Lloyds Bank Foundation - Core Funding still available.

 Our Core Funding remains open for applications and will stay open all year round! Small and medium-sized charities with income between £25,000 and £1 million can apply for two-year, unrestricted funding of £50,000 alongside dedicated development support.

Charities can check their eligibility for funding under 11 complex social issues we focus on or our Racial Equity funding strand, where we are looking to support charities with more than half of their Trustee Board self-identifying as belonging to a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic community. 

Are you a Local Giving Member? Magic Little Grants open for applications

If you are a member of Local Giving, you can apply for this year's grant by logging into your Localgiving page and clicking on the banner on the main dashboard. Feel free to share the sign up link to other groups which is here: https://localgiving.org/about/magic-little-grants/ and don't forget to tag @Localgiving and #MagicLittleGrants when you share your good news.

It's very nearly Volunteers Week 2021 - Time to say Thanks

 Here's the campaign pack   Full of ideas of things you can do.

Mobilising Voluntary Action: Learning from today, prepared for tomorrow

WCVA and Aberystwyth University are currently working with partners on a UK wide collaborative research study looking at volunteering during COVID-19. The research aims to strengthen the evidence base on the impact on COVID on volunteering and what support is needed within communities and organisations.  Learning from the research will generate recommendations to shape future policy and inform recovery.

 The research team are really keen to hear from volunteer involving organisations Wales about the effects on COVID on volunteering and welcome the perspective of volunteer managers/co-ordinators in third sector organisations in Wales as to how COVID has affected volunteering, current challenges and supported that is needs.  It would be fantastic if you could share your views and experiences via this survey:

 Wales Survey Link (English Language)

 Findings from the research will be shared via the project website in June/July 2021. 

 Thank you for getting involved in this important study.

 If you have any questions about the research, please contact: laura2.crawford@northumbria.ac.uk

Meet the National Lottery Heritage Fund

 

Cyfle i sgwrsio gyda Rheolwr Ymgysylltu –

sesiynau cyngor ariannu

 

Opportunity to speak with an Engagement Manager –

funding advice sessions

 Ydych chi'n rhan o sefydliad dielw neu gymunedol sy'n gweithio yng Nghymru? Ydych chi'n chwilio am arian ar gyfer prosiect newydd?

Mae Cronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol yn rhoi grantiau rhwng £3,000 a £5miliwn ar gyfer prosiectau newydd sy'n rhoi cyfle i bobl ymwneud â threftadaeth. Mae hyn yn cynnwys treftadaeth gymunedol, diwylliannau pobl, atgofion a thraddodiadau, natur a bywyd gwyllt, adeiladau hanesyddol, amgueddfeydd a pharciau hanesyddol.

Archebwch slot 45 munud i sgwrsio trwy'ch syniad prosiect gyda Rheolwr Ymgysylltu.

Tocynnau : https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/heritagefundcymru

 Cymru@heritagefund.org.uk

 Are you part of a not-for-profit or community group working in Wales? Are you looking for funding for a new project?

The National Lottery Heritage Fund gives out grants of between £3,000 and £5 million for new projects that involve people in heritage. This includes community heritage, people's cultures, memories and traditions, nature and wildlife, historic buildings, museums and historic parks.

Book a 45min slot to chat through your project idea with an Engagement Manager.

Tickets : https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/heritagefundcymru

Wales@heritagefund.org.uk

Racism in the Environmental Sector - Webinar

 

Green Alliance are running another 'Racism in the Environment Sector' webinar. They held an event in September which was really informative with great speakers. This one is focused on what action has been taken/ what have people learned over the last 12 months. It's just an hour with some interesting speakers lined up if anyone's interested - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0nU5FK0oSP-16zBdDJ0f0Q

 

Mae'r Gynghrair Werdd yn rhedeg gweminar arall 'Hiliaeth yn Sector yr Amgylchedd'. Cynhaliwyd digwyddiad ym mis Medi a oedd yn llawn gwybodaeth gyda siaradwyr gwych. Mae hwn yn canolbwyntio ar ba gamau sydd wedi'u cymryd/ beth mae pobl wedi'i ddysgu dros y 12 mis diwethaf. Dim ond awr yw hi gyda rhai siaradwyr diddorol yn ymddangos os oes gan unrhyw un ddiddordeb - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0nU5FK0oSP-16zBdDJ0f0Q

Further free training for front line workers from Dangos

 The Welsh Government funded project to raise awareness amongst frontline workers about benefits and other financial help for people in need, Dangos, is now able to offer further fully funded training for front line workers

 As a reminder of what Dangos offers, it’s made up of three-hour long on-line sessions, which are very interactive,  supported by a short information pack, and, for those who want it, free access to more detailed e-learning courses about the benefits system and how it works.

 Dangos aims to increase the knowledge and awareness about the availability of help for frontline workers. That is people who are in day-to-day contact, whether paid or voluntary, with families who might need extra help.

 We aren’t going to try to turn people into benefit experts or advisers, just to give them some more knowledge and information about what help there is and some tips in encouraging people to take up their rights.

More information here

Funding to support acknowledgement and celebration of Windrush Day 2021

This funding opportunity has been provided to support acknowledgement and celebration of Windrush Day 2021. The purpose of the grant is to raise awareness of Windrush Day, promote positive messages regarding Windrush Day and strengthen messaging around the historical, economic and cultural contributions of the Windrush generation to Wales. We particularly welcome bids that involve Windrush elders living in Wales. 

This short-term grant has been created to fund virtual events to take place on or around Windrush day 2021 (22 June) in Wales.

More information here

Sight Cymru - Free virtual training

 In usual times, Sight Cymru run training sessions raising awareness of eye conditions and the barriers that people with sight loss face in accessing the community. If your staff and volunteers would be interested in receiving a (free) awareness raising session, we would be more than happy to provide a session on a virtual platform, raising awareness of the barriers to accessibility in general but also on the issues many people with sight loss face in today’s changing world.

We have also recently launched our Sight Loss Friendly Organisations scheme. If that is also something you would be interested in pursuing, we would love to work with you

More information here

Building Communities Trust - June mini-conference

 As some of you may be aware, BCT have been working with a number of community based organisations across Wales since January to discuss the appetite among grassroots bodies for a more assertive “Community Movement” for organisations in Wales.

 So far we have had input from over a hundred organisations (including a few CVCs) through a mix of online workshops and questionnaires on priorities and purpose for any such movement.

 So far peer learning and national level advocacy are emerging as key priorities (not local level advocacy which is largely led by CVCs),

 There is clearly a lot more to do and many more conversations to have and we’ll be talking to some of you about how we do this in areas where we have linked with fewer people.

 In the meantime we’re holding a mini conference on Saturday 5^th June to reflect on what we’re hearing so far and what the first steps of the movement should be. We’d be delighted if you or colleagues could join us for that; please e mail info@bct.wales to reserve a place or alternatively contact Chris Johnes at BCT Chris.johnes@bct.wales

Talking about Poverty - JRF and Bevan Foundation events

 Join JRF and the Bevan Foundation, alongside other social change-makers in Wales, to find out how together we can talk about poverty in a way that can shift the public and political narrative. We’ll share research and experience, showing what the public believe about poverty, the pitfalls we need to avoid, and the opportunities for more positive conversations.

 

With the start of a new Senedd term upon on us and recovery top of the agenda, this timely event will bring together people from across the sector working on the issues, root causes and consequences of poverty in Wales. The evidence and insights from the FrameWorks UK will help the sector develop a united voice so we can all have the impact we want to solve poverty in Wales.

 

We are hosting an online event over two mornings, made up of short sessions where speakers will share the approaches they have used to improve understanding of poverty, change the debate and advocate for solutions. Alongside the theory and evidence from our framing research, we’ll provide tips and advice on how to put framing into practice. At the end of the event, you’ll be ready to give it a try for yourself.

 The sessions

 How can we collectively be a force for change? Communicating for impact 

Morning one: Tuesday 15^th June 2021, 9:30am – 12:00 midday

Register on Zoom

 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4416208569922/WN_iQjGnNIsSVq5ZR-oY0OrSQ

 We can work together to change the narrative on poverty in Wales. As a diverse sector, we have a range of concerns and specialisms, but we can achieve more when we work together using tried and tested tools to tell a clear and consistent story about the injustice of poverty. 

 

FrameWorks UK’s research with 20,000 people across the political spectrum has given us crucial insights into public attitudes to poverty in the UK. It shows how we can tap into positive shared values and improve understanding, rather than reinforcing divisive and destructive ideas and beliefs. 

 

In this session JRF will set the scene on what framing is and why it is so important. We will discuss how the public thinks about poverty, how to navigate these different beliefs, and we will show the impact framing is having.  

  ‘Framing’ – words that change minds 

Morning two: Wednesday 16^th June 2021, 9:30am – 12:00 midday

Register on Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6916208571081/WN_EjuiJpWKRReysJRk_hlEgA

 This session will cover how we can use framing insights to make deliberate decisions about how we communicate to change the impact of our stories.  

 

We will hear from allies who are already using framing on why it is important to them, why it should form part of more movements, and how it can help us all to be better communicators.  

 

We will then cover the practical aspects of framing, from the use of tested values, metaphors and other techniques enabling us to create content with our audience’s mental shortcuts in mind.   

Job Vacancy at Stephens and George Charitable Trust

 CAFE ASSISTANT

We are currently looking for a committed, self-motivated person who enjoys providing high quality food. Our Café acts as a hub within our local community and we at Stephens and George Charitable Trust are looking for people who share our ethos and passion making a positive difference in any way we can.

Applicants should be driven and enthusiastic with the capability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.

Successful candidates must have experience of, or be able to demonstrate:

· Café assistant experience

· Involvement in the planning of café activities and menus (baking skills are essential)

· Willingness to undertake new training opportunities

· Record all necessary temperatures and follow all Food hygiene requirements

· Level 2/3 Food Hygiene Qualification

An advanced DBS check will be carried out for the successful applicant (cost covered by us!).

This job role is currently part time.

Applicants must be able to work evenings and during school holidays.

Required Education, Skills and Qualifications:

· Minimum of Level 2 Qualification - Food Hygiene, Level 3 preferred

· It would be an advantageous to have knowledge of Social media.

· Oral ability to speak Welsh is desirable, but not essential.

· A driving licence is essential for this post.

To apply, please forward your CV by Thursday 20th May to charity1@stephensandgeorge.co.uk

For more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Amanda Williams on 01685 375331

Job Vacancies at MTIB

Closing date 31^st May 2021 at 4pm.

 Candidates can apply via email to morena@mtib.co.uk by sending  their CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages), detailing how they meet the requirements of the job summary.

 The job adverts are also available on  – www.mtib.co.uk

Employer Engagement

Employment/Training Advisor

Did you Volunteer during the Pandemic??

 

Cynnal gweithredu dan arweiniad y gymuned wrth adfer: dysgu gwersi o'r ymateb cymunedol i COVID-19 yng Nghymru Mae'r Is-adran Ymchwil a Gwerthuso yn Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru, mewn partneriaeth â Phrifysgol Bryste a Chyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru, yn cynnal arolwg cenedlaethol o wirfoddolwyr a’r rhai sydd wedi rhoi o’u hamser yn ddi-dâl i helpu eu cymunedau. Rydym wedi comisiynu Strategic Research and Insight Ltd (SRI), sef cwmni ymchwil annibynnol trydydd parti sydd wedi'i leoli yng Nghymru, i gasglu data'r arolwg ar ein rhan, er mwyn i ni allu deall yn well rôl gweithredu dan arweiniad y gymuned mewn ymateb i COVID-19 yng Nghymru ac adfer ohono.Mae'r prosiect hwn yn cael ei gefnogi gan y Sefydliad Iechyd, sy'n ymrwymedig i sicrhau gwell iechyd a gofal iechyd i bobl yn y DU. Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn chwilio am unrhyw un sydd wedi gwirfoddoli – o gymorth seiliedig ar grŵp hyd at gynorthwyo cymydog – i ateb ein harolwg byr er mwyn i ni allu deall yn well sut a pham mae pobl wedi helpu eraill yn eu cymuned mewn ffyrdd gwahanol ers dechrau’r pandemig. Cymerwch yr arolwg yma. Sustaining community-led action in recovery: learning lessons from the community response to COVID-19 in Wales The Research and Evaluation Division at Public Health Wales, in partnership with University of Bristol and Wales Council for Voluntary Action, are undertaking a national survey of volunteers and those who have given up their time unpaid to help their communities. We have commissioned Strategic Research and Insight Ltd (SRI), a third-party independent research company based in Wales, to collect the survey data on our behalf, so that we can better understand the role of community-led action in response to and recovery from COVID-19 in Wales. This project is supported by the Health Foundation, committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK. Public Health Wales is looking for anyone who has volunteered – from group-based support to assisting a neighbour – to answer our short survey so we can better understand how and why people have helped others in their community in different ways since the pandemic started. You can take the survey here.

Cael gwybod mwy Find out more

Vacancies at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

 Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have the following vacancies available:

Band 3 HCSW – Immunisation

 ***closing on 11 May (midnight) ***

Merthyr Cynon – Healthcare Support Worker - Immunisation (jobs.nhs.uk)

Rhondda Taf Ely – https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/916506488

Bridgend – https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/916506934

 

Band 5 Immunisers (open to various registered professional groups)

All closing on 19 May:

Merthyr Cynon – Immuniser (jobs.nhs.uk)

Rhondda Taf Ely – Immuniser (jobs.nhs.uk)

Bridgend – Immuniser (jobs.nhs.uk)

 

Could your group use these display cupboards?

 contact enquiries@tbdt  

Inform - special Volunteers Week edition

 As you may already be aware, Volunteers Week takes place between 1-7 June every year, and offers an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and volunteering.  The theme for this year is “Time to say Thank You”.    As we won’t be able to hold a celebration event again this year, we’re hoping to mark the week in different ways.  One of these is to produce a digital version of “Inform”,  our magazine, celebrating the achievements of the last year, and the efforts of volunteers to enable the work carried out.  So please, send us your good news stories, tell us about remarkable volunteers and what they do, anything that you would like to share.  We’ll be happy to include other good news stories, but would like a focus on volunteering if at all possible.

 Stories via email to hilary.edwards@vamt.net by 21 May will be welcomed. 

#Clwb Cwtsh - speaking Welsh with young children

 #ClwbCwtsh is a short, fully-funded informal 8-week Welsh taster programme focussed on speaking Welsh with young children (and is aimed at parents to be, parents/carers, members of the extended family). Learners won’t need any Welsh to join. All sessions are on-line (due to Covid-19 restrictions) and will start next week on May 10^th, with a choice of times and days available.

More info here

Job Vacancy at Plant Bach

    Plant Bach is a registered with Care Inspectorate Wales to provide a Flying Start preschool care provision for a maximum of 26 children between the ages of two to three years old serving the communities of Galon Uchaf, Penydarren and the neighboring local communities. 

 We are recruiting for a

 Fixed Term Play Leader

 16 Hours Per Week / Term Time Only

(Temporary for up to 12 months to cover a period of staff absence from the setting.

Successful candidate will be required to start as soon as reasonably possible, subject to recruitment & DBS clearance. 

 Rates of Pay: £10.00 per hour

 REQUIREMENTS

 Applicants must be aged 18 years and over.

Previous Experience (Paid or voluntary), in Early Years or Childcare sector

Level 3 Early Years or Childcare qualification (Essential)

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care (Essential)

 Please request an application pack via e mail at plantbachpenydarren@gmail.com   

 For informal discussions please contact Chris Davies on 07855 332992

 Closing Date for receipt of all Applications is

12pm on Monday 17^th May 2021

 Interviews to be held

Date to be confirmed to shortlisted candidates.

Cutting Costs and Carbon Footprint in your community facility

 ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING A COMMUNITY FACILITY?

 

FREE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT WEBINAR

RUNNING ENERGY EFFICIENT PREMISES TO CUT YOUR COSTS & CARBON FOOTPRINT - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THURSDAY 20th MAY, 2021

11:00am – 13:15pm

 

SIGN UP NOW BOOK HERE

 

Ensuring a safe return to your building during a pandemic may feel a daunting and challenging task. So how can you be green too – making sure you cut your bills and reduce your carbon footprint? This 2-hour webinar funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and delivered by the UK’s leading property advice charity the Ethical Property Foundation will give you the confidence & knowledge to ensure your community facility is energy efficient and not costing the planet.   

 

This FREE property advice webinar will include:

 

·         How can you save money and cut your carbon emissions?

·         How can you make your workplace energy efficient and a comfortable environment for staff, volunteers and visitors?

·         What are Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and how does this affect your organisation?

·         What is an Energy Performance Certificate and how could this affect your organisation?

·         Understand the principles of cost and energy efficient maintenance management.

·         Top Tips for reducing your bills and your carbon footprint

·         Key questions trustees need to ask.

·         How much do you need to spend?

·         Q & A

         Participants receive: a comprehensive Information Pack including a template to record energy usage & free follow up 1:1 property advice with access to no cost or low cost legal & surveying support. 

 

Delivered by Ethical Property Foundation’s highly experienced Property Advisers,

John Holes FRICS and David Sayce FRICS

https://propertyhelp.org

 

For further information on this webinar or future events please contact:

wales@coalfields-regen.org.uk / 01495 367680

https://propertyhelp.org

P/T Job Vacancy at Twyn Community Hub

NEW Children in Need Activity Coordinator post

We have secured Children in Need funding for new sessions - 10 hours per week @ £10 per hour and are looking for a Children In Need Activity Coordinator.

For a job description and application link, or any other information please an email to communication@twyncommunityhub.co.uk

Applicants must be aged 16+

Closing date Tuesday 11th May at 12pm

The successful applicant must be available to start from the beginning of June 

Feeding Merthyr Tydfil

 You may be aware that for more than 2 years now, VAMT has brought a core group of third sector organisations together to look at issues regarding access to affordable food across the County Borough.  These local  issues were very clearly spotlighted during the pandemic,  the incredible  response of third sector organisations and volunteers and the levels of need they found in our communities.

 We were recently approached by  an amazing organisation called “Feeding Britain” https://feedingbritain.org

 Feeding Britain currently works across 28 areas from Cornwall to north Scotland and partnerships come together to address issues and underlying causes of  hardship.  Among the initiatives supported by Feeding Britain across the UK are Affordable Food Networks saving households more than £2.5 million a year on their shopping, Healthy Holidays supporting 40,000 children and families during school holidays, Pathways From Poverty helping to increase people’s incomes and address the underlying causes of hardship, and Fuel Banks providing two weeks’ breathing space for people on the brink of destitution.

To this end I’d like to invite you to a meeting (via Zoom) with Andrew Forsey,  Director of Feeding Britain, to talk about establishing a similar network in Merthyr  Tydfil – Feeding Merthyr  Tydfil, which would be the first of its partnerships in Wales.  This will take place on Tuesday 18 May at 3:00pm.  Hopefully there will be the opportunity to   discuss the coverage of existing provision, share the challenges facing families and individuals, and begin developing plans to ensure nobody has to go hungry or without basic essentials during the recovery from the pandemic.

 If you’d like to attend, please email VAMT  by Friday 14 May and I’ll send you a link.  

New Initiative from the Bevan Foundation

 As part of our project to build local economic resilience in the south Wales valleys, we’re inviting residents and workers in the south Wales valleys to share what they love about the area and what could make it even better. 

 We’d very much appreciate your support in getting as many and varied views as possible.

 Selected contributions will be used in a video and publication to support our recommendations to key decision-makers which point to the need for policy change to improve the valleys.

 Contributions can take the format of a captioned photo, a short video clip, or a longer written submission, and all valid submissions received by 12noon on Thursday 20^th May will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 3 £25-£50 cash prizes.

 You can find out more and see all terms and conditions on our website.