Find out more about Gelligaer and Merthyr Common

 Information on workshops being held during September about the Common

Cymraeg yma

English here

Community Buildings - a FREE webinar from Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Ethical Property Foundation

If you run a Community Building the next in the series of Webinars run by Coalfields Regeneration Trust in collaboration with the Ethical Property Foundation takes place on 23 September.  This one will focus on Maintenance and Statutory Compliance.  More details below 

Welsh here

English here

Another Opportunity to Benefit from the work of Lloyds Bank Foundation - Exclusively for Merthyr Tydfil

 As part of our work with Lloyds Bank Foundation, we’re privileged to have another opportunity to develop local skills and knowledge.  Please see the details below.  There’s also more information on the Eventbrite link.  I do hope if you feel this could benefit your organisation, you’ll be able to join us.  Why not come along and find out more anyway?

 Never has there been a more important time for Communities to support one another!

When charities reach out to the wider Community, they expand their networks and increase support opportunities. Local businesses share many common issues, never more so that in this pandemic.

 Are you interested in learning how linking to a local business can benefit your charity?

During this FREE online event, we will share how partnering with a local business can provide you and your organisation with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and opportunities to strengthen the support you provide to those in your community.

Our aim is to provide an overview of how a successful partnership works and we will hear from  successful charity and business partnerships. They will share and discuss how their relationship has helped them grow and be more effective and will lead us to identify ways in which your own organisation can be supported to achieve your partnership goals.

Who is this workshop for?

This is aimed at charities and community organisations who are based in or deliver services in Merthyr Tydfil.

When and where?

Wednesday 29th September 9.30 – 11.30 am.

Online event via zoom.  Book your place via Eventbrite below

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/168102686661

 

Job Vacancy at Merthyr Tydfil Bowls Club

 Merthyr Tydfil Indoor Bowls Club are looking for 2 individuals interested in joining our small team at the Bowls Club. We are unable to confirm the exact dates or hours, but all being well, fixed contracts will be for the period mid September 2021 to the end of March 2022

General duties: taking and arranging rink bookings, reconciling payments, implementing COVID-19 protocols, opening and securing the building, operating the club bar, general administration.

Training will be provided where necessary. For more information contact Coin Rees on 07963 388778 or email colinreesuk@googlemail.com

 

 

Building Communities Trust - Community Movement for Wales

Join a Merthyr Tydfil conversation on 8th September at 2:00.

More information

in English here

Cymraeg yma

Feeding Britain - Universal Credit petition

 

Feeding Britain is calling upon the Government not to go ahead with the planned £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit. We will be taking this petition to 10 Downing Street.

 Our statement reads: We, the undersigned, call upon the Government not to go ahead with the planned £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit, as we believe this cut will add considerably to the hardship being experienced by people on low incomes.

 You can add your name to our petition here: https://forms.gle/z9q5JMMPuYCgiDc99

Please sign the petition before 6^th September and share this widely with your contacts and networks.

 

Wellbeing at the Willows

 You are invited to join Valleys Steps, @taffrocks and @willowscentre.troedyrhiw on Wednesday 25^th August from 1pm – 3pm for some creative wellbeing activities in the Willows Centre’s lovely community garden.

 To register, please sign up via this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/woodland-wellbeing-at-the-willows-tickets-166502881601 or, for more details, email Judith.Parry@valleyssteps.org.

 Hope to see you there!

Update from Building Communities Trust

•  Communities After Covid: Navigating the post-pandemic world. 14^th September, 10.30am-12.30pm, more details and sign-up here.
• Wales-wide ABCD Jamboree to celebrate community power. 8^th October, 10am-12pm – save the date; further details to come.

 Invest Local Shared Learning

These themed discussion and shared learning forums take place from 10.30am-12pm, please email rowan.campbell@bct.wales to request the Zoom link.

• Getting Your Community’s Voice Heard – 22^nd September
• Community Spaces – 20^th October

 National Lottery Funding in Wales – survey

The National Lottery is conducting a survey as part of its funding priorities review; you can complete it here.

 Community Ownership Fund

The newly launched Community Ownership Fund could be of great benefit to many communities and community groups. The WCVA has put together an FAQ page here, and the next round of bidding opens in December 2021.

 Keeping connected: Facebook group for Community Movement Cymru

We have started a Facebook group to bring community groups together and share learning and good practice – click here to join the group, and follow BCT on Facebook and Twitter to keep updated on social media.

•  Cymunedau ar ôl Covid: Ymdopi â’r byd ôl-bandemig. 14 Medi, 10:10.30am-12:30pm – rhagor o fanylion a chofrestru yma.
• Jambori ABCD Cymru Gyfan i ddathlu pŵer cymunedau. 8 Hydref, 10am-12pm – cadwch y dyddiad; bydd rhagor o fanylion yn dilyn.

 Dysgu ar y Cyd Buddsoddi’n Lleol

Bydd fforymau trafod a dysgu ar thema benodol yn cael eu cynnal rhwng 10.30am a 12pm. Anfonwch e-bost at rowan.campbell@bct.wales i ofyn am y ddolen Zoom.

• Rhoi Llais i’ch Cymuned – 22 Medi
• Mannau Cymunedol – 20 Hydref

 Arian y Loteri Genedlaethol yng Nghymru – arolwg

Mae’r Loteri Genedlaethol yn cynnal arolwg fel rhan o adolygiad o’i flaenoriaethau cyllido; gallwch chi ei lenwi yma.

 Cronfa Perchnogaeth Gymunedol

Gallai’r Gronfa Perchnogaeth Gymunedol newydd fod o fudd mawr i lawer o gymunedau a grwpiau cymunedol. Mae CGGC wedi creu tudalen Cwestiynau Cyffredin yma, a bydd y rownd nesaf o geisiadau’n agor ym mis Rhagfyr 2021.

 Cadw mewn cysylltiad: Grŵp Facebook Mudiad Cymunedol Cymru

Rydyn ni wedi dechrau grŵp Facebook i ddod â grwpiau cymunedol at ei gilydd i rannu dysgu ac arferion da – cliciwch yma i ymuno â’r grŵp, a dilynwch BCT ar Facebook a Twitter i gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol.

 

Keep the Lifeline campaign

 In October, £20 a week is due to be cut from Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit - meaning six million low-income households face an overnight cut to their incomes of £20 a week, or £1,040 a year. The cut risks further weakening social security support, pulling people into poverty, and causing severe hardship for families who are already struggling to stay afloat.

 The Keep the Lifeline campaign, led by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and backed by many charities, think tanks and leading organisations (including Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales), is calling for this cut not to go ahead, and for those on legacy benefits not to be excluded.

 While other organisations might be raising the issue at a national level, highlighting the impact that this cut will have on people in your local community is more likely to get the attention and support of your local MP – so your voice matters. You can adapt use the template email here from JRF as a guide – but be sure to mention where you’re based, as your local connection will make your MP take notice.

 We’re also holding two workshops to talk through how small charities can get involved. You can book your place to join us on either Tuesday 27 August, 10:00 or Tuesday 7 September, 10:00 (both sessions are the same).

 If you aren’t attending one of the workshops but do want to raise this issue with your MP, or have any questions, we’d love to hear from you – just email policy@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk.

 

Job Vacancy at VAMT - Local Implementation Lead

 More information here

ICF - Third Sector Grants Scheme (Dementia Care). Closing date 17 September 2021

Please find a flyer giving more information here

Application form here

Guidance notes here

Lloyds Bank Foundation - Funding deadline looming

 Although LBF have a rolling programme open, charities need to apply by 10^th September 2021 so we can guarantee them a decision this calendar year if they need one.  Applications can come in after this, but they will go to our panels in 2022. 

 A reminder on our eligibility:

• 2 year, unrestricted grants of £50k for charities with a turnover between £25k-£1m (other legal structures e.g. CICs are not eligible)
• There are 11 Complex Social Issues in total and our website has more info on the definition of each Complex Social Issue
• The majority of the charity’s work must fit within the Complex Social Issue they apply under (note: we have relaxed this for Care Leavers, Young Parents, Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery and Offending, Prison or Community Services Complex Social Issues only)
• The charity must demonstrate its work that fits with the complex Social Issue is in depth, targeted, holistic and person centred, and that the people it supports go on a clear journey of change

In Wales, most of our Complex Social Issues are open in most or all Local Authority areas. You can easily check this by clicking on the Complex Social Issue first and then entering your LA area.

 
We also have a Racial Equity strand, which is open across Wales for charities led by people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities. Some of the work of the charity must still fit within one or more of our Complex Social Issues, but it does not have to be the majority of the charity’s work.

 
It is a rolling programme with panels meeting every month to consider applications in 2021 and 2022
We recorded a webinar explaining the funding and our eligibility criteria (as it is not for everyone) when the programme launched in March. This can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dWeGuWezIA

Rachel Marshall is the Grant Manager for Wales.  Please contact her if you have pre-application questions.

 Lots more information available here: https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/we-fund

Job Vacancy at FareShare

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY – FOOD SOURCING CO-ORDINATOR

About Us 

FareShare Cymru works with charities and community organisations across South Wales helping to fight food poverty by tackling food waste. We take surplus edible food from the food and drink industry (food that would otherwise be wasted) and redistribute it to organisations in South Wales that feed people in need, turning an environmental problem into a social solution.

Over the last year we have redistributed over 735t of surplus food, providing enough meals for over 1.75 million meals and helping in excess of 12,500 people a week.

Summary 

We are looking for a Food Sourcing Co-ordinator to work closely with both existing and potential food partners across Wales to ensure that more surplus food is captured and distributed. This key role is at the forefront of ensuring that more surplus food reaches us, so that it can be distributed on to charities and community groups.

 

Job Role 

This exciting role involves developing new relationships and building partnerships in order to secure more food regionally as well as co-ordinating food offers and collection. The role is cross-departmental, working with the Operations and Development teams at FareShare Cymru as well as Food and Operational teams in FareShare UK.

The job description can be downloaded from our website.

How to apply 

Please send a copy of your CV, supporting statement and equal opportunities form to jobs@fareshare.cymru The closing date for applications is 17:00 30th August 2021.

Interviews will be held week commencing 13th September 2021.

Additional Info

Further information on FareShare Cymru can be found on our website www.fareshare.cymru or on the FareShare UK website www.fareshare.org.uk

Henry Smith Charity

 The Henry Smith Charity aims to use its resources to help people and communities at a time of need and to bring about positive change. They achieve this by funding organisations that work with people to reduce social and economic disadvantage.

The Henry Smith Charity has two main grant programmes: Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities. They also have a number of small grant programmes including: Holiday Grants for Children, Christian Projects, and the Kindred (descendants of Henry Smith).

Each of the grant programmes, as their names suggest, have specific guidelines in respect to what they are able to support. The main grant programmes, Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities, have no deadlines. Each grant programme has separate guidelines and application form and assessment process, therefore you need to refer to the correct page on their website.

 The website also offers details of grants provided by the Charity in the past three years and is a useful resource when considering the type of projects, they support.  They are currently seeking to increase applications from the Merthyr Tydfil area. 

Funding for social businesses in West Wales and the Valleys

Social businesses in West Wales and the Valleys are invited to apply for the Social Business Growth Fund and the Community Asset Development Fund. Both funds are part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government and are administered by WCVA’s Social Investment Cymru team.

The Social Business Growth Fund supports social businesses in Wales financially to enable them to grow and create job opportunities.

The Community Asset Development Fund supports organisations to bring an asset into community ownership either by purchasing the asset, purchasing and renovating the asset, renovating an existing asset that is not in full use or equipping an asset.

Please note that due to high levels of interest these funds are now only open to applications from West Wales and the Valleys.

For further information please contact the team on sic@wcva.cymru.

Active Inclusion Fund - new round closing 3 September

 New round of Active Inclusion Fund 

WCVA is pleased to announce that a new round of Active Inclusion funding is now open on WCVA’s Multipurpose Application Portal (MAP) for organisations already on the Approved Beneficiary List. In this round the fund will support projects that work with people over the age of 25, in East Wales and West Wales and the Valleys. Please note that no applications are being invited in this current round for the Active Inclusion ‘Youth’ funds.

The closing date for this round is 3 September 2021. It is anticipated that projects approved within this round will commence at the beginning of January 2022 and will be able to run through to 31 December 2022.

For further information please visit our website

The State of Caring - Survey

 The State of Caring Survey is the UK’s most comprehensive research into the lives and experience of unpaid carers and the 2021 survey is now open.

Our research and responses to our surveys over the last year have helped us to highlight carers’ experiences across the UK to the media. With carers help, we have campaigned successfully for better guidance, testing for carers, PPE for unpaid carers, carers “support bubbles” and exemptions to allow carers to get a break.  Carers were also included in the priority list for the COVID-19 vaccination, and we campaigned for specific advice to support juggling work and care. 

Carers telling us what their priorities are has also helped to focus our work and help decision makers know what matters to carers. We will continue to campaign for carers to get better support.

We ask that you share our survey with your supporters wherever possible and we appreciate each and every person who takes the time to complete the survey. Together you help us paint a picture of what caring has been like in the last year.

The survey can be completed here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NKLTYZP and will close on 13^th September. We will then release a research report in November.

Free Activities for Children and Young people in August

Contact Lee Davies for further information: Lee.davies@merthyr.gov.uk or 07855 533016

More information also in the links below.

Making Music

Digital Music

Merthyr Monsters

Music in the Park

Street Dance

Community Ownership Update

 Groups who want to apply to the fund must do so using the online portal which can be found at this page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-levelling-up-and-community-investments#the-community-ownership-fund

The application portal is now live.

Applicants must submit their applications, with all supporting documents, no later than 5pm on Friday 13 August 2021.

Any applications or supporting documents received after 5pm on Friday 13 August will be not be considered as part of this bidding round.

If you have technical problems when accessing or submitting your application form, you can call 02038290743 between 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

For any other questions you may have on the Community Ownership Fund, please contact the team at COF@communities.gov.uk

Please note that there will be further bidding rounds in December 2021 and May 2022.