Celebrating Volunteers 2017 - A date for your diary

This year's annual Celebrating Volunteers event is going to be a very special one.  It will take place on 12 September 2017 at the Red House/Old Town Hall.  Places will be very limited so keep watching . . .

Merthyr Tydfil's great outdoors

Please click on the link to find details of  Merthyr Tydfil's  event - Stride and Ride
You will find all the details of how you can get involved and enjoy the activities offered in this event in our great outdoors.

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Would you like to be part of a committee that oversees and challenges how the public bodies across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil are working together to make a difference to residents?

The Cwm Taf Public Services Board is a collection of public bodies, including Councils, Police, Health and the third sector working together to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of people who live, work and visit the Cwm Taf areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.

The Cwm Taf Public Services Board is one of a number in place across Wales. The statutory basis for all Public Services Boards in Wales is the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This Act came into force in April 2016 and makes all public bodies, think more about the long term; work better with people and communities and each other; look to prevent problems, and take a more joined-up approach to achieve seven national Well-being goals for Wales:

1. A prosperous Wales

2. A resilient Wales

3. A healthier Wales

4. A more equal Wales

5. A Wales of cohesive communities

6. A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language

7. A globally responsible Wales

Put simply, the Act means that every public organisation in Wales must show that it is working for the well-being of future generations. You can find out more about the Well-being of Future Generations Act here.

In February 2017, the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee was established to oversee the work of the Public Services Board. At this first meeting, the Councillors on this committee agreed that two residents, one each from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil Local Authority areas be invited to serve on the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee as Publically Appointed Independent Co-opted Members from June 2017 for two years.

Training and information will be provided to all committee members to help their work on this new committee, which will meet quarterly

If you would like to be considered please contact Karyl May, Head of Democratic Services at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (Direct Line 01443-424045) by Wednesday 24th May 2017.

N.B. There is no salary or allowance for the role, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Vote for Merthyr Tydfil Global Village at Tesco during May and June

Merthyr Tydfil Global Village calls out for votes to bag a share of bag charge fund

Merthyr Tydfil Global Village Festival is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Merthyr Tydfil Global Village Festival is one of the groups on the shortlist.

Merthyr Tydfil Global Village Festival is a FREE multi-cultural festival held annually in Merthyr Tydfil. It brings people together to celebrate what we all have in common.
The festival chair said: "We are delighted to have support from Tesco for our festival which will be held on Saturday, September 16thth on Penderyn Square in the heart of the town. It’s a great day of song, music, and dance from across the world and we get to share our Welsh heritage too.

Voting is open in stores throughout May and June. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Welsh Government Staff looking for Team Volunteering Opportunity

We've recently received a request from Welsh Government with regard to a team volunteering day in Merthyr Tydfil: 12 staff from housing are looking for ideally a housing based or community volunteering opportunity for one day - in the past they've assisted groups with painting/refurbing premises for example, while others have undertaken outdoor activities.

If you're interested, please email hilary.edwards@vamt.net by Monday 22 May, with a brief outline of the sort of opportunities you could offer, and we'll pass these along to Welsh Government.

Many thanks in advance.

New Volunteer Vacancy with Sported

Find details of a new volunteering opportunity with Sported  here

Job Vacancy with RVS

Are you looking for an exciting challenge? Then this may be the role for you!

Drink Wise, Age Well Resilience Worker

Location: Pontypridd

Royal Voluntary Service is the largest voluntary service delivering practical help in communities across Britain. Our aim is to provide support that enables older people to live independent and fulfilled lives – we want everybody to matter, regardless how old they are.

Funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, Drink Wise, Age Well aims to help people aged over 50 make healthier choices about their alcohol use as they age. Led by Addaction, there are 18 strategic and delivery partners UK wide including Royal Voluntary Service, ILC-UK, University of Bedfordshire, Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales and Addiction NI.

In Cwm Taf Royal Voluntary Service and Addaction deliver a dedicated Over 50s Resilience, Prevention and Intervention Service. The Resilience Team focuses on adults over 50 experiencing life transitions such as retirement or bereavement and who may be at risk of increased alcohol use as a responsive coping strategy.

Royal Voluntary Service is looking for a positive and enthusiastic Resilience Worker to join our established Resilience Team to work throughout the Cwm Taf area.

This is a three year role that would suit a proactive person, who is committed to delivering positive results for older people through outcome focused and performance driven practice.

The ideal candidate should have experience of working in community settings and experience of

- Working with groups

- Community Development activity

- Working with volunteers

For further information and a job application pack please go to:
www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/about-us/working-for-us/jobs

Closing date for applications: 26 May 2017

Cwm Taf Community Safety Partnership - Third Sector Representation

The Cwm Taf Community Safety Partnership has recently been established on a joint RCT/Merthyr Tydfil basis. It reports directly to the Cwm Taf Public Service Board.

VAMT and Interlink have been asked to find a Third Sector representative to sit on the Community Safety Partnership. It currently meets on a quarterly basis. Interlink and VAMT currently share a space so there is some support available. 

If you would like to express an interest please email Ian Davy giving brief details of your interest in community safety matters. It is possible we will be able to nominate a lead person and an alternate. Should there be several expressions of interest we will ask the Chairs of VAMT and Interlink to carry out a selection process.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 5th June.

Job Vacancy with TEDS

Drink Wise, Age Well

Helping people make healthier choices about alcohol as they age

Direct Engagement & Support Worker

Salary: £21,057 - £23,935

Location: Office base at Pontypridd and covering the Cwm Taf area

Contract: Permanent, in line with funding

For further details contact Jean Harrington jean@teds.org.uk telephone 01685 880090  

Or for a full job specification and application pack  

you can download directly from the following website:

www.teds.org.uk

Closing date: 2^nd June 2017

Interview date: TBC

Yfed Doeth Heneiddio'n Dda

Helpu pobl i wneud dewisadau iachach am alcohol wrth iddynt fynd hŷn

Gweithiwr Tîm Cymorth ac Ymgysylltu Uniongyrchol

Cyflog: £21,057 - £23,935

Lleoliad: Swyddfa ym Mhontypridd ond yn gweithio ar draws ardal Cwm Taf

Contract: Parhaol, yn unol â chyllid

Am fanylion pellach cysylltwch â Jean Harrington jean@teds.org.uk ffôn 01685 880090

Neu am becyn cais a manyleb swydd llawn a

gallwch ei lawrlwytho yn uniongyrchol o'r wefan ganlynol::

www.teds.org.uk

Dyddiad cau: 2nd Mehefin, 2017

Dyddiad cyfweld: TBC

Would you like to contribute to Inform, VAMT's hard copy magazine???

Would you like to let the rest of the third sector in Merthyr Tydfil know what you're up to?  Have you had a funding success?  Have a new service to deliver or would just like to share what your group does?

Contributions are always welcome - please email hilary.edwards@vamt.net  with whatever you'd like to include by 22 May 2017.   Please include a logo if you have one, and high-resolution pictures are always welcome

Look forward to hearing from you.

Green Spaces Networking and Learning Event

Are you interested in environmental, conservation and green space issues? Can you offer advice on environmental, conservation and green space issues?

On Wednesday 14th June there will be a networking/ learning event for individuals, community groups and organisations in the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough. It will be held in the Voluntary Action Centre in Pontmorlais. It will begin at 9.30am and end with a buffet lunch.

The draft programme can be found here

To express an interest email Ian Davy

FREE Online Fundraising Training

Lauren Swain, Localgiving's South Wales Development Manager, is offering free training for local groups around online fundraising, as well as sharing about Localgiving's new programme in Wales. Through the support of the Big Lottery Fund, Localgiving can work with 250 local community groups across Wales over the next two years to help diversify their income through online fundraising. It is an entirely free opportunity, which includes the following:

·  A year’s free Localgiving membership (usually £96) for charitable groups

·  Access to gift aid on all donations (an extra 25%), whether they are registered charities or not

·  A free package of training and 1:1 support in online fundraising

·  £200 matchfunding for every group that signs up to the programme, making that first 'ask' easier

·  Opportunities to access over £2500 of further matchfunding throughout the year

·  For more information: https://localgiving.org/rdp/wales 

FREE NEW TRAINING IN ONLINE FUNDRAISING THIS SUMMER

An introduction to online fundraising -  28 June 1.30-4.30pm at VAMT

The course will look at how online fundraising can help your organisation become less dependent on grants, giving you the tools and freedom to raise funds from individuals who care about your cause. We will look at the essentials of online fundraising and how Localgiving can help you make the most of this potential income. 

We will explore the following topics:

• Why you should be fundraising online

• What Localgiving offers: Gift Aid, appeal and fundraising pages, match fund campaigns

• Tips for effectively communicating your work

• Segmenting your donor base

• Asking supporters to fundraise for your cause - inspiring online fundraisers

• Creating and promoting an appeal 

• The importance of planning your fundraising year

Outcome: An understanding of how Localgiving can help groups to open up a new channel of funding for their cause and the knowledge of how to fundraise effectively online. 

To book your place email training@vamt.net

Gerald Jones MP - Funding Advice Surgery Postponed

Due to the general election being called on 8 June, the Funding Advice Surgery scheduled for 12 May has been postponed until further notice.

NEW - Managing Change 6th June at VAMT

Managing Change

6th June 2017, 10am to 4pm

Aim

This one-day training course is an introduction to the principles of managing change. The driving force for change may be external or internal. It may be a reaction to events or as part of a strategy to improve the organisation for the future. This course is for managers, trustees or development workers who want to develop confidence in  leadership, planning and implementing change.

Learning objectives

By the end of the training participants will:

• Understand the main models and methods for leading organisational change, including how to incorporate Theories of Change.  
• Understand what is expected of the leaders of the change.
• Understand stakeholder expectations and how they influence the change process.
• Be able to identify and assess barriers to change.
• Understand how to deal with negative and difficult behaviour relating to change.
• Be able to develop communication and feedback strategies.

Facilitator: Eileen Murphy

Cost: £20pp

To book email: training@vamt.net

Closing date: 30th May 2017

SURE for Mental Health - Free Training

As part of a Big Lottery funded project, New Pathways are delivering a 2 day mental health course (SURE for Mental Health) for free. The SURE course has been ratified by Mental Health professionals.
The dates we currently have for courses are as follows:

Tuesday 9^th – Wednesday 10^th May - Merthyr

Tuesday 16^th- Wednesday 17^th May - Aberystwyth

Tuesday 23^rd – Wednesday 24^th May - Pembrokeshire

Wednesday 31^st May -Thursday 1^st June – Swansea

Tuesday 6^th – Wednesday 7^th June – Newtown

Tuesday 13^th – Wednesday 14^th June – Cardiff

Tuesday 20^th – Wednesday 21^st June – Newport 

If you would like to attend one of these courses, please email SureforMH@newpathways.org.uk.

If these dates are not suitable, but you would like to register your interest for this course, please let us know and you will be added to our new waiting list and we will update you with new training dates across Wales.

We will assess the eligibility for the free course on a person to person basis, but the general eligibility is for those who do not have access to Mental Health training through a training budget. For example, those who are part of a third sector organisation or community group, or an individual that personally wants to access a Mental Health course but does not have the funds. If a larger company would like to send one or two people onto one of our pre-planned dates, we will also accommodate, but if you would like in-house training for your company, you would not be eligible for the free, Big Lottery funded course.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Jessica Palmer (Mental Health Project Officer) & Jennie Dowsell (Trainer)