Healthy Heart Grants - deadline 10th June

HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grants Last chance to apply for funding in your community

Community groups in Wales have just two weeks left to apply for a grant to help local people lead Healthy Heart lifestyles. Funding of up to £10,000 is available for projects that promote heart healthy initiatives. The application period closes on 10 June 2016 - so don't miss out on this great opportunity.

Who can apply for funding?

Funding is awarded for original, innovative projects that promote heart health and help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. They could address a variety of issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation and mental well-being, all with a focus on the heart. Grants are only available to not-for-profit organisations who can benefit from this funding, including:             - Charities - Community groups - Voluntary organisations - Sports groups Previous applicants and grantees can apply. The Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grants are funded by the SUBWAY Helping Hearts™ Family 5K  events and in-store fundraising across SUBWAY® stores near you. For a break down of regions click here.

Visit the Heart Research UK website to apply for a HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant using the online application form.

Access2Books - Wonderful Books

I just wanted to let you know that Merthyr Tydfil Library has several wonderful children's books adapted in very large print and Braille. They are beautiful adaptations of popular stories. The lady who developed them is registered blind and wanted to be able to have books to read the same stories to her grandchildren as any other grandparent.  At the last CYPVOF members identified that the large print and uncluttered pages would work very well for all children especially those who are having difficulty reading (dyslexia for instance).  This may be of some interest to your groups or members who would like to use these books to read with their children or grandchildren, they are available for individuals to borrow from the main library in the town centre.  

A further development is that a small group of CYPVOF members are working together to make the books more accessible to groups, the Library Service has kindly offered to purchase more books and will deliver and collect the books from groups that are interested in accessing this service.   

If your group would be interested in taking part - please email me:   alison.harris@vamt.net or leave a message on 01685 353915

Revision to Cwm Taf Public Health Forum meetings

Please note that some of the dates have been changed from the schedule previously sent out.

FORUM	DATE	TIME	VENUE
Taff Ely Public Forum	Friday 10 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Llantrisant Leisure Centre Southgate Park Llantrisant CF72 8DJ
Cynon Valley Public Forum	Monday 13 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Michael Sobell Sport Centre The Ynys Aberdare CF44 7RP
Merthyr Tydfil Public Forum	Wednesday 15 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Canolfan Soar Pontmorlais Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UB
Rhondda Valleys Public Forum	Wednesday 22 June 2016	9:30 to 12:30 [9:15 registration]	Ystrad Sports Centre Tyntyla Road Geligatled Park Ystrad CF41 7SY

Cwm Taf UHB - Public Fora Meetings

We are eager to increase the number of participants attending these events, so please share the details of these meetings with your family, friends, colleagues and networks.  Those wishing to attend one or all of the forums must register their contact details with me at the earliest opportunity (sharon.jeynes@wales.nhs.uk or 01443 744839).  When registering, please indicate whether Welsh language translation is required.

FORUM	DATE	TIME	VENUE
Rhondda Valleys Public Forum	Friday 10 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Ystrad Sports Centre Tyntyla Road Geligatled Park Ystrad CF41 7SY
Cynon Valley Public Forum	Monday 13 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Michael Sobell Sport Centre The Ynys Aberdare CF44 7RP
Merthyr Tydfil Public Forum	Wednesday 15 June 2016	12:30 to 15:30 [12:15 registration]	Canolfan Soar Pontmorlais Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UB
Taff Ely Public Forum	Wednesday 22 June 2016	9:30 to 12:30 [9:15 registration]	Llantrisant Leisure Centre Southgate Park Llantrisant CF72 8DJ

Cardiff University Student Placements

WCVA Code of Practice for Organisations involving Volunteers

WCVA have developed a poster version of the code of practice  to help everyone who involves volunteers in their activities to ensure that they do so within the framework of good practice.  Normally in hard copy these cost £5.  VAMT have a number of the bilingual A3 posters available at the Voluntary Action Centre which are free of charge for anyone who would like to call in and collect one.  Details of the poster can be found here

Unfortunately we are unable to post these out.

Disability Wales Job Readvertisement

Citizen Directed Co-operatives Cymru Development Officer

You can find full details of the post  here.

Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity Launches Special Innovation Round (UK)

Not-for-profit constituted groups/organisations within the UK that are previous applicants, existing grant holders as well as those that have never applied for an MSE Charity grant before are eligible to apply for this unique grant round.
The Innovation funding is available for applications that deliver financial capability. This means improving people's ability to manage their financial situation and developing their financial skills and knowledge. Applications must be innovative, testing out ideas that are genuinely new; that as far as possible do not overlap with projects funded by other funders.
Grants of between £2,000 and £15,000 are available for projects that are likely to be completed in one year; however, applications for up to three years will be considered.
The Charity's normal grants programme is expected to resume later in 2016. According to the MSE Charity, details will be posted well in advance online.

For more information check out the website ...   www.msecharity.com


The deadline for applications is 10 June 2016 (5pm).

Biffa Award - Important Changes to its Funding

The Biffa Award has funded a range of community and environmental projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland through its Large and Small Grants schemes since it was set up in 1997 under the Landfill Communities Fund.
As the amount of funding it receives through the Landfill Communities Fund is decreasing, however, and given that the Biffa Award scheme is ‘heavily oversubscribed’, the Award has felt it necessary to make the following changes:

• All Community Buildings and Recreation (ENTRUST D and E) projects must be within 5 miles (previously it was 7 miles) of a Biffa operation and 10 miles of any landfill sites or 10 miles of an active Biffa Landfill site.
• All Rebuilding Biodiversity (ENTRUST DA) projects must be within 15 miles of a Biffa operation.
• Biffa Award will now have one grant scheme where applicants can apply for between £10,000 and £75,000 (previously it was £50,000), with the project total cost not exceeding £200,000 inclusive of VAT.
• The Cultural Facilities theme will no longer be open to applications through the Main and Small Grants Schemes; instead Biffa will support heritage projects through its Partnership Scheme project with the Association of Independent Museums.
• The Smalls Grant Scheme has closed.

The application deadlines have changed. There will be three board meetings per year, where two themes will be reviewed at each meeting. The applicant’s grants officer will advise which meeting the project will be taken to and advise on application deadline dates accordingly.
The following dates are to be confirmed:

• October 2016 – Community Buildings and Rebuilding Biodiversity
• February 2017 – Rebuilding Biodiversity and Recreation
• June 2017 – Recreation and Community Buildings

Application deadlines will be timetabled throughout the year, in line with the meeting schedule above.

Click to view further information about this newsflash

Dementia Awareness Week Event

Community Co-ordinators and Penrhiwceiber Medical Centre are working together to support Dementia Awareness Week with an event at the surgery at 1:30 - 3:30pm on Tuesday 17th May.
Gareth Lewis of the Alzheimers Society will be on hand to provide information and advice,
                                     
Please come along to meet us and find out more.

Social Services & Wellbeing Act - Third Sector Conversation

SSWB ACT EVENT DIARY MARKER Let’s Get in on the Act 9:30-1:00pm   9th June 2016 The first in a series of linked SSWB Act events to help  transform the role of communities and the third sector in Cwm Taf ·        Do you work in RCT or Merthyr to deliver community activities and services? ·        Do you want to work with others to address the key challenges you face? ·        Do you deliver community services that prevent problems further down the line? ·        Are you involved in caring or volunteering? ·        Do you have something to say?   If so, it is time for you to get involved in the Act - we want to hear YOUR views! Join us at: 9:30 – 1.00pm Thur 9th June @ The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil Book via this link For all enquiries, please call: 01443 846200 or 01685 353900 *Getting there - we can help provide transport to the event.

#volunteersweek     #carersweek

Older People's Network Event - Have you booked your place yet?

Hosted by Age Connects Morgannwg, the Older People's Network Event on 18th May is just around the corner - some places are still available so make sure you don't miss out!  Book today via  this link. 

VAMT's "Inform" Magazine June 2016 - Your chance to contribute

Would you like to tell the wider third sector in Merthyr Tydfil about your group or project?  Have you had a funding success, or are you planning summer activities?  All contributions are welcomed - please also let us have a logo and some photos if you have them.

If you'd like to contribute, then contact Hilary Edwards by Monday 16th May 2016.

Coallfields Trust Facilities for Future Generations Event 14 June 2016

For further details of this event which is suitable for anyone who manages a community facility and wishes to become more energy efficient,  please click here

Postcode Community Trust - Community Grants

The Postcode Community Trust provides short-term, designated funding to good causes in Great Britain that promote community development and demonstrate positive change through access and engagement.
The Trust seeks to help groups participate more fully in activities within their community, especially for those who may feel isolated through disability or age. The Trust wants to help them overcome these barriers in creative and sustainable ways. Projects should help people gain better access to community facilities, community activities and strengthen communities in ways that are different, sustainable and reach a wide number of people.
Funding is available for activities that:

• Work in innovative ways to relieve older people's isolation.
• Support people looking after others.
• Enhance volunteering opportunities.
• Promote community arts projects.
• Promote team/group sports and activities that benefit communities.
• Provide/enhance places for sport and recreation.
• Promote interaction of different generations.
• Promote a community's social history.

Grassroots organisations, local charities and non-profit community businesses that are seeking to effect positive change within their local area in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible to apply.
Grants range from £500 to £20,000 for those in Scotland and England and up to £10,000 for those in Wales.

The deadline for applications to Round 2 is 31 May 2016.

Skipton Building Society Launches Grassroots Giving 2016

Skipton Building Society offers the Grassroots Giving scheme to support the development of local grassroots groups from across the UK.
Organisations should show a real commitment to their local community and enhance the lives of the neighbourhoods they are running within. Groups should have an annual net profit of less than £10,000.
Grants of £500 are available for projects that are able to demonstrate a lasting impact, that can show they will be helping to build a legacy for the community.

The deadline for applications is 29 July 2016.

People's Postcode Trust - Small Grants Programme Opens for Round 1

The Trust wants to make the world a better place through short-term funding for projects that help to prevent poverty, support healthy living initiatives and uphold human rights for some of society's most vulnerable groups. It will also consider projects which help different communities come together for better understanding and community relations.
The Trust offers funding to help organisations find real solutions to tackling the root causes of poverty and its long-term consequences by, for example, helping people gain the skills, knowledge and resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Poverty prevention can focus on relieving other needs, such as those associated with ethnicity, geography, gender and lack of educational and skills development.
Examples of projects which may fit within the Trusts criteria are:

• Training programmes to boost skills and opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
• Homelessness support.
• Prevention of anti-social behaviour in young people.
• Support for at-risk families (parenting support).
• Improvements to physical and mental health.
• Promotion of human rights.
• Services around domestic violence.
• Integrating refugees.

Grassroots organisations, local charities and non-profit community businesses that are seeking to effect positive change within their local area in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible to apply.
Grants range from £500 to £20,000 for those in Scotland and England and up to £10,000 for those in Wales.

The first deadline for applications is 31 May 2016.