Monday 28 September 2015

ASDA CARRIER BAG COMMUNITY AWARDS

Just to remind you that the ASDA Carrier Bag Community Award  
closes for submissions on Wednesday September 30th.  
Grants of up to £2000 are available.  
You have to be in it to win it!    
Good Luck.

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Nicola Park Award - Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering - deadline extended to 14 October 2015

The deadline has been extended for this year's Nicola Park award to 14 October 2015.

For the last nine years  VAMT has made a special award which marks an outstanding contribution to volunteering.  The Outstanding Contribution Award is for an individual who has consistently volunteered his or her time over many years.  It is for the volunteer who regularly puts in a lot of hours and can be relied upon to help out, often at short notice, but always cheerfully.

This award is dedicated to the memory of our colleague Nicola Park, who, as many of you will know, passed away in September 2006. Nicola was a great inspiration to many and was very passionate about volunteering and the voluntary sector.  VAMT staff and Board members score each application for the Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award, ensuring that this truly is a VAMT award.

In a break from tradition for 2015, the award will be presented at VAMT’s Annual General Meeting to be held at the Bessemer Hotel, on 12 November  2015.
A nomination form can be accessed here and the Welsh version of the form here

Closing date for nominations is 14 October 2015.  Forms should be sent to Karen Foley at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil or by email to karen.foley@vamt.net

GROW WILD FUNDING TO HELP COMMUNITIES BLOOM


Organisations and community groups across Wales are being invited to apply for funding of £1,000 to £4,000 from Grow Wild to create inspiring spaces.

Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Grow Wild motivates communities, friends, neighbours and individuals to come together to transform local spaces by sowing, growing and enjoying UK native wild flowers. 

Over the next year, Grow Wild has more than £200,000 to award to not-for-profit groups who put forward creative ideas that revamp communal spaces. 

Grow Wild is looking for projects that use native wild flowers and plants innovatively to bring colour and wildlife to their local area. They should offer volunteering opportunities to young people aged 12-25 and also to over 25s. Projects should also think creatively about sharing stories, photos and activities from their spaces. 

Over 2014-15, Grow Wild has built a network of over 150  projects including; the reimagining of a train station entrance an interactive tour of planted spaces, a sensory garden for people with disabilities; as well as projects involving streetscapes, woodlands, housing estates and murals.

Applications for 2016 funding must be received by 1 December 2015. A panel of experts will then help decide who will receive funding. Successful groups will be notified in February 2016 ready to start their project in March and finish by October 2015.

If your group has an inspiring idea to connect people to nature, then apply before 1 December 2015 for your chance to join our lively network. First, please read the community project application guidelines for 2016 funding: https://www.growwilduk.com/community-projects/application-guidance

 

ARIAN TYFU’N WYLLT I HELPU CYMUNEDAU FLODEUO

 

Mae gwahoddiad i fudiadau a grwpiau cymunedol ledled Cymru wneud cais am arian rhwng £1,000 a £4,000 gan Tyfu’n Wyllt i greu llecynnau ysbrydoledig.

Gyda chefnogaeth gan y Gronfa Loteri Fawr a than arweiniad Gerddi Botaneg Brenhinol Kew, mae Tyfu’n Wyllt yn cymell cymunedau, cyfeillion, cymdogion ac unigolion i ddod at ei gilydd i drawsnewid llecynnau lleol trwy hau, tyfu a mwynhau blodau brodorol o wledydd Prydain.

Dros y flwyddyn nesaf, mae gan Tyfu’n Wyllt fwy na £200,000 i’w rannu i grwpiau nid er mwyn gwneud elw sy’n cyflwyno syniadau creadigol ar gyfer ailwampio llecynnau cymunedol.

Mae Tyfu’n Wyllt yn chwilio am brosiectau sy’n defnyddio blodau a phlanhigion gwyllt brodorol mewn ffordd wahanol i ddod â lliw a bywyd gwyllt i’w hardal leol. Dylent gynnig cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli i bobl ifanc rhwng 12-25 oed a hefyd i bobl dros 25. Dylai prosiectau feddwl yn greadigol hefyd am rannu storïau, lluniau a gweithgareddau o’u llecynnau. 

Dros 2014-15, mae Tyfu’n Wyllt wedi adeiladu rhwydwaith o fwy na 150 o brosiectau, gan gynnwys; ail-ddychmygu mynedfa i orsaf drenau trwy greu taith ryngweithiol o lecynnau wedi’u plannu, gardd synhwyraidd i bobl ag anableddau ynghyd â phrosiectau yn cynnwys strydweddau, coetiroedd, stadau tai a murluniau.

Rhaid derbyn ceisiadau am arian ar gyfer 2016 erbyn 1 Rhagfyr 2015. Yna bydd panel o arbenigwyr yn helpu penderfynu pwy gaiff yr arian. Caiff grwpiau llwyddiannus wybod ym mis Chwefror 2016, mewn pryd i ddechrau eu prosiect ym mis Mawrth a’i orffen erbyn mis Hydref 2015.

Os oes gan eich grŵp syniad a fydd yn ysbrydoli pobl i ymgysylltu â byd natur, yna gwnewch gais cyn 1 Rhagfyr 2015 i gael cyfle i ymuno â’n rhwydwaith bywiog.   I ddechrau, darllenwch y canllawiau ar wneud cais am gyllid ar gyfer prosiect cymunedol yn 2016:  https://www.growwilduk.com/cy/content/canllawiau-ar-gyfer-gwneud-cais-yn-2016

 

 

Thursday 17 September 2015


Are you aged 65 or over?
Are you caring for someone aged 65 or over?
Would you like to find out what is available in your area?

If yes, you are invited to drop in to the
Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil
on Tuesday 20th October
anytime between 10am and 3.00pm

to obtain information on services or activities that are available to you in your local area.
You will be able to receive information from:
  • Local Community Coordinator
  • Communities First
  • Parkinson's UK
  • Merthyr and the Valleys Mind
  • and others

For further information, please contact Elaine James on 01685 353984 or 07580 866547

FREE SEMINAR: Looking at how health and social care can better integrate




Follow the link below to book your place on this FREE learning event focussing on integration across health and social care.  Workshop sessions include how the Third Sector in Cwm Taf has contributed to this agenda.

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Public Engagement on Older People's Services


DON’T FORGET TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Consultation closes on SEPTEMBER 18TH

 




VISIT www.cwmtafhub.com and take part in our online survey.

Because of changes in the law, and the growing number of older people in our area, your local councils and health board are working together to look at new plans and priorities for older people’s health and social care services across Cwm Taf.

We want older people to have longer, healthier and happier lives, and to stay as independent as they can be for as long as possible.

We think this means we need to change the types of services we provide, and the way we provide them. We need your views on our plans and priorities for the future of older people’s services, to see whether you think they’ll achieve what we want for older people in our area.

 

 

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Nia Williams - new One Voice Project Officer

Nia Williams joined VAMT today as the new One Voice Project Officer.  One Voice is part of the MAGNET portfolio of projects and is an advocacy project for people with disabilities. Nia can be contacted on 01685 353993 or by email at nia.williams@vamt.net

ASDA Community Fund

ASDA - Carrier Bag Community Awards

Communities, Culture, Educating & Young People, Environment, Health | Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan

 

Aims

In Wales, retailers are required to charge customers 5p for a single-use carrier bag.  ASDA has decided to use this money to support good causes that benefit the local community in areas where its stores are located.*

This fund will support projects and good causes that matter most to its customers:
- Children and Young People
- Older People
- Health
- Community Cohesion

The awards can help meet a wide range of costs for community groups, including equipment, materials and even local community activities and events

Who can apply
- Not for profit organisations
(for example a Registered Charity, Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Unincorporated Club or Association and Community Interest Company)

Awards available
- £2,000 for good causes and charities in your local area

Please note:
- Awards will not be awarded retrospectively i.e. for costs already incurred prior to receipt of the award offer letter and signed terms and conditions.
- The work can not benefit a single user;
- the award must not be used solely to fund staff salaries
- Successful organisations must be willing to be contacted by ASDA for further publicity and updates.


This programme is now OPEN!

The deadline is 30th September 2015 at 5pm

To apply in English please click the link to fill out the online application:  CLICK HERE

Remember to always read the criteria in full before applying to any grant scheme to make sure your organisation and project is eligible. You can also speak to the Community Life Champion at your local ASDA store and they can help you with your application.

Monday 14 September 2015

WISERD/Open University Research Training Workshop for People in the Voluntary Sector


WISERD/Open University Research Training Workshop for People in the Voluntary Sector
Location: Open University in Wales, 18 Custom House Street, Cardiff, Wales CF10 1AP

Date: Thursday 24 September 2015, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

This event is aimed at those in the voluntary sector with an interest in either using or doing research. It is aimed particularly at those who may have an idea for research based around their client groups but are not experienced in either questionnaire design or interviewing. This is an introductory hands-on session which will give you a taste of doing research. The presenters are all experienced researchers with experience of working with the community.
Programme:

10.00   Registration, coffee

10.15   Welcome

10.30   Introduction to research methods

11.00   What research do you want to do? Thinking about research questions and ways of tackling them.

11.15   Coffee break

11.30   Feedback and introduction to sampling

12.15   Research design exercise

12.45   Lunch

1.30     Group 1 interviewing exercise, group 2 survey design exercise

2.15     Group 1 survey design exercise group 2 interviewing exercise

3.00     Feedback and plenary

3.30     Close


 Please feel free to share this event with other colleagues in the voluntary sector.

Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come/first-served basis.

Cardiff University │ Prifysgol Caerdydd

46 Park Place │ 46 Plas y Parc

Cardiff │ Caerdydd

CF10 3BB

 


 

Email │ Ebost: RichardsN10@cardiff.ac.uk

Tel. │ Ffôn : 029 2087 0026

Follow WISERD on Twitter │ Dilynwch WISERD ar Twitter: @WISERDnews  

 

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.




Wednesday 9 September 2015

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Courses and Skills Club - South Cluster Communities First

Have a look at the free Courses available at local venue in the south of the Merthyr Tydfil Borough. Also you may be interested in our Skills Club where you can work at your own pace in a friendly environment.

Monday 7 September 2015

Have Your Say on priorities for Mental Health services in Merthyr Tydfil and RCT


Taster Day - Thursday 10th September


19 September - Teddy Bear Parachute Jump

As part of the Ready Teddy Go festival in Merthyr Tydfil town centre on Saturday 19th September, Action for Children and South Wales Fire & Rescue Service are organising a teddy bear parachute jump to raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity and Action for Children.
 
They are looking for people to enter their brave teddy bears for the parachute jump (click on posters below)
 
Please pass  on this message as widely as possible to encourage as many people (or should I say teddy bears) to take up the challenge as possible.
Perhaps you and your colleagues might enter a brave teddy?
 
Many thanks,
 
Antonia
 
Antonia Pompa
 
BID Co-ordinator
The Big Heart Of Merthyr Tydfil
13 Wheatsheaf Lane, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AY
 
(   Phone/Ffon: 01685 726272
*   Email/E-Bost:  Antonia.Pompa@merthyr.gov.uk
 

Cruse is Recruiting Volunteers

CRUSE MERTHYR TYDFIL/R.C.T AREA IS RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE BEREAVED.
THE AWARENESS IN BEREAVEMENT CARE FOUNDATION TRAINING COURSE
COMMENCES 22nd September 2015

FOR FURTHER DETAILS & AN APPLICATION
PLEASE CONTACT:
SALLY ANN EVANS, AREA CO-ORDINATOR
AT Cruse Merthyr Tydfil/R.C.T, 3 Canon Street,
Aberdare, CF44 7AT

Tel: 01685 876020
email: merthyr.rct@cruse.org.uk

HELPLINE: 0844 477 9400 WEBSITE: www.cruse.org.uk

Celebrating Volunteers

First pictures from VAMT's "Celebrating Volunteers" event at the Red House

Thursday 3 September 2015

Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering - the Nicola Park award 2015/Cyfraniad Rhagorol i Wirfoddoli – Gwobr Nicola Park 2015

Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil's  Celebration of Volunteering event, to be held this afternoon,  will not only mark the tremendous efforts of volunteers across the county borough, but will also see the launch of the Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award 2015.
For the last nine years  VAMT has made a special award which marks an outstanding contribution to volunteering.  The Outstanding Contribution Award is for an individual who has consistently volunteered his or her time over many years.  It is for the volunteer who regularly puts in a lot of hours and can be relied upon to help out, often at short notice, but always cheerfully.

This award is dedicated to the memory of our colleague Nicola Park, who, as many of you will know, passed away in September 2006. Nicola was a great inspiration to many and was very passionate about volunteering and the voluntary sector.  VAMT staff and Board members score each application for the Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award, ensuring that this truly is a VAMT award.

In a break from tradition for 2015, the award will be presented at VAMT’s Annual General Meeting to be held at the Bessemer Hotel, on 12 November  2015.
A nomination form can be accessed here and the Welsh version of the form here

Closing date for nominations is 1 October 2015.  Forms should be sent to Karen Foley at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil or by email to karen.foley@vamt.net

Wednesday 2 September 2015

Vacancy at Cwm Taf University Health Board


Cwm Taf University Health Board currently has a vacancy for a Primary Community & Mental Health Development and Improvement Manager.

Please follow this link for more information:   


MAGNET Showcase Event

Last chance to book onto the MAGNET Showcase event - Wednesday 16th September 2015 at Canolfan Soar. Please click on the links below to see the agenda for the day and download the booking form.

MAGNET Showcase Event (E)

MAGNET Showcase Event (W)

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Come to Fundraising Camp and spend a day learning, talking about and maybe even solving the issues and challenges you face in your fundraising. - No tents involved!     
fundraising camp
Learn from other fundraisers in your area, find out how they've dealt with similar problems, and share your experience.
Make some useful contacts and maybe even enjoy a very practical day of sharing fundraising advice.
Think of it as those often valuable networking chat sessions you have at normal conferences but for a whole day.
Friday 25 September 2015
9:30 - 16:00
Cardiff
Cick here for full details and booking
IOF Cymru WCVA

Launch of ASDA Carrier Bag Community Awards (Wales)

Retailers in Wales are required to charge customers 5p for a single-use carrier bag. ASDA has decided to use this money to support good causes that benefit the local community in areas where its stores are located.  
        
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000 for projects in the following areas:  
  • Children and young people.
  • Older people.
  • Health.
  • Community cohesion.
The grants can help meet a wide range of costs for community groups, including equipment, materials and local community activities and events. 

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2015.

Further details are available from:
http://www.cfiw.org.uk/eng/grants/51-asda---carrier-bag-community-awards

ASDA