Vaughan Gething AM on the important role of volunteers in the community

I have written before about the role of volunteers and in particular the charitable sector and the work that they do to change decisions and help improve lives of those who have been impacted.

Volunteers play an integral part in the running of many local community groups and sporting clubs. In particular it has been really great to see to the achievement of Penarth Cricket club getting to the final, which was achieved by everyone who makes the club work. From the volunteers who make the tea or wash the kit, to those who cut the grass, it is the joint effort that allows the club to succeed. All of this work is carried out by local residents who volunteer their time to support others and work together towards success, an image which is replicated across many local sporting clubs. Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to see members of the community get involved with projects in their area and I have seen this in lots of charities, small and large, including national charities such as Tenovus and Marie Curie. 

At the end of the month MacMillan Cancer Support will be running the biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, 30^th September at 11am in Etc, 1 Royal Buildings. For all the good work that is done by the NHS, the MacMillan Challenge is great opportunity for people to get involved and support the fantastic work that the organisation does. I am hoping to visit some of the MacMillan Coffee Mornings across the constituency to meet not only with the volunteers who support the work of the charity, but also those who benefit from the generosity and support of others. If you are able to, please take the time to visit one of the many organised Coffee Mornings and show your support for MacMillan Cancer Support and the great work that they do.

Finally, I would encourage you to find out more about local volunteering opportunities in your area. There are many of aspects of volunteering, from helping out in charity shops or sports clubs, to running a local youth club.. For every interest that you have, I am sure there is some way in which you could volunteer your time to support a local group, charity or club and help them on their way to success. 

I am absolutely delighted to hear how well pupils across Cardiff South & Penarth achieved in their GCSE Results yesterday. We have seen some of the 'Best Ever Results' at St Cyres, Stanwell, Willows and St Illtyd's, with an increase in achievement at Eastern High. I am extremely proud of these results and would like to congratulate pupils, parents and teachers on their successes - your hard work does pay off!

Every school within the constituency has seen an increase in the number of pupils achieving 5 or more A*-C grades, with a high percentage passing both Maths and English. Some pupils have even managed to achieve 10 or more A*s - an amazing achievement!

I would like to wish all Year 11 pupils the very best with their futures, whether they are continuing their education or taking up an apprenticeship, training or employment, and once again, well done!

This week I again called in to visit Ninian Park Primary, this time for the last day of their 'Food and Fun' programme. It was great to hear from children, staff and parents about how successful the programme has been this summer and that there is hope it will return again next year. There was plenty of activity taking place including football and gardening, both with parents getting involved. I was also gifted with an origami flower made by one of the pupils in a lesson taught by a very talented Year 6 pupil.

It has been great to visit the four primaries across Cardiff South to see the 'Food and Fun' programme in action and hear first-hand how much it has been enjoyed. Well done to all those involved!