NEW 50+ Support Service at Merthyr Housing

Are you 50+ and homeless, threatened with or at risk of becoming homeless?
MTHA is here to help if you are 50+ and homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or have housing related issues such as rent arrears, problems with benefits and debt worries.

Our support Service can give you general and specialist housing and tenancy advice if you are experiencing any difficulties within your home.

We can support you to register on the common Housing register and generally advocate on your behalf.

Our services are all provided on a one to one basis in tenants' own homes.

Our support is on-going to help you successfully sustain and maintain your tenancy.

Our objective is to...

Support and empower you to gain the confidence to deal with any issues you are facing.
Help with budgeting and money management training to increase financial confidence in order to deal with the challenges brought in by the welfare reform.
Support with life skills that will help you to maintain and sustain your tenancy.
Provide support and access to employment opportunities.
Work with you on a one to one basis in your own home at your convenience.

Please contact Thomas on 01685 352800 for help and advice.

Ladies Boxfit classes at Dowlais Engine House

FREE Junior Box-fit classes 8-16 year olds

Cwm Taf UHB appoints new Vice Chair

On behalf of all our members and staff, VAMT would like to offer congratulations to Maria Thomas on her appointment as Vice Chair of Cwm Taf University Health Board.  Well done Maria!

For the full press release click here

Grants to Transform Local Spaces

Grow Wild UK awards funding for projects that brings people together through activities that connect their community and celebrate UK native wildflowers, plants and/or fungi. The Fund is a partnership between Grow Wild UK, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and Lemos&Crane.

Projects must:

• Stand out from the crowd. 
• Focus on UK native wildflowers, plants and/or fungi, highlighting the importance of these species for the environment, and for quality of life. 
• Engage one or more of these groups: young people aged 12-18, students and young people aged 18-25, people living in urban areas, people experiencing hardship and reduced access to services, adults that are less engaged with their community and environmental activities. 
• Encourage large-scale community involvement, ideally in the hundreds. 
• Deliver the project in a space or location that is accessible to the general public. 
• Be delivered by voluntary, youth or community groups that are constituted, not-for-profit, or charitable. Also includes secondary schools.

It is estimated that the fund will support 50 groups across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2018.

For more information click on https://www.growwilduk.com/project-funding

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2018 (12pm)

Meeting Postponed : Dementia Friendly Community Steering Group

Due to a high number of apologies, tomorrow's meeting of the Dementia Friendly Communities Steering Group (Merthyr Tydfil) has been postponed.

 

The next meeting will take place on Friday 19th January at VAMT offices from 10.30 am until 12.30 pm.

 

If you would like to be part of making Merthyr Tydfil dementia friendly then why not become a Dementia Friend?  Training is available - please contact Elaine James, Chair of the Steering Group:

email:  Elaine.james@vamt.net or ring 01685 353984.

Budget consultation - Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police and Crime Plan

The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales is carrying out a budget consultation and seeking views on budget proposals for 2017/18 and the Police and Crime Plan

The Commissioner’s budget plans rest on a 5% increase in the precept which means an increase of £10.91 per year or 3p per day for a band D property. Whilst nobody wants to increase the charge, people want to live and work in safe communities.

Responses to the consultation will be help inform the decision making of the Police and Crime panel when they meet in the New Year to consider the level of precept for 2018-2019 so we hope that as many individuals and agencies concerned with keeping our communities and vulnerable individuals safe will respond with their views.

The consultation asks 5 questions (as set out below) and responses are needed by 28th December 2017.

Consultation Questions

• What are your views on the need to maintain an effective police service during a period of austerity - in particular, maintaining a strong neighbourhood presence?
• Are there areas of South Wales Police activity that you would you be happy to see cut?
• What would you consider the right level for the police precept for South Wales for 2018-19?
• What are your views on capital expenditure plans for next year?
• Do you think there are areas of the Police service that should be protected from further cuts? 

Responses can be emailed to: michelle.cooper2@south-wales.pnn.police.uk

Full details of the budget proposals and contact for postal responses can be found via on the website www.southwalescommissioner.wales or via this link.

Wreath making days

Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Forum

Don't forget the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Forum this Wednesday morning at VAMT offices.  10 am to 12 Noon.

Agenda includes presentations from South Wales Ambulance Trust and also Valleys Steps.

This isn't just any Forum ....it's the December Forum. 

So there may also be a mince pie or two!!