Tuesday 23 February 2021

New! Event from Lloyds Bank Foundation

 We are running an event on the 2nd March (2-3:30pm), which is a continuation of the learning sessions we began last year where we invited a group of people from the six communities we are working with to share their learning during the COVID response.  Merthyr Tydfil is one of these communities.

 This session is a bit different as we have invited speakers joining us, Jonathan Bland from E3M and Julian Blake from Stone King.  The session looks at the ‘art of the possible’ in public services and how public authorities and the VCSE sector can tackle challenges and improve outcomes for their communities through effective partnerships.

 If you would like to join, please register on Eventbrite 

Thursday 18 February 2021

Had experience of the Welsh Ambulance Service during the pandemic?

 Do you have a story to tell?

Would you be interested in sharing your story/experience with the Welsh Ambulance Service Patient Experience and Community Involvement (PECI) Team of when you, or a family member, has used any of our services during the pandemic? Our services include 999, Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), Volunteer Car Driver scheme, 111/0845 46 47 service or accessed the NHS 111 Wales website?

 To help us understand what’s important to you, what we do well and what we could do better, please get in touch.

You can contact us by visiting our ‘Have your say’ section at www.ambulance.nhs.uk, email: Peci.team@wales.nhs.uk, Twitter @WelshAmbPIH  or call us on 01792 311773.

 Oes gennych chi stori i'w hadrodd?

A fyddai gennych ddiddordeb mewn rhannu eich stori / profiad â Thîm Profiad y Claf a Chynnwys y Gymuned (PECI) Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru pan fyddwch chi, neu aelod o'r teulu, wedi defnyddio unrhyw un o'n gwasanaethau yn ystod y pandemig? Mae ein gwasanaethau'n cynnwys 999, Gwasanaeth Cludiant Cleifion Di-argyfwng (NEPTS), cynllun Gyrwyr Ceir Gwirfoddol, gwasanaeth 111/0845 46 47 neu wedi ymweld â gwefan GIG 111 Cymru?

 Er mwyn ein helpu i ddeall beth sy'n bwysig i chi, beth rydyn ni'n ei wneud yn dda a beth allen ni ei wneud yn well, cysylltwch â ni.

Gallwch gysylltu â ni trwy ymweld â'n hadran ‘Dweud eich dweud’ ar https://www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk/default.aspx?lan=cy,  e-bost: Peci.team@wales.nhs.uk, Twitter @WelshAmbPIH neu ein ffonio ar 01792 311773.

Free Webinar from WCVA - Volunteering and Safeguarding

Suitable for all those staff, volunteers and trustees who have responsibility for safeguarding in their organisations.

4 March 2021 - 10am-11am

Find out more and book a space



Have you joined the Knowledge Hub yet??

 The new resource for the Third Sector in Wales, known as the Knowledge Hub is now available.  New resources are being added all the time.  If you're involved with volunteering, 4 new courses have recently been added:

  1. Involving young people in volunteering and social action
  2. Management and support for volunteering
  3. Recognising volunteers and measuring impact
  4. Understanding volunteering

Why not visit today??

https://thirdsectorsupport.wales/courses/


 

Calling all young people - have you used the Volunteering Wales website??? Want to win £20??

 Aged 13-25?  Any idea of what the Volunteering Wales website does??  Complete this short survey whether you've used the website before or have never heard of it and be entered into a prize drawn to win a £20 voucher

Survey link: https://forms.gle/uMMFdonHcCNndYi96

 


Support from Lloyds Banking Group staff

 As you may be aware, VAMT have been working very closely with Lloyds Bank Foundation over the last 18 months, to develop relationships and systems change within Merthyr Tydfil.  Merthyr Tydfil is the only area in Wales which has been selected for this work, so we are very fortunate.

 As in 2020, there is an offer of help and support from Lloyds Banking Group colleagues for small charities – you don’t have to be registered with the Charity Commission to take part.  The attachment gives further details.  A number of charities in Merthyr Tydfil have already taken up offers of support. 

More information and link to take part






Virtual Wellbeing day for unpaid carers

 Carers Wales are delighted and excited to announce our dedicated virtual wellbeing day.

 We are hosting a full day of activities to support the mindfulness and wellbeing of unpaid carers on Saturday 27th February 2021. Each session is individual and you can join as many or as few as you like. You do not have to commit to the whole day.

The day will look like this:

• 10.00 -11.20 – Self Care.

• 11.30 -12.50 - Stress Management.

• 13.00 -14.20 - Healthy Back Management.

• 14.30 - 15.50 - Hand Massage.

• 16.00 -17.20 - Dru Yoga.

• 17.30 – 18.50 – What is counselling.

• 19.00 – 20.20 - Dru Yoga.

 

 

To register:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carers-wales-wellbeing-day-tickets-140248752795

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‘Me Time' is a chance for unpaid carers to do something for their own enjoyment. These online sessions, funded by the Welsh Government, are a place where carers can get involved in a range of activities and explore new opportunities that they may not be able to do normally. We will be doing all sorts of things ranging from group viewings of the great wonders of the world, to arts, music, physical exercise, relaxation and mindfulness and so much more.

Sunday 14 February 2021

Zoom courses from Valleys Steps - Stress Management and Mindfulness


Having trouble coping at present?

If so, it’s not surprising.

We know that modern life can be challenging at the best of times…

…and finding ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic could not exactly be described as “the best of times”.

Local wellbeing charity Valleys Steps is therefore offering courses to help.

Stress Management aims to enable participants gain an understanding of stress, how it affects us, plus what we can do to help manage and overcome it.

It will take place via Zoom from 2.30pm – 3.30pm on Thursday 18th February.

Introduction to Mindfulness
aims to teach ways to change, become more focussed and increase in wellbeing by deepening our appreciation of life.

It will take place via Zoom from 2.30pm – 3.00pm on Friday 19th February.


If you are interested in either or both of these courses, please contact Wellbeing Course Practitioner, Judith Parry, on Judith.Parry@valleyssteps.org to register or find out more.

Job Vacancy - Community Projects Officer for Merthyr Tydfil - Keep Wales Tidy

 Please find further details via the link below:

https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/Pages/FAQs/Category/vacancies

Thursday 4 February 2021

Want to help improve your neighbourhood and community? Free Eden Project "Community Camp"

 Eden Project Virtual Community Camp March 2021

The Eden Project are holding a virtual 'community camp' this March. Thanks to National Lottery players anybody who is supporting their community in their own time, or wants to do more to help their local area could be eligible for this fully funded opportunity!

Eden Project Communities are hosting a FREE Virtual Community Camp - an immersive learning experience offering a mix of practical activities, workshop sessions and networking opportunities for people from across the UK. It’s designed for people who want to develop ideas, activities or projects to help improve their neighbourhood and community.

 The next Virtual #CommunityCamp will be held in March 2021 and is open for applications now. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner up, and the camp introduces you to an ongoing network of like-minded people who support each other.

 The Virtual Community Camp will span four weeks and will consist of two sessions per week plus a few additional/offline activities for you to do in your own time during the week. You can also receive a certificate confirming completion of a Prospect Awards Endorsed Programme in Creative Community Leadership at the end of the course.  This is integrated into the programme of sessions with no additional coursework or assessment.

 For more information, and to apply go to: https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/community-camps

 Gwersyll Cymunedol Digidol Prosiect Eden Mawrth 2021

 Mae Prosiect Eden yn cynnal 'gwersyll cymunedol' digidol ym mis Mawrth. Diolch i chwaraewyr y Loteri Genedlaethol, gallai unrhyw un sy'n cefnogi eu cymuned yn eu hamser eu hunain, neu sydd eisiau gwneud mwy i helpu eu hardal leol fod yn gymwys i gael y cyfle hwn a ariennir yn llawn!

 Mae Cymunedau Prosiect Eden yn cynnal Gwersyll Cymunedol Digidol AM DDIM - profiad dysgu sy'n cynnig cymysgedd o weithgareddau ymarferol, sesiynau gweithdy a chyfleoedd rhwydweithio i bobl o bob rhan o'r DU. Mae wedi'i gynllunio ar gyfer pobl sydd eisiau datblygu syniadau, gweithgareddau neu brosiectau sydd yn gwella ei gymdogaeth a chymuned.

 Bydd y Gwersyll Cymunedol Digidol nesaf yn cael ei gynnal ym mis Mawrth 2021 ac mae ceisiadau ar agor nawr. Mae croeso i bobl a bob lefel o brofiad, o ddechreuwyr i fyny, ac mae'r gwersyll yn eich cyflwyno i rwydwaith parhaus o bobl debyg sy'n cefnogi'ch gilydd.

 Bydd y Gwersyll Cymunedol Digidol yn para pedwar wythnos a bydd yn cynnwys dwy sesiwn yr wythnos ynghyd ag ychydig o weithgareddau ychwanegol / all-lein i chi eu gwneud yn eich amser eich hun yn ystod yr wythnos. Gallwch hefyd dewis i dderbyn gwobr ‘Arweinyddiaeth Gymunedol Greadigol’ sef rhaglen sydd wedi’i chymeradwyo gan Prospect Award. Mae hyn wedi'i integreiddio i'r rhaglen o sesiynau heb unrhyw waith cwrs nac asesiad ychwanegol.

 Am ragor o wybodaeth, ac i wneud cais ewch i: https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/cy/gwersyll-cymunedol-digidol

 

 

Tuesday 2 February 2021

Grants for individuals and small community groups - older people and other adults with a disability

 Grants to Help Older People Lead More Fulfilling Lives 

Funding of between £100 and £5,000 is available for individuals and small community groups to help older people and other adults with a disability across England, Scotland & Wales lead more fulfilled lives and reach their full potential. The funding which is being made through the Barchester's Charitable Foundation focuses on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community, helping combat isolation and loneliness and enabling people to be active and engaged. Individual applications must be completed by a third-party sponsor such as a health care professional, social worker or charity/support group representative. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with funds allocated to those who demonstrate greatest need.

 

Grants for Urgent Structural Repairs to Churches (UK)
Listed and unlisted Christian places of worship needing urgent structural repairs can apply for grants of £10,000 - £50,000. Funding is also available for projects that introduce kitchens and accessible toilets to enable increased community use. Grants can cover up to 50% of project costs. The funding made available through the National Churches Trust’s Cornerstone programme and applications from the Trust’s priority areas, of which  Wales is one,  are encouraged. The next deadline for applications is midnight on the 1st March 2021.

Funding for Financial Literacy Projects from MSE Charity

 Funding for Financial Literacy Projects (UK)

The MSE Charity has announced that its grants programme has re-opened for applications. The MSE Charity gives grants to not for profit organisations that deliver activities that make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money. Grants of up to £7,500 will be available for projects that teach the under 25’s financial skills during these turbulent times. The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 26th February 2021 or earlier if the charity has accepted 40 applications. 

Tesco Bags of Help Campaign - Calling Merthyr Tydfil Groups

 The deadline to apply to Tesco's Bags for Help campaign is 12 February 2021.  The link to apply is below.

Bags of Help

Iceland's Healthy Start Campaign - Free pack of Frozen Vegetables when using Healthy Start Vouchers

 Iceland is a member of Marcus Rashford’s Child Food Poverty Taskforce, and is working with the Food Foundation with the support of the Welsh Government’s Public Health team to further support families by promoting the Healthy Start Voucher scheme in its stores.   Healthy Start provides low-income families with free vouchers every week to spend on milk, fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, and infant formula milk. They can also get free vitamins. The scheme is available to pregnant women, or those with children under four, who may qualify if they are on benefits – and is provided to anyone who is pregnant and under 18.  Details on the scheme and how to apply are here Healthy Start.

 

Iceland is offering a free £1 pack of frozen vegetables to all families using Healthy Start Vouchers in stores, boosting the value of the vouchers and providing access to nutritious food. Customers can choose from 25 varieties of frozen veg and can redeem the offer every time they use a Healthy Start Voucher (current value £3.10) as long as they are used in separate transactions. The offer will be available until 31st March 2021 in all Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores in the UK.