Are you a crafter or are involved in rural skills??

Do you make things? Are you a crafter (making things by hand) or involved in rural skills? Do you live in any of the Cwm Taf rural wards of Cyfarthfa, Plymouth, Merthyr Vale, Bedlinog, Treharris, Vaynor, Ynysybwl,Maerdy or Rhigos? If so we would like to hear from you.

The Rural Action Cwm Taf Rural Development Programme would like to find out whether there is a desire for a craft network in the rural wards of Cwm Taf and is keen to understand the views of those working in, hobbyists or interested in Craft and / or Rural Skills.

Please share your views here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cwmtafcraft

Ydych chi'n gwneud pethau? Ydych chi'n crefftwr (gwneud pethau wrth law) neu'n ymwneud â sgiliau gwledig? Ydych chi'n byw yn unrhyw un o wardiau gwledig Cwm Taf megis: Cyfarthfa , Plymouth, Ynys Owen, Bedlinog, Treharris, Y Faenor, Ynysybwl, Maerdy neu’r Rhigos? Os felly, hoffem glywed gennych.

Hoffai Rhaglen Datblygu Gwledig Gweithredu Gwledig Cwm Taf wybod a oes awydd am rwydwaith crefft yn wardiau gwledig Cwm Taf ac mae'n awyddus i ddeall barn y rhai sy'n gweithio, hobiwyr neu sydd â diddordeb mewn Crefft a / neu Sgiliau Gwledig

Rhowch eich barn yma https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cwmtafcraft

Awareness Raising - Protecting children and young people from sexual abuse

A session on raising awareness about protecting children and young people from sexual abuse is taking place in the Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil on 10th September.

The session is open to parents/grandparents, people who care for, work or volunteer with children and young people and has been arranged by Cwm Taf Safeguarding Board and Stop it Now! Wales.

The Cwm Taf Safeguarding Board monitors how well agencies and other partnerships in the Cwm Taf area (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf) undertake their work with regard to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and ensures safeguarding is embedded in all working practices.

Stop it Now! Wales is a project which works across the country to ensure that parents, carers and professionals are as best placed as they can be to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The Project believes that child sexual abuse is preventable and that all adults have a role to play in protecting children from sexual harm. This can be best achieved when adults are alert to the signs of child sexual abuse, including the behaviour that someone who might pose a risk to children can display, and knowing where they can seek help and advice.

If you are a parent or grandparent, someone who cares for, works or volunteers with children and young people, you are welcome to attend.

Parents who have attended similar sessions delivered by Stop it Now! Wales have said:

• “It was very eye-opening and I think everyone should attend these sessions”
• “I found the session very helpful and informative. Thank you, well delivered” 
• “The session was BRILLIANT! – It really told us what we need to know about keeping children safe in an informative and secure way”. 

The session will take place in the Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil on 10th September, 2018 from 9:30am until 12:30pm.

To book your place, please contact the Safeguarding Business Unit on 01443 484 560.

Safeguarding – it’s everyone’s business!

Exploring 18th Century Merthyr Tydfil

Addysg Oedolion Cymru| Adult Learning Wales

 Cangen Merthyr Tudful |Merthyr Tydfil Branch

 Tymor yr Hydref | Autumn Term 2018

 Archwilio Merthyr y 18fed Ganrif

Exploring 18th Century Merthyr

 Canolfan Soar, Merthyr Tydfil

 10.30am-12.30pm

 £4 y sesiwn | per session

11 Medi | September: Introduction

 18 Medi | September: Merthyr Before Iron

 25 Medi | September: Glamorgan Archives Visit

 2 Hydref | October: Faith and the People

 9  Hydref | October: A Friendly Society?

 16  Hydref | October: Crawshay’s Kingdom

Cysylltwch | Contact: s.statter@sky.com

Croeso i bawb | all welcome

Free Event for Sports Clubs

Coalfields Regeneration Trust together with Geldards Solicitors are offering a free event for sports clubs to look at different legal structures.  The event will take place on 27 September at the Willows Centre in Troedyrhiw between 7:00pm-9:00pm (Registration from 6:30).

If interested, please register using this link:   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/legal-structures-for-sports-clubs-tickets-49177041856?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

New Digital Support Role for Rural Wards in Merthyr and RCT

For more information click Here

Introduction to PQASSO (Quality Assurance) Essentials for small groups @VAMT 9th October 10am-12pm

Introduction to PQASSO Essentials

Is your third sector group or organisation small in terms of the number of paid staff?

 Or perhaps your group or organisation is run by volunteers.

Or perhaps it is a newly established group or organisation.

If so, PQASSO Essentials is a free tool which can help your small group or organisation to: 

• Carry out a basic ‘health check’ to know which areas need developing and strengthening.
• Help promote good governance and better identify risks.
• Help you be more effective and efficient in how you work.
• Provide a framework to support its development or to structure an organisational review.
• Provide assurances about your work to your funders and partners.

VAMT's hosting an Introduction to PQASSO Essentials on 9th October at the Voluntary Action Centre between 10:00am and 12:00 pm.  To book your place or to find out more please email training@vamt.net

More information about PQASSO Essentials is here (scroll down to PQASSO Essentials pilot

FREE - Training from Local Giving Wales @VAMT in September

Tending to your roots: Top tips to help charitable groups succeed at online fundraising (free course)

26th September at the Voluntary Action Centre 2:00pm-3:30pm

Does your organisation want to become more sustainable and open up new income streams? Do you want to develop an engaged, larger supporter base? Do you need to raise unrestricted funding to help cover core running

costs?

Lauren Swain, Localgiving's Wales Development Manager, will  speak about how small charities and community groups achieve these goals. The workshop will focus on how to optimise online fundraising in an easy and cost effective way to help groups like yours fundraise effectively online.

This session is tailored to the needs of small charities and community groups that want to get started or give their online fundraising a boost. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to hear about Localgiving's development programme in Wales, which offers a year of free help, Gift Aid for all and £200 match funding per group. For more information on what Localgiving giving offers please click here: join.localgiving.org/wales

For further information or to book your place email training@vamt.net or telephone 01685 353917

Grants of up to £25,000 for small charities in South Wales through Track 2000 Grant Legacy Fund

If you are a registered small-medium size Charity, community voluntary group or small social enterprise based in South Wales, with an income of £500,000 or less, Track 2000 can fund your project or organisation with between £5,000 - £35,000 for revenue or capital costs.

You will need to complete a simple application form telling them about your formal status, the project or service you are providing and why you require grant funding. This could be for capital items, staff costs, project costs or expansion due to demand for your project operations or services.
There are three forms of grants available under Education and Training, Environmental Improvements and Strengthening Disadvantaged Communities who face poverty or hardship.  Projects can last for up to 2 years.

To apply download an application from the website and follow the guidance provided

Roller Derby now in Merthyr Tydfil

A brand new Roller Derby has started in Merthyr Tydfil.  

Based in the Engine House, sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 8-9pm and new members are welcome.

Can't skate?  Why not join their Learn to Skate classes?  Same venue, same night, start at 7pm - cost £25 for 6 weeks.

Contact merthyrrollerderby@gmail.com

Ever fancied learning to skate? Classes now in Merthyr Tydfil

Classes start on 25th September and run from 7pm to 8pm

Cost £25 for the 6 week block.

Kit can be hired at the venue.

These sessions are available to those aged 18+

Don't want to skate but would like to offer support?  

Contact merthyrrollerderby@gmail.com 

Move in with us??

VAMT currently have one room available to let within the Voluntary Action Centre-

1st floor (29.25 mtr sq)

The Voluntary Action Centre is the hub for 3rd Sector organisations in Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre. We currently house Safer Merthyr Tydfil, Barnardos, NYAS, Alzheimers Society, the Samaritans & MIND.

Contact us now for more information, our rent is extremely competitive!! Email Laura or ring 01685 353900.

Postcode Community Trust Grant Round Opened

The Postcode Community Trust have opened their second grant round of 2018. The Trust was established in 2014 and focuses on initiatives that benefit communities through grass-roots sports, arts, recreation and wellbeing programmes which improve a community's physical and mental health.

Grants of up to £20,000 are available to registered charities, with other organisation types able to apply for up to £2,000. Grants can run for up to 12 months.

Projects previously funded in Wales include Golden-Oldies, a social initiative, bringing positive change and improving the wellbeing of older, marginalised and visually impaired people. The group received funding to provide structured, daytime social singing and activity sessions that encourage participation and functional exercise.

The closing date for submitting expressions of interest is 15 August 2018. Applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit full proposals between 5 September - and 19 September 2018.

For more information visit www.postcodecommunitytrust.org.uk

VAMT vacancy: Community Coordinator for Merthyr Tydfil

Community Coordinator

£32,486 per annum

We are looking for a dynamic individual to join our existing team of Community Coordinators within Cwm Taf. 

Hosted by VAMT and based in Merthyr Tydfil you will support individuals, communities and organisations to work together to reduce social isolation in our frail elderly population, and support older people (50+) to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.

You will be pivotal in brokering access to local community services and activities to find solutions based on “what matters” to individuals.

If you are passionate about making a difference, both for individuals and communities then we want to hear from you. 

Download an application pack from: www.vamt.net/jobs or  www.interlinkrct.org.uk

Closing date:  12 Noon Friday 31^st August 2018

Interview date: Wednesday 12^th September 2018

Inform September 2018 - Call for Articles

The closing date for submission of articles for the September edition of Inform, VAMT's hard copy magazine is 24 August 2018.  Let the rest of the third sector in Merthyr Tydfil know what you're up to.  For further information or to submit an article email Hilary

Volunteer Recruitment Day - could this be for you?