Free Part-Time Access Courses from the Open University in Wales

Do you know learners who are ready to take the first steps into higher education?

To open up higher education, The Open University in Wales is offering a number of free places on the People, work and society Access course for people living in targeted postcode areas* in Wales. This project is funded by the three Reaching Wider partnerships in Wales.

 These courses are delivered part-time through distance learning, and are very flexible for learners.

After completing the Open University course, students will be able to either continue their studies with The Open University or will be guaranteed an interview at one of the partner institutions.

Places for this project are limited so please pass the course information on to any learners who may want to apply as soon as possible.  Learners need to live in eligible postcode areas. 

 Those who aren’t eligible for this project, but are on a low household income may be able to secure other funding for study through The Open University.

 Learners can find out if they are eligible, request more information and an application pack through this webform . 

 Sponsored places will fill up soon, the Access course starts in October 2018.
We are taking applications now!
Further information: wales-partnerships@open.ac.uk

Fruity Fridays at the Food Co-op

Please note that milk tokens can be used as a way to purchase items available via the Food Co-op.

Youth Led Grants - Closing date 24 August 2018

The Welsh Government has made funding available to Third Sector organisations who actively engage with young people aged 14-25.

The aim of the Youth Led Grants scheme is to support a range of small volunteering projects and activities that create new volunteering opportunities for young people aged 14-25.

The deadline for applications is Friday 24^th August 2018, can you send your completed application forms to me.

Each organisation can apply for up to £800.00 for a project that is organised and run by young volunteers. 

To avoid disappointment please read the  funding criteria carefully. The application form is available here

 If you need any clarification please contact Frances Barry

 

Interested in knowing more about Bee Keeping???

The Rural Action Programme's  Bees Project, in partnership with  MTCBC’s Countryside Team, will be holding a Bees event on Monday 30^th July at the Pavilion in Parc Taf Bargoed Glo Ddu Pavilion, off High Street, Trelewis, CF46 6AP. 

This is an event for anyone interested in the idea of bee keeping and all are welcome to attend.

 The event will start at 5pm with a talk from Julian Rees (Pollen8) about the importance of bees and pollinators generally and this will be followed by a question and answer session with some local bee keepers about the commitment of looking after bees.

 You will get to handle the equipment bee keepers use, try on bee suits and generally get a feel for whether you think bee keeping is right for you!  The event will end by 7pm.

 If you think after the event you would be interested in bee keeping we will run bee keeper training which will provide you with the skills to look after bees and put you in contact with a local bee keeper to mentor you in the future.

Please let Jo Davies at MTCBC know if you wish to attend: joanne.davies@merthyr.gov.uk       

 

NEW: Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind - Active Inclusion Project

MTIB Active  Inclusion Project covering Merthyr Tydfil, RCT, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly or Swansea

MTIB will be running a new Active Inclusion Project which aims to improve the employability of disadvantaged people furthest from the labour market. We will be able to work with those over the age of 25 who are designated long term unemployed or economically inactive and have complex barriers to employment

We are also looking for host organisations that would be prepared to offer volunteering and employment placement. 

MTIB can offer:

·       Participants the opportunity to achieve both part and full accredited qualifications, positive outcomes such as increased confidence and motivation and a range of progression outcomes including volunteering, further learning, supported employment and part or  full time employment.

·       Employers - paid supported employment opportunities for programme participants for either 16 or 26 weeks and  between 16 and 30 hours per week.

For more information please contact Alison Harris, Employment & Training Officer on tel: 01685 370072      alisonharris@mtib.co.uk

For more information on this and other MTIB services visit www.mtib.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/MTIB.LEAP/ 

Glaxo Smith Kline Impact Awards open for applications

The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding and training and development for charities doing excellent work to improve people's health and wellbeing. They are funded by GSK and managed in partnership with The King's Fund. The awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income of between £80,000 and £2.5 million. 

 

The 2019 GSK IMPACT Awards are now open for applications. View the guidelines and access the application form >

 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 20 September 2018

Free Activity Sessions for Carers in Merthyr Tydfil

Coed Lleol are running free weekly activity sessions for adults in Merthyr Tydfil, aimed at getting people outdoors, learning new skills, and meeting new people.

One of our target groups is Carers. Providing something for people who could do with some time to themselves, doing something fun outside the home on a regular basis.

 Sessions are on Tuesdays from 10 until 1.

Attendees must be over 24 and must have been outside of employment for 1
year+

The sessions will run until Autumn, and then we will change to running them on a Wednesday. We are also able to run a bespoke program of 12 sessions if an existing group would like a program just for them at a location of their choice.  For further information click
here

Job Vacancy with Parkinsons UK

For further information click here

Looking for Funding??

VAMT will have a new, searchable Funding Portal available in September.  In the meantime, we have access to the Directory of Social Change's Trust Funding database.  Let us know the status of your organisation (CIO, Unincorporated Organisation, Registered Charity etc), what you are looking for funding for, how much it will cost and where you are based and we'll do our best to help you.  Contact Hilary at VAMT.

PQASSO and PQASSO Essentials - Quality Assurance for the Third Sector

 Do you want to meet other PQASSO users from our growing PQASSO community in Wales? Then join one of our FREE network meetings.  

Who should attend?

• Anyone involved in implementing PQASSO or using PQASSO Essentials in their organisations.
• Perhaps you have just started using PQASSO or PQASSO Essentials in your organisation.
• Or, for whatever reason, progress has stalled or lost momentum and you want to kick start it.
• Or you are progressing well through your self-assessment.
• Or your organisation has achieved the PQASSO Quality Mark.

Wherever you are in the process of implementing PQASSO or using PQASSO Essentials, we would love to see you at the network meetings.

The meetings will be an opportunity to:

• meet other PQASSO and PQASSO Essentials users
• share your approach and practice to implementing PQASSO and using PQASSO Essentials
• learn from others
• share ideas
• share challenges
• get support
• ask questions 

When and where?

 5 July 2018, 9:30am-11:30am - Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, Carmarthen

 

11 September 2018, 1:00pm-3:00pm - Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Llandrindod Wells 

 Next steps

To book your place please      Download a booking form

Contact Heledd Kirkbride, PQASSO Wales Officer - heledd.kirkbride@ncvo.org.uk | 07376 602320

Free Part-Time Access Course from the Open University in Wales

Certain conditions apply - for more information click here

Joint Housing Surgery 16 September hosted by Open Doors with Dawn Bowden AM

Open Doors are hosting a joint housing surgery on the 16^th July with Dawn Bowden (who will be there from 2-3pm) and Shelter Cymru and MTCBC. It’s at the Crown and there will be a complimentary buffet for all attendees.

 We are particularly looking for private tenants but all residents welcome! If interested, please contact me at nazia@taipawb.org to book a place. Limited spaces!

For further information, click here