Gareth’s Story – Celebrating 10 Years of Calan DVS
In celebration of 10 Years since the formation of Calan DVS, we’d like to share with you the journey of another of our dedicated employees – Gareth Branch.
Gareth is currently a project manager at Calan DVS, a role he has held for the past two years. He joined the charity in November 2014, as Service Development Coordinator on the BRAVE project – an early intervention and prevention project for Children and Young People. Gareth actually applied for the role on the recommendation of his ‘mam’, who highlighted that he could use his own childhood experiences to support the children that the project was aimed at.
Gareth also has a passion for art and design which further supported him when applying for the role, enabling him to be creative with an audience that was close to his heart.
Says Gareth, “I’ve always loved helping people, drawing and talking was a tool that I used to engage with a variety of children from different backgrounds and upbringings. My degree in design and experience of working with children with behaviour difficulties who needed guidance in youth clubs and schools also supported me in my journey.”
Gareth’s day-to-day responsibilities as a project manager include supporting a team of amazing people. He is responsible for seven, soon to be nine, members of staff who deliver the following programmes:
- The Inspiring Families assessment programme for families where there is ongoing abuse, and they are looking at staying or getting back together.
- The Compass Programme supporting male victims to share their experiences as part of a safe and supportive group programme.
- Myriad which is an eight-week recovery programme for LGBTQ+ clients.
- The Intervention Hub, which is an online behaviour change programme for males and females’ livings in Mid and West Wales.
- Reprovide – new male perpetrator programme that we are currently introducing to NPT, Bridgend and Swansea.
In terms of his successes at Calan, Gareth adds, “One which I like to reflect on is that we became the first to achieve the Respect Male Victims’ Standard, Respect’s accreditation for work with male victims of domestic abuse and I’m proud of the work that all employees, past and present put into this. But, the biggest success is the support we provide on a daily basis. What the team do to educate and to ensure the safety of those who access our programmes is incredible and it evidences the need for these programmes.”
Speaking about his time at Calan, Gareth also said, “It means the world to me and I look forward to receiving my celebratory clock for 10 years of service from Michelle! I have worked alongside some fascinating and incredibly skilled individuals and provided valued support to those in need along the way. The journey has been great – and hopefully I will have another clock after 20 years of service!”