Welsh TV and podcast star headlines celebration of voluntary sector
Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) proudly hosted the 2025 Key Fund Celebration, an inspiring event that brought together a vibrant and diverse community of voluntary sector representatives from across Denbighshire County. The celebration highlighted the remarkable achievements of organisations that received grants through the UK Shared Prosperity Key Fund programme, expertly managed and distributed by DVSC throughout 2024/25.
Presented by the charismatic UK television and podcast personality Gareth ‘Gaz Top’ Jones, the event featured the premiere of specially commissioned films. These powerfully captured the creative and life-changing ways in which Key Fund grants have been utilised, showcasing the profound difference they have made to individuals and communities throughout the county.
Special guest speaker, Ali Wheeler, CEO of Wrexham Young People’s Charity ‘We Mind the Gap’, gave a highly thought provoking presentation about building resilience in young people who have grown from adolescence to adulthood, whilst living through a world pandemic.
Liz Grieve, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Housing and Community Service, spoke passionately about the significance of DVSC’s efforts. “The value of this investment is immeasurable,” she said. “It’s helping to sustain important community organisations, enabling them to continue providing local residents with vital support in the most challenging economic circumstances.”
Tom Barham, Chief Officer of DVSC, took the opportunity to commend the dedication of the DVSC team, a small but mighty group of 10 professionals whose expertise drives the organisation’s success. “We are a small team providing an incredible professional skill set, which is powering DVSC to achieve success with whatever we tackle,” Barham remarked. “The Key Fund has been our biggest project to date, and we are proud to represent the Denbighshire voluntary sector, providing them with valuable funding opportunities, as well as much-needed business advice and training. We are going from strength to strength as a charity, and we’re excited about the future.”
The 2025 Key Fund Celebration underscored the critical role of collaboration between DVSC, local voluntary organisations, and Denbighshire County Council in fostering resilient, thriving communities. Through initiatives like the Key Fund, DVSC continues to empower the voluntary sector to address local needs and build a brighter future for all residents of Denbighshire.
