Important Exhibition

The original 1990 plans for dualing the Heads of the Valleys road involved closing off the majority of junctions along A465 between Dowlais and Hirwaun.  This includes turns to/from Cefn  as well as Pant Industrial Estate and the top of Swansea Road  - the Cefn Coed roundabout is to remain. Your opportunity to have your say and shape any improvements will be at the planned exhibitions. 
See poster below for more information... 

Governing your Organisation - Last Chance to book your place

Just a reminder that there are still places available on our "Governing your Organisation" training session on 8 December - costs just £10 and takes place at the Voluntary Action Centre between 12:30 - 5:00.
To book email enquiries@vamt.net

I am a Volunteer - Marking International Volunteer Day

Please see below from Dr Lesley Hodgson, from Focal Point:

 

December 5th is International Volunteer Day and Focal Point is putting together a poster campaign to show off the depth and breadth of volunteering activities in Merthyr, the type of people who volunteer and also to promote the value of volunteering. The posters will be on display on the window at Focal Point, 145 High Street, (Opposite the Crown) and inside (if we have loads).

 A good quality photo of you from the waist up against a plain background or one of you actually volunteering (if there are other people in the photo and you can see their faces you would need to get written permission to use them) or a group photo of your volunteers.

Your name / or organisation name if sending in a group shot
Where you volunteer or what you do
One line saying what you get from volunteering or what you like most about it.

I'll do the rest. The deadline is Wednesday December 3rd and the photos will be on display from 5th December for two weeks.
Lesley can be contacted on:       lesley.pcva@gmail.com  or  07903 281908

Latest News from Big Lottery Fund

Dyma'r newyddion diweddaraf gan y Gronfa Loteri Fawr yng Nghymru    Here is the latest news from the Big Lottery Fund in Wales       Canllaw dechreuwyr i ymgeisio am grant: Oes angen ariannu arnoch ond heb wybod ble i ddechrau? Dyma'n canllaw i gael grant.   A beginner's guide to applying for a grant: Need funding but don't know where to start? Here's our guide to getting a grant.                                                 Codi ymwybyddiaeth o blant sydd â chlefydau anghyffredin Darllen am sut mae prosiect ffotograffiaeth yn dangos safbwynt gwahanol.   Raising awareness of children with rare diseases: Read how a photography project is showing a different perspective.       "Byddwn i ar y strydoedd heblaw am y lle 'ma": Cael gwybod mwy am brosiect ym Môn sy'n rhoi gobaith i bobl ifanc sy'n ddigartref.   "If I didn't have this place I'd be on the streets": Learn more about a project in Anglesey which is giving hope to young homeless people.     Cofrestru i dderbyn ein efwletin misol / Sign up to receive our monthly ebulletin           Llinell gymorth/Advice line 0300 123 0735   Ebost/Email  ymholiadau.cymru@cronfaloterifawr.org.uk enquiries.wales@biglotteryfund.org.uk   Llun-Gwener/Mon-Fri 9am-5pm   Gwefan/Website https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/welsh https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wales   Trafferth darllen yr e-bost hwn? Gweld e ar-lein Having trouble reading this email? View it online Dad-danysgrifio/Unsubscribe

Up and Coming Training from NewLink Wales

To view Newlink Wales' current training programme, please click here

Can you help? Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff Branch CRUSE need a Treasurer

Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff Branch of CRUSE, the charity which works to support bereaved people are desperately in need of a treasurer.  Sally Ann Evans, the Area Co-ordinator says " The role of our Treasurer is a voluntary position.  Our income and expenditure is minimal, hence the activity on our accounts is minimal.  This position would require perhaps around two hours of work per month.  The post holder would also become an official member of our Management Committee and would be required to attend three meetings per year.

 You can contact Sally at MerthyrTydfil/RhonddaCynonTaffBranch@cruse.org.uk 

Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care

Publicised on behalf of Merthyr Tydfil Fundraising Group for Marie Curie:

A Christmas coffee morning will  be held on
FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2015
10 - 12.00
AT HIGH ST CHAPEL, HALL
COST: £2 to include coffee/tea and mince pies/cakes etc
There will also be a raffle

All proceeds will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Samaritans - South Wales Valleys Project

SOUTH WALES VALLEYS PROJECT
VOLUNTEER FOR US!

Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress,  struggling to cope, or at risk

of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. We have 201 branches across the UK and ROI and are available

24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The South Wales Valleys Project is a new initiative for Samaritans Cymru.  We believe we can develop a strong volunteer base that can

ensure people in the valleys have our support. 

Are you interested?

·         Help us to run our project by fundraising or by being part of our management team

·         Be a listening volunteer and give support to people who need to talk

·         Be a support volunteer and help us to raise awareness of the support we offer

·         Help us train organisations to approach someone they are concerned about

·         Help us to deliver help seeking  sessions to young people

FIND OUT MORE BY COMING ALONG TO OUR FREE INFORMATION EVENING

On either Wednesday 25^TH NOVEMBER, 7pm  at The Redhouse Old Town Hall, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AE

or Wednesday 2^nd December, 7pm at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Upper Church Street, Gelliwastad Grove, Pontypridd,

Rhondda Cynon Taff CF37 2UF AT

Or contact Martin Smidman for more information or support to attend on 01656 667211 or by emailing martin.smidman@btopenworld.com

New Website launched in Cwm Taf for Safeguarding Children and Adults

The 10th November 2015 saw the launch of a brand new website for Safeguarding Children and Adults across the Cwm Taf region. Please follow this link to access a news article on this development and also access the safeguarding website.
http://scws.merthyr.gov.uk/news/new-safeguarding-website.aspx

£1000 raised at Quiz Night for Merthyr Tydfil Community Trust

There was a great atmosphere at Merthyr Rugby Club last night where a fundraising quiz was held for the Merthyr Tydfil Community Trust. A amazing sum of £1000 was raised and the quiz winners Les Quizerables received the MTCT Cup from the Chair of the Trust, Les Byard.

A big thank you to all for the donations and those who participated on the night.

Terry Collins receives Nicola Park Award

Have a look at Terry Collins receiving his well deserved Nicola Park Award for Outstanding Contribution from Gerald Jones MP Picture

Are you looking for some festive fun?

Invitation for the Drink Wise Age Well Festive Fun Day

Location: Hope Church, Merthyr Tydfil, Cf47 8UG

Date: 8^th of December 2015

Time: 10am-2pm

 

The event will include:

v fun games

v Creative crafts

v A tombola

v Free Christmas refreshments

v Opportunity to find out more about the programme

 

Join us to celebrate Christmas & promote safer drinking throughout the festive season.

Free entry to the general public, service users & staff.

Please share to all.

We hope to see you there!

Nicola Park Award - and the winner is . . .

Many congratulations to Terry Collins of Merthyr Tydfil PHAB Club who was awarded the Nicola Park Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering at VAMT's AGM.  Congratulations Terry from all of us here at VAMT.

Well done also, to the other 5 nominees for the award - a really high standard.

Galaxy Hot Chocolate Fund

Once again this year, the Galaxy Hot Chocolate Fund is looking to help community groups and charities across the UK and Ireland by awarding five £300 cash awards a week, every week until 28 February 2016.

Four of the awards will be made by their judges' panel, with a Peoples Choice award each week, awarded to the entry with the most votes in any given week.

To enter visit: https://www.galaxyhotchocolate.com/

Governing your Organisation training 8 December 2015 12:30pm - 5:00pm

Are you confident about the governance of your organisation?  Are you and your fellow trustees sue that you're using best practice?
Why not come along to this half day session, focusing on governing your organisation, taking place at the Voluntary Action Centre on 8 December, between 12:30pm and 5:00pm. Cost is only £10.  Email training@vamt.net to book your place now.

  

Governing your organisation

Aims
To enable participants to understand good governance and the systems by which organisations are run

Content
Governance is the systems and processes which ensure the overall direction, effectiveness, supervision and accountability of your organisation – it is crucial for the effective management of any third sector organisation. On this course you will explore the principles of good governance, consider how your organisation measures up to them, and explore the systems and the codes of practice you need to put in place to demonstrate you are a good and effective voluntary organisation.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• explore the concept and principles of governance 
• understand the purpose and uses of your ‘governing instrument’ (your constitution or rules) 
• understand the difference between governance and management 
• have considered the Trustee’s relationship with paid staff including the Chief Officer
• explore the importance of Nolan principles and Trustee codes of conduct 
• understand the roles of Sub-committees and executive committees 
• understand the role of AGMs and other membership meetings 
• have an overview of good practice in trustee recruitment

NEW! Open4Communities - a new free, funding portal to help your organisation access funding

Open4Community is a new, free and simple to use search tool giving you access to many thousands of relevant funding schemes in just a few simple steps.

Developed exclusively for local community groups in the Merthyr Tydfil  area, VAMT’s new and free-to-use funding portal aims to help organisations source funding to support an array of activities and projects.

•         Free online registration

•         60-second funding search or category browse for easy and quick access

•         Search thousands of funding schemes in just a few simple steps

•         24-hour updates for comprehensive funding information

•         Full scheme and contact details linking you directly to funding providers

 

Follow the link to access this FREE service and start sourcing funding opportunities today

Volunteers Needed for Safer Merthyr Tydfil

SMT's new Volunteer Co-ordinator Gemma Murphy will be recruiting Volunteer Mentors (aged 18+) to help support those who have come through Domestic Abuse Services. The sorts of support the mentors can offer will be low level including attending social appointments, doctors appointments (not advocacy), helping to access local services etc Volunteers will receive accredited mentoring training and will be able to access additional training as the role develops.

Further details are here