Mental Health Awareness Week is here !

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness week. Here at VAMT we will be sharing across the week how to access information and signposting to organisations and groups that can help to support your mental health across Merthyr and the wider area.

Don’t forget out Mental Health Awareness drop-in event tomorrow – 10^th May –  details here where we will have organisations such as CTM Mind, Samaritans and The Outdoor Partnership available for you to come in a speak to and find out more about what activities and support are available to you across the local area.

There is also a timetable of some of the activities that we are promoting locally across Mental Health Awareness Week.  Link here  

(Please note that when accessing timetable digitally it should allow people to click on the activities/events and find out more or register if needed).

If you need any further information then please contact Faye Johnson at VAMT on 07553 147616 or email faye.johnson@vamt.net

 

Dyfodol and Barod Open Day - Come along for a chat, help and advice!

                     Thursday 12^th May

The Next Step drop-in, No 8 Gelliwastad Road,

 Pontypridd, CF37 2BL

10am-3pm

Come along for a chat, help and advice!

 What's going on ......

Naloxone kits

Blood Borne Virus testing

                           Sexual health / contraception                           

Smear testing

Housing advice

                                           And More..                                           

Refreshments available

 

   

  

Recruitment of Non-Executive Members – Cadw Board

Cadw is the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service and they are currently seeking applications for up to three Non-Executive members to the Cadw Board.   Could you share this information as widely as possible amongst your networks, so that they can directly encourage people from diverse communities and backgrounds to consider applying for these roles. To apply please go to: Cadw Board – Recruitment of non-executive members | Cadw (gov.wales).

The closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 on Friday 13^th May 2022 via email to cadw@gov.wales. Application forms received after this date will not be considered

Nationwide Building Society Community Grants

 

Nationwide Building Society Community Grants

You can apply for grants of between £10k and £50k. The money is to support housing and homelessness projects, and you can learn more on Nationwide’s Community Grants webpage.

NEWID: DIGITAL FOR TRUSTEES EVENT SERIES

 

We’re very happy to share the details for the Newid: Digital for Trustees event series, a programme of inspirational lunchtime talks to support you with progressing digital within your organisation. These events are suitable for all levels with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and share experiences. Whatever your next steps with digital, stride out with confidence with the helpful tools and strategies from our event series.

 

 

EVENTS IN THIS SERIES

YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER TO ATTEND EACH INDIVIDUAL EVENT

 

• Small actions, big differences: Trustees share their experiences of trying digital – Monday 16th May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Digital: how do we know we’re doing it right? - Tuesday 17 May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Supporting the digital leader in your organisation – Wednesday 18 May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Digital strategy with Cwmpas – Thursday 19 May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Cyber security essentials for trustees – Monday 23rd May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Introduction to Social Mediawith ProMo-Cymru – Tuesday 24th May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

• Getting started with digital for trustees – Wednesday 25th May 2022, 12pm – 1pm

WHAT IS NEWID?

Newid: digital for the third sector is an exciting pilot programme of Digital skills development and support for the voluntary sector in Wales. The programme is a partnership between ProMo Cymru, Cwmpas and WCVA, funded by Welsh Government and supported by The Centre for Digital Public Services.

You can find out about the work of all three partners by following the links below.

https://wcva.cymru/introducing-newid-digital-for-the-third-sector/

https://medium.com/newid-cymru

The Limbless Association - Wales

The Limbless Association (LA) is a national limb loss charity, which has been supporting amputees and their families across the UK since 1983.

Losing one or more limbs can be isolating, adversely affecting a person’s mental as well as physical wellbeing. Their mission is to support and empower amputees to lead independent and fulfilled lives, so no amputee need cope alone.

They provide free, high-quality information, advice and support to anyone pre- or post-amputation or living with congenital limb loss - by phone, email and online.

 Services include:

• LA Helpdesk accessed by a freephone helpline - 0800 644 0185 - and email –  support@limbless-association.org
• Volunteer Visitor peer support service
• Support and Connect outreach and online events
• LA information packs
• LA website – www.limbless-association.org
• LA Legal Panel
• Quarterly StepForward magazine
• AmpLAfy podcast
• Young Ambassador programme.                                                                                         

They also offer assistance to clinicians and other professionals working with the limb loss community.

There is no charge for these services and membership of the LA is free to all amputees.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Limbless Association in Wales and the services and support that they provide, please contact Barrie Evans on 07508 465685 or e-mail  barrie@limbless-association.org.uk.

 

 

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.  

Mental Health Awareness Week May 9th - 15th May

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil are running an Awareness Drop-In Event in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind on Tuesday 10th May, the event will be held at the Voluntary Action Centre in Merthyr from 10am – 3pm

It will be an opportunity to access information, resources and signposting available across Merthyr Tydfil to support your Mental Health.

Organisations that will be available on the day include: -

Groundwork

Citizens-Advice Merthyr-Tydfil

Twyn Community Hub

Samaritans

Y Bartneriaeth Awyr Agored - The Outdoor Partnership

As well as the Drop in session at VAMT there is also a timetable of some of the activities that are being promoting locally throughout the week. Click here for more information

Please contact Faye or Sharon, details below, if you would  like to chat about any of the activities taking place during the week.

Faye - Mental Health Development Officer faye.johnson@vamt.net 07553147616

Sharon - Mental Health Service User Involvement Officer Sharon.jones@vamt.net 0755310226

Are you looking for funding to develop a project to improve the environment?

 Deadline for applications: 03 July 2022, successful projects will start in September 2022.

If you have a project idea which would benefit the community, check out your eligibility by visiting our website and using the map to see where eligible sites are.

The LDTCS funds projects with a focus on Biodiversity, Waste Minimisation and the reduction of Waste to Landfill and Wider Environmental Enhancements.

The previous seven rounds of LDTCS have funded some great projects which are making positive environmental enhancements in their locality with the support of the community. From the reintroduction of pine martens to reuse of discarded plastics, there is a variety of activity happening across Wales.

You can read more about the projects already running in Wales from here.

We receive a high number of applications which makes the funding process very competitive. If you would like support and guidance in the development of a project you can contact your local Third Sector Support Wales CVC here.

In order to submit a request for funding, you will need to register with WCVA’s Multipurpose Application Portal (MAP). If you have previously registered with MAP, you can log in by entering your username and password on the home screen.

Organisations can register by visiting the website https://map.wcva.cymru.

If you need help registering on MAP please follow this video.

If you have any questions about LDTCS please get in touch with the WCVA Grant Funds Team at ldtgrants@wcva.org.uk