Thursday 11 December 2014

Have Your Say in Mental Health

Cwm Taf Mental Health Partnership Board would like to know about local services that support you or your family’s mental health and wellbeing.
The 'Have Your Say in Mental Health' survey will help them understand your requirements.  Complete the survey via this link.  If you have any queries, or would like hard copies of the survey then please contact Rachel Wyatt at Interlink on 01443 846200 / email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk 

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Make an early New Year's Resolution to attend Volunteer Management Training FREE for Merthyr Tydfil Groups

New dates are available for VAMT and Interlink's very popular Volunteer Management Training for 2015.

An Introduction to Volunteering and Preparing for Volunteers takes place on January 14 and 15 here at the Voluntary Action Centre.

Volunteer Recruitment, Selection and Induction takes place at Interlink's Offices in Upper Board, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Getting the Best from your Volunteers is on 16 and 17 February at again at the Voluntary Action Centre in Merthyr Tydfil.

Each two day course costs £40 but thanks to Merthyr Tydfil's Social Care Workforce Development Partnership groups with Merthyr Tydfil beneficiaries are able to attend free of charge.

To book your place or to find out more please email training@vamt.net

Brief Intervention Training Courses for Smoking Cessation




January to March 2015: 
One day accredited Brief Intervention training courses.

Click here for information in English                          Click here for information in Welsh

Latest news from Llamau

Llamau


alt

To read Llamau's Christmas newsletter and more follow this link

Carers Newsletter

The latest edition of the Merthyr Tydfil Carers Newsletter is out.

Carers Newsletter Winter 2014

The Rest Grant Scheme

Have a look at this one-off grant scheme. Details can be found by following the link The Rest Grant Scheme

It’s a bit out of the ordinary, in that it offers unrestricted funding for which the most important criterion is an organisation’s ‘fit’ with the aims and objectives of the Rest.

WCVA are administering the Scheme. If you would like a chat please ring Tessa White (029 2043 1755), or Siân Baker Maurice (029 2043 1758). Alternatively, there is a dedicated email inbox therest@wcva.org.uk

The closing date for applications is being extended to Friday 9 January 2015.

If you would like help in making an application contact Ravi Vedi on 01685 353933 or by email ravi.vedi@vamt.net 

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Grants to Young People - High Sheriff Awards

Applications are invited from young people in the County Boroughs of Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Bridgend. The Panel would be delighted to receive as many applications as possible for consideration, including from young people in the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough.

Nomination form part one click here »

Nomination form part two click here »

The closing date for applications is 23rd January 2015. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend a Presentation Evening in Bridgend on 5th March 2015.

Thursday 4 December 2014

Community Wellbeing Coach - Volunteering

We're pleased to announce that, following a successful joint bid between VAMT and Community Wellbeing Coaches CIC to DWP's Flexible Support Grant, Steve Morgan has been appointed as a Community Wellbeing Coach with a particular focus on supporting people into volunteering as a step closer to becoming economically active.

Steve will be able to receive referrals from 2 January 2015, so if you know someone who might be interested in volunteering but needs a bit of support and encouragement to take that first step, you can contact Steve via email at steve.morgan@vamt.net

NAW Surveys into Alcohol and Substance Misuse


The Health and Social Care Committee at the National Assembly for Wales  are currently looking into the issue of alcohol and substance misuse and are looking to collect evidence and source opinions from people all over Wales on this issue. Attached is further information on the surveys. In brief, we currently have two surveys to collect opinions: one for the public and another for service providers

Survey for the public:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GP-inquiry-into-alcohol-and-substance-misuse

 Survey for staff:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/inquiry-into-alcohol-and-substance-misuse

The surveys will close Friday 9 January 2015.

                     Eurochild Conference


UK CONFERENCE
Investing in Children
Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage

Joint Action towards the Implementation of the European Commission
Recommendation on Child Poverty & Wellbeing 
Sharing Information Across the UK

click on link for further information   Eurochild

Puss in Boots comes to Theatre Soar

The attached production of Puss in Boots Pantomime (English Language production) is going on in The Soar Theatre in Pontmorlais and is now being offered for youth groups and school groups for £5 per child/young person with teachers/leaders free,

For Production dates and times, to book tickets and for more information please ring 01685 722176
 
 

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Changes to Charity Annual Returns and Online Register of Charities

Changes are being made to the Charity Annual Return form for financial years ending on or after 1 January 2015.

Three new questions will be added, which all charities must answer:
  • How much income did you receive from contracts from central or local government to deliver services, and how much in grants from central or local government?
  • Does your charity have a policy on paying its staff?
  • Has your charity reviewed its financial controls during the reporting period?
The Commission will produce guidance to accompany the questions.

Thursday 20 November 2014

Do you know a community or voluntary group that has used digital technology to drive their organisation forward?

If you do, then shine the spotlight on them by nominating them for the "Communities 2.0 Community & Voluntary Group Award."

The Community & Voluntary Group Award celebrates organisations that have used their ICT review to: 
 
  • Improve capacity 
  • Develop their staff 
  • Engage their membership 
  • Save money 
  • Operate more efficiently 
  • Generate more income 
The winner will be a group for whom ICT has meant being able to do more things, and do them better.

Nominate now!

The application process is quick and easy. Simply register your interest for the awards, and we will then email you the application form. All nominees must have been supported by the Communities 2.0 programme during the project’s lifetime (2009-2015).

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday 15th December 2014. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Communities 2.0 Celebration of Achievement Conference 2015, on 25th and 26th February 2015, at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff.

For more information on the Communities 2.0 Celebration of Achievement Awards 2015, please visit: www.communities2point0.org.uk/celebration-of-achievements-awards-2015

Thursday 13 November 2014

The "Do’s and Don'ts" of Fundraising

Fundraising beyond grants is an essential activity for the community and voluntary sector, and key to long term sustainability. High standards of fundraising are essential for charities, suppliers and donors - the “Do’s and Don’ts”
  • Three-fifths of people are more likely to trust a charity if they knew it was an FRSB member 
  • 41% of over a thousand survey respondents said that they would donate more
The Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice extensive guidance includes: 

Get Your Fundraising Mojo back!

Fundraising angst? Lost your fundraising mojo?  Have a look at these "How to Guides" by KnowHow NonProfit.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

SMALL GRANTS SCHEME

Merthyr Tydfil Community Trust

This fund is available to small voluntary and community groups for any charitable purpose (excluding religious activities). Grants awarded will not normally exceed £250. The application must be for an activity based in the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. Applications can only be considered from organisations whose income in the last financial year was less than £10,000.
The application form is attached. The closing date is 24th November 2014.


Is it all about money? Don't miss our latest event


Bevan


Dear Bevan Foundation Member

Welcome to our October members' newsletter.  There are two NEW events announced today, plus a new course on workers' rights.  Also two vacancies and a catch-up on our latest online articles.

Thanks for your continuing support!

Victoria

Carnegie Challenge:
Is it all about money?
Tuesday 4th November 2014, 5 - 7 pm
Future Inn, Hemingway Road, Cardiff
Is our well-being only about money? Would greater wealth solve all our problems? Or should we forget about cash and focus on relationships and emotions?  
This debate features two exceptional speakers with diverging views:
·        Peter Kelly is Director of the Poverty Allliance, a ground-breaking Scottish charity which has done much to promote practical action on low incomes and disadvantage.
·        Michael Carrick is the driving force behind many of the UK's infrastructure projects, including the Circuit of Wales, and was formerly Global Head of Merrill Lynch International. 
·        Hosted by BBC Wales presenter Tomos Dafydd.
PROGRAMME
5.00 p.m.  Drinks reception
5.30 p.m.  Discusion starts
6.45 p.m.  Vote of thanks and depart

Attendance is free but prior booking is essential - please book via EVENTBRITE

Sponsored by the Carnegie UK Trust which supports public debates run by not-for-profit organisations in the UK and Ireland.
ANEURIN BEVAN MEMORIAL LECTURE:
Owen Smith M.P., Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
19th November 2014, 5.30 -7.30 p.m. Committee Room 9, House of Commons, London 
The Aneurin Bevan Society in association with the Bevan Foundation presents the 2014 Aneurin Bevan Memorial Lecture by Owen Smith MP,Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. Attendance is free but advance booking is essential using our online service Eventbrite.

Hosted by Dr Hywel Francis MP and with the generous support of GMB
New course on workers' rights
 
A few places are available on the Identifying and Tackling Discrimination in the Workplace course, run by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (Wales).  The course gives you the skills and knowledge to advise workers on their rights under the Equality Act 2010.

If you are interested please complete the Online Registration Form
Join our team!
We're looking for:
  • TWO TRUSTEES especially individuals with fundraising, finance or membership skills. Find out more here.
  • An ADMINISTRATOR for 12 hours a week - more information here
Latest reads from the blog
  • Read on and get on - Mary Powell-Chandler on why reading matters to children.
  • Getting Blind and Partially Sighted People online - Andy Williams on why people who are visually impaired can still use the internet.
  • Wales - middle class nation - Victoria Winckler on what dramatic changes in occupations mean for public policy and politics.
  • Lost - one poverty Minister's post - Victoria Winckler reflects on the Cabinet reshuffle.
  • Scotland the Brave - Quintin Oliver compares the Scottish independence referendum with that in Northern Ireland.
Talking Point
We're sorry but we are not able to run a Talking Point this month because of lack of resources.
We hope it will be back soon. 

Bevan Foundation 145a High Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DP  info@bevanfoundation  Registered Charity no. 1104191  Company limited by guarantee no.  4175018
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MEND

Join MEND  - the healthy lifestyle programme where children and their families get fitter, healthier and happier for FREE!

Universal Children's Day Vigil


INVITATION
Universal Children's Day Vigil
Thursday 20th November 2014 at 12.30pm
Dedicated to Ending Legalised Violence against Children
St John the Baptist City Parish Church, Cardiff
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary
of the adoption of the 
Convention on the 
Rights of the Child
You are warmly invited to join us for this Vigil which will promote respect for children, remember those who have suffered violence and highlight children's right to equal protection under the law.
Universal Children's Day was established by the United Nations in 1954. For over 55 years governments have celebrated Universal Children's Day on the 20th November to promote the well-being of children. This date also marks the day on which the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1959) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). 

'Sdim Curo Plant!/Children are Unbeatable! Cymru seeks the prohibition of all physical punishment of children in Wales, together with support for positive non-violent parenting.
RSVP:
Eleri Griffiths
How to find St John's Church
St John's Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 1GJ
Tel: 029 2039 5231

GWAHODDIAD
Gwylddydd Diwrnod Byd-eang y Plant
Dydd Iau 20fed Tachwedd 2014 am 12.30pm
Wedi'i Neilltuo er
Dileu Trais sydd wedi'i Gyfreithloni yn erbyn Plant
Eglwys Sant Ioan Fedyddiwr,
Plwyf Canol y Ddinas, Caerdydd
 
Dathlu 25 mlynedd ers mabwysiadu'r
Confensiwn ar Hawliau'r Plentyn

Estynnir croeso cynnes i chi ymuno â ni ar gyfer yr Wylddydd hon a fydd yn hybu parch at blant, yn cofio'r rhai sydd wedi dioddef trais, ac yn amlygu hawl plant i gael amddiffyniad cyfartal o dan y gyfraith.

Sefydlwyd Diwrnod Byd-eang y Plant gan y Cenhedloedd Unedig yn 1954. Ers dros 55 o flynyddoedd mae llywodraethau wedi dathlu Diwrnod Byd-eang y Plant ar 20fed Tachwedd er mwyn hybu lles plant. Mae'r dyddiad hwn hefyd yn nodi'r diwrnod pryd y mabwysiadodd y Cenhedloedd Unedig y Datganiad ar Hawliau'r Plentyn (1959) a Chonfensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn (1989).

Mae 'Sdim Curo Plant!/Children are Unbeatable! Cymru yn ceisio sicrhau gwaharddiad ar bob cosb gorfforol i blant yng Nghymru, ynghyd â chefnogaeth i ddulliau cadarnhaol, di-drais o fagu plant.


RSVP:
Eleri Griffiths
Sut mae dod o hyd i Eglwys Sant Ioan
Stryd Sant Ioan, Caerdydd, De Morgannwg CF10 1GJ
Ffôn: 029 2039 5231

Shine at Learning Disability Wales Annual Conference


earning Disability Wales Annual Conference is only three weeks away.


Three weeks to Shine!

Places still available at Shine! Learning Disability Wales Annual Conference 25 and 26 November 2014, Newport, South Wales

It's not long to go now until our Annual Conference.

As usual it will be a bright mix of drama, workshops, personal stories and lots of ideas for you to take away.

This year we are looking at how everyone should have the chance to succeed, and the achievements people with a learning disability reach.


We have got a great selection of workshops to attend each day, interactive, engaging and informative.

Find out more about our workshops>>


Speakers and presentations include forum theatre, sport, employment, parents and a choir.

Find out more about our presentations>>
We look forward to seeing you at Shine!

If you have any questions please give me a ring 029 2068 1161

Harriett Johnson
harriett.johnson@ldw.org.uk

Congratulations - You make us proud.

Another wonderfully talented young person from Merthyr Tydfil...
Delyth Mclean’s is a brand new voice in Welsh Music and she releases her debut single ‘Lost in Sound’ on 27th November 2014.
This has been a busy year for Delyth as she has been performing to audiences all across Wales and has been gaining positive airplay and preforming live sessions across a range of BBC Radio Wales and S4C programmes all through 2014.
Her song ‘Without a Gun’ has received national airplay on BBC Radio Wales with presenter Adam Walton enthusing that Delyth’s material is “bristling Welsh creativity.
  
You will all know Delyth’s proud and also talented mother – Lis McLean of Canolfan Soar.  Lis has vision and a fantastic ability to turn that vision into reality, hence the wonderful facility we now have
 in the Pontmorlais area of the Town Centre.
                       Congratulations and Best Wishes from VAMT
To hear her new single plesae click on the link      Lost in Sound single and press release

Monday 3 November 2014

LawWorks Cymru Event

Please click on the link for information about a really useful event provided by LawWorks Cymru who are looking into providing pro-bono advice to third sector organisations in Merthyr Tydfil.

The aim of the event is to:

provide information on the services for individuals and community groups assess gaps in local provision, and crucially , start the process for establishing regular, free legal advice sessions in the County Borough which complement not duplicate current provision.  

Please fill in the booking form and join us on  7th November 10.30 - 1.30, at the Willows Centre, Troedyrhiw. 


Booking Form for LawWorks Cymru Event
Ravi Vedi , Community Economic Development Officer     

Christmas in Merthyr Tydfil town centre

Signaturelogos.jpg

Big Heart Bulletin

Big Heart Christmas Poster


Please find attached a copy of The Big Heart Christmas Newsletter.  Included within you will find details of the programme of events in the town leading up to Christmas and information about how we plan to market the town over the Christmas period. Indeed, our We Love Merthyr Christmas promotion will start on Heart Radio on Monday ...
Last year, an additional 8000 visitors came to the town centre on the day of the Christmas Lights Switch On. If you remained open, you will recall that there were very large numbers of people in town till well after 7pm so I would appeal to as many of you as possible to consider extending your opening hours this year on 15 November to take advantage of this. 
Please also note that there will be free parking in the pay and display car parks on Saturdays from 15 November to Christmas so please help to make your customers aware of this. 
On a final note, take a look at the information about the various Big Heart grant schemes and see if one or more is appropriate to your business. Over 50 Big Heart grants have already been approved and you too could take advantage of these schemes and invest back into your business.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
Antonia

Antonia Pompa
BID Co-ordinator
The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil
13 Wheatsheaf Lane
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8AY

Tel: 01685 726272
Email: antonia@thebigheart.net


Co-production Wales Newsletter 16 - 1st August 2014


  

Co-production Wales (All in this Together)

Putting co-production at the heart of public services in Wales
==============================================================

In this issue (August 2014):

==============================================================

Co-production in Wales update

Co-production asset map for Wales survey

As you may already know, we are working with WCVA and Participation Cymru to create an asset map of the Welsh co-production community, to find out who and what's out there and to create opportunities for greater collaboration and networking.
We know that you have a mass of knowledge and experience - about co-production theory and practice, about barriers, challenges, and, hopefully, some solutions. You might be able to offer training, resources or mentoring, or be interested in collaboration with others. Whatever your interest and involvement in co-production we would like to hear from you.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure that co-production principles are at the heart of public service commissioning, design, delivery and evaluation in Wales. This will mean that citizens are valued for their expertise and experience, contributing to the health and well-being of our communities through equal and reciprocal partnerships with public service providers.
Please help us to turn our collective co-pro aspirations in to reality by completing the survey asap and encouraging colleagues to do likewise.

Commissioning Masterclasses
The first two days of the South Wales Commissioning Masterclasses were absolutely knockout. Rigorous evidence, in-depth experience, really useful theory and a great range of practical methods, tools and techniques. Attendees came from Welsh Government, WCVA, Big Lottery, local authorities and third sector organisations and somehow Julia Slay (nef) managed to make it relevant for all of us. Inspirational stuff...
'I just want to say thank you for the past two days, it was refreshing to spend time out focusing on co-production and spending time with like-minded people. I feel re-energised.' ~ Lisa Morgan, Dimensions Cymru
'A really interesting and enjoyable two days.' ~ Claire Taylor, SEWIC Commissioning Officer
'Thank you for organising the Masterclasses - it was an incredibly valuable two days. I also felt that the structure of the course was spot on: really well paced and varied. Looking forward to the next day in November!' ~ Gareth Coles, WCVA
Related article:
Is procurement incompatible with co-production? By Gareth Coles, WCVA, following the Masterclasses.
The North Wales Masterclasses kick off in October - if you're involved in commissioning, procurement or tendering, do sign up. (See Events section below.)

Related link: nef report on Commissioning for outcomes and co-production

Co-producing the NHS
The Welsh Government is probably not widely known for its radicalism and no doubt there are more than a few dusty corners where senior folk lean against the wainscoting and pontificate paternally at underlings. Or indeed where underlings practise pontificating at under-underlings and so on unto the fourth generation. But what's increasingly evident is that there are also growing numbers of beret-wearing revolutionaries in WG who understand co-production in the real 'shared power, shared responsibility' sense, and who are busy supporting its development.
Perfectly timed to prove the point, here's a recent email we received from Chris Riley - Strategy Division Senior Manager in WG's Health & Social Services Department.

Seven reasons why the NHS needs co-production…
1. If people in Wales are not customers in the NHS, what are they?  'Partners' sounds good.
2. It will help people take more responsibility and control over their own health.
3. If we want to improve outcomes in the NHS, we need to focus on outcomes, and that means what matters to patients.
4. The NHS can only change in the way it needs to if it takes along those who use it.
5. Working with patients and the public will help them understand more about health.
6. People who take an interest in their own health and care have better outcomes.
7. It will save money – one estimate is £4bn!!


In other words, it will improve:
- clarity about what is the role of government and of individuals
- personal motivation and responsibility
- the shift from process to outcomes
- sensitive, sensible, acceptable service change and development
- health literacy
- outcomes
- use of resources…
Not bad for a start!

Co-production Implementation Group and Flagship Projects
Co-production Flagship Projects are go! Agreement was reached at a particularly enthusiastic and dynamic meeting of the Co-production Implementation Group this week and Constance Adams (WCVA), Maria Gallagher (PHW) and Ruth Dineen (Co-production Wales) offered to be the exquisitely synchronised Flagships planning and delivery team. We aim to launch this glorious initiative in the autumn... An overview is on our website - full technicolour details will be available shortly. Thanks to our chair Ruth 'Assets' Hussey for shifting us seamlessly from talk to action.

We're published internationally!
Finally, we are pleased as punch that Shareable asked us to write an article for their website. Here it is: Co-production Wales Empowers Users to Co-create Better Public Services. It has also been republished on Resilience.org.
==============================================================

Upcoming co-production events and happenings

The Cardiff Debate
This will take place over the next 3 years and will involve local people and communities in conversations that will shape the future of public services in Cardiff.  Drop-in workshops are being run across Cardiff during August. Follow the link in the title for details.

15th August 2014
Prepare for Change – The Schumacher Institute
Colston Avenue, Bristol, 13:00 – 16:30
Over the last two years Prepare For Change (P4C) events have explored complex global issues such as food security, climate change, new technologies and automation and employment and the possible impacts on the Bristol city region (from businesses to communities).
As it's the downtime of summer, P4C is taking the opportunity to revisit what we mean when we talk about complex global issues, how they interact and how they can combine to make the unexpected emerge. Find out more about the afternoon workshop and book here via eventbrite.

2nd-5th September 2014
The Unusual Suspects Festival: unlikely connections for social change
London
SIX, Collaborate and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation have designed a festival that will bring together the 'unusual suspects' – individuals and organisations from youth clubs to royal societies who are making real social change happen by working together in new and different ways. Blending international expertise and innovation with local thinking and practice from across the UK, this festival will feature a collection of interlinked events that will draw out the ways in which collaboration and social innovation can work in sync – and ask how this can help address some of the most difficult issues we face in society today. More than 25 different events will take place all over London, and more than 50 organisations are collaborating with the festival. Places are limited so check out the programme of events and register asap for the ones that catch your interest.

27th September 2014
Gov Camp Cymru
The Parade Hall, Cardiff
Gov Camp Cymru is the first unconference for people working in or with public services in Wales (or who are simply interested in Government and wish to contribute), and will bring together around 100 delegates to discuss, create and innovate around public service development and delivery in Wales. An unconference is a gathering of people around a theme or subject where the agenda is set by the participants at the beginning of the event. You will discuss, create and innovate – looking at how technology, new thinking and public services can improve society. Tickets are on a first come, first served basis and will be released in 3 batches. All details on eventbrite.
Who should attend?
. Government or public service employee - People currently working in these sectors, whether you are representing your employer or attending as an individual
. Elected Politician - Politicians at any level
. Private sector or freelancers - People who are currently freelancing, or working in the private sector.
. Everyone else - If you don't think you fall into any of the other categories then you are still welcome. All are welcome at GovCampCymru so please do come along and join in.
Follow @govcampcymru on Twitter for all the latest information.
Please note: Tickets for the Friday 26th September and Saturday 27th September GovCampCymru Fringe events will be made available separately. See govcampcymru.org for more information.
Sponsored by: UnLtd, Good Practice Exchange, UK Gov Camp, Good Practice Wales, Newport City Homes.

Co-production Wales and the New Economics Foundation are delighted to present the fabulous, the unmissable, the transformative…
Commissioning for Co-production Masterclasses – North Wales
8 - 9 October 2014 & 5 February 2015
Glyndwr University, Wrexham
Commissioning for Outcomes and Co-production is an approach that involves working collaboratively with local people and providers to maximize the value from public money across the social, environmental and economic bottom-line; co-producing support to meet people's needs, help them achieve their aspirations and promote high well-being for all. New Economics Foundation (NEF) has been working with Lambeth, Cornwall and Islington councils over the past 30 months to implement an approach to commissioning for outcomes and co-production. The programme includes:
. Introducing outcomes based commissioning;
. Introducing co-production: theory, practice and methods;
. Tendering for outcomes including examples of procurement documentation, using the outcomes framework, and co-producing the tender process;
. Monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
Full details and booking form are on the Eventbrite page, or contact us for more information: mailto:ruth@coproductiontraining.com
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/three-day-masterclass-commissioning-for-social-value-outcomes-and-co-production-registration-11557461679

We're including some information about an Appreciative Inquiry workshop being run in Cardiff by Roger Rowett this autumn. Roger is an exceptional trainer but, more to the point, Appreciative Inquiry is a superb way in to co-production since it begins (and ends) with an asset-based approach, builds on strengths and helps teams / partnerships / networks to flourish. Highly recommended!

18th-20th November 2014
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY (AI) TRAINING  IN CARDIFF

Appreciative Inquiry is a proven model that is based on identifying and building on what works, rather than focusing on fixing problems. Problems are resolved, but this is done in a solution focused way. It has been used by local authorities, the NHS and large private sector companies. AI can be used in a range of ways:
. Organisational development and improvement
. Service review and reorganisation
. Self-evaluation
. Community engagement and development
. Person Centred Planning and other individual development programmes
. Coaching and supervision
. Co-production events
The course will be delivered by Roger Rowett. Roger has worked in social care and education for over 30 years and has also worked for the two inspectorates in Wales (CSIW and Estyn). He has been using AI extensively in his work for the past 6+ years, both facilitating the process and training others. Clients (for AI training) have included a number of Local Authorities in Wales and England, Public Health Wales, NLIAH, FE staff, National Museums of Wales and PSMW.
Course programme:
. The theory of AI and how to apply it in the workplace;
. The 5D cycle and how to use it in practice;
. How to use AI to engage with your workforce, customers and other key stakeholders;
. How to bring about change and improvement that everyone has ownership of;
. How to agree strategies that are sustainable;
. How AI can be used to implement coproduction.
The cost of the course is £450 plus £50 for ILM certification. This covers 3 days training, a resource & learning folder, ILM certification and involvement in post-course learning & development (online and self-managed). For further details and a full programme contact Roger Rowett at info@taith.co.uk or visit www.taith.co.uk.
==============================================================

Opportunity to circulate to your networks


Help make a real difference to patient care - apply to join the RCP (Royal College of Physicians) patient and carer network - volunteer opportunity (expenses paid).

. Are you or have you been a patient or carer?
. Are you interested in volunteering?
. Would you like to help contribute to improving standards for patients, carers and the public?
If you answered yes to all the above questions then we would like to hear from you. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in Wales is recruiting new volunteers to join our patient and carer network (PCN).

The RCP works to improve standards of patient care and we are committed to putting patients' voice at the core of everything we do. Our PCN is made up of patients, carers and members of the public from a range of backgrounds across the UK. As a member you will have the opportunity to make sure that the views and experiences of patients and carers are fully integrated in the work of the RCP.

If you are enthusiastic about improving patient care and you enjoy working with others, then we want to hear from you. No prior experience is necessary, and we welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds who can share their views as a patient or carer.

Some of the work you could be involved in includes:
. Providing a patient's or carer's perspective to RCP committees working on topics ranging from patient safety to stroke medicine.
. Providing patient insight on how new medical guidelines can reflect patients' needs and experiences more effectively.
. Attending regular workshops and meetings at the RCP's national headquarters in London, and occasionally in Cardiff.

For more information, a detailed role description, or to apply, please contact the PCN team at piu@rcplondon.ac.uk.

>>> Please distribute this opportunity to any relevant contacts. If you have any questions, contact Lowri Jackson, Senior Policy Adviser, External Affairs, Royal College of Physicians (Wales), lowri.Jackson@rcplondon.ac.uk, 029 2050 4540.
==============================================================

Co-production tools, resources and reports



Co-producing healthy communities: the first steps (a report from Ely, Cardiff)
This report summarises the findings of a health design event run by Action Caerau Ely and Spice to engage community members in Ely, Cardiff, in the design of a healthy community. People shared their thoughts, feelings and ideas about things that they feel affect their health, barriers to accessing health related services and activities and ideas for improvements or innovations around the delivery of health services. Many of these are things which the community felt they can lead or play an active role in delivering. Since this event community members have become involved in a number of health initiatives including with working with the NHS to design a new NHS direct phone line service for Wales.

The Condition of Britain (IPPR)
The IPPR recently released the 'Condition of Britain' report, an interesting and in-depth take on the future agenda of public policy with prevention at its heart.
Related articles and responses from Community Links:
David Robinson's response focuses on the difficulties of getting localism right.
Will Horwitz argues that the welfare system is the ideal place for an 'invest-to-save' ethos to take hold.

Commissioning Home Care for Older people - guide
SCIE has produced a guide which suggests what commissioners can do to improve how they assess, plan, contract and monitor home care services for older people with complex needs.
Related link: SCTV film - the film highlights the challenges of commissioning home care for older people and shows examples of providing good-quality, person- centred home care for older people with complex needs. (11'16)

CHANGE co-production film
"This video takes a look at the work that CHANGE, JRF and Leeds Community Healthcare Trust's Membership and Involvement team is doing around workshops with people with disabilities and what they think of the NHS services being provided to them. After recognising a lack of involvement in patient surveys, people were asked come together to look at what worked and what didn't in the service - what problems have they faced? How can these problems be overcome? The video features interviews with volunteers who provided their insights, as well as NHS and CHANGE staff." (Via the Scottish Co-production Network.)

Save money by doing the right thing
Article by Simon Pickthall on the Bevan Foundation blog.
"Creating a system that helps citizens articulate what a good life looks like to them, and co-producing methods to help them achieve their good life, removes the power imbalance between citizen and state. In addition, it saves money.
Rationing through menu-driven standardisation drives up costs, and prevents committed individuals working in these systems supporting citizens to achieve innovative, and cheaper, solutions.
This can only be done by intervening in these systems directly – we must start by understanding why the system prevents us helping citizens achieve what matters to them.  From this, we can redesign the system along different principles."

Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform: A Manifesto for Change
"Our social security system is badly in need of reform. It is time for a system which prevents poverty, treats people with dignity and respect and supports everyone to flourish." (The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform was set up in 2006 and is a coalition of key third sector organisations, faith groups, trade unions and individuals from across Scotland, working together to campaign for a fairer social security system.)

Towards Effective Prevention: practical steps for the next government
The Early Action Task Force, led by Community Links, has launched its new report in which it sets out ways in which a future government could free itself from the stranglehold of short-term planning and save taxpayers' money as a result: practical steps a next Government could take to embed a more preventative approach to public policy.

On 7th July, the Interim Report from the pilot National Conversation on 'The Wales We Want' was launched at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff.
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill was also launched.
Further details about the Bill can be read here.
Jeff Cuthbert's, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty's written statement to introduce the Bill.

The health impacts of welfare reform in Wales
The Welsh NHS Confederation has recently published a briefing highlighting the impact welfare reform will have on people's health and wellbeing in Wales. It is predicted that there will be an increase in a wide variety of health-related conditions. "It is now the time for all sectors in Wales to work together in an integrated and holistic way to minimise the health and wellbeing implications for people in Wales affected by welfare reform. Through supporting each other we will ensure positive outcomes for people."

Contemplating co-production (in an academic research context)
How co-design and co-production can improve research, and its application and uptake for sustainable development. "Both papers leave this reader feeling that, while there is much to recommend co-design and co-production, the people who have made it work have some hard-won experience which isn't all that easy to pass on. Perhaps you learn about co-production by doing it."
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Collected joyful items for your perusal


Sign language restaurant opens in Toronto
CTV News in Toronto are reporting that a new restaurant has opened called Signs. Signs will be staffed mainly by deaf sign language users and as well as food, customers will also get an education in American Sign Language. The restaurant — billed as the first of its kind in Canada — also hopes to help an underemployed segment of the population. "I think this is one of the largest breakthroughs we've seen in our community in a long time. We probably have 35 staff (members) working in one place…that's huge for our (Deaf) community."
Link to the complete article here.

"Government can lead the effort, but all of us – business, trade unions, councils, civil society, communities, families and individuals – must work together to imagine and build the country we want and the kind of planet we want to live on. Civil society can help lift the ambitions of politicians and Governments. Each one of us has a part to play, and only by uniting will we realise those ambitions." ~ Caroline Flint, MP (on the Transition Network)

Building the Core Economy: Edgar Cahn video, 13'55 (via the RSA)

"After my first trip to the Dominican Republic, I pledged to myself that we would, one day, have a camp run and executed by Dominicans. Now, about seven years later, the camp director, program leaders and all but a handful of counselors are Dominican. Each year we bring in a few Peace Corps Volunteers and highly-skilled volunteers from the USA who add value to our program, but they are not the ones in charge. I think we're finally doing aid right, and I'm not there." ~ Pippa Biddle (The Problem With Little White Girls, Boys and Voluntourism)

"Fear, once again fear, is the driving force here. If you accept the results you've gotten before, if you hold on to them tightly, then you never have to face the fear of the void, of losing what you've got, of trading in your success for your failure.
And if you want to do this to yourself, well, I guess this is your choice.
But don't do it to others. Don't do it to your kids, or your students, or your co-workers. Don't do it to the people in underprivileged neighborhoods or entire countries. Better might be difficult, better might involve overcoming unfair barriers, but better is definitely possible. And the belief that it's possible is a gift.
We owe everyone around us not just the strongest foundation we can afford to offer, but also the optimism that they can reach a little higher. To write off people because you don't think getting better is comfortable enough is sad indeed.
Better is a dream worth dreaming."
~ Seth Godin (Is better possible?)

Biourbanism, rethinking the science of space
"It's time to think about the effect of our environment on human beings, and [seize] our responsibility as designers. The [contemporary] city has been built as a machine, for production. We built a society that in fact is not social, a society of individuals without connection, and the spaces where they live don't allow them to make any real connections. If you [compare this with] the ancient towns, you will notice a difference. It's typical in a small Italian town for the elders who went to the modern towns to want to come back. Because they can, for example, sit down and start talking to other people. If they need somebody, they can ask for help. Of course, we can't go back to the past, we can't build again what has been built by another society, another economy. But we can learn something. We want to build a contemporary architecture, a contemporary urbanism that uses contemporary materials, but that pays attention to these aspects as very relevant. (…) Recycling space, bringing it back to the quality of "place," is not an expensive operation. [It's] not about concrete, trucks, and big money. Beauty is a matter of relationships."
Related link – RSA paper: Developing Socially Productive Places

Men's Sheds: a nascent global movement
Created in Australia in the mid-1990s, Men's Sheds are gathering places for men to work on projects, socialize, support each other, do community service and more.
"Most people working in the sheds don't see themselves as being involved in community development from their immediate perspective. Sheds are sort of an incognito community education and development space where people who are disempowered or disenfranchised come along with ideas, and by putting them into action, they get a sense of action, a sense of agency back, a place for their own voice."
Related item: the Squirrel's Nest, a men's shed in Bridgend. Unit 38, Tondu Enterprise Centre, Bryn Road, Tondu, Bridgend, CF32 9BS. Tel 07784 288 772. The shed operates every Friday.

NeturalWalk Links People, Nature and Innovation in Southern Italy
"The NeturalWalk is as simple as its name suggests. A walk through the little-known territory of Basilicata to re-generate links between the people and nature, while discovering innovative opportunities "per la strada" (on the street). It was born under the banner of 'Exploring Basilicata', another project of Casa Netural, to discover social innovation opportunities and success stories of the southern Italian region. The experience of the walk is different from any "hiking" experience, as it's a collective walk of inspiration and exploration of a territory, in which the main characters are the small villages and the people who inhabit them; their stories, their passions, their dreams, and their loneliness. The ingredients of NeturalWalk were basic: 23 walkers, 100 kilometers, six days and an open horizon. But the emotions and relationships it evoked were more complex and energizing than we could have ever imagined."

[R]evolution Road ~ Veena Vasista, Centre for Welfare Reform
"Veena Vasista has worked at the heart of the public policy machine, but she came to understand that there was a deep disconnection between the explicit and (often) worthy goals of policy-makers and the culture and systems within which these policies are made. Her paper, beautifully written, asks us to think harder about the kind of people we want to be and - if we want revolution - what a good revolution might demand of us."

Matthew Edmonds on Why Scope's new campaign might not be the right approach.
"We're not meeting each other. We're not getting the chance to learn about disabled identities from disabled people. We're relying on ad campaigns.
Here's a radical solution to this awkward fact. Let's lobby for total access on the transport system, in museums, schools, housing and public spaces, so that disabled people start to become visible, disrupting the falsely homogenous face of public life. More than just ramps and easy-ready brochures, it's a question of advancing an attitude to difference that recognises it's excluded at every turn, that understands inclusive action as a small step on the long journey towards normalising diversity and creating social spaces that are open to all.
It's not a sexy answer. It's not as immediate or as viral as offering simple solutions from on high. But it is the awkward truth."


"You'd almost think the British political establishment wants us to believe that only things that they care about (trade deals, spying, weapons manufacture, protecting financial services) are 'proper' and 'important' politics. You might get the impression that things that citizens care about (affordable housing, decent pensions, decent jobs, reasonable electricity bills) are self-indulgent whimsy, far removed from the appropriate concerns of a 'proper' system of national management." ~ Robin McAlpine, Director, Reid Foundation, on the purpose of the Common Weal campaign for Scotland.
Related reading: 
. "Real politics is surely more visceral, bound up with the fundaments of the way people think about themselves, and their place in the world." ~ John Harris writes in the Guardian
Common Weal - practical idealism for Scotland

Your organisation could be part of our thriving garden and working allotment
Barry Community Garden & Allotments have just introduced a group membership scheme where companies, charities and other organisation can have full access to the project with their own set of keys to attend as and when is convenient for them. The project is a thriving garden and working allotment in Gibbonsdown, Barry and is a great place to learn about horticulture, relax and socialise. Membership fees are £30 for 6 months or £50 for the whole year. This is an ideal location to hold group or club days or team building days.

New Approach, Historic Mission: Remaking a Factory Museum via Community Co-Production
"The Derby Silk Mill folks have a different tack: they define the Silk Mill as being about making. In the fall of 2013, they launched Re:Make, an ambitious project to redevelop the museum, live, on the floor, with a mix of staff, guest artists, and community members. They see this as directly related to the founding principles of the Mill as a place of experimentation, design, creating, and making. They see it as the future of their museum. And perhaps most ambitiously, they see it as a community-based project."

California Passes Bill to Legalize Complementary Currencies
"A community without dollars is not a community without wealth – this basic insight lies at the heart of the community resilience movement. With income and wealth inequality still on the rise in our "post-recession" economy, communities are finding creative ways to meet their needs and maintain social ties through community-created forms of exchange, or complementary currencies. And, as with most social innovations, existing legal and regulatory systems take some time to catch up.
With the recent passage of the California Alternative Currencies Act, AB 129, California has taken a significant step toward fostering more just and resilient local economies."


How a New Dutch Library Smashed Attendance Records
"Facing declining visitors and uncertainty about what to do about it, library administrators in the new town of Almere in the Netherlands did something extraordinary. They redesigned their libraries based on the changing needs and desires of library users and, in 2010, opened the Nieuwe Bibliotheek (New Library), a thriving community hub that looks more like a bookstore than a library.
Guided by patron surveys, administrators tossed out traditional methods of library organization, turning to retail design and merchandising for inspiration. They now group books by areas of interest, combining fiction and nonfiction; they display books face-out to catch the eye of browsers; and they train staff members in marketing and customer service techniques.
The library is also a Seats2meet (S2M) location where patrons are empowered to help one another in exchange for free, permanent, coworking space, and they utilize the S2M Serendipity Machine to connect library users in real-time. They also have a bustling cafe, an extensive events and music program, a gaming facility, a reading garden and more. The result? The New Library surpassed all expectation about usage with over 100,000 visitors in the first two months. It is now considered one of the most innovative libraries in the world."


Social Mirror for social prescriptions
"People at risk of isolation and vulnerability will soon be able to receive 'social prescriptions' that help them use local resources to improve their mental wellbeing. The Social Mirror for social prescribing initiative, which has been approved for funding by the Nominet Trust, will see the RSA and Nathan Matias of the MIT Center for Civic Media develop a 'social app' that aims to help people participate in their communities. By responding to a series of questions, users will receive a guided analysis of their online and offline social connections, as well as advice about how they could use their connections to improve their mental wellbeing.
By testing the app's effectiveness in different contexts – such as among GPs or other health practitioners – the RSA will evaluate the impact of social prescriptions on people's mental wellbeing, their sense of attachment to and participation in the local community, and their use of public services."


Active acceptance: "In the UK, it's illegal to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother, but this café has taken the idea of acceptance to a whole new level. They are waving the flag, raising a glass (of milk) and supporting breastfeeding with cute smileys and magical words like 'relax'." ~ follow this link for the full article and picture.
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That's it for this month!

Just a little reminder that we offer workshops and are available to speak on co-production-related matters. It can range from 'introduction to co-production' to 'co-production how to' workshop sessions for your team, to speaking at events or taking part in discussion panels.

Also, please do email us about your upcoming events, news, case studies and examples, and anything that you would like to share with the co-production community at large. Also, tell us what you want to see in this newsletter. Let's use it as a medium to stay inspired, enthusiastic, and connected.

Till next month!
Noreen and Ruth


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