MS Society Cymru - After work Summer Quiz

 

MS Society Cymru! - Welsh

 

MS Society Cymru - Geocaching and nature activities

 

Merthyr Social Economy Network presents......

 

A series of training and networking events to support community groups, emerging social enterprises and existing social enterprises.

• Thursday 7^th July 9:30-12noon Grant workshop at Tydfil Training (in person) at Tydfil Training, William Smith Building, 106-109 High St, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AP (20 attendees maximum).

• Friday 8^th July 9-5pm Social Enterprise Academy  “Enterprising Mindset” (in person) at VAMT, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil Centre, 89-90 High St, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UH  (20 attendees maximum)

• Thursday 21st July, 2-4pm (Online) “Using social media for community engagement”– A brief introduction into the main platforms and how to get the best out of them.  Suitable for social enterprises and community groups aiming to be more enterprising. Start-ups welcome too. 

• Thursday 28th July, 2-4pm (Online) “Free Apps to boost my community enterprise”– Free apps and software that can help community enterprises save money, reach more people and make day to day operations so much easier. Suitable for social enterprises and community groups aiming to be more enterprising . Start-ups welcome too.

• Tuesday 2^nd August 2-4pm. Online Network Meeting.

These exciting and valuable sessions are booking up fast.

Please book your place via https://bit.ly/CwmpasEvents

Social Enterprise Academy: Developing an Enterprising Mindset Workshop

 

Social Enterprise Academy  “Enterprising Mindset” (in person) at VAMT, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil  (20 attendees maximum).  

Let’s face it, running costs are rising and will inevitably continue to do so.  On top of that, grant funding is getting less accessible and more competitive.  Therefore, community groups and social enterprises need to be a bit more knowledgeable on how to become more ‘business-like’.  This interactive, one-day workshop is ideal for 3rd sector community groups that need to or would like to make this change.

Friday 8th July 9-5pm  - Lunch provided

To ensure you get your place on this fantastic workshop book here

https://bit.ly/CwmpasEvents

BBC Children in Need Recruitment

 

BBC Children in Need is looking to recruit a part-time (21 hours / week) Impact Officer for a 12-month maternity cover.  

The role is a key part of the team with responsibility for grant management in South East Wales. 

 The role is based in their new building at BBC Central Square on a flexible working basis.  

https://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/Impact-Officer-Swyddog-Effaith/61524

Natural Resources Wales has launched Resilient Communities Grant Funding today

 

 Natural Resources Wales have £2m of grant funding available to help individuals and organisations increase community participation with nature to build resilient communities.

The funding will help deliver projects that give people opportunities for:

• improved mental and physical health
• learning new skills
• being part of safer communities
• more access to nature
• a better awareness of the impact of climate change
• involvement in making decisions about their natural environment
• participation in citizen science

This grant programme will contribute towards the current place-based resilient community related priorities identified in our Area Statements.

We're accepting applications from 27 June 2022.

You must apply before midnight on 19 September 2022. 

https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/grants-and-funding/resilient-communities-grant-funding – you can find more information and get your reference number to apply for the grant from here too.

Money Saving Expert Charity

 

The MSE Charity is funded by Money Saving Expert, it gives grants to UK not for profit organisations that deliver activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money.

We prefer to fund small to medium-sized non-profit organisations with a constitution for example registered Charities, CICs, Credit Unions, excluding statutory organisations. 

Organisations should have an annual income under £500,000 and have less than six months free reserves

https://www.msecharity.com/how-to-apply/application-guidance

Lloyds Bank Foundation England & Wales

 

Maximum value:

£50,000

Objectives of Fund:

Our ambition is to support small and medium-sized charities to recover and renew beyond the immediate crisis. In 2021, we will offer around 190 charities a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000 which gives charities we partner with greater flexibility over how they use their resources.

Alongside the funding, charities will be supported by a Regional Manager, who will work with them to identify priority development needs and support them to access a wide range of organisation development support to meet those needs.

We recognise that there are many charities out there who would like and would benefit from our support but, like any funder, we have a limit to the money we have available.

In 2021, we will only be able to make around 190 new grants to small charities in England and Wales.

We want to be open and transparent with charities and make the best use of their time spent applying for a grant, by being clear in advance which charities we are more likely to fund at any time.

Our funding process considers local need, the prevalence of eligible small and medium-sized charities in the area, the nature of the region and the balance of our portfolio.

Please click on the link below

https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/we-fund

Deadline for applications is 29 July 2022. We aim to give you a decision within four months

The Woodland Investment Grant

 

Coetiroedd Cymunedol/Community Woodlands/Breaking Barriers

Welsh Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund are partnering to deliver The Woodland Investment Grant. It’s an element of the National Forest Initiative. The £1.9 m fund (22/23) will help landowners, and those with management control of land, both create and enhance woodlands. Grants are between £40k and £250k with the first  round now open, initial proposals must be with us by July 15^th. 

There will be a further funding round this year, and two more in each of the following years. 

Please see full details on our website. You can also book into a webinar with our team by visiting Ticket Source at  https://rb.gy/yg5a7n

Please contact Christopher Hoyle of Heritage Lottery Fund for more information

Phone: 029 2105 4069  

E-bost | E-mail:  christopher.hoyle@heritagefund.org.uk

 

Interested in working for a great organisation ?

 

Safer Merthyr Tydfil Vacancy

Position(s):    Reconnect Project Manager

Location:        Cwm Taff – Merthyr Tydfil & Cynon

Hours:            20 hours per week (Flexibility is required)

Salary:            £12,698 per annum

Contract:        until 31/3/2023 – continuation subject to funding confirmation

 

To obtain job descriptions and/or an application form please visit SMT website: www.smt.org.uk/jobs  

Closing date for applications: 11^th July 2022

Interview Date is expected to take place w/c 18^th July 2022

 

Promotion of Use of Social Enterprise in Merthyr Tydfil

                                   

ELITE’s trading social enterprises create jobs and training opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people in Wales, through garment manufacture and branding, at our manufacturing enterprise in Ebbw Vale and document management at our environmental plant in Merthyr Tydfil.

We are very conscious of the current economic climate for our third sector colleagues across Wales. Therefore, in our endeavour to continue our creation and maintenance of vocational opportunities, and to save organisations money, we would like to offer discounts of up to 20% to members of VAMT, in terms of your garment / PPE needs or document management needs. 

Simply contact us with your order by 1 July 2022, and dependent on spend, we will offer you discounts of up to 20% between now and 31 December 22. 

Simply quote ECS/EPS 2022 to receive your discount, by contacting information@eliteclothingsolutions.co.uk or information@elitepapersolutions.co.uk .

If you need to find out more about our great work and products please view our websites : www.eliteclothingsolutions.co.uk and www.elitepapersolutions.co.uk .

 

Social Enterprise Academy FREE COURSE “Enterprising Mindset”

 

Social Enterprise Academy  “Enterprising Mindset” (in person) Friday 8th July 9-5pm at  Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil Centre (20 attendees maximum).  

Let’s face it, running costs are rising and will inevitably continue to do so.  On top of that, grant funding is getting less accessible and more competitive.  Community groups and social enterprises are facing a tough time and need some support on how to become more business focused to maximise resources.  This interactive, one-day workshop is ideal for 3rd sector community groups that need to or would like to make this change.

This course usually costs between £80 and £100 per person - we are offering you this opportunity FREE !.

If interested, you can book your place here.  https://bit.ly/CwmpasEvents.

 

Free Funding Advice Event tomorrow 10am at VAMT

 

Funding event at 10am until 1pm 

at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil 

on 22nd June 2022.

Need Funding for a project in Merthyr Tydfil ? Come and have a chat with us to see if we can help.

Meet funders such as The Lottery Community Fund, Sport Wales, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil.

No need to book, just turn up on the day.  We look forward to seeing you 

Merthyr Social Economy network

 A quick reminder that we are only a week away from our first Merthyr Social Economy network meeting.  This will take place at VAMT, Tue 28th June, 2pm-4pm

Merthyr Social Enterprise Network Meeting (in person) at  Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil.  

The first meeting of the Merthyr Social Economy Network.  All social enterprises and/or community groups that looking to be more enterprising based in/around Merthyr Tydfil are very much welcome to attend.  

We aim to make the network purpose led, meaning that we want it to help share local information and resources so that everyone can prosper from working cooperatively. 

If you have not registered onto the event yet, here is the link (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/merthyr-sen-meeting-cyfarfod-merthyr-sen-tickets-358404797397?aff=ebdsoporgprofile).

Deadline closing soon for the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales !

  

Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales

 Funding from the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales to support community led organisations.

Comic Relief and Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW) partners recognise the great work that community led organisations do across Wales and want to help organisations to build their own capacity in a sustainable and impactful way.

Small Grants - £1,000 - £10,000

The aim of this fund is to ensure that comic relief grassroots funding is reached by the community groups leading change and growth in their locality, enabling them to make positive changes in response to the specific needs of the community.

 The Small Grant is administered by Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil for  RCT, Merthyr and Bridgend areas. The application form, project finances spreadsheet and guidance for small grants (£1,000 – £10,000) can be requested via grants@vamt.net

COMIC RELIEF’S STRATEGIC THEMES

All successful applications will demonstrate a contribution to one of Comic Relief’s four Strategic Themes

Children survive and thrive

Actions to give children the best start in life and access to opportunities to achieve their potential

 Gender justice

Actions to improve equality for women and girls

 A safe place to be

Actions to help vulnerable people improve their circumstances and safety

 Mental health matters

Actions to enable access to support and increase awareness

 

ELIGIBILITY

Organisations with a socially focused purpose and an income of less than £250,000 are eligible to apply. There is £900,000 available in total grants.

TIMEFRAME

The application window is open from 19 April 2022, closing 27 June 2022. 

The earliest activity can begin is the 22 August 2022 ending no later than 30 August 2023.  

Jobs Fair at Merthyr Tydfil Job Centre - see poster for details

                                    

Disability Energy Support are offering free energy and water advice to disabled people

 

Disability Energy Support

Offer free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping them to manage their energy and water needs.

The service is open to:

• any disabled person or households where 1 or more disabled people live, and
• those households are in England or Wales 

For more information click here

WCVA Training - Introduction to safeguarding in the voluntary sector

 

 

Introduction to safeguarding in the voluntary sector

5 July 2022

Aim

Find out about key areas of safeguarding and good practice for voluntary sector organisations in Wales.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course participants will:

• Have increased understanding of what is meant by “safeguarding” and how it is related to their role
• Have increased awareness of expected safeguarding policy and practice for voluntary organisations
• Have increased awareness of the legislation that underpins safeguarding in Wales
• Know where to find a wider range of safeguarding resources

Who this course is for

This online course is particularly suitable for staff, volunteers and trustees of voluntary sector organisations who want to increase their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. It can also be used to compliment, or as a refresher for, face-to-face training.

The course will involve some preparatory work and a follow up quiz to test your knowledge. A certificate of attendance will be provided

WCVA Members £ 50

https://wcva.cymru/training-events/introduction-to-safeguarding-in-the-voluntary-sector

Funding Advice Event 22nd June 10am at VAMT !

 

Merthyr Social Enterprise Network Meeting

 

Merthyr Social Enterprise Network Meeting (in person) at  Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil.  The first meeting of the Merthyr Social Economy Network.  All social enterprises and/or community groups that looking to be more enterprising based in/around Merthyr Tydfil are very much welcome to attend.  

We aim to make the network purpose led, meaning that we want it to help share local information and resources so that everyone can prosper from working cooperatively. 

Save the date Tuesday 28th June 2-4pm 

You can book your place here.  https://bit.ly/CwmpasEvents.

RCT People First - A Job's Fayre is taking place in Merthyr on Thursday 30th June

 

Click for poster details HERE regarding a job’s fayre at the Orbit business Centre in Merthyr on Thursday 30^th June. Its being run by RCT People First.

It’s an opportunity for people with learning disabilities to access information on employment and volunteering opportunities.

Versus Arthritis - FREE Information Session on Fibromyalgia - Wednesday 22 June 2022

  

On Wednesday June 22nd (3:00-4:30pm), we’ll be delivering a presentation on Fibromyalgia.  This is a free online information session.  We will talk about the symptoms, impact and management of the condition.   There will be an opportunity for questions. Everyone is welcome!

Register at Eventbrite:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-fibromyalgia-tickets-348691675187?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

Our online information sessions are for adults with arthritis, MSK or related conditions e.g. fibromyalgia, lupus, gout. Also for health care professionals and carers supporting people living with arthritis. They offer a chance to learn about managing arthritis and related conditions, hear from guest speakers and find out more about the support provided by Versus Arthritis in local areas. 

Poster details HERE

 

Deadline closing soon for the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales !

 

Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales

 Funding from the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales to support community led organisations.

Comic Relief and Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW) partners recognise the great work that community led organisations do across Wales and want to help organisations to build their own capacity in a sustainable and impactful way.

Small Grants - £1,000 - £10,000

The aim of this fund is to ensure that comic relief grassroots funding is reached by the community groups leading change and growth in their locality, enabling them to make positive changes in response to the specific needs of the community.

 The Small Grant is administered by Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil for  RCT, Merthyr and Bridgend areas. The application form, project finances spreadsheet and guidance for small grants (£1,000 – £10,000) can be requested via grants@vamt.net

COMIC RELIEF’S STRATEGIC THEMES

All successful applications will demonstrate a contribution to one of Comic Relief’s four Strategic Themes

Children survive and thrive

Actions to give children the best start in life and access to opportunities to achieve their potential

 Gender justice

Actions to improve equality for women and girls

 A safe place to be

Actions to help vulnerable people improve their circumstances and safety

 Mental health matters

Actions to enable access to support and increase awareness

 

ELIGIBILITY

Organisations with a socially focused purpose and an income of less than £250,000 are eligible to apply. There is £900,000 available in total grants.

TIMEFRAME

The application window is open from 19 April 2022, closing 27 June 2022. 

The earliest activity can begin is the 22 August 2022 ending no later than 30 August 2023.  

National Forest Initiative Funding

 

Welsh Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund are partnering to deliver The Woodland Investment Grant. It’s an element of the National Forest Initiative. 

The £1.9 m fund (22/23) will help landowners, and those with management control of land, both create and enhance woodlands. Grants are between £40k and £250k with the first  round now open, initial proposals must be with us by July 15^th. 

There will be a further funding round this year, and two more in each of the following years. 

Please see full details on the website. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/the-woodland-investment-grant . 

You can also book into a webinar with the team by visiting Ticket Source at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=mil

VOLUNTARY ACTION MERTHYR TYDFIL ARE HOLDING A GENERAL MEETING ON THURSDAY 23RD JUNE - TO ATTEND, SEE BELOW

 Company number: 06058360

Charity number: 1118403

VOLUNTARY ACTION MERTHYR TYDFIL

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE is hereby given that a general meeting of the Company will be held at the Voluntary Action Centre on 23^rd June, 2022 at 10am to consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution which will be proposed as a special resolution.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

That the regulations set out in the document produced to the meeting and, for the purpose of identification, initialled by the chair be adopted as the articles of association of the Company in substitution for all existing articles of association of the Company.

Registered office:

Voluntary Action Centre

89-90 Pontmorlais

Merthyr Tydfil

CF47 8UH            

Dated:  3^rd May 2022

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Sharon Richards

Secretary

NOTE:

Any member of the Company is entitled to appoint another person as his proxy to exercise all or any of his rights to attend and to speak and vote at the meeting convened by the above notice.  Any member holding more than one share in the capital of the Company is entitled to appoint more than one proxy, provided each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by such member.

To attend please telephone Ellie Luke on 01685 353900 or e-mail ellie.luke@vamt.net 

Amended Memorandum and Articles and Proxy Form links are below

Amended Memorandum and Articles

Proxy Form

Stephens and George Charitable Trust Youth Forum - Would you like to be part of it ??

 

Stephens and George Charitable Trust - Exciting Opportunity with Challenge Wales, come along to this meeting on Wednesday 15th June 5pm at Dowlais Community Centre

 

gofod3........ biggest voluntary sector event of its kind in Wales

 

gofod3 is a FREE event organised by WCVA, in collaboration with the voluntary sector.

 

It is the biggest voluntary sector event of its kind in Wales, designed especially for people involved in Wales’ vibrant voluntary sector.

 

The following events in particular might be of interest to you:

 

• Adapting to the changing workforce: supporting employees with caring responsibilities
• Kidney Wales awareness talk
• Transforming the unpaid carer experience in health & social care: the Carer Aware project
• Living well with longstanding illness(es)
• The value of volunteering within integrated models of care

 

The full programme features over 70 events ranging from conversations about the climate crisis and talks on crowdfunding, to discussing what the sector can do to ease the cost-of-living crisis – along with some in-person networking opportunities provided by our partners across Wales throughout the week.

 

gofod3 is your space to reflect and kick-start your plans towards building back stronger in Wales - don’t miss out! Head over to gofod3.cymru to look at the programme and register for events before they’re full.

 

 

CALLING ALL VOLUNTARY YOUTH WORK SERVICES IN WALES!

 

A new and exciting project to Map and Evaluate the Voluntary Youth Work Sector in Wales has been launched!

The KESS project - Mapping and Evaluating the Voluntary Youth Work Sector for Wales is a Masters by Research project conducted by the University of South Wales and funded by the European Social Fund in partnership with CWVYS. The research aims to make the voluntary youth work sector more visible and ensure their contributions are valued by all stakeholders. You may be aware that the voluntary sector is under-researched and valued in comparison to statutory services, who have an audit each year. We hope our research can change this.

To do so, we would value your contribution to our short online survey. If you are an organisation that provides voluntary youth work services for young people in Wales, please follow the link below to the survey which simply captures the nature of your organisation and the support provided to young people. Survey completion should take no more than 15 minutes. Your time and comments are greatly valued.

To start the survey, please follow the below links:

Survey in English: https://southwales.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/mapping-and-evaluating-the-voluntary-youth-work-sector-for-7

Survey in Welsh: https://southwales.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/mapio-a-gwerthuso-sector-gwaith-ieuenctid-gwirfoddol-cymru

Please also share the survey link and information among your networks (e.g. by email or social media) – the more responses we receive the better we can represent the experiences of the sector as a whole and the young people they support.

You will find further information on the project at the beginning of the survey, however, should you have any questions or feedback on the research, please feel free to contact the researcher by email: Elizabeth.bacon@southwales.ac.uk

   

 

Wales Millennium Centre are running a FREE Radio Platfform Course - 18th and 19th of June

 

Wales Millennium Centre are running a free Radio Platfform course on the 18^th and 19^th of June at the 3G’s Centre in the Gurnos.

Please click HERE for poster details and more information.

If you are interested in attending then please email merthyr@wmc.org.uk to book your place.

Residents encouraged to take part in food poverty survey

 

 The County Borough Council is urging Merthyr Tydfil residents and community groups to talk about food-related issues as part of proposals to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Specialist consultancy Miller Research is working to create a Food Poverty Strategy for the Merthyr Tydfil Food Prosperity Network partnership, which comprises the local authority and a range of partners.

The aim of the Strategy is to adopt a collaborative approach to help ‘improve access to affordable, nutritious food for local people’. As part of its research, the company is currently running two surveys to find out residents’ views.

“We know we have an issue with food poverty in Merthyr Tydfil, and it’s growing due to the current cost of living crisis,” said Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration Cllr Geraint Thomas.

“The purpose is to help build a better picture of how widespread the issue of food insecurity is in Merthyr Tydfil, as well as to understand resident perceptions/awareness of the issue,” he added.

“We are particularly looking to find out people’s experiences of the affordability and accessibility of food during the current cost of living crisis, as well as experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

As an added incentive, everyone completing the survey will be given an option to be entered into a prize draw for a £50 Argos voucher.

Individual residents can take part in the first survey here:

English Language Resident Survey

The second survey is aimed at voluntary/third sector organisations and community groups providing support for residents in the hope they will help identify any gaps in support, and also to understand what help the organisations may need in the coming months to ensure that provision is sustainable.

Groups can take part in the second survey here:

English Language Community Action Survey

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. To be entered for the prize draw, please provide your email address when asked at the end of the survey. A random winner will be selected.  

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Mann (jessica@miller-research.co.uk).