Letter from Robert Davies, founder of Voluntary Community Service (VCS), to Meg Hudson, a VCS volunteer, regarding commitments and voluntary work, Cardiff, 9 August 1966

Disgrifiad

In this handwritten letter dated 9 August 1966, Robert Davies suggests Meg Hudson assume a role as speaker or discussion leader at the Voluntary Community Service (VCS) Conference in October 1966. He reports on his work with VCS: a Splott work camp, an holiday nursery in Butetown (led by Charles Coombes), and the launch of a playground at Ely Hospital (organised by Colin Parr).

It also mentions meeting with Alan Gracie, working with children from disadvantaged families, and a visit from 30 Russian youth leaders, organised by Eifion Haywood.

Transcription:

"749212 386 Grand Avenue
Copy of letter Ely - Cardiff
From RD Tuesday 9 Aug 66
To Meg Hudson
(Former social worker with Glamorgan County Council
and VCS Committee member)

Dear Meg,
Thank you so much for your letter which I received last night. It’s a great pleasure to hear from you and know you are now settling down to your new work. Since you go to so much trouble in writing I feel I ought somehow to try express my appreciation and try to convey a little more feeling in return… but words are a bit inadequate.
I am interested to note that you are (or should be!) busy writing reports on your visits. I think you will now realise how important records are and it makes me wonder whether in relating this professional experience to recent volunteer work you may make a good speaker or discussion leader for the October VCS Conference. I am just imagining your reaction as you read this for you are far too modest and withdrawn for your talents; maybe your work in the next couple of months will bolster your confidence and raise your head high.
It would please me more to chat about your interests in Evesham but my lunch break is fast disappearing and I must make some comments about my own doings etc. You will be relieved to learn that today I am a little more relieved. I have just come back from the VCS office where I had a brief chat with Colin* Charles* and Wayne** and Geoff Blewett (an Ely camp volunteer who came specially from Liverpool for yesterday’s “do”. At least things seem to be going straight after a most hectic couple of weeks. Splott camp is in its second week - everyone’s happy and the work is progressing well. There has been good social contact between them and IVS at Preswylfa - last night IVS entertained UNA to a three course supper. On Saturday UNA arranged a tour and tea for both camps at Atlantic College (the chairman of the County Council gave Splott a free 5 course lunch at Dyffryn Gardens!).

*CSV’s Colin Parr (TOCH sponsored)
*CSV’s Charles Coombes
**Wayne Abraham (police cadet seconded to VCS)

Yesterday morning Charlie got the Holiday Nursery under way at the St Mary’s Church Hall* (there was volunteer work on Sunday to pick up the broken glass from the church yard and the grass area where the kids will play if the weather is good). There was a good turnout of volunteer teachers and 6th form pupils as assistants. The rota seems to be alright and there are more than enough boisterous nippers to fully use the rota.

*Butetown

Colin and Steve entertained to lunch in the Ely Hospital yesterday (he returned from London just in time) and we met the various notables and were able to give them a bit of straight talking on our voluntary work. As you see from the enclosed newspaper cutting George Thomas said all the right things bless him!
He touchingly described me as “a good local boy from Ely” - it nearly brought tears to my eyes it did!! You will see too from the brochure that the ceremony was well organised. However, the most important factor I believe was unsaid and possibly not thought of by many. This wasn’t merely the opening of a playground but really the opening up of the hospital. Never before have the public been admitted in this way. This then was not the completion of a project but I think the start of something deeper.
I now wish I had not made my unkind criticisms but they fell only on your sympathetic ear and they did relieve the tensions in me.
With regard to photographs I must see what I can find. However a number have been taken recently and I am awaiting developments.
I am meeting Alan Gracie* this evening straight from work to do some visiting before tea. According to reports we have had, one of the families really is a full-time job and we will have to seek the close advice of our professional friends in trying to look after the children. It is quite fortunate that the Holiday Nursery is in operation and that the IVS/UNA project volunteers can take some of our charges there occasionally. One of the social features of the camp is a visit from 30 Russian youth leaders which Eifion Haywood** has arranged for a Sunday evening. Alan and I will have to think of some catering and entertainment.
Alan Bayliss*** should have returned from holiday yesterday but nobody has had sight or sound of him yet. Perhaps he really has gone off with a Berber tribeswoman! I most certainly look forward to seeing him again - his absence has been very noticeable during the last two weeks of tribulation. Also he has not met Charlie yet and I am sure they will get on well together.
With good wishes
Robert.

*Alan Grace - local volunteer organiser for IVS
**Eifion Haywood - Youth & Community Officer for Council of Voluntary Service for Wales and Monmouthshire (later Wales Council for Voluntary Action)
***Alan Bayliss - VCS Honorary Secretary (Chief Solicitor for Cardiff Law Courts)"

Robert Davies, who actively volunteered with VCS, UNA, and many other organisations, is currently VCS Honorary President. He founded Voluntary Community Service (VCS) in Cardiff in October 1964. The organisation's main aim, as stated in its constitution, is to promote any charitable purposes, advancement of education, and relief of poverty, distress, and sickness in the City of Cardiff. Originally VCS co-ordinated a team of volunteers involved in activities such as helping elderly people with gardening and decorating, running summer ‘work camps’ for children and young people. Its mission today is to enable people who are most disadvantaged to engage with rewarding volunteering opportunities, facilitating their personal development and employment prospects.