Issue 57 Spring 2012

Step into Volunteering!Step into Volunteering!

Issue 57

The newsle er for voluntary organisa ons and community groups in Rhondda Cynon TafThe newsle er for voluntary organisa ons and community groups in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Vince Price developed Cynon Valley Crime Preven on Associa on into a highly successful social enterprise in areas including community safety and home insula on, as well as developing a successful charity arm.

However, what they had in common was their belief in the capacity of the voluntary sector to make a diff erence in communi es, and a willingness to always be on hand to help others.

..... to the Spring edi on of Interlink’s Newsle er. If you would like to contribute to the next issue please send your ar cles, informa on, job vacancies or adver sements by: 10 August 2012 to Cara Jordan-Evans at Interlink by E-mail: cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk

If you require any ar cles translated into Welsh or any

other format please get in touch.

In this issue we have:

Interlink News 2Volunteering 3-5Engagement Gateway 6-8

Learn RCT 9SEE Change 10Training 11Health & Social Care 12-13Local News 14-15Social Enterprise 16

Our address:6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff RoadUpper Boat, PontypriddCF37 5BE

Telephone number:01443 846200

Fax: 01443 844843E-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk

Website:www.interlinkrct.org.uk

Offi ce opening mes are:Monday - Thursday: 9.00am - 5.00pmFriday: 9.00am - 4.30pm

Welcome

Page 2

Interlink News Interlink News

Interlink would like to thank Thea Lewis and Vince Price for their incredible service to the voluntary sector over many years, and their commitment as Interlink trustees. They represented very diff erent sides of the Sector.

Thea Lewis worked relessly and in an unpaid capacity with Pontypridd Talking News and the Women’s Ins tute, also ac ng as Interlink’s Treasurer.

Interlink says farewell to Thea Lewis and Vince Price

Thea Lewis

Vince Price

The voluntary sector in RCT owes them a huge debt, and Interlink will be all the poorer following their ‘re rement’ from the Execu ve Board.

Andrew Rowlands has been with Interlink only 7 months but made a signifi cant impact in that short me as Social Enterprise Offi cer, bringing a more

business focused approach to Interlink new Social Enterprise Service. Unfortunately for Interlink, Andrew’s personal circumstances meant he has emigrated to Canada, and we wish him every success in the future. His place has been taken by Meriel ...

Goodbye Andrew Rowlands and hello to Meriel . . .

... a er two years on WCVA’s ESF funded Engagement Gateway project. I am very excited about this new role as it will enable me to help organisa ons and individuals develop their Social Enterprise ideas into fully fl edged businesses benefi ng communi es in RCT. I have experience of working in successful business roles and assis ng groups and enterprises.

There is a fund a ached to my post: SEWCED - a European Regional Development Fund that aims to build economic sustainable communi es. This project off ers both revenue and capital support. I look forward to working with you and your Social Enterprise ideas in the near future.

‘Together we will achieve!’For further informa on contact me by E-mail: mgough-rogers@interlinkrct.org.uk

Social Enterprise Forum25 April 2012

9.30am - 12.30pmInterlink

Contact Ken Moon

Mental Health Forumand AGM

24 May 201210.00am - 12.00pm

Contact Maria Abson

HSCWB, CYD and MHJoint Event14 June 2012

9.30am - 12.30pmColeg Morgannwg

LlwynypiaContact Anne Morris or

Maria Prosser

Money and Advice Market

Friday 6 July 201210.00am - 1.00pmPontypridd YMCAContact Kath Price

Mental Health Forum24 July 2012

10.00am - 12.00pmContact Maria Abson

For more ‘dates for your diary’ check out the

‘What’s On’ sec on on our website

www.interlinkrct.org.uk

Volunteering

Dates for your Diary

Page 3

Rhondda Cynon Taf Volunteer Centre has two main func ons. The fi rst involves suppor ng voluntary organisa ons in RCT and the second is to support volunteers.

We support voluntary organisa ons to develop quality volunteer management prac ces by providing quality advice, informa on, support and training.

We have a trained Inves ng In Volunteers assessor and advisor as part of the team.

We also support organisa ons to recruit volunteers by publicising the volunteering opportuni es they have available.

The second part of our role involves suppor ng poten al volunteers, by iden fying appropriate volunteering opportuni es, matching their skills, interests, future plans and life experience to opportuni es and referring them to an organisa on of their choice.

The Volunteer Centre also organises the Volunteers Awards Evening, which celebrates volunteering and the achievements of volunteers in RCT. It is wonderful to see so many volunteers get together and celebrate the diversity of their roles and to acknowledge the impact volunteering has in our community.

RCT Volunteer Centre

To make an appointment to meet with someone from the volunteering team call Interlink on 01443 846200 .

Chris ne SamThomas

To make it easier for poten al volunteers we have outreach in diff erent venues around RCT:

Monday morning at Interlink in Upper Boat with Chris or Sam.

Monday morning at Porth Library with Thomas.

Tuesday morning at Llantrisant Library (based in Llantrisant Leisure Centre) with Chris.

Wednesday morning in Treorchy Library with Thomas.

Friday morning in Aberdare Library with Chris.

Friday morning in Pontypridd Library with Thomas.

Volunteering

Page 4

If you know a volunteer, or a group of volunteers who are making a real diff erence to people’s lives, or the community they live in, now is the me to show your apprecia on by nomina ng them for the Interlink Volunteer Awards 2012.

This year the event will be held on 15 June 2012 at Abercwmboi Rugby Club, Aberdare.

It’s important to get your entries in as early as possible, as invita ons to the Volunteers Celebra on Evening will be awarded on a fi rst come fi rst served basis, with priority given to organisa ons who have never a ended the event.

Last year’s event saw 130 volunteers and guests celebrate the impact they have in RCT with an evening that consisted of a presenta on ceremony (every volunteer nominated receives a cer fi cate), a two course meal, live entertainment and a disco.

The winner of the Norah Huxley award for outstanding achievement will be selected by the audience, from a short list of three via an electronic vo ng system on the night.

So don’t miss out in 2012, if you want your volunteers to a end this year’s event on 15 June 2012 get your entries in as soon as possible (deadline of 11 May 2012).

Interlink Volunteers Celebra on Evening 2012

Nomina on forms are available to download via our website www.interlinkrct.org.uk or E-mail: lbaker@interlinkrct.org.uk or in hard copy via 01443 846200.

One form is already enclosed.

GTRA - winners of the Norah Huxley award 2011

Considering volunteering? Feel free training and 1 to 1 support would be benefi cial? Then Uncle Sam is here to help. Sound too good to be true? Well it’s not!

The Wales Volunteering project is specifi cally opento those with mental health condi ons or physical disabili es, so it’s not everyone. But for those of you, or more likely your clients - who do fi t the criteria, we will be rolling out a full package of support from 2 April.

This is a fantas c opportunity to enter volunteering, especially with the challenges in the job market. In a very diffi cult me for all, it is those furthest from gaining work who are being hit the hardest. We intend to change that. Sam can’t promise any grand success, or a guaranteed job at the end, but he will help make your CV much healthier, help increase your skills and knowledge and support your job applica ons with a fresh set of skills.

Uncle Sam needs you! Or rather you need Uncle Sam

The training off ered by this project will be key- skills based, off ering sessions on subjects like confi dence, me management, asser veness and managing stress. This will all be hosted at Inter-link, and completely free to the volunteer.

We can off er addi onal 1-1 support to get you established in the voluntary placement, and a refi ned matchmaking process to insure that every-one comes away with a placement that is right for them.

Star ng something new can be a bit scary, so there will be on-going support every step of the way un l you feel comfortable in your new role.

Sounds awesome Sam, where do I go next?

Well you can drop Sam a line on 01443 846200or E-mail him at sgriffi ths@Interlinkrct.org.uk.

Volunteering

Page 5

30 local young heroes from Rhondda Cynon Taf were recognised at Interlink’s Vol Factor celebra on evening, held at the Feelgood Factory in Abercynon, on 20 March 2012.

The event was held to celebrate the contribu ons volunteers aged 16-25 made to the seven projects which received grants from Interlink’s Youth-Led Grant scheme, known as The Vol Factor, in 2011-12. Par cipants gave brief presenta ons explaining their projects, and received cer fi cates from Interlink’s Chief Execu ve, Simon James.

Young Heroes Recognised at Vol Factor Celebra on EveningFunded by GwirVol, the Welsh Assembly partnership promo ng Youth Volunteering, the Vol Factor’s panel of four handed out a total of £4800 to schemes as diverse as Teckno UK, a street dance project run by Maerdy Kidz R Us, a brand new project establishing Blind and Par ally Sighted Youth Groups, coordinated by Cardiff Vales and Valleys/RNIB Cymru, RCT People First’s Daerwonno Project, and award winning Youth Theatre sessions ran by students from Ysgol Y Pant.

Also successful in receiving funding were Fernhill Youth Project’s Halloween Ghost trip, and Drink Awareness and Confi dence Building projects ran by Rathbone UK in Pontypridd and Aberdare.

Thomas Crocke , Interlink’s Youth Volunteering Advisor, said, ‘Once again the panel has done terrifi cally well to allocate money to such a range of excellent projects, and their eff orts were recognized recently by an internal piece of research into Youth-Lead grants in Wales. The young people’s enthusiasm for their projects came across loud and clear in our Celebra on Evening, so I am delighted to say that we have secured funding for the scheme once again for 2012/13.’

GwirVol is pleased to announce the launch of the 2012-2013 round 1 youth volunteering grants.

The aim of the GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants scheme is to support the delivery of a wide range of new volunteering opportuni es in Wales and overseas that will support the steep change in access to volunteering for young people aged 14-25 and especially for disadvantaged young people. The GwirVol grant scheme off ers fi ve diff erent strands of funding.

Crea ng Opportuni es: For organisa ons looking to create new youth volunteering projects.

Promo ons: For organisa ons looking to promote the benefi ts or challenge the percep ons of volunteering to young people or about young people to their local communi es.

GwirVol Grants 2012-2013

Interna onal: For organisa ons looking to develop overseas volunteering opportuni es that benefi t young people and their communi es in Wales as well.

Millennium Volunteers: For organisa ons looking to recognise the commitment young people give to volunteering through off ering the 200 hour award of excellence.

How to apply: You can get more informa on and download the applica on forms and guidance at:

www.gwirvol.org/en/grants/

The deadline for applica ons is 2.00pm on Wednesday 13 June 2012.

For further informa on on the Vol Factor grant scheme, please contact Thomas Crocke on 01443 846200, or by E-mail: tcrocke @interlinkrct.org.uk.

GwirVol also runs the StreetGames grants which are open all year with no closing date. Go to www.StreetGames.org grants now!

Engagement Gateway

Page 6

This Engagement Gateway project seeks to provide valuable supported work experience in a commercial warehousing environment, off ering opportuni es to develop transferable skills, life skills, confi dence, mo va on and obtain credit based qualifi ca ons, improving their prospects of becoming economically ac ve and closer to employment.

Jamie Williams is 23 from Tonyrefail He le school with several GCSEs, a ended college to study pain ng and decora ng and has worked in Rees Davies and The Longbow, Llantrisant, as a Kitchen Assistant. Job Centre Plus informed Jamie about RCT Homes Engagement Gateway project where he plans to stay for the next 6 months. Since joining the Gateway project Jamie has completed a Health and Safety Cer fi cate and has received Construc on Skills Cer fi cate Scheme (CSCS) training. He has also been involved in pain ng fl ats, drilling and plastering. Jamie acknowledges the Gateway project has improved his confi dence and he looks forward to his new found skills fi nding him work as a painter and decorator.

RCT Homes Engagement Gateway Project January 2012Douglas Holland Whi aker is 40 and also from Tonyrefail. He has taken part in various schemes and volunteering (specifi cally with Grow of Pontypridd) since leaving school and is now taking part in RCT Homes Gateway project for the next 6 months. He has received CSCS, Health and Safety and First Aid training. Douglas has been ac ve in ge ng windows ready to be cut up for recycling and delivering kitchens for Richmonds whilst on his Gateway project – real work experience!

Jonathan Davies is 19 years old and lives in Ynyshir. Jonathan le school with a few GCSEs and went to college to do a BTEC in Construc on for a year. He then linked in with Hi-Tec in Porth and learnt plastering, ling, maths, english and science. Since joining RCT Homes Engagement Gateway project Jonathan has learnt about glass recycling and had fi rst-hand experience of pain ng fl ats in several Valley’s communi es. Jonathan has also completed First Aid and Health and Safety Cer fi cates.

Douglas says: ‘It’s good being here –you enjoy yourself! I am looking forward to the grass cu ng season that starts in March –I’ll be out a lot –I like being outside! RCT Homes has given me experience of going outside on the vans with grass cu ng, I’ve taught new guys how to use the tools and I’ve been a Team Leader. They’ve helped me with my Health and Safety, First Aid and just helped me build my skills!’

Of the Gateway project Jamie says:‘It’s good to be ac ve and I enjoy ge ng along with new people. This course helps you get work, you get more confi dent and it’s enjoyable!’

Engagement Gateway

Page 7

Jonathan says, ‘This project is ok- I haven’t really seen everything yet, I look forward to coming here, I like pain ng and cleaning in the Council houses and enjoy being with the people in the team. It’s fun learning, I’m beginning to be more myself and less shy! I am thinking about working for myself but it is the cost. I would go back to college to learn construc on, do a bit of everything! You’re ge ng used to people in the community really, over four hours per day, I do four days a week on this project’.

Wade Maiden lives in Pontygwaith and is 19 years old. Before star ng on the Gateway project Wade completed a BTEC fi rst Diploma Level 2 in Engineering. The A4E Agency (through the Government) found him a placement with RCT Council where he learnt Landscape Gardening, First Aid, IT Compu ng Level 1, but then he could not fi nd a job. Since joining the Gateway with RCT Homes he has completed First Aid, CSCS and Health and Safety training, learnt about and experienced preparing window glass and plas c for recycling and pain ng Council fl ats.

Wade has aspira ons to own his own business in general construc on (brick laying, gardening).‘I will go to college/further learning to help. I could paint before I started here as I learnt with the Council. I now have an appe te to work, there are nice people here, I mix well with them – a good team! The people I am here with on the project have a friendly a tude, it’s a good working environment and good quality learning. I also want to do a food hygiene cer fi cate. I used to distribute leafl ets and I’ve been back and forth to factories every two weeks giving in my CV. I cannot stand it on the dole. At least I have something to do now!’

Opportuni es at ToogoodtowasteToogoodtowaste’s Engagement Gateway project provides work based learning, training and volunteering within retail, customer care and a call centre in a community re-use and recycling service based in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Sean Evans is 22 years old from Maerdy. A er school Sean joined A4E and completed various courses including a mini appren ceship plastering course, and a sports course in Trebanog. Sean went to college and gained a Level 2 Cer fi cate in Plumbing. Via Manpower he had a Care Assistant placement for 6 months but it was not the job for him. Sean has been on the Gateway project at Toogoodtowaste since November 2011 and during that me he has

learnt about customer service and has completed a Health and Safety qualifi ca on. His confi dence has increased whilst using the telephone and in face to face conversa on.

Of the Toogoodtowaste Gateway project Sean says ‘I want to be in retail – to see how far I can go. My experience so far is that the Gateway course is defi nitely worthwhile! It is a great opportunity – you can learn about Health and Safety and that could take you a long way. I’ve recommended this project to all my friends and family, here you can get experience – the overall result is a paid job!

Engagement Gateway

Page 8

Alison Williams is 17 years old from Pontygwaith and went to College to study beauty therapy but did not enjoy it. Alison has been on Toogoodtowaste’s Engagement Gateway project since November 2011. Whilst on the Gateway project she has learnt how to answer the telephone, serve customers and operate the ll, and so far has achieved Health and Safety and Manual Handling qualifi ca ons.

Alison says ‘I am more confi dent around people! I am a lot happier and feel a bit more grown up, more capable, more reliable! I want to go back to college to do Maths GCSE to get a job or appren ceship. Toogoodtowaste are awesome! Brilliant! Everyone is friendly and helpful, they explain and help you through everything. It’s good here because everyone is friendly!’

Catherine Lewis is 32 years old from Clydach Vale and is a single mother of two teenage children, she now has more me to look for work. Catherine linked in with A4E via the Job Centre in Tonypandy and then joined the Gateway project. Since taking part in the Gateway she has been based in Toogoodtowaste’s Call Centre answering the telephone, inpu ng data on to the computer and general admin du es and has completed Manual Handling and IOSH Health and Safety Cer fi cate since star ng the project in October 2011.

Of the Gateway project Liz says ‘A very posi ve experience, it gives you the chance to look into the future with hope! Toogoodtowaste are really lovely, Jennifer Evans could not be more suppor ve and understanding. I have spoken to a couple of people about the possibility of them joining the Gateway project. There is no such thing as a useless cer fi ca on!’

Liz Jones is 31 years old from Pontypridd, and is a single mum of an 8 year old child. ‘I was looking for a job – I am a trained Pharmacy Dispenser and most of my work experience has been in retail. I am currently looking for work in retail or offi ce work.’ Liz has been on Toogoodtowaste’s Gateway project since May 2011 and has completed Customer Service and Manual Handling qualifi ca ons. Liz recognises the Gateway project has provided another layer to her confi dence and more structure in her diary. Liz says it is easy to get into a rut and fi ll your me with looking for work and doing the house work.

Of the Gateway project Catherine says,‘My confi dence has improved and I have developed skills in the Call Centre work. I would like to fi nd work. I was always bored in the house, I think the children see me more posi ve now that I’m working at Toogoodtowaste. I recommend them to my family, it’s a really good environment, helping people into work and helping people on benefi t who need furniture.

Leanne Says ‘Before my son was born I worked in a factory building components for fi re ex nguishers. My son is now 13 years old. I started this Gateway project in January 2012. I am on the switch board answering the telephone, fi lling in paperwork for customer collec ons. I have completed a Health and Safety qualifi ca on and have much more confi dence. I feel happier in myself because I am not stuck inside the house. Toogoodtowaste treat you like part of the family, they are a very friendly bunch. My eyes have opened to the possibility of what’s next!’

Leanne Wait is 33 years old from Wa stown. The Job Centre referred Leanne to Interlink’s Volunteer Centre who in turn referred Leanne to Toogoodtowaste’s Gateway project.

Catherine

More Opportuni es at Toogoodtowaste

Learn RCT

Page 9

Over the year, the LEARN RCT Project has been providing unemployed and economically inac ve people with the support needed to enter into volunteering, employment or learning.

The project has worked with par cipants all over RCT, making links with a number of diff erent partners with some fantas c success stories.

Everyone who has taken part has been off ered 1:1, tailored support to suit their individual needs, with ongoing encouragement from Jenny, the LEARN RCT Advisor at every step of the way.

Zoe had been unemployed for over a year. A er an intermi ent work history and leaving school early, she felt frustrated and unsure of what to do next. A er mee ng Jenny, Zoe decided she would like to go back to college to improve her literacy and numeracy, however, felt that the applica on process was just too complicated and worrying. With the support off ered through the project, fi lling out college applica on forms, helping with interview prepara on, a ending the enrolment session and fi nally fi nding fi nancial support, Zoe is now studying part- me, 2 ½ days a week, to improve her own basic skills and also her prospects for her future career.

Learn RCT ProjectMiles had been out of work for around 10 years. Being out of the job market for so long had knocked his confi dence in his ability to an extremely low level. He felt incompetent to look for work and was unsure of his own ability. As a way of boos ng his skills and confi dence, Miles agreed to discuss the opportuni es available for voluntary work. A er agreeing to try it out, Miles started volunteering in a charity shop in a local hospital, where he hasn’t looked back.

Miles now feels confi dent enough to start a computer course and has started to apply for jobs, a er comple ng a CV with Jenny.

In order to take part in the project, individuals need to be 16 and over, unemployed or economically inac ve and living in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

If you would like to fi nd out more about the project and how it can help you please contact

Jenny Thomas on 01443 846200 or alterna vely E-mail: jthomas@interlinkrct.org.uk.

Zoe said of the project ‘me and the advisor got on so well... I am really enjoying the course and feel posi ve about my future now.’

Miles says ‘I feel a lot more able than before… I’m fi er as I’m walking more, I’m talking more, I’m more approachable, I have a be er outlook in life and I’m happier… my father has no ced a diff erence in me since I started volunteering.’

25/04 02/05 09/05 16/05 23/05 30/05

10:00 – 12:30

What is self-esteem and

how can you build it?

What is assertiveness?

Introduction to time

management

Introduction to stress

management

Your personal rights and

self-perception

Setting your own goals

1:00 – 3:30

How to start preparing for an interview

How to use your body Language

Introduction to interview techniques

Interview preparation

– mock interview scenario’s

Introduction to customer

services

Introduction to retail

‘Skills for Learning and Life’ is a free course for unemployed people living in RCT who want to learn new skills in a fun and safe way. This 6 week course takes place 1 day a week and off ers you the chance to learn skills that could help you move forward into work, learning or voluntary work.

For more informa on or to book a place contact Interlink on 01443 846200.

Page 10

SEE Change

See Change are teaming up with a new tutor to deliver a series of crea ve workshops star ng this spring. The sessions will be based around helping people to iden fy the assets and needs of both their community and themselves. Par cipants will be encouraged to take a more holisitc approach and gain the confi dence to make changes where they want them.

New tutor, Emma, has a background in pyschology and is par cularly interested in exploring personal development through crea ve methods. It is hoped that the sessions will allow learners to achieve more of their personal goals as, unlike many courses where mo va on may wane a er the sessions, the See Change team will con nue to support those who want further help with the new ideas they develop.

The approach will use a range of tools to give the group’s work as much meaning as possible and the team are open to sugges ons from outside agencies who would like to contribute. The pilot areas will be Cornerstone Church in Cwmbach and another to be confi rmed shortly. Anyone with an ac ve interest in their community is welcome to come along and take part!

Following the success of last year’s mentoring taster course in Bryncynon’s Feel Good Factory, an Agored Cymru accredited course has been run at Glyncoch Community Centre.

The Journey Begins!A sec on of the course involved focusing on what skills and quali es par cipants had that would be useful when suppor ng others and this proved par cularly enlightening for many learners.

See Change’s Community Development course will follow on immediately from the mentoring training, allowing learners to put their new insights into a community context and look at suppor ng people who may face barriers to ge ng involved.

One lady commented ‘I never realised how much I had to off er before today. Now I feel more confi dent that I can support someone who’s been through a similar experience to me and show them that things can get be er’.

Mentoring Training

For more informa on about SEE Change courses contact Kelly Daniel by E-mail: kdaniel@interlinkrct.org.uk or Helen Green by E-mail: hgreen@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 01443 846200.

The Re red and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) engages people of 50 years in the life of their community through volunteering. As a recognised na onal delivery partner in the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Older People, with over 20 years experience of delivering quality projects for older people in Wales, RSVP is now delivering a new project based in Rhondda Cynon Taf called ‘Welcome Friends.’

Welcome Friends are looking to recruit volunteers (all ages please!!) to support and ‘buddy’ older people who need that extra bit of help to become involved in their community, by joining new clubs,

Local Volunteering - RSVP’s ‘Welcome Friends’ Projector renewing old friendships and making new ones. Volunteering is at the heart of Welcome Friends. RSVP have long supported people staying independent in their homes and taking a part in their community. Welcome Friends hopes to achieve this by helping older people become more involved in their communi es. Which helps to improve health and wellbeing. Volunteers will be supported, and hopefully your volunteering will change your life as well, by gaining new friends, and inves ng your me in your community.

Contact Lindsay on 07788310445 or E-mail: lmhumphreys.rsvp@hotmail.co.uk.

Infl uencing People Who Work in Local and Na onal Government17 April 20129.30am - 12.30pm

First Aid19 April 20129.30am - 4.30pm

So Skills and Distance Travelled20 April 20129.30am - 1.30pm

Sexual Health - Engaging with Young People26 & 27 April 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Social Media Networking3 May 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Securing Finance: How to Generate Income Through Traiding10 May 20129.30am - 12.30pm

How to Engage People in Learning11 May 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Get to Grips with RBA (Results Based Accountability)15 May 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Person Centred Crea vity17 May 20129.30am - 4.30pm

How to Get What You Want in Your Community18 May 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Sexual Health Founda on Course25 May 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Community Development Level 27, 14, 21 June 20129.30am - 4.00pm

Finance Training11 June 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Introduc on to Tendering (1)26 June 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Reduc on of Suicide and Self-Harm in Children and Young People Level 23 July 20129.30am - 4.30pm

Facilita on Skills4 July 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Commi ee Skills9 July 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Data Protec on12 July 20129.30am - 12.30pm

Check out our training programme on our website for even more courses!

Broaden your horizons ..... with Interlink training

All courses held at Interlink unless otherwise stated. For more informa on call 01443 846200 or visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk

to download a training programme and booking form.

Training

Page 11

Health and Social Care

Page 12

Rhondda Breast Friends celebrated their fi rst year of the Centre being offi cially opened in October 2010. A Celebra on party was held for members, supporters and those in partnership with RBF. This celebra on was extra special as it fi ed in with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Month. The party was well a ended.

Since employing staff at the Centre, we have taken on two new volunteers this year, Jodi Williams and Joan Jones. Jodi comes to us from Coleg Morgannwg on a voluntary placement for her ‘Skill Build Course’. Joan Jones comes to us from George Thomas Hospice. Both Jodi and Joan volunteer their services through the week.

Over the last year our members have been growing in number and gaining more from RBF through the new services that have been developed. These being Counselling, Complementary Therapies, Arts and Cra s and Medita on and Relaxa on Classes. We have also recently set up a computer class that runs once a week for our ladies. We are also looking to start light exercise classes. These sessions are to help support our members and give them a chance to take some me to have a li le bit of fun, laughter and someone

to listen, which can make a huge diff erence in their every day life and their needs when aff ected by cancer.

Our Mission Statement for RBF states, ‘To help all those aff ected by cancer’, so this year RBF will be opening the Centre to all cancers and genders. This will hopefully increase knowledge and support for the many out there who are ba ling with this disease. Whether a person is a carer or has been diagnosed with cancer, RBF are looking to support these people. Organisa ons such as Macmillan, will be working with us in this new venture.

Rhondda Breast Friends Celebrate First Year Success!RBF have printed their second Calendar, which runs alongside the theme of the Olympic Sports being held in August. Our members had a lot of fun developing the Calendar at the photo shoots and are looking great. Along with the Calendar we have produced RBF wristbands. If you would like a wrist band, please contact the Centre on 01443 687556 or just drop in to the Rhondda Breast Friends Centre. The wristbands are a suggested dona on of £2 each.

Fundraising is also extremely important to RBF as it helps to keep the Centre open. During 2011 we had several events such as ‘Nothings Gonna Stop Us’ Concert, ‘The Big Bite’ in Pontypridd, ‘Porth Carnival’ and lots of various dona ons from people who had gone to extraordinary lengths to raise money for us. This year we are compiling more ways to raise money through events such as ‘Walking On Sunshine’ Concert and ‘Ladies Only Evening.’ We also have a ‘Ladies Driving Skills’ and ‘Put Your Breast Foot Forward 10 Mile All Terrain Walk’ to look forward to with many more local events within the community.

These events are put on by our supporters and we are really grateful for all their me and energy given freely to RBF to help us help others. These events are just the start of 2012 as we have so many more events we are looking to take part in.

Thank you to every one who has supported RBF over the years and who are s ll suppor ng us, we are looking forward to 2012 with you all.

For more informa on please see our website www.rhonddabreas riends.org.uk or visit our

Facebook page: Rhondda Breast Friendsor contact Rachel Holland 01443 687556

or E-mail: rachel@rhonddabreas riends.org.uk

d i i i l l i

Joan Jones and Jodi Williams

Health and Social Care

Page 13

Crystal Trophy Awards 2011High Praise For Community Groups at Health Challenge Wales’ Crystal Trophy Awards 2011.

Community groups promo ng healthy lifestyles and preven ng ill-health in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfi l have been celebrated and rewarded at this year’s Crystal Trophy Awards. The event, organised by Cwm Taf’s Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnerships in conjunc on with Health Challenge Wales was held on 28 March 2012. The Crystal Trophy Awards aim to recognise and reward the achievements of local groups and organisa ons who are working to improve health and wellbeing across RCT and Merthyr Tydfi l. They celebrate community projects and ac vi es that contribute to the delivery of health improvement, as well as the sustainable processes for involving and engaging communi es such as volunteering.

A large number of extremely high quality applica ons were submi ed this year making the judging process very diffi cult. Four worthy winners were selected, each winning a prize fund of £1000. One of the four was then selected to receive the coveted Crystal Trophy itself.

Rhondda Food Bank was the overall winner receiving the Crystal Trophy. This project, launched in November 2009 provides emergency, nutri ous food parcels free of charge to individuals and families in short term crisis.

It only takes a delay in benefi ts, an unexpected bill or redundancy to plunge many people into crisis unable to buy basic food. Most of the food stock they distribute comes from collec on days at local supermarkets along with dona ons from schools and churches. A family in need are able to have a food parcel delivered within 24 hours containing food to last them three days. The project relies heavily on volunteers to distribute and collect the food. Rhondda Food Bank has fed over 1600 people since its launch, 40% of whom were children.

FADS Family Service, is an organisa on which helps to relieve poverty, sickness and distress for people who are aff ected by or who are dependent on drugs, alcohol and other substances, it provides a professional counselling and informa on and advice service along with an educa on programme that goes out to local schools raising awareness of addic on and health risks. FADS also off ers a 24 hour telephone helpline 01685 814900.

Tonyrefail Play Partnership provides school holiday play schemes for children that promotes freely chosen, self-directed play sessions essen al to the health and physical, social and emo onal wellbeing development of children. The schemes allow children the opportunity to experience play that they would not necessarily have at home or school, building confi dence, self-esteem and self-worth.

The Willows Centre in Merthyr Tydfi l’s winning project aims to tackle social isola on and improve the fi tness levels and wellbeing of older people. With an ac ve group of volunteers, many of them younger people from the local youth forum, they hold tea dances and a ernoon teas where people can meet and make friends, enjoy and benefi t from exercise through sequence dancing and have access to a wealth of informa on and support.

Rob Morgan from the Food Bank said, ‘we rely heavily on volunteers to run our service and have just taken on our fi rst volunteer from Interlink.’

Rhondda Food Bank

Local News

Page 14

Calling all community groups and support workers!

Do you run small community social get-togethers? Or do you support people in

their home?

Why not add in some entertainment - let’s re-invent the video! Toogoodtowaste now

have hundreds of videos available for re-use at their charity shops in Ynyshir and Aberaman. Whilst

many people have moved into DVDs these videos are s ll toogoodtowaste! Could local community

groups have a small video library available within their centres, and exchange regularly with

toogoodtowaste. If you are interested in sharing this community

resource contact Lynda Davies at toogoodtowaste by E-mail: lynda@toogoodtowaste.co.uk

Rhondda Listening Friends Self Help Group

We started in February 2009 and meet at St. Johns Church Hall at Ton-Pentre. We provide a comfortable confi den al se ng, to share our experiences or take part in ac vi es such as pain ng, kni ng, crochet, line dancing, quizzes etc.

We look upon the group as being a preven ve measure to stop people becoming unwell, as we can off er advice to one another. The Group does make a diff erence to the people of the Rhondda.

We are open on Mondays from 11.00am to 3.00pm you can stay for as long as we are open. Refreshments are available.

For more informa on E-mail: prufranks@gmail.com

A er an extraordinary fi ve week campaign Glyncoch, in South Wales, will fi nally get the community centre it has dreamed of for seven years.

We've had everything from a sponsored silence by the town cha erbox, and baths of baked beans, to a dona on from a Welsh descendant in Patagonia.

The town’s spirit has inspired everyone from Stephen Fry and Griff Rhys Jones, to the Welsh Rugby heroes, whose captain Sam Warbuton called the campaign ‘another victory for team Wales.’

Then this week, with just 10 days le before the community's grants expired, Tesco and the Moondance Founda on - a charitable fund set up by the founder of Admiral Insurance - stepped up with pledges of £10,000 each.

Great News for Glyncoch Community

Th hi k i h j 10 d l b f h

As the picture below suggests, Glyncoch is thrilled. The new centre will be fi nished this summer, providing a springboard to opportuni es at a me when the town is ba ling unemployment.

But what just happened isn't just good news for an ex-mining town tucked in the Valleys.

Glyncoch has hinted at a be er way of doing regenera on: fast, fun and powered by people.

Whether it's community centres, parks, or revitalised high streets, Spacehive’s refreshing new way of doing things is ready to transform a public space near you.

For more informa on about this project visith p://spacehive.com/Blog/Details/16

Local News

Page 15

The sun shone down recently on the success of a community ac on group in Hawthorn, Pontypridd, as they unveiled the newly refurbished park between Laurel Avenue and Hawthorn Crescent.

The park was reopened on Saturday 22 October during a ceremony fi lled with music and the happy sound of children playing.

The day started with a procession, led by local band the Ilan Diamonds Jazz Band, from the yet to be refurbished Ynysycorrwg Park, around to the new park. Local Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Ac on Group, Mrs Teressa Bates offi cially opened the park with support from the Town Mayor, Mr Steve Carter, and Councillor Robert Bevan, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recrea on and Tourism.

The refurbishment work was completed in order to provide childen and parents in the community with a space they can enjoy and socialise in, to enhance community spirit as well as encourage outdoor play. Local children were invited to take part in the offi cial opening with Maisie Briggs and Lucas Price taking the honour of pulling the cloth from the sign.

Sunshine and Celebra ons for the Community of PontypriddThe music then con nued throughout the a ernoon, with the Ilan Diamonds Jazz Band entertaining the crowd of local parents and their children with a display of their skills.

During the opening event, residents also had the opportunity to complete a survey concerning their thoughts about the park, pick up informa on about the next fund-raising event for the second park and volunteer to help supervise the parks.

The total refurbishment cost of £49,000 has been raised by the hard work of a band of local residents, together with grants from Biff award, the Police Property Act Fund and the Comic Relief programme.

The Park has already had its fi rst school group visit when the Eco Council from Hawthorn Primary came over to see the new equipment and how local volunteers are helping to keep it clean and dy. They also had a go on the new equipment!

The Playground Ac on Group will be con nuing their work in raising funds to help re-furbish the second playground at Ynyscorrwg for the benefi t of the older children and will con nue to look a er both parks in the future.

Thanking the local residents who had put so much hard work into raising funds for the refurbishment of the park, Mrs Bates said,‘The much needed playground is the result of a lot of hard work put in by a small but dedicated team, which I know will be appreciated by the children of the area as there has been virtually no equipment for them to play on for some me. We are all very grateful to Biff award for their help and generosity to this community.’

l d A G ill b i th i

For further details on the work of the group, contact Cathy Lisles on 07890 144096 or E-mail: cathy.lisles@tesco.net.

Next Issue: September 2012

Registered Charity No.: 1141143Company Limited by Guarantee No.: 07549533

Energising Communi es with Enterprising Communi es

As a part of the European funded Enterprising Communi es project Interlink has been helping local groups explore ways to cut their energy bills and generate an addi onal income through renewable energy.

The Enterprising Communi es project engages with organisa ons and individuals across West Wales and the Valleys, off ering advice and support to those wan ng to run a social enterprise.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government, the project is managed by WCVA and is being delivered locally through Wales’ network of county voluntary councils.

At a me of rising energy bills Interlink has taken a lead on working with groups to provide support and guidance on how they can reduce their organisa on’s running costs. With a grant from the Environment Wales Sustainable Livelihoods grant scheme Interlink has been running a project en tled ‘community buildings in transi on’ aimed at changing how community groups manage energy use within their community buildings. This project runs un l the end of March 2012 and the fi ndings of this work will feed into the second stage of this project rolling out this support to a wider number of groups.

Further funding from the DECC Local Energy Assessment Fund has enabled Interlink to undertake a county wide survey to map the poten al sites for community-led hydro schemes, explored the feasibility of four poten al hydro schemes in the communi es of Cwm Clydach, Glyncoch, Treforest, and Treorchy. Four community energy assessments have been undertaken looking at the energy use in community buildings and homes to reduce energy bills and explore further opportuni es for funding and energy genera on. The Arts Factory will also produce a community energy guide for RCT to help groups communicate the benefi ts of community energy in their area.

This work is directly suppor ng communi es in the county and providing a wider strategic vision to enable the voluntary sector in RCT make the most of local resources.

Simon James, Interlink Chief Execu ve, said, ‘It’s fantas c to be working in these brilliant communi es. This funding will help us all to work together to support local residents and local groups to cut their energy bills and generate an income at a me of rising energy costs and cuts in public funding.’

For more informa on contact Ken Moon, Social Enterprise Development Offi cer at Interlink on

01443 846200 or E-mail: kmoon@interlinkrct.org.uk.

Phil Jenkins at the Cwm Clydach Hydro System