As well as supporting the development of new voluntary organisations in Watford and Three Rivers, W3RT CVS provides support to existing voluntary organisation supporting our communities on a range of areas. One organisation that W3RT CVS have worked closely with over the last 12 months is Say It With A Smile (SIWAS) who based at the Lord-Lieutenant’s Charity Hub and support people diagnosed with dementia and their loved ones in Watford and the surrounding areas 

W3RT CVS’ support was invaluable making Smile a reality 

Just over a year ago, W3RT CVS were introduced to one of the proposed trustees of SIWAS through one of the local councillors in Watford and were seeking support in setting up as a charity. In particular, the trustees were seeking support about drafting the charitable purpose and knew they needed additional support.  

Over the next few weeks, W3RT CVS worked with the proposed trustees to understand more about the charity, its vision and to craft its charitable purpose. After a few months, we were delighted to hear that SIWAS has been approved and granted charitable status. Hannah Say, founder of SIWAS thanked W3RT CVS for their support through this process and said that ‘W3RT CVS’ support was invaluable making Say it with a Smile a reality and become a charity can allow them to continue to support individuals with dementia and their families in an impactful and sustainable manner’.  

Thanks to W3RT CVS, we now feel more confident as a Trustee board 

Once established, W3RT CVS continued to support SIWAS on their journey as a newly formed charity. Through conversations with the charity at the Lord-Lieutenant’s Charity Hub where SIWAS are based, W3RT CVS identified that their trustee board could benefit from an introductory trustee training sessions to ensure that their board could support the growth of the charity.   

As a result, W3RT CVS met with SIWAS’ Trustee board earlier this year and provided this training explaining the role of being a trustee, their legal responsibilities and the Charity Governance Code. After the training, the trustees thanked W3RT CVS for the session and added ‘We really appreciate all your guidance and support with all the regulation, policies and procedures, it was an extremely informatively session and we now feel more confident as a trustee board.’ 

W3RT CVS has helped us connect into the community, bringing smiles to even more faces.  

Whilst SIWAS has continue to support their existing service users, W3RT CVS has worked with the organisation to expand its reach and introduce them to a range of other local organisations such as Age UK Hertfordshire and Herts Inclusive Theatre to support even more individuals and families impacted by dementia. For example and thanks to £3,500 donation from W3RT's Community Wellbeing Team, SIWAS were able to run their first Memory Support Course for individuals with dementia and their carers. The course will consist of four sessions each of them focusing on a different topic related to dementia and caring for individuals with the illness. Topics included:

• Understanding Dementia
• Medical Support
• Understanding Care
• Living Well

On this support, Hannah added ‘W3RT CVS’ support has helped us connect into the community and in the future will bring smiles to even more faces, we want to thank them for their ongoing support and belief in our organisation.’ 

We are delighted to have worked over the last year with SIWAS’ team through its foundation as a charity and then it’s growth as part of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Charity Hub. We look forward to continuing to support the organisation as they enter their second year as a registered charity and how they will continue to put smiles on faces. To find out more about Say It With A Smile, you can visit their website by clicking here.  

W3RT CVS provides a range of free support to voluntary and community organisation in the Watford and Three Rivers area thanks to funding from Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council. You can find out more about our services by clicking here and if you or your organisation would like support, get in touch by emailing [email protected].