hired and
specialised electricians had to be called in repeatedly to fit them.
“We used some of
the £32,523 we received to source state of the art LED lighting for the
hall,” said Samantha.
“The scaffolding
and works were organised and carried out with no disruption to any of the
groups hiring the hall.”
And it’s not just the
hall that’s had a lighting make over. The entire buildings lighting has been
converted to LED.
The benefits of LED *
LED, or a Light
Emitting Diode, uses up to 90% less energy. While a traditional bulb produces a
lot of heat to be able to produce light, an LED uses far less heat to do the
same thing and is therefore much more energy efficient.
Lighting can make up
to 20% of your energy bills so you can make significant savings by switching to
LED. They also last, about 20 times longer than a traditional light bulb,
meaning you don’t have to keep popping out to buy bulbs and change them all the
time. Another bonus is that LED bulbs are also recyclable, as they don’t
contain mercury like some older bulbs.
The good news for anyone who’s thinking of changing to LED is that there’s been a big reduction in prince since they first came out, and it’s not just spotlights anymore either. There’s now a wide range available, like bayonet, screw or strip lights even. (*Information source: 7 Reasons Why You Should Swap To LED Lighting – thegreenage.co.uk)
Check back with us soon when we’ll be looking at the draught and heating improvement works that have been carried out at the EVi.
Over the years, 17 European volunteers have come through the ProMo-Cymru doors through the EVS scheme*. They work at the organisation for up to 12 months to improve their skills, become a valuable member of the team, and help us to grow and evolve. Here’s our chance to introduce the latest.
Daniele Mele, 27, is from Nuoro, Sardinia, a small town full of history and nature, nestled among the mountains at the centre of the island. He has been a part of the ProMo-Cymru team since late 2018, and we thought it was a perfect time to discover more about him and his experience so far.
Daniele has worked in the advertising and
communication field since leaving school. Having worked in the environmental
field most recently, he has become experienced in graphic design, producing
multimedia content, marketing and communication.
What appealed to you about the EVS scheme?
I heard about the scheme a few years ago from a couple of friends who
had been EVS volunteers in Spain. A year ago I was looking for work
experience abroad and remembered about it.
They offer a lot of opportunities,
and you can find projects that fit in with your career expectations. They’re
very helpful if you’re working abroad for the first time, taking you through
every step so that you’re not alone when making these big changes. You have a tutor
that helps you settle into the new country and job.
Why did you choose ProMo-Cymru and Cardiff?
I was looking for a project that matched my skills,
and I wanted it to be in the UK so that I could improve my English. ProMo-Cymru
offered an opportunity to work in media production and communications, to learn
from a professional team and see how they work and develop
projects in the third sector. I also knew that they worked in video
creation, and this was a new field that I was very interested in and wanted to
learn new skills. I was also really fascinated to live in a city like Cardiff.
Coming from a little town, the thought of living in a capital city abroad was
very exciting.
What do you think of Wales so far?
I hadn’t travelled much outside of Italy before coming
here. This was my first time visiting the UK. I honestly didn’t
know much about Wales beforehand. When I applied I started to find out more.
What I’ve found here has exceeded my expectations. I’ve felt at home since my
very first week, and most of the people I’ve met have been happy to help and
introduce me to Cardiff and Wales. After being here a few months it’s clear
that kindness is a part of the culture here. It reminds me of Sardinia.
I like Cardiff a lot. It’s a city full of life with something to do every
day and a lot of international students to make friends with. The nightlife is
also full of surprises!
I have visited many places and cities across the country. I like how
varied the landscapes are, and how there’s so many amazing natural places to
visit, like mountains, forests and beaches. There are also castles, ruins and little
towns so every weekend there’s lots to do without having to go too far.
What are the main differences between home
and here?
It’s quite funny as I think that Sardinia and
Wales have many things in common. We are bilingual (we speak Italian and
Sardinian). We have more sheep than people and there aren’t many cities, but there
are lots of little towns among mountains and rural areas. The people are also
very proud of their national or regional identity and culture too.
But there are also many differences, the
weather being the main one. It’s much colder and wetter here in Wales! The
landscapes and the architecture are very different too.
The food is very different, not just the type
of food but the way it is eaten. It is common for us all to eat together as a
family and we go home to eat during our lunch breaks, this is a very important
meal in Italy. British people eat dinner very early, and work times tend to be
different too. The offices here close earlier than in Italy, perhaps because
the lunch break is shorter.
I really like being here, discovering the
Welsh and British culture, but if there is one thing that I miss, it’s probably
the beauty of Italy. It’s
difficult to explain, but there is a beauty and an elegance that belongs to
Italy, you can feel it all around you, in all the details. Maybe this is what
makes Italy famous and unique across the World.
What do you think you will learn from your
experience here?
I’ve been here a few months now and I’ve
learnt a lot about video production, how to use the equipment and use new
software. This EVS experience will help me improve my
professional knowledge and skills even more.
It’s also been very interesting to learn how
a team like ProMo-Cymru works, and how I’ve been able to integrate myself and
work well in a company outside of my country.
One of my main
motivations for coming here, and probably the biggest challenge, was to improve
my English. Day by day I feel
that I’m improving and I don’t feel that language is a problem any more – it is
a part of this journey and one of my most important achievements.
It was important to
see how I would feel settling into a new life abroad, in a strange country and
all the changes a year would bring. I
feel I’ve achieved something important doing this.
What do you hope to do with the time you have
left?
In the months I have left I would like to
travel more across Wales and the UK, to discover as much as possible about the
culture. I want to continue improving my English and take time to think what I
want to do after my EVS experience.
And lastly, what are the best things you’ve
discovered in Wales so far?
Welshcakes and the pubs! 😀
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about volunteering or work experience opportunities with ProMo-Cymru, contact us.
*UNA Exchange organises the EVS programme that ProMo-Cymru uses to recruit European volunteers.
I volunteered at ProMo-Cymru with the intention of increasing my photography portfolio to benefit my future career goals. Being previously aware of the organisation, I already had an idea of how professional and friendly they were. I spent two months volunteering with them and enjoyed every minute.
I was given some
interesting tasks from the very start, exactly what I wanted when starting here.
I was welcomed by all the team members at the office and even given a space of
my own.
A part of the team
Each morning I caught the train (sometimes a bus as well) to the office with all of my expenses paid every week. Dayana, Multimedia Producer and Director at ProMo-Cymru, had already set up an online planner and calendar for me with an email address I could use internally and externally. Although not an ‘official’ employee of ProMo-Cymru, I felt very welcome and part of the team quite early into my volunteer placement.
The office is quite a
pleasant environment with everyone more than happy to help everybody. Upon
seeing this, I wasn’t afraid to ask anyone for help or advice.
Feeling valued
One of my main tasks
was controlling ProMo-Cymru’s Instagram account. I wanted to increase the
following as well as the likes per post, so I researched different methods and
was able to try them out using the @promocymru account until I found one that worked effectively. Once I
did, the followers and likes per post grew quite a lot. One thing I treasured
at the office was that I regularly got praised for this, making me feel like
the work I was doing was valued and appreciated.
Something that was
quite problematic for me was the Welsh translation. ProMo-Cymru is a bilingual
company but as we couldn’t always translate things instantly it meant we had to
plan content ahead of time, get them translated and then schedule them to be
posted over the week. Because I’m not a fluent Welsh speaker, it could be
difficult and so there were mistakes at the beginning. I discussed this with
Dayana and we came up with a plan to proof the Welsh translations twice with
two different people before posting them.
New challenges
I also got the chance to visit the Ebbw Vale Institute, a ProMo-Cymru ran community centre. It was very nice to go somewhere different although it was far for me to travel. Dayana was very helpful once again and drove me the majority of the way home so that it wouldn’t take as much time, another example of how friendly the team (especially Dayana) has been.
I’ve also tried out new things such as using Adobe Premiere, recording video and using WordPress. Dayana, who was always ready if I needed any guidance, explained all of these to me. These are all useful for my degree and future career ambitions so I’m grateful that I was given the chance to carry out these skills.
Staff photos
I was then given the
job of taking the staff photos for the ProMo-Cymru website, a task I quite
enjoyed. I had the freedom of setting up the studio as I wanted, and as I
thought was best for the given brief. Although this was a little pressure, it
was something I enjoyed, as I didn’t want to be completely directed.
Just as with
Instagram, I was constantly praised for the work I was producing which made me
feel valued and a part of the team. I also got to try out different studio
techniques and become familiar with the studio environment.
One problem I faced
while photographing the team was the amount of space I had to work with in the studio.
The room was quite small, meaning it was difficult to set up the lights in the
way I wanted. Although this was a challenge, I got to try out my problem
solving skills, and because I photographing someone it meant I had to come up
with a solution very quickly.
Deciding my future
I’ve enjoyed my time
at ProMo-Cymru very much, probably a lot more than what I expected. Even though
I had a long journey to the office each morning, the pleasant atmosphere and
friendly staff made me actually want to wake up early and travel to Cardiff
Bay.
I appreciated that
everyone made me feel very welcome and a part of the team. I got a good insight
into a creative world that I hadn’t had before, and it helped me decide what I
want to do in the future.
I left having learnt
some very useful skills and knowledge and I made some very good friends in a
short time. I’m forever grateful to the whole team but especially grateful to Dayana,
who not only guided me every working day, but also developed my technical skills
significantly and made sure that I was always happy. She’s a great mentor and a
great friend. I will miss working as part of the team but I will definitely
stay in contact.
———————-
We wish Liam all the best in his future and hope to cross paths with him again soon. If you would like to discuss work experience or volunteer placements at ProMo-Cymru, contact info@promo.cymru.
2018 was a busy year here at ProMo-Cymru with lots of things going on. We thought it apt that the first blog of 2019 looks back at all the things we did last year, spurring us on to continue and achieve more this year.
We look forward to working with some of you and to exciting new developments in the year ahead.
Events at the EVi
The first article that appeared on our blog in 2018 looked back at the eventful year they’d had at the EVi. The Ebbw Vale Institute was an empty building before ProMo-Cymru took on the task of regenerating it in 2009 to create a community and cultural centre for the people of Blaenau Gwent and beyond. There are lots of exciting things going on at the EVi with classes, gigs, events and meetings. There’s a large performance space with a bar, meeting and training rooms, a cafe, and a recording studio. It is also home to a number of organisations. If you’d like to find out more about the EVi and for details of how to hire the venue for an event, meeting or rehearsals then visit their website.
Enterprising Solutions
Last year we told you how we were helping to develop community enterprise ideas. Our Project Manager, Cindy Chen, took on the role of programme coordinator for Enterprising Solutions. This is a three year programme developed by DTA Wales. She is responsible for a number of projects in the Cardiff and Vale area. Since the blog, published in January, the Ministry of Life have come on board to develop a new governing structure and direction of growth.
Radio Platfform
A big development in 2018 was the official launch of Radio Platfform. ProMo-Cymru is supporting this Wales Millennium Centre project to develop a youth led radio station. We have been training young people since 2016 in Radio Broadcasting, getting them ready to host their own shows. What started as a pilot for the Festival of Voice in 2016, soon developed into something more and they started broadcasting in May 2017. The official launch took place in November at the Wales Millennium Centre. Listen to Radio Platfform here.
Sharing knowledge
During the year we shared some insights with you about new technologies and developments in digital media and marketing trends. We looked at how Facebook organic reach was in decline and what the solutions were to this. We also explored the rise in video and live video and how you could use this to your advantage. Lastly we looked at the rise of digital assistants and chatbots and how this was becoming more mainstream. These were a popular gift over Christmas 2018 as prices become more affordable. We encouraged you to think about how you could take advantage of this trend.
Our blog is also an opportunity for us to
tell you about the services we can offer here at ProMo-Cymru.
We are experts in effective engagement, communicating with different target groups to find out what they need and proposing ways to create positive change. Our work with Invest Local is an example of this, engaging with communities to decide how they want to spend money developing their areas. We also worked with two Welsh housing associations , engaging and communicating with their tenants to make sure that their voice is heard and that they are put at the centre of services.
Since the launch of Meic in 2010 ProMo-Cymru have become leading developers of open access helplines with a bespoke virtual call centre offering bilingual phone line, text messaging, instant messaging and e-mail facilities. 2018 saw us developing two new helplines. Cardiff and Vale Advocacy Gateway supports the citizens of Cardiff and Vale to have a voice and a choice when it comes to social care support services. Bridgend Voice and Choice offers information and advice to those eligible to access social services.
Last year we also gained investment from the WCVA Social Business growth fund. This will be used to expand our ability to produce and sell design and communications content and further strengthen our existing enterprise activity.
Award winners
One of our proudest moments last year was
winning two awards for our work. The first was an award for a communication
campaign created for the Meic service. Meic is the National Information, Advice
and Advocacy helpline for children and young people in Wales, and is run by
ProMo-Cymru.
Butterflies was a piece created for the Meic Healthy Relationships campaign that ran in February last year. We were honoured to work with talented spoken word artist Sarah McCreadie She writes and performs her pieces across Wales and the UK. She wrote a special piece about a toxic relationship for Meic and recorded the vocals to create our award winning video. Find out more about its creation and Sarah’s thoughts.
Following a meeting in the Ukraine between our Chief Executive, Marco Gil-Cervantes, and Montserrat Herguido from the Catalan Government, a visit to Wales was planned. ProMo-Cymru was pleased to host four guests from the Catalan Youth Agency. We look forward to developing relationships further and learn from each other when it comes to digital youth information and advocacy.
Aurevoir and hello
2018 was a year of farewells and welcomes. We welcomed our new Communications Apprentice Tom Morris, a post supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Tom’s main duties have been working on theSprout He writes content, develops the website and has helped establish the revamped and new Editorial Group of young people. He has also been a huge support to other projects. He promotes Meic at various events and supports with training and filming.
Sadly we had to say au revoir to our European volunteer Manon De Lalande in July. Manon was an integral part of the team taking part in various communication campaigns and events and producing multimedia projects and videos. Before she left she shared her experience of a year in Wales with us.
After Manon returned to France to start a
two year Political Communication Masters Degree we welcomed our current
European volunteer, Daniele Mele from Italy. Keep an eye out for our piece on
him on this blog soon.
New building
And last, but not least, 2018 was an exciting year for ProMo-Cymru as we held the official opening of our new head office. We held an Open Day for invited guests in September. The move to new premises in Cardiff Bay was an important one for us, the whole team together under one roof at last.
There was lots of preparation in getting the building ready for the open day. We worked on presentations, demonstrations and a tour for our guests. Vaughan Gething AM officially opened the building and we had fantastic performances by Sarah McCreadie and Sabrina Islam. All the guests seemed to enjoy the demonstrations and seeing the diversity of the work that goes on at ProMo-Cymru.
If you’re interested, we also have meeting
spaces of different sizes to hire at our new building. Contact for further information.
Looking ahead
So phew…. that was 2018 (some of it at least). We look forward to a busy, productive year of co-working, engaging and communicating. If you are interested in any of the services we have to offer please get in touch. Contact Arielle Tye, Business and Funding Manager, on 029 2046 2222 or email arielle@promo.cymru
ProMo-Cymru had a wonderful end to the year by hosting a special 2-day visit for guests from the Catalonian Government from 22-24 November 2018. Four senior officials from the Catalan Youth Agency visited ProMo-Cymru and Cardiff to learn more about how we engage and communicate with young people digitally.
ProMo-Cymru facilitated an insightful discussion and sharing session between the Catalonia delegation, Donna Lemin from the Welsh Government Youth Engagement Branch, Kelly Harris from the Welsh Youth Parliament, Keith Towler, Chair of the Interim Youth Work Board Wales and the former Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Jonathan Gunter from Ministry of Life Youth Club and Catrin James from CWVYS and Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
Tours, Demos and Workshops
Norma Pujol Farré, Director General of Youth at Catalan Youth Agency, tweeted, “Very interesting morning with Donna Lemin of the Welsh Government and Keith Towler, Chair of Interim Youth Board in Wales. We have also been able to know different digital policy programs aimed at young people.”
The Catalonia delegation also enjoyed guided tours of the Urdd centre and the Senedd. At the ProMo-Cymru Head Office in Cardiff Bay, they learned about our TEC model, were given a tour of the building and attended demonstrations and workshops on how we run our helplines and how we use media to engage with young people, run our online media campaigns and deliver digital youth information.
Video
Watch our video to see some what our Catalan guests got up to:
“We were delighted to welcome our esteemed guests
from Catalonia and to have the opportunity to share our
practices together,” says Marco.
“We hope that they were able to learn lots from their visit to take back with them and we look forward to developing our relationship further.”
Cesc Poch Ros, Director General of the Catalan Youth Agency, tweeted, “Thank you for your hospitality, @MarcoGilCer and especially for sharing your knowledge about digital youth policies with us (and for to show us the secrets of Canton). @ProMoCymru.”
______________________________
This work has been made possible because of a grant accepted from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The aim of this grant is to enhance our existing work and to develop future options for virtual youth work and information services.
About ProMo-Cymru
If you are interested in any of our services or would like to learn more about our work here at ProMo-Cymru please contact Arielle Tye on 029 2046 2222 or e-mail arielle@promo.cymru.
Further information about our TEC model available here:
ProMo-Cymru are pleased to have won the Tech for Good Award, sponsored by Reason Digital, in the recent Social Business Awards 2018 by the Wales Cooperative Centre.
The award celebrates the successful trading activities of ProMo-Cymru in supporting the third and public sector with digital communication, engagement and transformation.
Marco Gil Cervantes, CEO of Promo-Cymru said: “We’re grateful to the Wales Co-op and the sponsors for this award. It recognises the pride, ambition and team focus to deliver what is right and what people want.”
Supporting others
Over the last year we have worked with dozens of clients from across the third and public sector. ProMo-Cymru offers a range of services built on the skills developed over 15 years of delivering digital projects.
We’ve supported national organisations with digital change, branding and communication campaigns such as the WCVA, Shelter Cymru and Disability Wales. While working with smaller vital local organisations, such as South Riverside Community Development Centre, supporting them to engage young people digitally.
We firmly believe that Wales has the creative talent to make the best use of digital on the local and national stage. ProMo-Cymru has been lucky to work with some amazing clients and partners doing inspiring work locally and nationally. We’re already looking forward to a great 2019 and helping Welsh organisations do more and better with digital.
If you would like to discuss digital engagement or digital transformation then get in touch with arielle@promo.cymru
Everything starts with a conversation
ProMo-Cymru works towards building positive change and lasting relationships between individuals, families and communities. Providing innovative and creative solutions through meaningful conversations and digital technology. If you’d like to discuss how our TEC Model can help your organisation then get in touch.
On Friday, 28 September, we hosted the official opening of our new offices in Cardiff Bay, taking the opportunity to demonstrate our work here at ProMo-Cymru.
Assembly Member Vaughan Gething officially opened the new premises and guests from the third and public sector were given tours of the building, workshops with our helpline and creative teams, and demonstrations of how we create some of our video work. A tasty buffet lunch was provided where our guests had a chance to network, and spoken word artist Sarah McCreadie treated us to a live performance of the award winning Butterflies piece. Sabrina Islam, from the Ministry of Life in Cardiff, also gave us an impromptu spoken-word performance.
Our Creative Kitchen and Below Zero Meeting Room
“The highlight of the event had to be the youth performances from Sarah and Sabrina. Both poems conveyed some of the challenges that young people face. They were delivered with real passion, emotion and talent,” explains Arielle Tye, Business and Funding Manager at ProMo-Cymru.
Celebrating and looking to the future
The day started with an opening speech from Arielle Tye, who welcomed our guests and gave a brief history of ProMo-Cymru and our work, as well as introducing our TEC model. Guests were then taken to two workshops. One demonstrated our helpline services and how they help young people, families and communities in Wales. The other introduced the work of our creative team.
Araith agoriadol Arielle Tye
Cyflwyno Sarah McCreadie
Sabrina, Arielle a Joff
“The open day was an opportunity to both celebrate and look to the future with our partners and friends from across the Public and Third Sector. There was a positive energy in the air as we discussed together how digital technology could help us to deliver more effective services for young people, families and communities. We look forward to working with our partners to take these ideas forward,” enthused Arielle.
Values and quality
Chief Executive Marco Gil-Cervantes explained a little more about the restoration of the building and the people who made it all possible. He then went on to introduce Vaughan Gething AM, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services. Vaughan is the Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth so was proud to open this building in his constituency.
Vaughan Gething AM, Andrew Collins and Marco Gil-Cervantes
“I’ve seen ProMo-Cymru change over time. What’s been really impressive and important for me is to see the values that run through the organisation, and to see that being successful,” said Vaughan Gething.
“ProMo-Cymru has been successful because it has values and actually delivers on quality. They have helped to sustain and support people. It’s a pleasure to be here. I am a supporter and champion for this organisation just as they are a supporter and champion of the people it works with and for,” he added.
Positive vibes
There was lots of positive feedback from our guests as they left and lots of positive Tweets put out too:
“How to do an open day 101. Brilliant experience at our client @ProMo-Cymru today. Super impressed by the effort put in by one and all to deliver something above and beyond the norm” – Steve Dimmick, Chief Commercial Officer at Doopoll.
“Really enjoyed meeting @ProMo-Cymru staff and their guests today at their launch event. Still have goosebumps from listening to Butterflies from @Girl_Like_Sarah“ – DTA Wales
If you are interested in any of our services or would like to learn more about our work here at ProMo-Cymru please contact Arielle Tye on 029 2046 2222 or e-mail arielle@promo.cymru.
Further information about our TEC model available here:
There’s a sense of excitement here at ProMo-Cymru HQ as preparations are well under way for our Open Day this Friday, 28 September 2018. We’re looking forward to showing guests around our new premises and telling them all about our work.
ProMo-Cymru moved into new premises in Cardiff Bay in September last year. For the first time our whole team was together. Management, core services, communication, creative and helpline services all under the same roof.
Preparations taking place for our Open Day
The benefits
“Our new building allows us to work in cross functional teams, learning from each other and working together to design and deliver more effective services. We co-inhabit the space with our partners at DTA Wales giving us greater opportunity for collaboration” explains Marco Gil-Cervantes, CEO.
This has already proved beneficial to us as our creative team and the helpline staff worked collaboratively to create an award winning campaign, Butterflies. Being together in one place makes working together much easier and allows us to work together on campaigns such as the Consent campaign currently running on Meic.
We now have plenty of space to work in, be creative, have meetings and run several helplines. The space can also be hired out so that others can benefit from it.
“We are offering more volunteer placements and aim to create a space that young people feel they can use to develop ideas, learn skills and inform our work. ProMo-Cymru has been going for over 30 years. Here’s to the next chapter!” says Arielle Tye, Project Manager at ProMo-Cymru.
A year on and we’re proud to be able to share this space with you. We want to show you how this new building is allowing us to grow and offer more services to the third and public sector.
Some of our new spaces available for hire
The open day
On Friday Vaughan Gething AM will be officially opening the building. We’ll be giving guided tours of the new office and chatting to people about service design. There will be demonstrations of our work. Guests can network with public and third sector colleagues. A buffet will be served along with a live performance by our friend Sarah McCreadie. She was vital in the creation of the Butterflies campaign mentioned above.
If you are interested in our open day or any of our services please e-mail Arielle Tye, arielle@promo.cymru to make further enquiries.
ProMo-Cymru has been successful in gaining investment from the WCVA Social Business Growth Fund. This will be used to grow our communications and engagement team, raise our profile and expand our portfolio of clients.
We have identified a growth area in delivering communication and engagement services to the Third and Public Sector. Year on year we are experiencing a rise in demand to supply marketing, video, content, design, training & consultancy to support organisations to more effectively engage with the public. Past clients have included Shelter Cymru, Disability Wales and Welsh Women’s Aid.
Uniqueness
“Despite the competition, we attract clients because we offer something unique. Social value is high up on the agenda for both the Third and Public sector. We are seeing an increasing value being placed on buying services from social businesses,” explains Arielle Tye, Business and Funding Manager at ProMo-Cymru.
Wayne Lee, Shelter Cymru’s Valleys Inclusion Project Coordinator explains why they chose ProMo-Cymru:
“We commissioned ProMo-Cymru because they were professional and experienced without coming across as corporate. We felt they understood the work of the charity sector and would be able to capture the essence of what we do in a way that others would not have been able to,” said Wayne.
“ProMo-Cymru achieved our objective and took it beyond our expectations,” he added.
Online presence
ProMo-Cymru specialises in communicating with vulnerable groups, young people and families. This year we were awarded the Digital Wales Award for Best Marketing Communication for a relationship campaign we ran aimed at young people.
“It is becoming essential for third sector businesses to have an effective online presence to ensure they remain relevant in modern times,”explains Arielle.
“We use a co-production methodology, which means our clients, and their service users are involved in the design and delivery. This is an approach where everyone benefits.”
Development
Marco Gil-Cervantes, CEO of ProMo-Cymru explains what ProMo-Cymru plan to do with the WCVA Social Business Growth Fund investment:
“We will use this funding to expand our ability to produce and sell design and communications content and further strengthen and develop our existing enterprise activity in this area,” says Marco.
“The funding landscape is changing. Charities and social businesses need to diversify their income streams to ensure their sustainability.”
If you would like to find out how our services can help you please contact Arielle@promo.cymru.
ProMo-Cymru is grateful to the Social Business Growth Fund (SBGF) for this opportunity. The fund supports local businesses in Wales to grow and create job opportunities. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Administered by Social Investment Cymru, WCVA.
Everything starts with a conversation
ProMo-Cymru works towards building positive change and lasting relationships between individuals, families and communities. Providing innovative and creative solutions through meaningful conversations and digital technology. If you’d like to discuss how our TEC Model can help your organisation then get in touch.
At the end of last month we had to say a sad ‘au revoir’ to our EVS volunteer Manon De Lalande after 11 months working with us here at ProMo-Cymru. We chatted to Manon before she left about all the things she’s done here in Wales and what’s next for her.
Manon, 23, comes from Brittany in the North-West of France. Before joining the ProMo-Cymru team in Cardiff through the European Voluntary Service she completed a degree in Communications back home.
Why did you choose Wales?
I chose Wales because I wanted to improve my English, so when I was applying for EVS projects I was only looking in the UK and Ireland. ProMo-Cymru fitted well with my studies and it was a great opportunity for me to practice and learn about communications.
What did you do at ProMo-Cymru?
It was very varied and I got to take part in various activities: communication campaigns; events; creating multimedia projects; producing and editing videos; promotion etc.
My skills changed and improved. I learned so many things during the 11 months. I enjoyed meeting new people and spending time with these new friends, sharing our different cultures was amazing.
What was the biggest challenge?
Speaking English of course! I struggled to find the vocabulary I needed to build the sentence I had in my mind. I felt shy to speak in another language and became withdrawn and wasn’t really myself. I needed time to get confident but this is all a part of this experience. I can now say that I met that challenge successfully.
Did you learn a lot during your time here?
I learnt to adapt to new situations, with new people, finding solutions to problems on my own, and being more independent and stronger than I ever thought I could be. Thanks to my housemates, I also got to travel quite a lot which was something I didn’t expect, and it has increased my taste for travelling.
Professionally I had lots of new experiences, learnt about new laws and was able to practice more on the computer and in the field. I will be proud to put these things on my CV.
What do you think of Wales?
I love it. Living in Wales was really nice and I’ll be doing it again if I get the opportunity. Cardiff is a nice city, it’s small but at the same time there are lots things to do. People are so kind and friendly, you feel welcomed and accepted very quickly. It’s a lovely country, with wonderful landscapes and I’m so glad I got to discover it thanks to my EVS experience. I will really miss the kindness of the Welsh people when I go back to France.
What are your thoughts about ProMo-Cymru and your co-workers?
I think ProMo-Cymru is a really good organisation, with an amazing team of staff. I felt like a part of the team and everyone tries to help each other. I felt everyone was really supportive and caring.
Are you glad took part in the EVS scheme?
I don’t regret it at all; it has been the best year of my life so far. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was a really amazing experience, an enriching one that I will never forget.
In September Manon is starting her two-year Political Communication Masters Degree in Paris. We wish her all the best in her future and hope that our paths will cross again someday.
Our new EVS volunteer Daniele Mele from Italy will be starting with us soon. We look forward to welcoming him to ProMo-Cymru and hope that his time here will be just as positive as Manon’s was.
Interested in working with us? Why not get in touch.
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About Us
In the last 30 years, ProMo-Cymru has developed services that range from information websites and community regeneration projects, to an advocacy helpline.
