Research into Information Technology use in the third sector in Wales

MIND, Aberystwyth are conducting a study into Information Technology use in the Third Sector in Wales and would like response from a good spread of organisations from different sectors of work.  The survey will be open for a week for a swift turn around and can be accessed by this link:  https://survey.napier.ac.uk/n/ICT.aspx 

Many thanks for your cooperation in advance,

Lloyds Bank Foundation - move to grant rounds

Please see the information below and a link to Lloyds Bank website announcing their pending move to `grant rounds`.

Switch to Grant Rounds

Grant Rounds have been announced on  Lloyds Bank website under the Eligibility Guidance and FAQ’s page. 

http://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/eligibility-guidance

http://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/funding-faqs

Background

For many years the Foundation has operated a rolling approach to receiving funding requests from charities to provide flexibility around the timing of applications and decisions.

We have recently reviewed our approach and agreed to change to a grant rounds approach with fixed deadlines.

Why we think it is an improvement?

We have considered the different implications of this decision and believe it will help improve our service to our customers:

·      .          We will be able to guarantee that all charities get a decision within six months of registering an enquiry
·        For enquiries that lead to full applications we will be able to provide clear deadlines for decisions
·        We will be able to provide a clear indication of the chances that a funding enquiry will be successful, including level of enquiries by region and approval rates.

For the Foundation, we believe that the change will help us to:
    
·        Better understand the nature of the demand and need for our support
·        Help us to better target promoting the support we provide
·        Improve the distribution of our funding across the range of transition points we support.
·        Help us to use our resources better

How will it change the way the Foundation works?

The Foundation recognises the value that it places on people and in visiting charities seeking funding to meet with staff, trustees and beneficiaries to inform its funding decisions. 

The switch to a grant rounds approach will mean that we visit fewer charities in the course of deciding who to fund.  Under our new strategy we are further developing this relationship based approach to grant making and this will mean us developing a much deeper relationship with charities we fund going forward.  The change will free up time to achieve this objective. 

Mike Lewis

Grants Manager Wales

T: 0870 411 1223  / 18001 0870 411 1223 (TypeTalk) M: 07802 540793 
F: 0870 411 1224
E: mlewis@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk
W: www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk

Awareness Raising Training: Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014

£65k available to support those who are 65+

A total of £65k is available (to support those who are 65+) via the 2015-16 Community Capacity Fund

Need to know more?

Click here 

Paralympic Multisport Club

Community Capacity Fund 2015-16

Some appointments are still available at the funding 'surgery' for the Community Capacity Fund 2015-16 on the morning of Thursday 30th July.  Ring Alison Harris (01685 353915) or Sharon Richards (01685 353932) to book a slot.

Don't know about the Community Capacity Fund? - Click here for more information about the fund and how to apply.

Surveys - the National Assembly for Wales

Mae’r Pwyllgor Deisebau ar hyn o bryd yn cynnal adolygiad o system deisebau’r Cynulliad. Mae’n nhw eisiau gwybod os yw’r nifer o lofnodau yn gywir, a ddylai Aelodau Cynulliad gael yr hawl i gyflwyno deiseb, dyliwn ni gael isafswm oed er mwyn cyflwyno deiseb? Os ydych wedi cyflwyno deiseb i’r Cynulliad o’r blaen neu ddim mae’n hynod o bwysig eich bod yn cael dweud eich dweud: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/adolygiad-o-system-ddeisebau-ccc

Bydd yr holiadur hwn yn cau ar 11 Medi 2015.

Hefyd, mae’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol ar hyn o bryd yn edrych ar Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru) yng ngham 1. Mae'r Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru) yn nodi cyfres o gynigion ar gyfer deddfwriaeth sydd yn ceisio cael effaith gadarnhaol ar iechyd a lles pobl sydd yn byw yng Nghymru. Mae'n cwmpasu amrywiaeth o faterion sy'n ymwneud ag iechyd y cyhoedd, gan gynnwys: camau gweithredu i leihau'r niweidiau i iechyd pobl a achosir gan ysmygu; gwahardd y defnydd o e-sigaréts mewn lleoedd caeëdig a chyflwyno cyfyngiad oedran ar roi twll mewn rhan bersonol o'r corff. Hoffwn wybod eich barn ar y Bil yma drwy’r holiadur yma: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bil-iechyd-y-cyhoedd-cymru

Bydd yr holiadur hwn yn cau ar 4 Medi 2015.

**

The Petitions Committee are currently holding a review of the National Assembly for Wales’ Petitions system. They want to know whether the amount of signatures is correct, should Assembly Members be allowed to submit a petition and whether there should be a minimum age to submit a petition. Whether you have used the petitions system at the Assembly or not it’s really important that you have your say: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/review-of-nafw-petitions-system

This survey will close on 11 September 2015.

Also the Health and Social Care Committee are looking at the proposed Public Health (Wales) Bill at stage 1. The Public Health (Wales) Bill sets out proposals for legislation that aim to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people living in Wales. It covers a range of public health issues, including: action to reduce the harm to people’ health caused by smoking; banning the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed places; and introducing an age restriction on intimate body piercings. We want to know what you think of this proposed legislation and would like you to fill in our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/public-health-wales-bill

This survey will close on 4 September 2015.

 

Woodland Activity Taster Day

Survey for partners who support customers with Social Fund Budgeting Loans

The Department for Work and Pension are currently exploring the development of a digital application form for Social Fund Budgeting Loans.  The aim is to provide an easy and simple to use service so that customers can access support when they need it.

We are interested in finding out how much support third party organisations currently  provide to customers and would like to invite you to complete the attached survey. 

Your feedback will be greatly appreciated and will help us further understand our customers needs and will help us develop the best service that we can

www.surveymonkey.com/r/R7TZXR3

The survey is available until Friday 7^th August.

Community Capacity Fund 2015-16

                                            

The Community Capacity Fund 2015-16 is now open.  The deadline for applications is Friday 14th August 2015 at 4pm.

Click here for more information about the fund and how to apply.

The Third Sector Officer at VAMT will be holding a funding 'surgery' on:
Thursday 23rd July (morning)
Friday 24th July (afternoon)
Thursday 30th July (morning)

If you would like to book at appointment at the 'surgery' to discuss a potential application to the Community Capacity Fund, then please contact Alison Harris on 01685 353915 or Sharon Richards on 01685 353932

Job Vacancy - One Voice Project Officer

One Voice Project Officer  25 hours per week (part of the MAGNET portfolio of projects)
Scale point 26-32 (£22,937- £27,934 pro-rata) plus 10% employers pension contribution
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

This is an advocacy project to support disabled people to be able to speak up and to create forums to agree collective action and engage with service providers.

Funded until 31 May 2017

Contact Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (01685) 353900 or www.vamt.net

Closing Date: 31 July, interviews  11 August

Swyddog Prosiect Un Llais  25 awr yr wythnos  (rhan o’r portfolio prosiectau MAGNET)
Pwynt 26-32 (£22,937- £27,934 pro-rata) gan gynnwys cyfraniad pensiwn gan y cyflogwr o 10%. 28 diwrnod o wyliau’r flwyddyn gan gynnwys gwyliau banc (pro-rata)

Dyma brosiect eiriolaeth i gefnogi pobl anabl er mwyn eu caniatau i leisio barn a chreu fforymau i’r anabl er mwyn cytuno ar weithredoedd ar y cyd ac ymgysylltu gyda darparwyr gwasanaeth.

Wedi’i ariannu tan 31 Mai 2017.

Cysylltwch a Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Merthyr Tudful (01685) 353900 neu www.vamt.net

Dyddiad Cau:  31 Gorfennaf, cyfweliadau  11 Awst

Job Opportunities for Veterans

TEDS has a number of job vacancies within its Change Step programme available to veterans.  Further details are available here

Digital Volunteers

For more information about Digital Communities Wales, please click here

Launch of the 2016 St David Awards Recognising Exceptional Achievements Benefiting Wales

Launch of the 2016 St David Awards Recognising Exceptional Achievements Benefiting Wales

The St David Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of people in Wales. They acknowledge people who are not simply doing their jobs, but rather those who are doing exceptional things and making a real difference to the quality of life in Wales.

The Awards reflect and promote the aspirations of Wales and its citizens to be a modern, vibrant country, with a growing reputation as a confident and clever nation valuing innovation, community spirit, and above all its people.

There are nine categories which are:

• the St David Award for Bravery
• the St David Award for Citizenship
• the St David Award for Culture
• the St David Award for Enterprise
• the St David Award for Innovation and Technology
• the St David International Award
• the St David Award for Sport
• the St David Young Person Award
• the First Ministers Special St David Award

All finalists will receive a certificate. The winner in each category will receive an award trophy designed and made by a leading Welsh artist and a certificate. All finalists will be invited to the Award Ceremony and Dinner with either a friend or a partner of their choice and their expenses will be covered within reason.

Anyone who is living or has lived in Wales or has done exceptional service to the county can be nominated. Self-nominations are acceptable. Groups or teams of people are also welcome as nominees. Nominees do not have to be born in Wales or be a UK national either but they must have a meaningful link to Wales.
The nomination deadline for the 2016 Awards is 27 October 2015.  For further details visit their website.

New Community Co-ordinator for Merthyr Tydfil

VAMT is pleased to confirm that Elaine James has been appointed to the Community Co-ordinator role for Merthyr Tydfil.

Elaine takes up post from today and can be contacted on 01685 353907 or 07580866547.

The Community Co-ordinator role aims to support people 65 and over by:

• promoting independence and wellbeing
• raising awareness and uptake of voluntary and community activities
• connecting with local services.

If you are aged 65 and over or care for someone aged 65 and over and would like to find out what's available in your area, then give Elaine a call.

NEWS RELEASE

funding tO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY hEart Healthy
Not-for-profit organisations can now apply for community grants

Funding for grants of up to £5,000 or up to £10,000 is now available for not-for-profit organisations all over the UK for projects that promote heart health in their communities, thanks to national charity, Heart Research UK.

Funding is available through Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Grant scheme and community groups have until the 31 August to apply for a grant.  The charity is looking to fund new, original and innovative projects that actively promote heart health and help to reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities.  Projects can address a variety of issues including healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation - with the key focus of improving heart health.

Heart Research UK is now accepting applications for their autumn grant round, which closes on 31 August 2015.

Community and voluntary organisations, registered charities, and other not-for-profit organisations based and working in the UK may apply for grants of up to £5,000 and up to £10,000.

 Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, says:

“The aim of our Healthy Heart Grants is to encourage people to make good healthy choices and give practical help.  This funding will help even more people learn how to look after their heart health and ultimately lead healthier, happier, longer lives.  Thanks to everyone who has made these grants possible and interested groups can apply for a grant now.”

For further information please visit http://heartresearch.org.uk/grants 

-ENDS- 

For further information please contact Faye Keatley on 0113 297 6207

Heart Research UK

Having funded six of the first eight successful UK heart transplants, Heart Research UK has been helping hearts near you by funding ground-breaking medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. 

Since the charity was formed in 1967 it has funded over £21m on research projects in hospitals and universities across the UK.  Since the start of its Healthy Heart Grant programme in 2001, it has also awarded over £1.75m to community- based lifestyle projects that aim to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease.  What’s raised locally is spent on local projects.

 

You can also follow Heart Research UK on Twitter: @heartresearchuk or become a fan of our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Research-UK/10733061906

Merthyr Tydfil Academy of Success 2015

Some of you may have been aware of last year’s launch of the ‘Merthyr Tydfil Academy of Success’, for children and young people, and the very successful Celebration Event that took place last October. For those of you who weren’t aware, the awards ceremony recognised individuals, groups and organisations’ learning achievements throughout the previous 12 months.

The focus of the Awards was to recognise the many different ways in which children and young people, within the County Borough, excel through participation in extra-curricular activities and active citizenship.

To bring us up to date , nominations are now being taken for this year’s awards and, although we had a great number of nominations last year, this year we would like to reach out even further, to all youth groups / organisations out there who may not yet be aware of the Awards Ceremony or that they are eligible to nominate their members.
Please could we ask you, if any member of your family / friends attends, works or volunteers with any organisation that works with / for young people between the age of 8 – 25 years, to pass the attached information on to them and encourage them to get involved so that their group or young members have the opportunity to get the recognition they deserve.
Further information on categories is here  and here

Details of a new creative writing group at Dowlais Community Centre

For further information on the new creative writing group taking place at Dowlais Community Centre please click here

Would you like to help the Charity Commission improve their online services?

  

The Charity Commission’s online services play a significant part in the way that they now regulate the sector. Can you help them to improve their online content and services?       

 

If so, they'd love you to sign up to an exercise that they're carrying out, to test what people's real experiences are of using their website. They're also looking for organisations that support others to use the Commission's website, either as a way of seeking guidance or by completing a form. 

If you are interested in taking part, please email Anna Bezodis on abezodis@wcva.org.uk by Monday 13 July 2015, providing your contact details and confirming in what capacity you'd like to take part (either as an individual/representative of a charity, or as an organisation that supports others in using the Commission's website