Charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers were celebrated last Wednesday evening, October 11 as part of this year’s Welsh Charity Awards in Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel.

Organised by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), it is the only dedicated awards ceremony to celebrate the entire voluntary sector in Wales, highlighting and championing the positive difference we can all make to each other’s lives.

This year’s Organisation of the Year award was keenly contested, with Calan DVS honoured to be one of five finalists picked from across Wales.

Formed in 2012, Calan DVS recently celebrated a decade of service and works across Neath and Lliw Valley, Brecknock, Bridgend, Radnor and Amman Valley.

It now employs 63 staff and, in this past year alone - through its myriad of services - has supported almost 700 women, over 250 children and young people, and over 250 men, including 14 LGBTQ+ individuals, and trained almost 600 professionals, including 173 medical professionals.

Calan DVS Chief Executive Michelle Whelan said: “On behalf of the team at Calan DVS, we are deeply humbled and honoured to be nominated for the Organisation of the Year award in this year’s Welsh Charity Awards and to be in the company of such inspiring organisations.

“This nomination serves as a powerful testament to the unwavering dedication of our teams, volunteers, trustees and the incredible resilience of survivors we serve.

“It is not just a celebration of our past achievements but a reminder of our commitment to creating a world free from domestic abuse. With continued support, we will persist in our mission to empower survivors and break the cycle of violence and abuse.’

Their recent initiatives include a RESPECT accredited male victims’ programme and a survivor co-produced sexual violence support service, as part of the Lotus Project, with impressive results, including almost nine out of 10 adults reporting increased safety and almost all children (96 per cent) reporting an increased understanding of healthy relationships.

Speaking at this year’s ceremony, at Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel, WCVA’s Matt Brown said: “All finalists exemplify all that is good about the sector.

“They have achieved so much over the past year, well respected and admired by others in the sector for changing lives for the better. We’re thrilled, at WCVA, to be able to honour all of this evening’s finalists and winners.”

This year’s Organisation of the Year award was won by the Welsh Refugee Council.

The organisations has tirelessly supported and advocated on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees, starting a Ukrainian project benefiting more than 1,700 Ukrainians, finding homes for more than 200 refugees at risk of homelessness, and many more vital services and initiatives.