Help BulliesOut by completing a survey

 BulliesOut is applying to the Big Lottery, People and Places Fund for funding to further develop our Mentoring Matters programme. This will help us build capacity, establish our organisation on a firmer footing and enable us to take a more strategic approach to service/operational delivery.

The Mentoring Matters programme consists of 3 areas:

·         Peer2Peer Mentor Training in Schools (both Primary & Secondary)

·         A Guide to Mentoring Training for those in the Workplace

·         e-Mentoring One-to-One Support for Individuals

To support our application, please could you answer the questions on the below Google Form and return your response to us by Friday 2^nd July 2021. You do not need to sign into Google to complete this.

 

 https://forms.gle/XGoy79G9dck9okpP9  

 

Free MS Awareness sessions for organisations across Wales

The session consists of a 1 hour introduction to MS, which is delivered by people with lived experience of the condition. The aim of the session is to provide organisations with a better understanding of:

 

•         What MS is

•         The symptoms MS can cause

•         The variability and unpredictability of MS

•         The impact MS can have emotionally, physically and practically

•         Ways people can live well or better manage their MS

•         The individuality of MS and the people it affects

•         The support available for people living with and affected by MS

 For further information and to arrange an MS Awareness session please contact: Fiona.mcdonald@mssociety.org.uk

Heart Movement Heart Bus visiting Merthyr Tydfil and Aberfan

The Heart Movement Heart Bus is visiting South Wales next week as part of a UK wide wellbeing tour. The converted American school bus will visit Cardiff, Merthyr and Aberfan and spend a total of five days giving people free practical tips to boost their wellbeing and self compassion.

The Heart Bus is open to the public from 10am - 4pm each day. Local dates and locations below.

 Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre (July 3)

 Aberfan Leisure Centre (July 4)

 A Platfform representative from the Out of Work - Peer Mentoring Service will be in attendance from 1st July

 Those visiting the Heart Bus will have the opportunity to attend short workshops and taster sessions including the science of mindfulness, listening spaces and an introduction to heart intelligence technology using biofeedback. People can learn about breathing techniques to help calm the nervous system, and how to cultivate happiness and positive emotions. The Heart Bus can welcome up to 6 people for indoor workshops and 30 people in the outside space. There will be a QR code track and trace system in place to ensure the tour is operating within the strictest of COVID safety guidelines.

 

Building Communities Trust seek your views - Community Movement Cymru

 Community Movement Cymru

There is an extensive consultation across Wales seeking comments and ideas and support for setting up Community Movement Cymru.

Some community organisations across Wales have expressed a need for a community movement to support one another, to share experience, to facilitate the empowerment of our communities and to influence central and local government in Wales. In January 2021 around ten organisations came together to facilitate a wider discussion on setting up a movement.

By the end of April 2021 some 120 organisations had taken part in the consultation. It will continue up until the autumn of 2021 to try and include the views of as wide a range of community organisations as possible.

Bilingual questionnaire is here

Pontio - Community Cafe hosted by the MS Society

 More information here

Versus Arthritis Information Day - 14th July 2021

 Versus Arthritis are holding a virtual information day for CwmTaf, to raise awareness of arthritis conditions and the services that they provide to support people with arthritis in the community.  Please note, we support people with almost 200 condition, such as lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis and many more.  Arthritis can affect all aspects of a person’s life.  The event has been split into 2 sessions, as listed below:

 12.30-1.15pm Event for professionals – This event is tailored towards health care professionals or anyone who works in a role where they are supporting people living with long term arthritis conditions.

1.30-3pm – Event for people with arthritis – This event is tailored towards people living with arthritis conditions.

 You are, of course, more than welcome to attend both events.  Just be aware, the presentations are the same, they are just tailored to meet needs of those in attendance.  The afternoon session will also include a chair based exercise taster and information from the EPP.  For information on how to join, please email m.baxter-thornton@versusarthritis.org.uk or call 07711369456.

Volunteering in Care homes - a short term pilot and long term plans

Age Cymru is developing a model of practice for volunteering in care homes. A short term pilot is focussing on supporting contact between residents and families as Covid restrictions allow. It will produce guidance and reflective evaluation for wider use and to support the development of longer term initiatives, including collaborative working between organisations and sectors.

This session will involve a number of interactive approaches to enable participants to explore and share ideas about what effective volunteering in care homes might look like, who benefits and how it can be sustained and supported.

 Thursday 1 July 2 – 3 pm. Register here

News from the MS Society

 

MS Society new "Buzz Me" service

On Thursday 24th June at 2pm, MS Society Cymru will be hosting another Pontio project Community Cafe all about MS and driving. We’ll be joined by Dr Nick Jenkins from the DVLA who will talk about his role and also some of our volunteers who will share their driving experiences. This is an opportunity for you to share ideas about what has worked for you, ask questions and hear about schemes that are in place to help maintain driving after MS diagnosis.

 

Register here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pontio-community-cafe-driving-and-ms-tickets-158890603071?fbclid=IwAR0WBvqLNqrWpy2lOWMxPsIu68GHC0DASN6ku4xFEU3de6vL2IBi5DJN8Ik

 

Lloyds Bank Foundation - businesses and charities can support each other

 As part of their ongoing work in Merthyr Tydfil, over the next few months Lloyds Bank Foundation will be exploring and showcasing through a number of ways that businesses and charities can support each other.

 Do you have a story to tell of how you have ‘partnered’ with a local business and how this has helped your charity?  Would you be prepared to share your story with others?

If so, or if you've any queries or would like to chat please email hilary.edwards@vamt.net

New Horizons- Get involved in some of their activities

 Aberdare Walking Group

Zoom Befriending Group

Bereaved by Suicide Peer Group

Pontypridd Walking Group

Creative Writing Group:

New Horizons run a variety of regular creative and social groups.We believe creativity can help develop new skills and build confidence.

Members have found that creative writing has helped them to express their thoughts and emotions in ways they had not been able to previously. Our groups provide community and a safe space, where people feel able to relax, to be themselves, and to express themselves.

The Creative Writing Group meets on Monday afternoons, between 2.00 - 4.00 pm.

The group is facilitated by a tutor from Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre.

Each week the group looks at a different writing style or topic and then goes away to try it out for themselves.

 Arts & Crafts Group:

We normally run a variety of regular creative and social groups. We believe encouraging creativity can help develop new skills and build confidence.

The group is open to all levels of experience and ability, all you need is a willingness to have a go, learn some new skills and techniques, and enjoy yourself along the way.

We have previously offered three Arts & Crafts groups in Porth and Aberdare, facilitated by an arts tutor. Due to COVID restrictions we are not currently running the Arts & Craft Group within the community. However, we are posting out Art & Craft supply boxes, and our Arts tutor can provide creative suggestions. 

Please contact us if you would like to join the group and receive art materials, as new members are always welcome.