Invitation to take part in a project looking at the impact of shielding

 

People who were advised to shield have faced many challenges during lockdown and many have not left the house since March. This has had a clear impact on their health and well-being and will have increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. Although shielding advice has been paused, people with health conditions can feel particularly vulnerable and isolated and they may be unable to access health and well-being interventions or community and social support structures.

 

The Bevan Foundation has received funding from the Third Sector Small Grant Scheme to help develop practical solutions to support people in the Merthyr Tydfil area who were advised to shield or are self-isolating.

The project will focus on two key urgent challenges:

1. Combatting the impact of loneliness and isolation.
2. Overcoming the impact of Covid-19.

As part of this project, the Bevan Foundation would like to speak to stakeholders and service providers from across the statutory and voluntary sector to find out about current service provision, identifying gaps and the challenges ahead.

 

They also want to talk to people who were advised to shield or are self-isolating to find out what the impact is on them and what support they feel would be beneficial at this time and in the future. They would also receive a £25 voucher as a thank you for their time.

 

To take part in the project, or find out more information please contact Claire Thomas on Claire.thomas@bevanfoundation.org or call on 07494758855. 

UPDATE ON TRELEWIS TESTING CENTRE CLOSURE

Since our blog post this morning - we have received confirmation that the Trelewis Testing Centre at Parc Taff Bargoed will now close 29/10/2020 and not 30/10/2020.  

Dowlais Temporary Coronavirus Testing Centre : BOOK IN ADVANCE

 

PUBLIC REMINDER: Testing Centre CLOSING

 

Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) Community Scheme open for applications

 The Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) Communities Scheme is a Welsh Government funding programme managed by WCVA. The scheme supports local community and environmental projects in areas affected by the disposal of waste to landfill.

The fifth round of the Landfill Disposal Tax Communities scheme is now accepting applications of grants between £5,000 – £49,999 for projects beginning from March 2021.

A grant may also be awarded to one Nationally Significant project per year with a value of between £50,000 – £250,000.

The closing date for applications is 18 January 2021 at 23:59. Please note there are two separate application forms, one for main grants and one for the nationally significant grant.

The way that applications are submitted is changing – WCVA has listened to funding applicants and in consultation with the sector, has developed a new Multipurpose Application Portal. This new easy to use web platform makes applying for grants through WCVA a much simpler and user-friendly experience.

In order to submit a request for funding, you will need to register with WCVA’s Multipurpose Application Portal (MAP). If you have previously registered with MAP, you can log in by entering your username and password on the home screen.

Organisations can register by visiting the website https://map.wcva.cymru.

If you need help registering on MAP please follow this video.

Statement on Community Centres during "Firebreak"

 

The new Coronavirus regulations came into force in Wales at 6pm on Friday 23 October and will remain in place until Monday 9 November.  During this time, community centres may only be open to provide essential voluntary services, or to provide public services upon the request of the Welsh Ministers or a local authority. 

 Essential voluntary services are deemed to be foodbanks and other emergency provision, similar to the activities undertaken in March when the national lockdown was in force.  The FAQ guidance confirms “ Essential means if the service was not provided during the period of the ‘firebreak’ a significant harm would result for the recipient. If the delivery of the voluntary service can be delayed until after the ‘firebreak’ period without significant harm it should be postponed. If the voluntary service can reasonably be delivered from home this approach should be taken.”

 If you are delivering an essential voluntary service you are not required to seek permission from the local authority. 

ScoutsCymru Announces New Inclusion Workshop Series

 Inclusion is at the heart of what we do as Scouts and we are always guided by our five values of co-operation, integrity, respect, care and belief.. We are constantly reflecting on those values and striving to do better.

We have established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Sub Committee who will be shaping our inclusion strategy for now and the future. They are keen to support not only our members, but third sector partners from across the Nation on their inclusion journeys.

To do this, we are pleased to announce, “A More Equal Wales”, a series of talks, workshops and webinars around inclusion, developed in line with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. We are aiming to give a voice to the range of communities across Wales and support the third sector to become an even more safe and inclusive space.

These talks will be taking place over the next few months, and we will share when new sessions are available. There will be sessions for volunteers, third sector colleagues and young people.
Our first session will be a conversation with Dr Neville Lawrence OBE, and will include the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session hosted by some of our brilliant young people. Spaces are limited, so register here to secure your space https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scoutscymru-in-conversation-with-dr-neville-lawrence-obe-tickets-126070382909 . The session is open to all ScoutsCymru members and third sector organisations across Wales and will be hosted digitally on the 30^th October at 5pm.

We will be announcing further sessions very soon so make sure to watch this space to see how else you can get involved. We are always looking for new organisations to collaborate with, so if you would like to deliver a session as part of this series please get in touch with the team.

Green Flag for Nantllwynog Park

The Friends of Nant Llwynog Park group was formed in November 2016.  It is made up of members of the community in Bedlinog and surrounding areas.  The purpose of the group is to act as a local ‘management team’ for this award-winning park.

It aims to improve the green space and protect the park’s heritage as well as ensuring its best use.  To this end, it undertakes environmental projects and practical conservation.  It also actively promotes wildlife biodiversity and habitat restoration.

It also helps to encourage and educate the public through leisure, recreational and play facilities.  The Group liaises closely with Merthyr Council to manage the park’s key aims.  It operates in partnership with other bodies like the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Keep Wales Tidy, Actif Woods, the Wildlife Trust, and many others.

Green Flag information here 

National Lottery Community Fund Helping End Homelessness

 The National Lottery Community Fund are holding a series of brief online events which will provide a brief overview of the programme and an opportunity to network with other organisations in your Local Authority area. You are able to sign up to one (or more) of these events by following these links

:November 3^rd, 2-30pm – For organisations looking to form a partnership in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and/or Wrexham.

 November 4^th, 2-30pm – For organisations looking to form a partnership in Powys, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and/or Bridgend.
 
November 5^th, 2-30pm – For organisations looking to form a partnership in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff, and/or The Vale of Glamorgan.

 To add your details to our registered organisations list, please read the attached consent form and input your details via the following link Helping End Homelessness Registration of Interest Form

 

 

Why Young Trustees are so Important 5 November 2-3

We’d like to invite you to join WCVA for Trustees Week from 2-6 November 2020! Our theme for the week is ‘Breaking down barriers to Trusteeship.’ We have lots going on during the week, so keep an eye on our Twitter @WCVACymru!

 All are welcome to join our event on Thursday 5 November from 2-3pm – ‘Fresh thinking: why young trustees are so important.’

 We will have some wonderful younger people join us to talk about their experiences with trusteeship, followed by a quick panel discussion and an open Q&A with participants.

 If you have any questions, please get in touch with Amber at amontieth@wcva.cymru

New grants up to £24k for third sector Covid-19 mental health response

 

Mental Health Covid Response Grant Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have been allocated a £200k Mental Health Covid Response grant to commission new or extend existing support given by voluntary sector providers to support mental health services. They have approached the County Voluntary Councils of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff to support with the process. We are pleased to be offering grants of up to £24k to our members from across the region to help develop or support mental health and wellbeing services that meet: local identified needs CYP Social Isolation (including digital exclusion) Economic Impact (financial wellbeing and food prosperity) Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Misuse Bereavement Support and Carer Support Before applying please ensure you have read and understood the criteria. If you have any enquiries then please contact krogerson-davies@interlinkrct.co.uk To apply you will need to submit an application form by 5pm on Friday 6th November.

Eat Well 4 Less - Hot Meal Delivery Service from Gellideg Foundation Group

 

Our new paid for meal serivce “ Eat Well 4 less” is going well and we’d like to spread the word that it is available across the borough.

 For £4 we are providing a healthy two course meal delivered to anywhere in Merthyr Tydfil, and people can choose to receive meals as many times a week as they wish and can stop at any time. Please visit our Face book page for more details or ring 07783313497 or 07394905533 or 01685383929  for information on any of the above

 This is a sample menu for the month:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Week 1	Cold meat (ham) Boiled potatoes, Salad	Minced beef pie, mashed potatoes 2 veg & gravy	Sausage dinner	Spaghetti with Meatballs in a pasta sauce	Fish, chips & Mushy peas
Week 2	Quiche Boiled potatoes & couscous	Corned beef pie 2 veg & gravy	Chicken dinner	Lasagne, salad & Garlic bread	Fish, chips & Mushy peas
Week 3	Sausage Chips & beans	Chicken & veg pie Mash potatoes, veg & gravy	Creamy vegetable pie with mashed potatoes, peas & gravy	Sausage pasta bake Couscous Loaded jacket potato	Fish, chips & Mushy peas
Week 4	Cold meat Loaded jacket potato, peas	Cheese & potato pie Fish cake Baked beans	Cottage pie, boiled potato, veg & gravy	Ham & chicken pasta bake, salad Garlic bread	Fish, chips & Mushy peas
Various puddings	Scone with jam & cream,      Fruit pie & custard,        Trifle,      Rice Pudding,      Angel Delight     Sponge & custard,   Bread & Butter Pudding & Custard,     Fruit Jelly & Cream

New Community Pantry from Gellideg Foundation Group - coming soon!

 We are very excited to be launching the Community Pantry from Oct 26^th !

It is a membership community pantry open to all residents in Merthyr Tydfil with an emphasis on Vaynor, Plymouth, Merthyr Vale and Cyfartha wards (as these are funded by RDP).

For just £ 3 you can receive a bag of groceries and fridge items delivered to your door. Become a member of the Community Pantry for Merthyr Tydfil and you will be part of a network of supportive people helping each other in these difficult times.

All you have to do is pay £ 1 membership which is deducted off the price of your first bag.

As it is not possible to choose the contents of the bag at this time, we are offering these to you at a reduced rate of £ 3

Membership is open to all!

One bag per household per week but larger families are eligible for 2 bags.

Ring 077833 13497 or 073949 05533 or 01685 383929  before 3pm Friday for delivery the following week. Order early to avoid disappointment as we have a limited number of bags.

Hot Meal Delivery Service at The Grub Hub, Twyn Community Hub

The Grub Hub, a social enterprise based at Twyn Community Hub have a hot meal delivery service available across the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

Day and Evening Menu here

Orders can be placed via 01685 848972 or via the Foodhub app, or on line at www.thgmerthyr.co.uk

Food Delivery Service from MTHA - available to all across the Borough

Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association have launched their Ty Pantri delivery service which is available to everyone across the borough, not just MTHA tenants.

They have 3 different vegetable boxes available, plus a fruit box, free range eggs and a limited number of £5 store cupboard essential boxes each week.  

 Full details here

Covid-19 Services from Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil

Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil can still deliver advice throughout the 2 week lockdown period, and beyond. Our services have been remote since March but they are developing with time. We are now using different methods of video calling to allow our clients to access us, as well as phone, chat and email services. 

We are dealing with more and more queries surrounding debt and financial struggles due to redundancies and lack of income. It is so important to seek advice in times of financial need. 

 Also, as a reminder, our services still offer assistance with disability forms and any other benefit forms too. Our benefit team has come up with innovative ways of ensuring that these forms can still be completed remotely. We are even attending disability assessment appointments with clients remotely.

 More information here

NEW!! Knowledge Hub from TSSW

 

Knowledge Hub gives voluntary organisations in Wales easy access to a range of online information, networking and learning.

Third Sector Support Wales partners have launched a new bank of online information and learning resources for the voluntary sector in Wales.  The launch campaign starts today.

Knowledge Hub is an easy to use tool to help voluntary organisations upskill, learn and access high quality information on key areas such as running your organisation, volunteering, funding and influencing.

As well as a selection of information sheets and online courses, Knowledge Hub also gives you the opportunity to network with peers and have discussions on topics that are important to you.

To take advantage of the new Knowledge Hub, register at thirdsectorsupport.wales. Knowledge Hub is completely free to use for anyone working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in Wales, or for those wanting to get involved in the sector for the first time.

Investing in Volunteers Essentials - Free new tool

 Investing in Volunteers (IiV) – A new free tool to help ensure that volunteers have the best possible experience

 Across the UK, a new free tool is being made available to help ensure that your volunteers have the best possible experience and can make the biggest difference to the cause. IiV Essentials has been developed by volunteers and the staff who support them from across the UK.

Find out more: https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/tools-resources/investing-in-volunteers-iiv-essentials

Freelancer Support Fund for Cultural Sector

 Please see below the link for the Freelancer Support Fund to provide financial assistance to freelancers in the Cultural Sectors listed

The Arts
Creative Industries
Arts and Heritage
 Culture and Heritage

 https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/coronavirus-covid-19/merthyr-tydfil-county-borough-council-freelancer-fund/

New South Wales Valleys Samaritans phone service out of the VAC

South Wales Valleys Samaritans are proud to announce that we have started phone shifts in our room at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil. The project started in 2015 with the aim of encouraging help seeking behaviour in the South Wales Valleys. At that time, there was no Samaritan branch in the area. This was initially through Outreach Activities, such as Feet on the Street, presence in the lobbies of local hospitals and visits to the Merthyr Custody Suite, among other initiatives. We always aimed to offer a telephone service also, and this was accentuated by the Covid crisis which has made Outreach Activities impossible for the time being.

Samaritans offer confidential, non judgemental, emotional support to those who need it and our vision is to reduce death by suicide. In 2019 our 20,000 volunteers nationally answered over 3.6 million calls. This averages a call every 6 seconds. South Wales Valleys Samaritans are delighted that we can add to that capacity and ensure that more people can get through more quickly. The Covid crisis is adding to the pressure on the mental health of many people, which makes the service ever more crucial.

 Anyone can call the service on 116 123. This is a completely free number and does not appear on telephone bills. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (This number is free to call and is open from 7pm - 11pm 7 days a week) If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, please send us an email at volunteering@valleys-samaritans.org

 

The National Engagement Group for Carers works alongside the Ministerial Advisory Group for Carers to help inform Welsh Government’s approach to supporting unpaid cares across Wales.

 During the week beginning 19 October 2020 the Engagement Group will be holding a series of events to amplify the voices of unpaid carers and the professionals that work alongside them.

The events will give carers and professionals the opportunity to share how COVID-19 has impacted on them and what steps they think should be taken to make sure that carers receive the recognition they deserve and the support they need.

All sessions will be held on Zoom and early booking is strongly advised as spaces are starting to fill up already - click on the link(s) to book:

6pm Monday 19^th October – Young Carers
2pm Tuesday 20^th October – Older Carers
10am Wednesday 21^st October – Healthcare Professionals
2pm Wednesday 21^st October – Carers Services
10am Thursday 22^nd October – Parent Carers
2pm Thursday 22^nd October – Social Workers

World Mental Health Day 2020 - The BIG ZOOM

 Join the BIG ZOOM for World Mental Health Day!

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘mental health for all‘.

With this in mind, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Third Sector Mental Health Forum will be hosting the BIG ZOOM  from 7 – 15 October 2020. A number of regional mental health forum members have come together to produce a free and interactive timetable of workshops and activities to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2020 to raise awareness of the fantastic mental health and wellbeing services that exist across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area and to give a taster of what is available in our communities.

To see the timetable and book your place, visit The BIG ZOOM’s Eventbrite page

To find out more about World Mental Health Day, visit the Mental Health Foundation's website

Mental Health Day 2020 Community Support Pack

 

Connecting People and Nature Update

 From Anna Strickland, Connecting People and Nature

 We are running a weekly group every Wednesday - designed as a a way of getting people back out and active in a safe environment, with a walk to one of our sites and the opportunity to do activities when we get there.

More details here

 We also have regular volunteer opportunities and towards the end of the month we will be starting a 6 week evening online training course where people can complete an Agored unit in Observing Flora and Fauna.

More details here

 

Our funding finishes at the end of the year and so if you have any suggestions of activities you would like to see us run, do let me know!

 

Below are links to our referral forms - the first is for organisations to refer people to us, the second is for self-referrals.

 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Zgq4O84MQkqSUfzfni2px9eNNlOEPt1Gk50yMSL-9CZUOUExVTZGNjZTWDRaMTZJMERBMDA1NDM5US4u   

 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Zgq4O84MQkqSUfzfni2px9eNNlOEPt1Gk50yMSL-9CZUOURKN0cwVEFMTlVXVzc1WVE1WFZJM1pEVi4u

FREE Manual Handing Qualification available this week from Adult Learning Wales

 

Adult Learning Wales  have some space left on a 2 day Manual Handling Highfield Qualification.

DATE: WEDNESDAY 7^th AND THURSDAY 8^th OCTOBER 9.30-3.30PM BOTH DAYS AT CASTLE HOTEL MERTHYR TYDFIL – FREE COURSE NO FEE.

 Please see link to enrol online: https://www.adultlearning.wales/en/course/40400

 Alternatively email Leane.saunders@adultlearning.wales

Job Vacancy with Accessible Caring Transport

 ACT have a vacancy for an Operations Manager. 

Further details here.

Arty Parky

This October Head4Arts want to engage with as many people as possible in a very simple way - coming together in a celebration of autumn and in supporting wellbeing.

It’s really easy to get involved –  and you can do it in your own garden. There is more to inspire you on their website, including a wonderful inspirational film with artist Kate Raggett. You can click on the link in the poster or follow the link below.

http://head4arts.org.uk/arty-parky/

This year's experience will link to the 5 Ways of Wellbeing - see additional links for further detail.

Arty Parky eng       Add info eng

Arty Parky cym       Add info cym

Free Counselling Sessions available from Breathe

Free Counselling sessions are available on line or over the phone from Breathe for people whose mental health has been affected by Covid-19.  More information is available via this link

Welsh Government Consultation on Reducing Single Use Plastics

Please find a link to the Welsh  Government Consultation on Reducing Single Use Plastics - closing date is 22 October.

 https://gov.wales/reducing-single-use-plastic-wales

Positive Pathways Programme - grants for Veterans' Projects

 

Final round Positive Pathways Programme £35,000 for one-year project

As part of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the Positive Pathways programme will award fixed grants of £35,000 for projects developed by and for Veterans.

Projects should aim to improve veterans’ mental health and wellbeing by getting Veterans out and active – find full details here.

To be eligible to apply, your organisation must be an Armed-Forces-supporting charity or CIC.  A full list of eligibility is available in the programme guidance. If you have received an award from an earlier round of Positive Pathways, there are additional eligibility criteria, so please do read the guidance carefully.

If you have ideas for this grant or know of anyone that would be interested in this grant and would like to talk through or have help with your application then please get in touch with Finola Pickwell who is here to support you, she can be reached on 07970 435817 or here: finola.pickwell@hafal.org

 

Health & Wellbeing Forum

Wednesday 7th October 2020 via Zoom

10 am to 12 Noon

Health & Wellbeing Forum Agenda October 2020

Open to VAMT members and invited partners.

If you are interested in becoming a VAMT member and joining the Forum then contact us on 01685 353900

NEW: Third Sector Grant Scheme - Dementia

Third Sector Grant Scheme (Dementia Care)

Small Sized Revenue Grants (up to £5,000)

Deadline – 12 Noon Monday 19^th October 2020  

Supported by the Welsh Government Integrated Care Fund  

Small Grants:

Small Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects led by voluntary and community groups/organisations based and working in Merthyr Tydfil or Rhondda Cynon Taff.

 

Purpose:

·       Combat loneliness and isolation of people living with dementia, their family and Carers

·       Prevent unnecessary access to statutory services/support discharge

·       Support beneficiary groups to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence

·       Helping community and voluntary organisations build capacity

·       Reduce the impact of Covid-19

 

Who For?

Projects will need to:

(a)  support one or more of the following beneficiary Groups:

·       People living with Dementia

·       Carers/Family of people living with dementia

           (b)  benefit any of the four groups identified in the Welsh Government 

`                Rehabilitation Framework for continuity and recovery 2020-2021

How?

 Click on the links for Application Form and Guidelines

or visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk

For more information contact

Interlink:  01443 846200 or VAMT:  01685 353900

The End of an Era - Ian Davy VAMT's Chief Officer retires

 As many people may know, Ian retired yesterday after 31 years service.  Thanks to all for their good wishes to Ian on behalf of VAMT's Board Members and staff.

Ian with his official gift