Wednesday 8th December
2 - 3.30pm
Closing Date 8 December 2021. All funds must be spent by 31 March 2022.
This film was purposely developed to demonstrate how the Community
of Merthyr Tydfil came together in response to the pandemic. The pressure Voluntary Organisations faced
during this time was unprecedented, and as you will see within the film, they
worked together and with partner agencies to offer support and put their arms
around the Community. The film also
captures how additional Covid related funding provided benefit locally.
The shortened version was launched at our AGM, and we’re
pleased to now share the full version with you.
VAMT would like to give huge thanks to everyone involved in
the making of this film. Sit back and
enjoy!
VAMT AGM 2021 - Extended Version - YouTube
We welcome any comments and feedback. Please e-mail enquiries@vamt.net
I wish this had been around 30-odd years ago - would have saved me many a headache!
This free pilot
course provides new volunteers & staff in the voluntary sector with a
complete understanding of how the sector functions
https://wcva.cymru/training-events/foundations-for-the-third-sector-f4s3/
Earlier in 2021 the council sought your views on how cycling and walking provision in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council area can be improved. The public engagement was very successful with over 1000 people participating. They have carefully considered all the comments and combined this public opinion together with other relevant information to produce a draft Active Travel Network Map (ATNM).
We are really looking forward to our AGM on Tuesday 23rd November, starting at 11am at Merthyr Football Club.
As part of our overall agenda, which includes guest speakers, we have a film showcasing amazing work involving Voluntary and Community Groups and Partners in Merthyr Tydfil.
If you haven't already booked your place, please email:
Laura.johnson@vamt.net or contact 01685 353900
Business Support Officer-
About this role: You will provide essential and practical support to the Business &
Finance Manager and the wider organisation by undertaking a variety of
administrative tasks to ensure effective service delivery.
To secure this
great opportunity you will have: A positive can-do approach, with the
ability to be an ambassador for the voluntary and community sector. Experience of working within an office environment
and conduct yourself in a friendly and professional manner to work with
colleagues, tenants, VAMT’s membership or organisations and visitors to the
Voluntary Action Centre.
Finance Support Officer-
About this role: To take
responsibility for payroll, debtors and creditors. To assist the Business &
Finance Manager with administration tasks, premises issues and financial
activities.
To secure this
great opportunity you will have: A positive can-do approach, with the
ability to be an ambassador for the voluntary and community sector. Experience of working within an office
environment using SAGE Accounts and Payroll, and conduct yourself in a friendly
and professional manner to work with colleagues, tenants, VAMT’s membership or
organisations and visitors to the Voluntary Action Centre.
Benefits of working with us:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Laura Johnson
on 01685 353902 or 07340 055617
Please see the link below for an application pack-
Small Grants are still available to organisations who tackle Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) from the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner's Office - more information here
See below for an opportunity to shape its future.
https://funding.cymru/news/funding-wales-your-opportunity-to-shape-the-next-stage // https://cy.funding.cymru/news/cyllido-cymru-eich-cyfle-i-lunior-cam-nesaf
People can register on individual basis for free basil seeds, a weekly calendar, recipe cards, exclusive tutorials and friendly tips on how to grow them – and cook them too! For registrants under 18 years old, we recommend what many schools are currently doing: asking a child’s family member to register on their behalf, so they will be able to follow the journey together.
Lots of other charities, community groups and other partners are supporting this already. They are helping us spread the word withing their own communities, and we hope you’d like to do the same.
https://www.togethertv.com/green-challenge-cc
Earlier in 2021 the council sought your views on how cycling and walking provision in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council area can be improved. The public engagement was very successful with over 1000 people participating. They have carefully considered all the comments and combined this public opinion together with other relevant information to produce a draft Active Travel Network Map (ATNM).
The Gellideg Foundation Group (the GFG) is a community organisation based on a social housing estate in Merthyr Tydfil. Residents on the estate founded the group in 1998 in response to the worsening socio economic conditions of that time.
Residents manage
and deliver activities across the spectrum of themes including improving health
and wellbeing, accessing the outdoors, promoting community cohesion and
championing education and lifelong learning. Supporting community members who
are lonely and isolated has been a main focus during the last 18 months.
If you would like
to volunteer at the Gellideg Foundation Group then please contact the Volunteer
Centre on 07958 132822
Welcome Friends is a befriending service for socially isolated, lonely people who are over 50. Volunteers make weekly home visits and give encouragement to help them engage in a social activity of their choice. Volunteers also help at lunch clubs, craft and social groups in community settings such as sheltered accommodation and day centres
We recruit, train
and support volunteers to prepare them for home visiting. They will make weekly
visits in a local area to help introduce new interests to older people and
rebuild their confidence. Please contact the Volunteer Centre on 07958132822
for more information.
Whether you're already a trustee or thinking about becoming one do you know what skills you'd bring? Try the Trustees' Personality Quiz here
If you're a trustee, have you read the Commission's 5 Minute Guides - all worth a read
Charity Commission's 5 Minute guides for trustees
Twyn Community Hub provides both practical and activity
based support for the whole community of Merthyr. Quality nutritious daily
meals go out and wellbeing checks are performed by a dedicated team of staff
and volunteers to 150 – 220 people seven days a week.
One of their volunteers said : "The lady I support is 102 years old has lost her
sight and is having trouble with food and her emotions at the moment. I visit
her daily and we chat about old times in Merthyr Tydfil as she has vascular
dementia this always helps her to reminisce, we are aiming to support through
companionship and ensuring her basic needs are met – we eat together and this
seems to help her, and I must admit its helping me so much with realising
what’s important."
If you'd like to volunteer at the hub contact Frances Barry frances.barry@vamt.net
SIDE BY SIDE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
As a side by side volunteer you will enable people living with dementia to keep doing the things they love. You will enable them to stay connected in their communities and build their confidence to stay active and engaged in social and recreational activities.
The role is based throughout Merthyr
and RCT and you will be matched with the person who needs support in a location
that suits you best. The Organisation is very flexible and can offer hours to
suit you. This role would be suitable for students who are looking for
experience as part of a placement module, with Alzheimer's Society Merthyr and
RCT expressing interest in meeting the needs of such students.
This role would also be suitable for
anyone wishing to make a positive difference to the lives of People living with
Dementia.
PLEASE RING 07958 132822 OR EMAIL frances.barry@vamt.net for more information
The High Sheriff Awards panel would like to reward young people in Mid Glamorgan who have made outstanding contributions either at home or in the community during 2021. Youngsters in particular have shown great bravery and resilience during the Coronavirus pandemic and it would be wonderful if they could be recognised for their outstanding achievements.
The Pandemic halted our Awards evening in 2021 but we aim to hold a 2022 event and reward deserving youngsters with thousands of pounds in cash prizes for their time and effort, taking part in initiatives which stand out amongst their peers. They may have helped their local neighbourhood, an individual or a local organisation or even achieved a sporting or academic achievement.
So, if you or anyone in your organisation/workplace knows of a person or group aged between 11-21 who could be nominated for an award and a cash prize of up to £1000 and all we ask is for a nominator aged over 18 to fill in the application form and as promised in an earlier email I am attaching a copy of the form. The form can be emailed back to us on highsheriffmidglamorganawards@gmail.com or posted to me at Rickyard House, Longlands Farm, Pyle CF33 6PU.
If you have any questions please phone our administrator Mary Squire on 0771 858 4764
Are you a Trustee? Interested in becoming one? Find out all you need to know about good governance on the TSSW Knowledge Hub - so many resources for trustees here Good Governance
Their volunteers
work with healthcare teams and in communities providing practical help and
emotional support when people are struggling to cope.
Since the
beginning of the pandemic they have focussed on providing a telephone
befriending service for the vulnerable and isolated over 50s. This takes the
form of a weekly check in and chat with one of their volunteers, and in some
cases was the only social contact their clients had. As restrictions have
eased, they have since been able to expand to accompanied walks, and recently
home visits too.
VOLUNTEERS ARE
NEEDED !!!
Community
Companions - Telephone Companion
Please contact
the Volunteer Centre for more information 07958 132822
Both Parents Matter Cymru assists parents after separation, especially in respect of non-resident parents with difficulties over child arrangements.
VOLUNTEERS ARE
NEEDED FOR THEIR BUDDY SCHEME
The purpose of
this scheme is to address the very challenging issues presented by the poor
mental wellbeing and severe isolation (and often domestic abuse) which is
typical within our client base. The role of the Buddies is strictly confined to
emotional support.
This is what one
parent said ...
“I have been
suffering from bouts of depression and wanting to give up ever seeing my
children again, but my buddy befriender has kept me from going over the edge.
Thanks for you support and being there when ever I need to talk to someone”.
COULD YOU BE THAT
VOLUNTEER ??
Please contact
the Volunteer Centre for more information 07958 132822
Befriending Week is all about celebrating the fantastic befriending organisations that we have in Merthyr Tydfil. The Good Friendship group is one of these organisations, here's some more information ..
Age Connects Morgannwg offer a wide range of information, advice and
services to help older people stay living independently for as long as
possible. Their dedicated staff and volunteer team offer independent and
confidential information, advice and support on a variety of issues such as
care, legal, health, housing, income and benefits, consumer, leisure, learning
and work. If you need further information, they can be contacted on 01443
490650 or email information@acmorgannwg.org.uk
Trustees' Week takes place between 1-5 November each year. It celebrates the efforts and commitment of those who volunteer to manage and govern local organisations. Visit the Trustees' Week website for a wealth of resources for trustees https://trusteesweek.org/
This week is Befriending Week and throughout
this week we'll be celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of
befriending. We'll be posting information on organisations that are looking for
volunteers so if you would like to get involved then please contact the
Volunteer Centre on 07958 132822 #BefriendingIs
