Help BulliesOut by completing a survey

 BulliesOut is applying to the Big Lottery, People and Places Fund for funding to further develop our Mentoring Matters programme. This will help us build capacity, establish our organisation on a firmer footing and enable us to take a more strategic approach to service/operational delivery.

The Mentoring Matters programme consists of 3 areas:

·         Peer2Peer Mentor Training in Schools (both Primary & Secondary)

·         A Guide to Mentoring Training for those in the Workplace

·         e-Mentoring One-to-One Support for Individuals

To support our application, please could you answer the questions on the below Google Form and return your response to us by Friday 2^nd July 2021. You do not need to sign into Google to complete this.

 

 https://forms.gle/XGoy79G9dck9okpP9  

 

Free MS Awareness sessions for organisations across Wales

The session consists of a 1 hour introduction to MS, which is delivered by people with lived experience of the condition. The aim of the session is to provide organisations with a better understanding of:

 

•         What MS is

•         The symptoms MS can cause

•         The variability and unpredictability of MS

•         The impact MS can have emotionally, physically and practically

•         Ways people can live well or better manage their MS

•         The individuality of MS and the people it affects

•         The support available for people living with and affected by MS

 For further information and to arrange an MS Awareness session please contact: Fiona.mcdonald@mssociety.org.uk

Heart Movement Heart Bus visiting Merthyr Tydfil and Aberfan

The Heart Movement Heart Bus is visiting South Wales next week as part of a UK wide wellbeing tour. The converted American school bus will visit Cardiff, Merthyr and Aberfan and spend a total of five days giving people free practical tips to boost their wellbeing and self compassion.

The Heart Bus is open to the public from 10am - 4pm each day. Local dates and locations below.

 Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre (July 3)

 Aberfan Leisure Centre (July 4)

 A Platfform representative from the Out of Work - Peer Mentoring Service will be in attendance from 1st July

 Those visiting the Heart Bus will have the opportunity to attend short workshops and taster sessions including the science of mindfulness, listening spaces and an introduction to heart intelligence technology using biofeedback. People can learn about breathing techniques to help calm the nervous system, and how to cultivate happiness and positive emotions. The Heart Bus can welcome up to 6 people for indoor workshops and 30 people in the outside space. There will be a QR code track and trace system in place to ensure the tour is operating within the strictest of COVID safety guidelines.

 

Building Communities Trust seek your views - Community Movement Cymru

 Community Movement Cymru

There is an extensive consultation across Wales seeking comments and ideas and support for setting up Community Movement Cymru.

Some community organisations across Wales have expressed a need for a community movement to support one another, to share experience, to facilitate the empowerment of our communities and to influence central and local government in Wales. In January 2021 around ten organisations came together to facilitate a wider discussion on setting up a movement.

By the end of April 2021 some 120 organisations had taken part in the consultation. It will continue up until the autumn of 2021 to try and include the views of as wide a range of community organisations as possible.

Bilingual questionnaire is here

Pontio - Community Cafe hosted by the MS Society

 More information here

Versus Arthritis Information Day - 14th July 2021

 Versus Arthritis are holding a virtual information day for CwmTaf, to raise awareness of arthritis conditions and the services that they provide to support people with arthritis in the community.  Please note, we support people with almost 200 condition, such as lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis and many more.  Arthritis can affect all aspects of a person’s life.  The event has been split into 2 sessions, as listed below:

 12.30-1.15pm Event for professionals – This event is tailored towards health care professionals or anyone who works in a role where they are supporting people living with long term arthritis conditions.

1.30-3pm – Event for people with arthritis – This event is tailored towards people living with arthritis conditions.

 You are, of course, more than welcome to attend both events.  Just be aware, the presentations are the same, they are just tailored to meet needs of those in attendance.  The afternoon session will also include a chair based exercise taster and information from the EPP.  For information on how to join, please email m.baxter-thornton@versusarthritis.org.uk or call 07711369456.

Volunteering in Care homes - a short term pilot and long term plans

Age Cymru is developing a model of practice for volunteering in care homes. A short term pilot is focussing on supporting contact between residents and families as Covid restrictions allow. It will produce guidance and reflective evaluation for wider use and to support the development of longer term initiatives, including collaborative working between organisations and sectors.

This session will involve a number of interactive approaches to enable participants to explore and share ideas about what effective volunteering in care homes might look like, who benefits and how it can be sustained and supported.

 Thursday 1 July 2 – 3 pm. Register here

News from the MS Society

 

MS Society new "Buzz Me" service

On Thursday 24th June at 2pm, MS Society Cymru will be hosting another Pontio project Community Cafe all about MS and driving. We’ll be joined by Dr Nick Jenkins from the DVLA who will talk about his role and also some of our volunteers who will share their driving experiences. This is an opportunity for you to share ideas about what has worked for you, ask questions and hear about schemes that are in place to help maintain driving after MS diagnosis.

 

Register here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pontio-community-cafe-driving-and-ms-tickets-158890603071?fbclid=IwAR0WBvqLNqrWpy2lOWMxPsIu68GHC0DASN6ku4xFEU3de6vL2IBi5DJN8Ik

 

Lloyds Bank Foundation - businesses and charities can support each other

 As part of their ongoing work in Merthyr Tydfil, over the next few months Lloyds Bank Foundation will be exploring and showcasing through a number of ways that businesses and charities can support each other.

 Do you have a story to tell of how you have ‘partnered’ with a local business and how this has helped your charity?  Would you be prepared to share your story with others?

If so, or if you've any queries or would like to chat please email hilary.edwards@vamt.net

New Horizons- Get involved in some of their activities

 Aberdare Walking Group

Zoom Befriending Group

Bereaved by Suicide Peer Group

Pontypridd Walking Group

Creative Writing Group:

New Horizons run a variety of regular creative and social groups.We believe creativity can help develop new skills and build confidence.

Members have found that creative writing has helped them to express their thoughts and emotions in ways they had not been able to previously. Our groups provide community and a safe space, where people feel able to relax, to be themselves, and to express themselves.

The Creative Writing Group meets on Monday afternoons, between 2.00 - 4.00 pm.

The group is facilitated by a tutor from Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre.

Each week the group looks at a different writing style or topic and then goes away to try it out for themselves.

 Arts & Crafts Group:

We normally run a variety of regular creative and social groups. We believe encouraging creativity can help develop new skills and build confidence.

The group is open to all levels of experience and ability, all you need is a willingness to have a go, learn some new skills and techniques, and enjoy yourself along the way.

We have previously offered three Arts & Crafts groups in Porth and Aberdare, facilitated by an arts tutor. Due to COVID restrictions we are not currently running the Arts & Craft Group within the community. However, we are posting out Art & Craft supply boxes, and our Arts tutor can provide creative suggestions. 

Please contact us if you would like to join the group and receive art materials, as new members are always welcome.

Revised Guidance for Community Centres re-opening in Wales

 Read more from WCV here

Summer activities from Getting Together Matters

 View them here

"Recite Me" - new service fom NHS 111

 To support people to have equal access to online health information, the NHS 111 Wales website now hosts ‘Recite me’, an easy to use toolbar that allows you to customise the website in a way that works best for you.

It offers a number of features including text to speech, reading aids and translation of pages of over 100 languages. Recite me supports visitors who may be visually impaired, have learning disabilities or speak English as a second language.

For more information on how to manage your symptoms, condition or for details of local health services including your nearest Pharmacy, visit the NHS 111 Wales website and look out for the Recite me logo.

 Er mwyn cefnogi pobl i gael mynediad cyfartal i wybodaeth iechyd ar-lein, mae gwefan GIG 111 Cymru bellach yn cynnal ‘Recite me’, offer hawdd ei ddefnyddio sy’n caniatáu ichi addasu’r wefan mewn ffordd sy’n gweithio orau i chi.

 Mae'n cynnig nifer o nodweddion gan gynnwys testun i leferydd, cymhorthion darllen a chyfieithu tudalennau o dros 100 o ieithoedd. Mae ‘Recite me’ yn cefnogi ymwelwyr a allai fod â nam ar eu golwg, sydd ag anableddau dysgu neu'n siarad Saesneg fel ail iaith.

 I gael mwy o wybodaeth ar sut i reoli'ch symptomau, eich cyflwr neu am fanylion gwasanaethau iechyd lleol gan gynnwys eich Fferyllfa agosaf, ewch i wefan GIG 111 Cymru a chadwch lygad am logo ‘Recite me’.

Pears Foundation - Action Learning Fund

Community Foundation Wales has developed a Trust and Foundation Project to increase the amount of UK funding coming into Wales, building connections between the Welsh third sector and Trusts and Foundations whose base is outside of Wales. Alongside this broader project, Pears Foundation is supporting this Action Learning Fund that will offer £2,000 to unlock capacity within 25 organisations in return for taking part in some research and action learning. Please share this information with groups you think would benefit/has the time to participate in this project.  More information below:

 https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/pears-action-learning-fund/

Guide Dogs Cymru - Virtual Fundraising Taster Session

On Wednesday 30^th June, 11:30am -12:30pm Guide Dogs Cymru has a live virtual fundraising taster session event, we are looking for volunteers to be the face of Guide dogs in their local community by raising money and making a difference to people with sight loss.

 If anyone is interested, please contact myself through email: Jaye.connelly@guidedogs.org.uk and I will send the Zoom link closer to the event.

 We will have 2 guest speakers at our taster session and our Community Relationship Fundraising Managers will be talking about fundraising and volunteering with them.

 If you have any questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact me, happy to help.

 

Volunteering Matters say thank you to their volunteers

 Volunteering Matters say thank you to their volunteers

Meet the Funder - Lloyds Bank Foundation

 Glamorgan Voluntary Services has arranged a free meet the funder session with the Lloyds Foundation. This session will give participants an opportunity to meet with Rachel Marshall, who will be providing information about current funding opportunities for the foundation, as well as information on their current priorities.

 This free session will take place on the 15th of June from 11am to 12pm. It will be held on Zoom, with a link sent out on the morning of the session. To book your free place, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-funder-lloyds-foundation-tickets-158593614771

 If you have any questions, please contact Kris Rees on kris@gvs.wales.

 About the Lloyds Foundation, from their website:

We partner with small and local charities across England and Wales, helping people overcome complex social issues. We’re an independent charitable trust funded by the profits of Lloyds Banking Group.

We fund small and local charities, investing in their work helping people overcome complex social issues across England and Wales. We support charities with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million with a proven track record of helping people on a journey of positive change through in-depth, holistic and person-centred support. We offer unrestricted funding, including around core costs, and tailored development support to help your charity be more effective.

 For more information about the Lloyds Foundation, please visit: https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/

How do you fundraise?

 Richard Newton Consulting and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Cymru are undertaking an assignment of work on behalf of WCVA to understand more about fundraising in Wales. In particular the amounts raised by organisations in the voluntary sector, and the activities that they undertake to deliver this work.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
We would be grateful if you could take part in our survey.  To get an accurate overview we want to share this survey out as widely as possible so please feel free to forward it to your peer organisations.


NOTE: only respond if you are a not-for-profit organisation operating within Wales
If your organisation or group operates solely outside of Wales this survey does not apply to you.


All responses are confidential.

Please can you complete the survey by 21st June 2021

The link to the survey is here
WCVA - Wales Voluntary Sector Income
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DB76PVZ
(welsh)
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DH8J7L8  (English)

Should you require additional information, please contact sharon@richard-newton.co.uk

Need a photocopier/printer/scanner

Business in the Community are currently compiling a list of groups who need the above.  No guarantees, but if you're interested contact Carol.Hindley@vamt.net

Volunteers' Week 2021 - Pontsticill Community Group

 PCG is a group that meet regularly with the aim of  helping to maintain and improve the village of Pontsticill.  They fundraise, work with other organisations, run a toddler group and other activities days where volunteers work to keep the village tidy.

Volunteers' Week 2021 - Final Day. Merthyr Performance Company says "Thank you"

 

MPC wants to thank all of our volunteers who help us during every class, every show get in and get out, helping decorate our studio, building our sets and transporting them to theatres, chaperoning our cast backstage and helping with raffles, front of house, hair and make up; the list is endless!

We rely on the help our volunteers offer all year round, and their skills are invaluable to us and our company of over 100 children! Without them, we couldn't give the learning and performance opportunities that we can, to children of all ages across Merthyr Tydfil.

Watch the young people say "thank you"

FREE Property Management Webinar from Coalfields Trust

 

FREE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT WEBINAR BASIC PREMISES MANAGEMENT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Thursday 24th June, 2021 11:00am - 13:15pm

 

Dear all Are you responsible for managing a community facility?  If so this FREE 2 hour webinar may be of interest to you. The webinar is funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and delivered by the Ethical Property Foundation - the UK's leading property advice charity.  Topics will include: Types of tenure; Understanding the obligations of a landlord and tenant; Subletting and hiring out your property; Managing risk; The principles of effective property maintenance management and Trustee responsibilities. Attendees will also receive a comprehensive information pack, templates and follow up bespoke 1:1 support if required. For more information and/or to book please click the link below. CRT Wales   Find out more! Please share!

Volunteers' Week 2021 - Watch how Follow Your Dreams repurposed during Lockdown

 Watch their video here - it's fab!

Volunteers' Week 2021 - Age Connects Morgannwg

 Helen says thank you

Age Connects Morgannwg - Meet their volunteers

Volunteers Week 2021 - Twynyrodyn Community Hub

 Twynyrodyn Community Hub has supported the community practically and emotionally since the beginning of the pandemic providing daily hot meals, activity based sessions and food parcels.

Their volunteers have enabled them to be there for the whole community in so many ways.  They are still there now offering support to the Hub  as they move into the next stage of supporting the community in regaining independence and building resilience.

Louise says "thank you"

Edna's Story

Anthony and Iestyn - father and son who volunteer together

Ethan's Story

Volunteers' Week 2021 RECONNECT

 Safer Merthyr Tydfil’s RECONNECT project aims to tackle social isolation experienced by anybody age 50+ living within Merthyr Tydfil. Social isolation is a challenging reality for many. Its effects can be pronounced, and may even lead to a decline in overall health and well-being, in addition to feelings of depression or anxiety.  Over the past year the volunteers have been offering telephone support and their commitment and dedication has improved the lives and wellbeing of so many individuals in our community.

Watch their video here

Volunteers' Week 2021 Lark in the Park, Treharris

 Lark in the Park began as a group at Treharris Park -2 and a Half years ago as it is a 1900's Edwardian Park that was highly cultivated and manicured that fell into the wilds, We are restoring the Park to it's former glory with some modern adaptations. We are focusing on Bio-diversity and the environment. 

The people of Treharris have many happy memories of using the park growing up and it has become a secret special place. 

The Volunteers have been planting, digging, weeding, clearing, cutting, chopping, tidying, building and painting! There is a job to suit everyone. The main job is to relax, enjoy being outside and have a cuppa!  Come along on a Thursday 10.30am-1.30pm to say Hi and meet the Team and we can welcome you to getting involved. Ask For Gill or Annie.

Watch their video here

Volunteers' Week 2021 - Gellideg Foundation Group

 Gellideg Foundation Group also repurposed their services during the pandemic.  A staggering figure of 85 adult volunteers gave 33,625 hours in volunteer time, while 51 young people from Gellideg, Twyncarmel and Trefechan also volunteered their time.

Watch Colette Watkins say "Thank you" to them all

Why Anne Marie Volunteers

Volunteers' Week 2021 The Parent Network would like to say "Thank you" to all their volunteers.

 

Watch Diane say "thank you" to all their volunteers

BBC's Lucy Owen says "thank you" to all Merthyr Tydfil's Volunteers

 Watch BBC's Lucy Owen say "thank you"

Digital Support - a short survey from ProMo-Cymru

 ProMo-Cymru has put together a short survey to learn about the kind of digital support the third sector may need and the experience of using digital since the COVID pandemic.      

We're working with WCVA and Wales Co-Op we'll be sharing some of this information with Welsh Government and other interested parties to inform what support the third sector may need.  

 Survey in English here  

 Mae ProMo-Cymru wedi creu'r arolwg byr yma i ddysgu am y fath o gefnogaeth ddigidol sydd ei angen ar y trydydd sector a'r profiad o ddefnyddio digidol ers y pandemig COVID.

Rydym yn gweithio â WCVA a Chanolfan Cydweithredol Cymru ac yn bwriadu rhannu rhan o'r wybodaeth yma gyda Llywodraeth Cymru i amlygu'r gefnogaeth sydd ei angen ar y trydydd sector.

 Cymraeg yma 

New funding to support people with musculosketal conditions including arthritis

Let’s Move Together Fund: Now open!

Versus Arthritis are distributing grants of up to £5,000 to support people with musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis to get active. Organisations in Wales, Scotland or  Northern Ireland should be working to increase the availability of exercise opportunities for people with musculoskeletal conditions in local communities, to reduce the negative impact of coronavirus and the widening of the inequalities in sport and physical activity. Applications are particularly welcome from groups who also support people from lower socio-economic groups, Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic communities and disabled people.

 29.3% of adults in Wales have musculoskeletal conditions so we anticipate that a number of groups will be eligible. For more information about these conditions please visit About arthritis | Conditions, symptoms, treatments, support (versusarthritis.org).

 For more information about the Let’s Move Together fund, including how to apply, please visit Inspiring active communities (versusarthritis.org). If you have any questions please email physicalactivityva@versusarthritis.org.

Vacancy - Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

 As you may be aware, the term of office of the Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Marcus Longley ends in September 2021. Applications are therefore being sought for a new Chair to commence in October 2021.  

Details of the post and how to apply are available here.  The closing date is 16^th June at 4pm.

 Details through the medium of Welsh are also available here.

Amazing news for Gurnos Mens' Group - Queens' Award for Voluntary Service 2021

Congratulations to all the volunteers at Gurnos Mens' Group - another amazing achievement for Merthyr Tydfil 

A spokesperson on behalf of the group said:

"Today we are delighted to announce that the Gurnos Men’s Project has been awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. This award is the highest award a Voluntary Group can receive, equivalent to an MBE. Not only that, we are also one of the groups to also received a special designation for providing impactful support during the pandemic.

We are honoured to receive this award, and a big thank you must go to Claire Jones for nominating us, we’re blown away. When we started the project 8 years ago we never thought it would go on to be this successful, this is down to all the volunteers who have been involved, this is an amazing achievement and you should all be very proud. We would also like to thank all the partners that have supported us over the years, your support has been invaluable to the group."

Congratulations to the Stephens and George Charitable Trust - Queens' Award for Voluntary Service 2021

An amazing achievement for Stephens and George Charitable Trust and all their volunteers

Congratulations to you all from all at VAMT

Watch Helen announce the news here

Volunteers' Week - Penydre High School

See all of Penydre High School's volunteers here

Watch their "Thank you" video  here

Landfill Disposal Communities Scheme is once again open

WCVA's Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme opened today with a closing date of 31 August.  The scheme supports local community and environmental projects in areas affected by the disposal of waste to landfill.

Prior to making an application, organisations need to be registered on WCVA's Multipurpose Application Portal.  Click the link below for more information.

Further information

Volunteers' Week Inform - take a look at some of Merthyr Tydfil's volunteers and what they do

 Take a look here

Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil thank their volunteers for Volunteers' Week

 Watch their video here

Volunteers' Week 2021 Stephens and George Charitable Trust

To mark Volunteers' Week 2021, we'll feature different charities each day on our website and on social media. The first for today:

Stephens and George Charitable Trust

Stephens and George  Charitable Trust have been working to support he community throughout the pandemic, the  volunteers have gone over and above especially during the exceptionally difficult circumstances of the past year. Their dedication and hard work has been an inspiration to all.

Stephens and George Thank their Volunteers - watch the video here