Let's Talk Culture - Our Cwm Taf Morgannwg

We invite you to join a (free) community workshop being organised by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board on either Tuesday 10^th December  (Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend)  or  Wednesday 11^th December  (Prince Charles Hospital,  Merthyr Tydfil)  called 'Let's talk culture' – Our Cwm Taf Morgannwg 

You will be sharing important feedback with us of what a good healthcare experience looks and feels like for you, and importantly how you think it could be improved. 

This is a priority conversation for our organisation. We would like to encourage as many of our patients, service users and local residents to get involved as possible - to help us to improve the services we provide for you and how we deliver your care.  

You don’t need to be a current patient to book a place on the workshop. It is open to everyone living across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg locality who would like to share (optional) thoughts, healthcare experiences and ideas for change.  

You may for example decide to participate as the representative voice for a family member or friend, or perhaps you provide support to groups of service users who access our local healthcare system.  Everyone is welcome.
What can you expect from attending?

• There will be up to 90 patients and staff in the session;
• The session is 2 hours long;
• Everything you say will be anonymous and confidential;
• You will have an opportunity to talk about what makes a positive and negative difference to your experience of care;
• You will be invited to discuss changes that would make most difference to you.

How to book your plac

You can register via this link - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-dates-added-lets-talk-culture-in-your-shoes-patient-registrations-tickets-71252535251

Weston Charity Awards 2020

A major charitable foundation is urging small charities in Wales not to miss out on the chance to benefit from a year of leadership coaching from a team of business mentors along with £6500 funding. The Garfield Weston Foundation launched the Weston Charity Awards in Wales two years ago and wants more charities to apply this year. No charity is too small to be considered. Selection is based on their readiness to work with a team of mentors on cracking their biggest challenges to put their charity on a sustainable footing long into the future.

The Awards celebrate and support great frontline charities working in the fields of community, welfare and youth. Run by the Garfield Weston Foundation with Pilotlight, who facilitate the coaching programme, charities with incomes under £5 million in Wales (including those with much smaller incomes) can apply from 2^nd  December 2019 until 10th January 2020. Charities can get one step ahead by familiarising themselves with the relatively quick application form at www.westoncharityawards.org .

New fund to distribute grants of £100 to £1,000

The National Lottery Community Fund have launched a brand-new fund to distribute grants of £100 to £1,000 to fund ideas that bring people together during The National Lottery's 25^th birthday year. 

How and when to apply

It's a really easy online application which is accessed at www.CelebrateNationalLottery25.com www.Dathlu25LoteriGenedlaethol.com

The application window is just two weeks, so please encourage people to apply quickly.  It closes at 2pm on Friday 6 December.

Who can apply

There's no need to be part of a formal group to apply.  Applicants just need to be in a group of two or more to apply.

We're particularly keen to hear from people who haven't received funding from The National Lottery before.

What you can apply for

We're looking to fund events, activities, or item costs, between £100 and £1,000 that will bring people together between 1 February and 18 November 2020.  That could be a pensioner's club hosting a bowls tournament, a school's PTA organising a cinema trip or a group of neighbours gathering for a tea party.

Environment and Green Spaces Network - the way forward

You may be aware that VAMT supports and Environment and Green Spaces Network which is a virtual network and meets annually.  Members of the Network are seeking views on how it could move forward.  If you or your organisation would like to get involved, please contact ian.davy@vamt.net to be added to the mailing list.

A link to the survey is below:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GreenSpacesFuture

Job Vacancies with Change Grow Live

Please see further information in the links below

Case Officer

Volunteer Co-ordinator (Maternity cover)

Cultural Placenames Project - Can you help?

The latest piece of work commissioned by Rural Action Cwm Taf is around local placenames.  If you'd like to contribute, links to a brief questionnaire are below

English

Welsh

Strictly Wales - inclusive dance competition

Strictly Cymru, is a pan-Wales inclusive dance competition

Strictly is free to enter/ take part, no dance experience is necessary and it is a great way for disabled people to come together in a supportive environment and experience physical activity through dance.

 We have heats still to come in the following areas:

 Bridgend 23^rd & 24^th January

Cardiff RCT 30^th & 31^st January

Newport 13^th 7 14^th February

 

Further details at:

www.leonardcheshire.org/strictlycymru

https://www.facebook.com/pg/LeonardCheshireWales/events/?ref=page_internal

Catalyst Cymru Mentoring Project for heritage organisations is open for applications

Further information available here

The Romani and Traveller ‘Jivdi Lil’ (Living Book) Training Day

A resource for anti-bias work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

What is a ‘jivdi lil’?

It is a ‘tool’ and resource for addressing stereotypes, prejudices, exclusion and discrimination towards Romani and Traveller peoples, communities and individuals. The ‘jivdi lil’ (living book) is a way of bringing people from very different and varying backgrounds, cultures, world-views and faiths together where they can explore the lived experiences of ‘Gypsies’ of marginalisation and racism expressed towards them by other groups, through ‘reading’ (listening to and interacting with) the ‘lil’ (book, a person from the Romani and Traveller community) who shares these stories in a series of short episodes, followed by questions from the reader.

 The ‘jivdi lil divvus’
A ‘jivdi lil divvus’ is a living book day, an event where ‘readers’ and ‘books’ (lila) come together, where ‘readers’ choose ‘lil’ and sit down with them to ‘read’ their story and then the ‘reader’ becomes a reviewer, with a short description of the experience of ‘reading’ on a review card. The ‘jivdi lil divvus’ is organised and co-ordinated by a ‘librarian’ (lavo lil), curated by assistants and volunteers.

The ‘Jivdi Lil’ Training Day

The training day will deliver the skills and knowledge to become a ‘lil’, a ‘lavo lil’ or an organiser of an event and programme. The training day will go through the basics about what, where, how and why before developing actual ‘books’ and ‘readers’ with practical exercises. Finally, there will be an opportunity to deliver a short ‘living library’ session. 

The workshop will be held at the RCAC offices in Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff on Monday 16th December 2019, 09:30 to 17:00. Coffee, refreshments and simple lunch will be provided for participants.

We anticipate great interest for this exciting event so please book your place early.

Book at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-romani-and-traveller-jivdi-lil-living-book-training-day-tickets-80707984755?utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button

High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan Youth Community Awards

The High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan Youth Community Awards were set up in 2008 when finance was pledged by local firms, organisations and individuals in the County to support young people who were volunteering.

The idea behind the scheme was to encourage community spirit and financially reward individuals and groups who have shown commitment and given of their time and effort; taking part in initiatives which stand out as being over and above what could normally be expected.

 The success of the Awards has led to additional sponsorship and again this year a first prize of £1,000 will be made, together with other financial rewards. 

The Awards Panel is anxious to ensure that as many organisations as possible are aware of the scheme as there are many young people in Mid Glamorgan who are worthy of an award

Applications are invited from young people between the ages of 11 and 21, and also a group of young people again between 11 and 21, who have helped their local neighbourhood, an individual, family member or local organisation.  The closing date is 31 January 2020.

 If you require any further information please email the High Sheriff Awards Panel email address highsheriffmidglamorganawards@gmail.com or telephone 0771 858 4764

Inform December 2019 - Call for Articles

The next edition of Inform, VAMT’s hard copy magazine will be circulated in early December, hence, as usual,  seeking articles for inclusion.  It’s an ideal opportunity to let the wider third sector and others across the borough and beyond know what you’re up to, your funding successes etc.  Deadline for submission is Friday 22 November 2019.  Articles of 300-400 words are welcomed, especially if accompanied by high resolution images, plus a jpeg logo if possible.

Please contact Hilary  Edwards for further information Hilary.edwards@vamt.net

Grants from Track 2000 Grant Legacy Fund

Track 2000 Grant Legacy Fund offers grants to small to medium registered charities, community voluntary groups and social enterprises with incomes of £50,000 or less and with less than 12 months running costs in reserve. Funded organisations will need vital grant support to help them to achieve organisations goals and aims in three key areas:

• Environmental Improvements to both inner town/cities and semi-rural areas led by pro-active grass roots groups that include volunteers of all abilities and ages in full participation in the activities being delivered.

• Training/Education, especially for disadvantaged youth/adults, individuals with special needs or who are disabled for careers opportunities and overcoming barriers to mainstream opportunities.

• Strengthening Disadvantaged Communities, this strand supports small charitable organisations, community/voluntary groups and social enterprises, working at grassroots level to improve quality of life for individuals and families and assisting community regeneration in deprived areas.

Grants of £5,000 and up to £35,000 to cover revenue and capital cost are available for 1 – 2 years work to small charities in South Wales. Grants can cover capital items (but not buildings), staff costs, project costs or expansion due to demand for the project, operation or service.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Useful Links:
Apply Online

More info:

Organisation name:
Track 2000 Grant Legacy Fund

Link:
http://grantlegacyfund.org.uk/

Drink Wise Age Well Survey

 DWAW's autumn campaign is up-and-running: 'Grey Matters: Alcohol Related Brain Damage'. We are carrying out pre- and post-campaign surveys that will allow us to gauge the campaign's reach and effectiveness.  

 

 A link to the survey can be found here

Magic Little Grants

Thanks to an award of £550,000 from Postcode Community Trust, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Localgiving are able to provide more grants than ever before.

This fund gives local charities and community groups the chance to apply online for a £500 grant to deliver projects across Great Britain that encourage people to be physically active. Successful projects will support and inspire people to participate in sports or exercise with the primary aim of improving the physical health of participants.

With its simple 10-minute application process, the Magic Little Grants fund reduces the work required for local organisations to access the funding they need to launch or strengthen their services.
 

• Applicants must either be in their first year of operation or have an annual income under £250,000. Preference will be given to projects that encourage social cohesion and help vulnerable people to overcome barriers to participation in physical activities.
• Funding can be used to launch new projects, support existing ones, or cover core costs associated with ongoing work.
• The deadline for applications for Magic Little Grants 2019 is midnight on 30th November 2019.

 
As well as receiving a Magic Little Grant, successful organisations that are new to Localgiving will also be given a free annual membership with Localgiving worth £96.This membership gives them access to all of Localgiving’s wider online fundraising services, such as regular fundraising campaigns and training.

Welsh Government LEADER funding for groups working in Cwm Taf - via Rural Cwm Taf Local Action Group

Welsh Government funding for rural projects in 2019

Public and third sector organisations working with communities in the Bedlinog, Cyfarthfa, Maerdy, Merthyr Vale, Plymouth, Rhigos, Treharris, Vaynor and Ynysybwl wards are being invited to express an interest in applying for support from the Rural Action Cwm Taf LEADER Programme, administered by the Rural Cwm Taf Local Action Group.

Run by the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Union and the Welsh Government, the aim of the LEADER programme is to promote social inclusion, reduce poverty and improve health & wellbeing. 

Applicants’ projects will need to be community-led, using innovative methods to help communities address need by developing basic services, creating sustainable, resilient villages and improving the local environment. 

They should also fit into one or more of the following themes:

• Exploration of digital technology
• Adding value to local identity and natural and cultural resources
• Exploring new ways of providing non-statutory services
• Facilitating pre-commercial development, business partnerships and short supply chains

Applicant organisations must find at least 20% match funding to contribute to the project. Please note that existing projects or projects that would provide a direct benefit to your organisation cannot be supported.  The fund is for project ideas which have not been tried in the Cwm Taf area before.

Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm on Friday, 31 January 2020 and can be submitted in hard copy or electronically.

For further information, guidance and an Expression of Interest form please contact ruralaction@merthyr.gov.uk, tel 01685 727089.

               

Talk! Learn! Do! Explore ways to talk to your children about money - new workshop from Merthyr Valleys Homes

Talk, Learn, Do!

Want to explore ways to talk to your children about money?

We are running a free Talk, Learn, Do! Workshop to help you out.

What children see and learn about money in childhood will influence how they manage their money as adults. To be able to manage their finances well, children need to observe, talk about and experience using money on a regular basis while they are growing up.

You as parents play a crucial role in building confidence and knowledge around money. Our attitude and habits towards money start to form by the age of seven, so the sooner you can start to talk to your child, the better.

This session will help you have the best conversations and be confident that you are teaching the behaviors that will make your child feel happy and in control around money. You will then be able to use the knowledge to create fun and easy ways to talk to your child, whatever their age.

The Talk, Learn, Do! Workshop is being held at Coed y Dderwen School on Tuesday 19th November between 2pm and 3pm. Spaces are free but must be booked in advance. To book your space call us on 01685 72772, email Community@mvhomes.org.uk or send us a message with your name, address and telephone number.