Calling all projects working with young people . . .

Year 2 applications for ReachOut are now open...

 The ReachOut project is funded by The Co-Op Foundation (https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/youth/), and focuses on working with young people across Wales who are at risk of experiencing loneliness, social isolation and related negative consequences. Our ReachOut hubs deliver a programme of activities and support, including bespoke workshops exploring the theme of youth loneliness in Wales.

For further information on the project to date please visit our website: https://youthcymru.org.uk/reach-out/

 Reach Out is a project that enables young people between the ages of 14 to 25 years old, to reflect on their own experiences of loneliness whilst taking action to address the stigma around the subject. Through this project young people will be able to take real actions to reduce isolation and create more belonging within their communities.

As part of the project your organisation will deliver a minimum of eight loneliness workshops and activities with the assistance of a provided toolkit, with the aim for young people to develop social action projects.

 You will be provided with a budget of £1000 for the project.
 
Submission for applications will be open Monday 3rd February until Friday 21st February 2020.
In the week commencing 24th February, we ask for a telephone conversation to support your application.

 I f your organisation is successful you will be expected to attend a train the trainer session between Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th April 2020, at the Youth Cymru offices.

For further information, questions or to be added to the ReachOut mailing list please contact Project Co-Ordinator Kirstie Edwards via kirstie@youthcymru.org.uk/ 01443 827840/ @kirstiecymru on twitter.

10th Annual Heritage Conference

Prestigious line-up of speakers at 10^th annual heritage conference

The importance of industrial heritage to the economy of the future will be one of the themes discussed by a prestigious line-up of speakers at next month’s 10th annual Merthyr Tydfil Heritage and Regeneration Conference.

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP will be talking about his work as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Industrial Heritage, while the February 28 event will also see the launch of a booklet about Merthyr women who have made a difference to the world – including a suffragette and the women who fought for equal pay at Hoover’s.

Delegates will also be updated on plans to transform Merthyr Tydfil’s Cyfarthfa heritage area into a heritage centre of international significance.

The conference, jointly organised by Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Forum and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, is being held at Merthyr Town Football Club and is a free event.

MP for Torfaen, Nick Thomas-Symonds is an elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, has written two biographies of Labour politicians Clement Attlee and Aneurin Bevan, and is currently writing a biography of Harold Wilson. 

He will be speaking on ‘how we can take the very best from our past to build the economy of the future’, and highlighting case studies from around the UK, examining the different models used to make sites sustainable and the key role local councils can play in the industrial heritage sector. 

Heritage Forum Chair Joe England will be looking back at heritage developments in Merthyr Tydfil since the first conference 10 years ago and also discussing the Welsh Government's strategy for economic development in the valleys.

Merthyr Tydfil’s longest-serving female elected member Cllr Lisa Mytton will be announcing the publication of Torchbearers, a booklet about groundbreaking Merthyr Tydfil women, include a top scientist, a poet, a suffragette, an award winning journalist, a famous fashion designer, doctors, an historian, and the women who fought for equal pay at Hoovers.

Other speakers include: Cyfarthfa Museum staff Ben Price and Chris Parry, talking about the museum’s community outreach work; County Borough Council Interim Chief Executive Ellis Cooper, speaking on ‘The Regeneration of Merthyr Tydfil’; and Design Commission for Wales Chief Executive Carole-Anne Davies and consultant Geraint Talfan Davies, providing an update on the Cyfarthfa Plan.

The conference is taking place from 9am-3.30pm and includes a buffet lunch.

Cabinet member for Regeneration and Public Protection Cllr Geraint Thomas said the event had attracted a diverse range of influential speakers over the past decade, and the anniversary event was no exception.

“The conference is a highlight in the calendar for everyone interested in discovering more about our illustrious history, while also keeping abreast of future developments that will benefit us all as residents,” he added.

• To book a place, please telephone 01685 727021 or e-mail conference@merthyr.gov.uk

Printable poster

Safeguarding Training from Interlink - being delivered at VAMT

A limited number of places are available on the following:



Safeguarding Children and Young People
24 March 2020
9.30am – 12.30pm
at VAMT
Cost: FREE
This is a level 2 awareness raising session will increase your confidence in identifying and referring safeguarding issues. Participants will: • Develop a basic understanding of child protection and abuse • Gain knowledge of child protection terms • Consider how to report/respond as an individual This course is aimed at those with a limited knowledge of safeguarding issues who are looking to set up, or review safeguarding policies and procedures within their organisation.

 

Safeguarding – Adults at Risk
19 March 2020
1.30pm – 4.30pm
at VAMT
Cost: FREE 
This is a level 2 awareness raising session which will include: • The background to legislation • Definitions and indicators of abuse • Current trends in adult protection in Cwm Taf This course is aimed at those with a limited knowledge of safeguarding issues who are looking to set up, or review safeguarding policies and procedures within their organisation.

To book a place contact Cara on 01443 846200 or email: cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk

 

Inform - VAMT's Hard Copy Magazine - call for articles for March 2020

The next edition of Inform, VAMT's hard copy magazine is due to be circulated in March.  As always, articles from local groups are welcome.   If you've news you'd like to share, have something to celebrate or just want to let others in the third sector and beyond know what you are up to, this is the place to do so.

If you'd like to include an article then please don't hesitate to email Hilary .  Deadline for receipt of articles is 21 February 2020.

Reserve the Date - Environment and Green Spaces Network meeting 22 April 2020

The next meeting of the Environment and Green Spaces Network will take place on 22 April 2020 between 10:00am-13:00pm at a venue to be confirmed.  Please save the date, and if you have anything you'd like to see on the agenda, email Hilary  at VAMT.

Food Network Meeting 27 February 2020

The next meeting of the Merthyr Food Alliance will take place at the Voluntary Action Centre on 27 February at 2:00pm.  If you're interested in food provision and sufficiency locally, or work with people on whom this impacts, please come along.  We've a short workshop on Oxfam Cymru's Sustainable Livelihoods  Approach Toolkit currently being delivered to DWP staff across Wales, and a brief presentation from Pantri Box Porthcawl, an alternative approach to food pantries, plus an update on local initiatives.

If you'd like to attend please contact Hilary at VAMT

A Question of Aut

Event to be held on 30 January 2020.  Further details Here

Public Consultation on plans for reopening the Abernant to Merthyr Tydfil Tunnel

People living in Merthyr Tydfil and the Cynon Valley are being consulted on plans to improve transport links between the two valleys.

Residents’ opinions are being sought on bus services and more direct and safe Active Travel routes, such as reopening the Abernant to Merthyr Tunnel for walking and cycling.

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Councils are working together with the aim of making the journey easier for people who travel between Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil for reasons including work, education, shopping and entertainment.

The plan is for improved ‘Active Travel’ routes, providing more opportunities for walking and cycling between Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil. These are currently limited to the seven-mile stretch of main road linking the valleys, with some very steep sections and high volumes of traffic.

The Abernant to Merthyr Tunnel is a 1.4-mile long disused railway tunnel which was closed in 1962. The tunnel could be reopened for pedestrian and cycle use, providing a safe, traffic-free and direct walking and cycling route of around four miles between the two town centres, reducing the current journey by around three miles.

 https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ImprovingtransportbetweenAberdareandMerthyrTydfil/

 The consultation period runs until 18 February 202

 Paper versions are available from corporate.communications@merthyr.gov.uk

MSE Charity - grant scheme opens 3 Feb

Want an MSE Charity grant of up to £7,500? Non-profit organisations can benefit from a cash boost from the  charity's latest grant-giving round. It's themed on 'living with long-term challenges' - so it's for groups that may, for example, help teach financial skills to people with learning difficulties - and opens for applications on Mon 3 Feb. To find out if your organisation is  eligible, you can take an eligibility quiz and apply via the charity's website. The round closes once it accepts 40 applications or on Fri 28 Feb, whichever comes first

Free Training from Cruse Bereavement Care - Impact of Bereavement on Children and Young People

Cruse Bereavement Care is able to offer a 1 day 'Impact of Bereavement on Children and Young People' training course, which can be delivered in your organisation to up to 15 people by a Cruse trainer.   This is a whole days training suitable for those organisations working with Children and Young People.  This training can be delivered  free of charge prior to 31st March.  

 Training days are limited so if your organisation is interested please contact Alison Thomas,  Children and Young People's Service and Development Manager, Cruse Wales.

Alison.thomas@cruse.org.uk  Telephone:  07931179580

www.cruse.org.uk/Wales