Merthyr Valleys Homes Grants and Sponsorship Scheme 2022/23

Merthyr Valleys Homes want to support members of our communities who provide opportunities, projects, and activities within Merthyr Tydfil. 

If you can deliver benefits to the community including that bring people together and help people to build on their skills, confidence, and wellbeing in an inclusive way, we would love to hear from you. 

Who can apply? 

You can apply if you are a group of volunteers, a community group, social enterprise, or charity undertaking a community project within Merthyr Tydfil. If you are a group, enterprise, or charity you will need to have a bank account and a governing document. 

 What funding is available to me? 

Small projects: Applications are welcomed from small informal groups of volunteers without a constitution. Funding will be considered up to £500. Monies are not sent directly to your group but MVH will pay a supplier direct from the invoices provided in the quotes.

We would welcome any community minded group to get in touch to discuss funding opportunities if they have a project for funding within Merthyr Tydfil. 

Please contact grants@mvhomes.org.uk   for further information on this scheme or call the Tenant Engagement Team on Tel: 07718 248 645

BAROD Recruitment Open Evening

 

Free family Fun sessions in Gellideg

 

Merthyr Social Economy network online event

 

Merthyr Social Economy network

 A quick reminder that we are only a week away from our Merthyr Social Economy network meeting.  This will take place at online, Tue 2nd August, 2pm-4pm

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

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 haven't signed up yet please register here: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/merthyr-sen-meeting-cyfarfod-merthyr-sen-tickets-358422721007?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Witness Service are looking for Volunteers in Merthyr Tydfil

Witness Service need volunteers in the Merthyr Tydfil area to help people who are going to be witnesses in court.

Please click on POSTER for more information.

BBC Children In Need Recruitment

 

BBC Children in Need are looking to recruit a full-time (35 hours / week) Team Assistant for a 6-month contract. 

The role is a key part of administration of the work done by the charity in 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/Team-Assistant-Children-in-Need-Cynorthwyydd-Tm-Plant-mewn-Angen/62177

Carers Wales - August Me Time Poster

Carers Wales are offering free online support for carers in August. Please click on attached 

POSTER for details.

 

WELCOME FRIENDS ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

    

Welcome Friends are looking for befriending volunteers all over Merthyr Tydfil but particularly Treharris, Trelewis, Quakers Yard, Bedlinog areas. 

Could you spare an hour a week to visit and befriend a lonely, isolated elderly person? 

Please click HERE for more details.

Bryncynon Strategy vacancy

 

“Free Apps and Software to Help Community Enterprises”.

 

A great training event happening Thursday 28th July 2pm until 4pm

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.

If you would like to register, please click on this link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-apps-to-boost-my-community-enterprise-tickets-358472128787?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Merthyr Social Economy Network .......how can it help my organisation?

 The next Merthyr Social Economy Network will take place online on August 2^nd at 2-4pm.  If you register below, a Zoom link will be provided nearer the time.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/merthyr-sen-meeting-cyfarfod-merthyr-sen-tickets-358422721007?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Carers Wales - FREE online support sessions for August

Please see POSTER for details or email Katelyn Burch at katelyn.burch@carerswales.org for more information.

Versus Arthritis - Gadget Info Session for Adults with Arthritis

 

On Wednesday 10^th August (2pm-3pm), Versus Arthritis will be hosting a free online information session on gadgets and adaptations used by people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. Everyone is welcome.

Register via Eventbrite: INFO session: Gadgets for adults with arthritis/musculoskeletal conditions Tickets, Wed 10 Aug 2022 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

Trusthouse Charitable Fund

This foundation champions small to medium-sized charities.

Small grants

Single year grants are between £2k and £10k for core costs, salaries, running and project costs. Your projects must:

·       Strengthen local communities by empowering local people, bridging divides, building neighbourhood connections, encouraging community participation, and fostering inclusion

·       address causes of deprivation

·       create opportunity for disadvantaged individuals

Learn more on the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation’s website

SmallGrants | Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

Major Grants

Single year grants between £10,000 and £100,000 for core costs, salaries, running and project costs or

Multi-year grants for a maximum of 3 years, not to exceed £100,000 in total over this period, for core costs, salaries, running or project costs

Organisations should have a focus on Family Support, this may further include:

 

• Early intervention
• Families coping with addiction
• Prisoners' families

We fund voluntary sector organisations with a turnover up to £1 million.

 

Your organisation’s postcode, or the project area, must be ranked within the most deprived 15% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for urban areas or within the most deprived 50% for rural areas.

MajorGrants | Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

National Lottery Awards for All Wales

 

National Lottery funding can help you to make a difference in your community. We offer funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities.

Application deadline

Ongoing

National Lottery funding can help you to make a difference in your community. We offer funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities.

Through our National Lottery Awards for All programme, we’re looking to support projects that are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by: 

·        supporting organisations to adapt or diversify to respond to new and future challenges 

·        supporting communities adversely affected by COVID-19 

·        supporting communities and organisations to become more resilient to help them to respond better to future crises. 

Although we are supporting responses to the pandemic, your project does not have to be related to COVID-19 to be funded.

If you are applying for something that is not related to Covid-19, then your project must meet at least one of our usual funding priorities, which are:

·        Bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities

·        Improve places and spaces that matter to communities

·        Help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest stage.

It takes around 12 weeks to get a decision from us

We need this time to assess your application. If we do decide to fund you, we'll then pay you two weeks later.

NationalLottery Awards for All Wales | The National Lottery Community Fund(tnlcommunityfund.org.uk)

Application deadline - Ongoing

Heritage Fund Local Places for Nature

 

Local Places for Nature

 

A capital grant scheme intended to enable communities in Wales to restore and enhance nature.

Local Places for Nature is a capital grant scheme intended to enable areas of highest deprivation, peri-urban/urban communities, and/or those with least access to nature in Wales to restore and enhance nature 'on your doorstep'. Certain types of project can be funded anywhere in Wales – please see below.

This funding is primarily for:

• projects located or servicing the needs of communities in the 50% most deprived areas OR
• community food growing projects anywhere in Wales OR
• organisations/groups representing a diverse ethnic community from any part of Wales

If the project area falls within the 50% LEAST deprived of areas, you may still be able to apply for funding. Particularly, if your project will increase the involvement of a wider range of people in natural heritage, and/or if those affected by the project have a specific need. Please email us with brief details, including the postcode of the project site, so we can further advise.

We are offering two levels of grant: 

1.    £10,000 to £100,000 for capital projects that will acquire, restore and enhance nature in areas of deprivation

2.    £100,000 to £250,000. We are offering a limited number of grants up to £250,000. We are particularly interested if your project is located in or near one of the 50% most deprived communities or if you are engaging with a specific need. Deprivation is measured using the overall deprivation measure in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Please use your postcode to check your eligibility against the overall deprivation measure using the interactive map. 

If you are seeking a grant between £100,000 and £250,000 please e-mail natur@heritagefund.org.uk before proceeding any further with the process, but please continue to read this grant criteria.

We are particularly looking for projects that can be seen 'from your doorstep'. This means where people live, work, access public services, travel and spend their leisure time. 

2023 GSK IMPACT Awards – core funding and training for health charities

 

The GSK IMPACT Awards provide core funding and free training for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Organisations must be at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with income between £120,000 and £3 million. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000, plus free training and development valued at a further £9,500. Organisations will also have a film made and receive help with press and publicity.

 

The GSK IMPACT Awards are funded by GSK and managed in partnership with The King’s Fund. They are judged by a prestigious panel of judges and provide national recognition for the winning organisations. They also give organisations access to a free leadership programme, designed specifically for health charities, provided by The King’s Fund. After taking part in the training, organisations can then join our network of health charities which supports ongoing service and organisational development.

The 2023 GSK IMPACT Awards application process has moved to a two-stage process this year.  The closing date for Stage 1 application is Thursday 1 September 2022. 

To apply and find out more go to: www.kingsfund.org.uk/gskimpactawards 

 

Transport For Wales - Volunteers Needed for their Station Adopt Scheme

                                                   

Transport for Wales are seeking to recruit more volunteers to their station adoption scheme.  The scheme was launched in 2004 and they currently have 151 adopted stations across the network.  They currently have a few stations are available for adoption in the Merthyr valley:

•  Merthyr Tydfil
•  Pentrebach
•  Troedyrhiw

The main role of an adopter is to provide a brief update twice a month on the condition of the station.  This is done via an electronic form that can be completed on a phone, tablet or PC.  Any issues that are identified are then forwarded to the appropriate function to address.

In return for their support, volunteers will receive a Transport for Wales travel voucher on two occasions a year that will offer a return journey anywhere on the TFW network.  Volunteers are also invited to attend a regional conference where they can meet other volunteers and find out more about the latest news from the business.

Volunteers ideally need to live within the same community as their station or within a reasonable distance and be 16 years old or older.

 Please contact Geraint Morgan, Community Rail Manager South Transport for Wales on 07801 644197 if you're interested.

 

SENSE - Sensory Walks Training Workshops

 

Sensory Walks Training Workshops

Sensory walks allow you to use your senses to connect with your surroundings whilst you stay active.

The free and virtual sensory walks training aims to improve your understanding of sensory walks, how to plan safe and accessible walks, as well as top tips on activities that engages the senses.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP:

  Monday 15^th August: 11am-12.30pm

Book Here

 Dowlais Community Centre, Station Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3LW  

“Sensory walks are a great way to enjoy your environment. They help you explore and discover new sights and sounds. They’ve made our walks so much more engaging for the people we support with higher, more complex needs.”  (Support Worker, Sense Service)

For more information, or if you experience any problems when booking, please contact Lauren Heath – lauren.heath@sense.org.uk

Recognising Volunteering Champions

Nominations are now open for the Helpforce Champion Awards and we will soon be seeking nominations for this year’s Welsh Charity Awards.

People don’t generally volunteer for the recognition, but nevertheless it is good to publicly acknowledge from time to time the special contributions they make. Telling and hearing volunteer stories is both affirming for the volunteers concerned and an inspiration for the rest of us.

HELPFORCE CHAMPION AWARDS

Once again Helpforce is seeking nominations for its Helpforce Champion Awards 2022. The closing date for nominations is 10 am on 31 August 2022 and winners will be invited to a ceremony in London in November. You can find out more, register and then submit an entry online here.

This is a chance to shine a light on those who give their time to support patients, families, carers, NHS staff and voluntary and community organisations. Stories of all nominees will be shared on Helpforce’s wall of fame.

Check out the story of Louis, who’s nomination was highly commended last year. Louis, a student at the University of South Wales walked an incredible 238,000 steps as a Runner in Llandough hospital, delivering essential items from relatives and friends to and from inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also used his IT skills to help staff to reconfigure 250 Lenovo tablets when new wifi was introduced. at the hospital

Three other nominations from Cardiff and Vale health board were highly commended: Mass Vaccination Centre volunteers were recognised for ‘Partnership and systems working in volunteering’, a hospital Runner team as ‘Outstanding volunteering team of the year’ and a staff member as ‘Outstanding staff champion for volunteers’.

 

Small Woods are offering 6 FREE family sessions at Gellideg Fields starting in August

 

Small Woods have 6 FREE family sessions programme (for primary school children and parents/guardians) at Gellideg Fields.

 Programme starts on Monday 1^st August between 1pm-3pm and we will have different activities for all the family to enjoy.  Activity information is provided on the attached poster

Valleys Steps are looking for volunteers, could this be for you?

 

Volunteers Needed

Can you spare 2 hours a week to support our Wellbeing Practitioners in local community settings?

Do you work well as part of a team and care about the wellbeing of others?

If so, this could be a great opportunity to help further your own wellbeing and help others at the same time.

Full training will be given and any out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

 Interested?

For more information contact:

vs.volunteers@valleyssteps.org

and/or tel: 01443 803048

Our website www.valleyssteps.org has lots of information about the charity and more ideas of how you can get involved.

Veterans Information Roadshows

 

BBC Children in Need - recruitment extended 21/07/2022

 

BBC Children in Need are 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. 

Please see link below:

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

Extreme Heat Warning

 

Extreme Heat Warning

The Met Office have indicated that temperatures are likely to soar over the coming days.  
Click here for the press release issued by Welsh Government which gives information on how to stay safe. 

Please share the information with your beneficiaries, staff and networks.

Thank you. 

A strategy for tackling food poverty in Merthyr Tydfil.....have your say !

 

Miller Research have been in the process of developing surveys as part of a study that will help to formulate a strategy for tackling food poverty across Merthyr County Borough.

Our core aim is that the strategy reflects a county-wide, collaborative approach and will help to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for local people. 

As part of this, we are currently engaging with residents based in Merthyr, to collect baseline information and obtain views on current issues as well as what the strategy for tackling food poverty might look like. Particularly, we are looking to explore your experiences toward the affordability and accessibility of food during the current cost of living crisis (as well as experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic).   

Please be assured that all of your responses to the questions asked in this survey will be kept completely anonymous. 

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. There are no right or wrong answers, we are looking to collect open and honest feedback.  There is an option to be entered into a prize draw for a £50 Argos voucher, on completion of this survey. To be entered for this, please provide your email address when asked at the end of the survey. Email addresses will be separated from the answers you've provided, and a random winner will be selected.  

The survey link for an individual is

English Language Resident Survey

Welsh Language Residents Survey

The survey link for a community group or organisation is

English Language Community Action Survey

Welsh Language Community Action Survey

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Mann (jessica@miller-research.co.uk), Consultant at Miller Research and project manager.

Befriending Networks

Befriending Networks are extremely excited to be able to develop their work more in Wales.  As part of the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales they are now able to advertise for a new worker based in Wales. They have launched their advertising for the role this week.

 new Membership Officer (Wales) will be part-time – 21 hours per week.  The Closing date for applications is 12noon 3^rd August 2022.  

 https://www.befriending.co.uk/about/jobs-in-befriending/24477-membership-officer-wales

https://www.recruit3.org.uk/job/membership-officer-wales-3920.htm

https://www.recruit3.org.uk/job/membership-officer-wales-3920.htm

Mike Parry Art Award Competition 2022

 

Barod are delighted to announce the launch of the Mike Parry Art Award Competition 2022. Mike sadly passed away in January 2019. Mike was a keen artist who influenced many, whether it be picking up a paint brush for the first time or just enjoy art for what it is. In his memory, an art award competition was set up in 2019.

This year’s theme is ‘CELEBRATION‘ and it is open to interpretation in what you perceive celebration to mean to you. If you have been involved with substance use services in Wales, past or present, then you are welcome to enter a piece in this year’s competition. We will accept all types of art, from paintings and drawings to sculpture and photography or poetry. Just check out the entry criteria, available below.

This year we will have three different categories: Young People (up to 18 years old); Adults; and Group, with first place of each category winning up to £100 in vouchers. There will also be 2nd and 3rd place prizes. We will be holding an exhibition at our 50th Birthday Festival in Cardiff, in September, where all entries will be displayed and the winners for each category, announced.

DEADLINES FOR SUBMITING AN ENTRY – FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2022

For more information click on the following link https://barod.cymru/artaward2022/

Is there an area in your community that needs some TLC? Apply for one of our free garden packages!

 

Since 2020, nearly 800 green spaces across the country have been created, restored and enhanced. Community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes got involved – from disability charities and youth groups to social enterprises and carer groups.

 

Now, we’ve got more packages available. This is your chance to reverse nature’s decline and provide an important boost to the well-being of your local community at the same time.

 We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved. So, we’ve designed a choice of packages tailored to different community groups and organisations.

What does a local places for nature package include?

Each prepaid package includes native plants, tools and other materials. We’ll handle the orders and deliveries, and our project officers will even provide support on the ground.

 

Our packages fall into three categories…

1. Starter Packages

For community or volunteer groups looking to create small Food Growing Garden or Wildlife Gardens

2. Development Packages

For community-based organisations that are ready to take on a bigger project and build a Food Growing Garden or Wildlife Garden.

3. Community Orchard

For community-based organisations who are looking to create a small community orchard on land that is 'not for profit ownership'

For more information click on the link  Local Places for Nature - Keep Wales Tidy

Fund for Wales - Community Foundation in Wales

 

The Fund for Wales is a national community endowment fund, managed and promoted by Community Foundation Wales.

It is a philanthropy promotion and grant-making programme which raises money from people and organisations across Wales, the UK, and overseas who want to ‘give back’ to support and strengthen local communities: the Fund for Wales connects people who care with causes that matter.

Grants of between £500 – £2,000 will be awarded to small, volunteer-driven community organisations whose applications aim to deliver the following outcomes:

• Improving people’s chances in life
• Building stronger communities
• Improving rural and urban environments
• Encouraging healthier and more active people and communities
• Preserving heritage and culture

Grants can support full or partial costs of, for example: projects costs, small capital items & equipment, core costs, activities and programmes (e.g. room hire, transport costs, volunteer expenses, insurance, tutor fees, community events).

https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/fund-for-wales/#

Ashley Foundation Grants

 

Deadline: 2/09/22.
You can apply for grants between £500 and £10k with this fund. The foundation’s goal is to strengthen rural communities socially and environmentally, and it is seeking applications from small scale arts and community projects in Wales. Learn more on Ashley Family Foundation - Community Foundation Wales

Friends of Nant Llwynog Park event postponed

The Ffos-y-fran Large Grant Scheme is open

 Merthyr Tydfil community groups can apply for up to £500,000 from a fund established to help improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Ffos-y-fran Large Grant Scheme is open 

Grants of between £5,000 and £500,000 are available for projects that help create a ‘strong, sustainable and diverse economy’, support people in developing new skills, and contribute to making Merthyr Tydfil a more ‘vibrant, attractive, safe and sustainable place’ to live.

County Borough Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing Cllr Geraint Thomas said: “Ffos-y-fran funding continues to contribute greatly to the quality of life for residents of communities across the county borough.

“We’re urging any groups with plans that need some financial support to come forward and let us know what they want.”

The Ffos-y-fran Community Grants Scheme was set up by the County Borough Council in collaboration with Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, which donates £1 for every ton of coal sold from the Ffos-y-fran land reclamation scheme.  More than £8m has been awarded to a wide range of groups and causes since the site opened in 2007.

The deadline for applications for the latest round of awards is Friday 29 July at 4pm. For further information or an application form, contact the Ffos-y-fran Benefit Fund Coordinator on 07563 398667 or ffosyfran@merthyr.gov.uk

The Salvation Army - Employability / Wellbeing Drop - in Hub

 

Radio Platform Merthyr

 

6 Week Carers Course - looking after Me and You

     Looking after me and you (Multiple sessions to sign up to) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
 

Taith Bywyd Gwyllt, Welsh Language Walk in the Park

 

Loneliness & Isolation Grant Scheme - Merthyr TYdfil

 

Connected  Communities: Loneliness and Isolation Fund

Loneliness and social isolation can be experienced by anyone of any age and any background.  Increasingly we understand the impact they can have on our physical and mental well-being, and therefore the importance of the relationships we have with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours in giving us our sense of belonging and well-being.  

Whilst we want to support activities which bring people together face-to face in a safe and secure way, funding can also be used to support online activities where this is the most appropriate or only way to build social connections e.g. where access to a venue is difficult or for those not quite ready to meet people face-to-face.

The funding can be used for revenue costs only associated with these types of activities. It cannot be used for capital costs and cannot duplicate any existing funding.

Who can apply?

You can apply if your organisation is a:

• ·       voluntary or community organisation
• ·       registered charity
• ·       constituted group or club
• ·       delivering a service in Merthyr Tydfil
• ·       not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company

Terms and conditions of the grant allocation will be as follows:

•         Revenue funding

•         One application per organisation per year

•         Grants allocated on an annual basis

•         Maximum award of up to £2500

 Applications will also need to demonstrate how their proposal fits with one or more of the loneliness and social isolation strategy’s four priority areas: 

•         increasing opportunities for people to connect

•         a community infrastructure that supports connected communities

•         cohesive and supportive communities

•         building awareness and promoting positive attitudes.

 To request your application pack please contact grants@vamt.net

Closing date for applications 15th August 2022 12 noon.