Actif Woods next session at Cyfarthfa - 7 February

 Our next monthly wellbeing woodland drop-in session on the Monday 7th February at 10.00am-12.00pm at Cyfarthfa Park (Top entrance and next to the Rose Retreat Spa Car Park).  The session will include making a terrarium (see photos!) cuppa and a short walk to collect the plants and mosses.  We will learn about mosses, lichens and ferns on the walk with Nature on your Doorstep.

Please can you cascade this email to your colleagues and other professionals/share on social media that may be interested in the monthly sessions for their client group/patients.

We will be there come rain or shine: we only cancel if there are strong winds.   

All participants need to register prior to attending sessions with us.  Here is the link: https://forms.office.com/r/e4ArCpab3r  Any further information regarding registering/booking please get in touch.

Job Vacancy at Coalfields Regeneration Trust

 More details here

Heritage Lottery Project Worker vacancy with Romani Arts

 Heritage Lottery Project Worker

LOCAL PLACES OF NATURE

FIXED-TERM – 1st March 2022 – 28th April 2023

1 x post working 2 days per week for £12,862.72p
1 x post working 1 day per week for £6,431.36p

We are looking for dynamic, inclusive people who have the right mindset and heart for working alongside the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities of South East Wales.

We are proud to be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project to encourage local Gypsies, Roma and Travellers to become more engaged and involved with their local nature and natural world.

We need ‘people’ people who can build strong relationships. People who like being outdoors and are willing to get into nature to encourage others to do the same.

If you would like to express an interest in this exciting opportunity, please complete the attached brief application form and send it into: isaacblake@romaniarts.co.uk by no later than 3pm, 11th February 2022.

: https://www.romaniarts.co.uk/job-opportunity-3/

Successful applicants will have to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Check.

Cancer Aid seeking a Sessional Councillor

 Full details here

Cancer Aid is looking for a new trustee

 

Trustee Recruitment

Position – Trustee Board Member                     Location: Merthyr Tydfil

 

Closing date: Friday 4^th February 2022    

Interview Date: Thursday 17^th February 2022

Salary: No renumeration this is a volunteer position.

 Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil is recruiting for a trustee to join our Board of Trustees

At Cancer Aid, we believe no one should face cancer alone. We provide support to cancer patients, carers and anyone who has been affected by a cancer diagnosis. We are an independent local charity, at the heart of the Merthyr Tydfil community. We provide practical and emotional support to patients from diagnosis to living with, and beyond cancer. We also provide family bereavement support.  We are looking to appoint two new Trustees to join our Board in a voluntary capacity to help continue our mission to support cancer patients and carers living in the Merthyr Tydfil Borough as we come out of the coronavirus pandemic.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tracey Burke, Principal Manager tracey@canceraidmerthyr.co.uk

Is your organisation having difficulty with banking???

If so, please see below from Gerald Jones MP and please complete the survey - link below.

 I’m sure you’ll be aware that several high street banks and building societies have recently changed the services they offer to small charities, clubs, and community groups.  Accounts that previously incurred no charges have been withdrawn and many local groups are feeling the pressure.

 
Before entering Parliament, I worked with local community voluntary groups and I know how important it is for them to have access to banking services.  Whether it’s collecting members’ subscriptions, paying for the hire of a venue, or making charity donations, access to banking is vital for community organisations.
 
I’m keen to understand the full impact these decisions have had upon local groups and I wonder if you might be able to make groups in Merthyr Tydfil aware of the survey.  It can be accessed by visiting my website at: www.geraldjones.co.uk/community-banking-charges.

Grants to support ACEs still available from the PCC's Office

 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

These grants can also be accessed by individuals and unconstituted groups of people.

There is also £90,000 available  to contribute towards building capacity within organisations working and seeking to build resilience among  women who have been affected by ACEs and trauma. The services will be may be delivered anywhere within Wales.

More details here

The sharp end of the cost of living crisis - an opportunity for parents and carers to contribute to important research

 The  University of York have been undertaking the Covid Realities research programme, which sets out the everyday realities of life on a low income during the pandemic. 

 Our work is continuing, and we're looking to work with more families to document what the cost of living crisis means for people across the UK. 

 We're looking to work with parents and carers who have children under the age of 19. People can get involved by logging onto our project website, where they can leave a diary entry, audio or video message about how they’re managing, and share their ideas for change with one another and with us. 

Every week we share a new 'big question of the week', which people can respond to in their own time. Participants can do as little or as much as they like, as often as they'd like. We've recently begun our first rounds of 'big ideas groups' where some of the participants meet up online to develop policy recommendations together.

Importantly, we provide participants with gift vouchers to thank them for their involvement, and also take time to make sure participants feel properly involved and included in all aspects of the project. Feedback from parents has been very positive; with parents speaking of valuing the opportunity to try and make their voices heard, and to be part of discussions about what needs to change and why.

It would be just fantastic if you could pass on the covid realities website address (www.covidrealities.org) to any families who might be interested in taking part. 

If you have any questions at all, do just get in touch with us, best email is: jim.kaufman@york.ac.uk

 

Wellbeing for Staff Grant Round 2

For more information, please see links below

Application Form

Guidance Notes

Looking for support to help speakers of languages other than English and Welsh??

The Multi-lingual Helpline Wales is a national helpline delivered by partnership between EYST, ProMo Cymru, Citizen’s Advice Cymru, Women Connect First, and other stakeholders. It provides information, referral and signposting for clients to specialist advice, mainstream and community organisations. The Multi-lingual Helpline Wales is a member of the Helplines Partnership Scheme and is funded by the National Lottery.

 Visit their website for more information

News from Royal Mencap Society

 We’re looking to work with lots of different groups and individuals in one area in Wales who are passionate about making their community the best place for people with a learning disability to live.

 You can find out more on our website here: https://www.mencap.org.uk/mycommunity

 At this stage, we would just like to hear if this is of interest to you or anyone you work with.

You can fill out our form on our website or get in touch with me by emailing mycommunity@mencap.org.uk.  

News from Campaign for Learning

 Family Learning Awards  

The Family Learning awards from Campaign for Learning celebrate imaginative, innovative, and inclusive, learning opportunities. The awards are a chance for you to showcase what you do deliver throughout the year.  

 This year there​ are three award categories:    

• Award for Family Learning in the Early Years  
• Award for Building Brighter Futures through Learning  
• Award for Family Learning to Support Health and Wellbeing  

The awards are open to all working with families. They are free to enter and close on 7 February. You can find out more here: https://bit.ly/FamilyLearningAwards   

 Engaging with diverse communities  

We know how important it can be to engage with all members of your community. Campaign for Learning's new ‘Engaging With…’ workshop series focus on community groups you may not be familiar working with or that may not be accessing your services.  

 This workshop series will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to open your learning offer to your wider community. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/engagingnewaudiences  

 

Update to Cardiff University/Cancer Research from 11 January

 Diane Newman Jenkins  is a Cancer Champion working alongside Cardiff University and Cancer Research on a research project. My post enables me to be able to attend events, give out leaflets, speak to members of the public on detecting early signs of cancer, signposting to relevant agencies. 

I have a colleague whose first language is Welsh. We would love to be able to come along, give talks, or even just sit quietly giving out leaflets and give advice where needed. We can fit in with your needs. 

Let me know if we can be of assistance to the organisation. 

You can contact Diane via  email:  dianenewmanjenkins@yahoo.co.uk 

NHS Wales App – your views

 Digital Services for Patients and the Public (DSPP) Programme run by Digital Health and Care Wales have started work on the NHS Wales App. The App will give people in Wales access to health and care services through their smartphones and tablets.

Our programme is committed to ensuring that the app meets the needs of people in Wales.

To enable this, we are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up and get involved in activities that will help shape the development of the app. You can sign up here to register your interest in the NHS Wales App, complete a survey on your preferences, sign up for updates and get involved in further research activities.

Digital Services for Patients and Public - Digital Health and Care Wales (nhs.wales)

 Ap GIG Cymru - eich barn

Mae Gwasanaethau Digidol ar gyfer Cleifion Cyhoedd, sy’n cael eu rhedeg gan Iechyd a Gofal Digidol Cymru, wedi dechrau gweithio ar Ap GIG Cymru. Bydd yr Ap yn agor gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal i bobl yng Nghymru trwy eu ffonau symudol.Mae’r rhaglen yn sicrhau bod yr ap yn cyrraedd anghenion pobl yng Nghymru.

 Er mwyn galluogi hyn, rydym yn annog cymaint o bobl â phosibl i gofrestru a chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau a fydd yn helpu i lunio datblygiad yr ap. Gallwch chi gofrestru’ch diddordeb yn Ap GIG Cymru, cwblhau arolwg ar eich dewisiadau, cofrestru i gael y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf a chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau ymchwil pellach.

Gwasanaethau Digidol ar gyfer Cleifion a'r Cyhoedd (DSPP) - Iechyd a Gofal Digidol Cymru (gig.cymru)

 

Update from the Wales Centre for Public Policy

 Challenges and Priorities for Health and Social Care Wales | WCPP

 

Cancer research Wales has funded Cardiff University to undertake a piece of research looking at whether they can deliver a public awareness campaign designed to help people recognise vague cancer symptoms and get advice from their GP. They are looking for participants to take part in research over the phone or video. There is a cash incentive. Please see attached information here

To take part phone 029 20688449

ACEs Small Grants still available.

 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

These grants can also be accessed by individuals and unconstituted groups of people.

There is also £90,000 available  to contribute towards building capacity within organisations working and seeking to build resilience among  women who have been affected by ACEs and trauma. The services will be may be delivered anywhere within Wales.

More details here

News from Romani Cultural and Arts Company

 Arts Council of Wales funds exciting Gypsy Maker 5 Project | Romani Cultural & Arts Company (romaniarts.co.uk)

Tempo Time Credits

  Tempo Time Credits have been funded by Welsh Government to develop Tempo Time Credits Cymru across Wales over the next 3 years. We are reaching out to as many groups and community initiatives as possible to introduce ourselves and let you know what we do, and how you can become part of the Tempo Time Credit Cymru network. This Programme is fully funded by Welsh Government and is free for groups to join.

 This exciting new programme was launched on Monday 23^rd November 2020 and will use Tempo Time Credits to tackle the impacts of poverty on communities and mobilise local social action through volunteering across Wales.

 I have attached some initial information for you and If you need any further information or if you have any questions, I will be happy to arrange a Teams call with you to go over everything in more detail.

 We are having an introductory session on the 13^th January that you are welcome to join, to hear more about who we are and how the Time Credits work just click on the link below to sign on.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/introduction-to-tempo-time-credits-cyflwyniad-i-raglen-credydau-amser-te-tickets-220837931197

More information here and here

Happy New Year from the Volunteer Centre!!

 

Please display

Active Woods - Drop In session at Cyfarthfa Park

 Our next Merthyr Monthly Drop In Session is on the Monday 10^th January 2022 at Cyfarthfa Park (Top Entrance - inside the wild workshop men’s project) at 10am-12pm.

 Participants are going to split small logs and make tea light holders and spring flower planters.  If time allows, we will also carve a skulk of foxes!

We will have shelter, healthy snacks and a fire to keep everyone warm.  Suitable clothing for winter is needed as it is likely to be a cold one.

 All participants need to register prior to attending sessions with us.  Here is the link: https://forms.office.com/r/e4ArCpab3r