What is the Stonewall Cymru Council and what does it do?

The Stonewall Cymru Council has eight members and a volunteers’ representative.  Each one is selected by open interview for their unique skills - matched to specific criteria - that compliment and support Stonewall Cymru staff members in the delivery of the agreed objectives of Stonewall Cymru.  Members are responsible for guiding, monitoring and helping deliver the vision and strategy of Stonewall Cymru in liaison with the organisation’s staff and volunteers in Wales.

The Council is a skills based group working for equality of opportunity and fair tratement for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people; by helping to ensure Stonewall Cymru works effectively and efficiently. It works for the LGB community and does not claim to represent or be representative of LGB people in Wales.

Who can be a Council member?

Membership of the Council is open to all sections of the community, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we welcome skills and experience from anyone in the UK as long as they can fulfill their role as a Council member, which includes attendence at the Council meetings in Wales four times a year.

What’s involved in being a Council member?

Individual Council members partner the member or members of the Stonewall Cymru staff team who have the job of delivering the work plan that underpins the strategy. So, for example, the Council member with experience and skills in education works with the Youth and Education Officer to carry out their job.

This partnership will involve one-to-one meetings, telephone or email conversations, joining the staff member in internal and external meetings, providing contacts, advising on policies and giving other practical help as appropriate.

To free up the staff members to make maximum use of their time, Council members also represent the individual staff member at the Council meetings and report on their work in that area.

Is it paid?

Council members are not paid, but reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their work, such as travel to attend the Council meetings, are reimbursed.

So who are the Council members and how can I contact them?

	Gareth Davies Gareth Davies joined the Stonewall Cymru Council in April 2008. He works for Wales’s longest running LGBT young people’s service, Viva, in Rhyl north Wales, and has been in post for over four years. Before this time he used to be a member of the group (that was when he was ‘young’)!  In his role as a Youth Worker he delivers youth groups, one to one support, training in schools, and professional development workshops across the region.  His role on council includes supporting Stonewall Cymru’s Youth & Education officer in objectives relating to young people.
	Tim Heywood Tim Heywood has been a member of the Council since April 2008.  He has a background in health service management and has 25 years experience of working as a senior manager in the UK NHS and overseas. His role on council includes taking the lead on supporting Stonewall Cymru objectives relating to the workplace and employment.
	John Sam Jones John Sam Jones has been on the Council since April 2009.  He has a background in public health and education and has been active in LGB politics since the 1970s.  His role on council includes taking the lead on supporting Stonewall Cymru objectives relating to education.
	Mike Smith  Mike Smith is Stonewall Cymru council member  primarily with responsibility for working the staff team on external communications such as the media, communications, public relations and events. He is based in Cardiff and is also a member of Wales TUC LGBT Committee and the Wales TUC general council.  A marketing and media consultant and arts and travel journalist writing for various publications and counting amongst his clients National Dance Company Wales and the Welsh Singers Competition. Mike is a member of the Wales Executive Committee of the Nation Union of Journalists and represents freelances in Wales on various committees of the union. He is also a Union Learning Adviser and trains freelances working in the creative industries in marketing and electronic marketing. Mike lives with his civil partner Robin in Cardiff.

The Stonewall Cymru Council and individual Council members can be contacted directly by email at: Council@stonewallcymru.org.uk.

Enquiries made by telephone or post addressed to Council can be addressed to the Stonewall Cymru offices and these will be passed on to the relevant Council member(s).

How can I become a Council member?

We are  currently advertising 2 unpaid roles on Stonewall Cymru Council in community safety and fundraising.
Click here for more information and an application pack.

• When roles on the Stonewall Cymru Council become available these will be advertised on both the ‘work with us’ and Council sections of our Website: www.stonewallcymru.org.uk 
• A role description, setting out the individual requirements of the role will be available.
• Application packs will be available from our website or offices.
• Appointment will be by application and interview only.
• Candidates will be selected by merit.
• Advertisements for Council positions will also be sent to Stonewall Cymru supporters. If you want to join the Stonewall Cymru database for free please click here to download our supporters form and return to: eleanor.hicks@stonewallcymru.org.uk 

How do I find out more about Stonewall Cymru?

Contact Stonewall Cymru via either our North Wales or South Wales office, click here for our contact details.

Click on the links below to find out more about:
Stonewall Cymru’s strategic prioritites
Volunteering for Stonewall Cymru
Joining our supporters database
Stonewall Cymru bi-monthly e-bulletin
Workplace programmes
Education work
Community Safety
Regional Have Your Say events across Wales 

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