Supporting and Developing a Vibrant Voluntary Sector
Annual Report 2012 - 2013
Our Vision, Principles and Aims Contents 1
Vision, Principles and Aims
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Achievements and Performance
VISION To support and develop a vibrant voluntary sector in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
3-4 See CHANGE
PRINCIPLES
5-6 Volunteering 7
Young People’s Volunteering
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Wales Volunteering Project / Suppor ng Groups Working with Families
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12-13 Enterprising Communi es SEWCED
15-16 Health, Social Care and Wellbeing 17
To take into account the needs of smaller groups
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To promote equal opportuni es and reach out to those individuals, groups and communi es most in need
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To promote and support volunteering
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To involve and empower communi es, service users, carers and ci zens
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To be responsive to the changing needs of the voluntary sector
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To support and develop partnership working at all levels to deliver be er local services for the benefit of the public
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To enhance and not compete with the work of member organisa ons
Young People’s Par cipa on
10-11 Funding Advice and Support 14
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Mental Health
18-19 Service User Involvement in Mental Health 20
Execu ve Commi ee Members
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Staff Team
22-24 Accounts 25-26 Interlink Membership
OUR AIMS
THEMES Our five key themes for 2012-13 were: • Values - we will promote the values of the Sector • Innova on - we will do things differently • Influence - we will make change happen • Partnership - we will work together • Skills and Training - we will build skills and knowledge
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ENABLE - to provide high quality advice, guidance and support.
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VOICE - to improve services through empowering ci zens, communi es and voluntary organisa ons.
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VOLUNTEERING - to promote, encourage and develop volunteering and economic ac vity.
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PROFILE - to raise the profile of the essen al contribu on of the voluntary sector to the delivery of services.
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DELIVER - to be a pro-ac ve effec ve organisa on.
Achievements and Performance April 2012 to March 2013 I am pleased to say Interlink has had a successful year over 2012/13 with a growing demand for our help and support. There have been big changes in the sector, with possibly the biggest being the changes to the Communi es First programme, which has led to Interlink having to provide more support to more communi es than ever before. This may be only the start of significant changes that will be forced on the sector as a result of the proposed cuts in public funding. However, what we have learnt is that we have excep onal communi es in Rhondda Cynon Taf and incredible community and voluntary groups. I am really pleased with the way that Interlink volunteers, staff and trustees have worked together with service users, our members and our wider partners. It is only by working together that we can tackle the challenges ahead and help to make sure that communi es in RCT con nue to be such amazing places where incredible people make things happen.
Key successes during the year include: Enterprising Communi es Supports community and voluntary groups. Groups were supported with funding bids; legal structures and cons tu ons and helped with business planning and good governance. The project has also been instrumental in a ground breaking approach working with communi es to develop the community micro-hydro poten al in RCT, this project provided 113 groups with advice and support.
The Involvement Project Supports service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evalua on of mental health services across RCT and Merthyr Tydfil. As part of the INFORM project, six digital stories were collected and wri en for a mental health awareness training pack for people working in primary care.
See CHANGE ‘Empowering Ac ve Communi es in RCT’ has con nued to grow and develop suppor ng individual learners, community groups and the public sector. This includes engagement and consulta on to produce ‘Involving People’ the RCT Public Engagement Strategy, talking to over 400 people.
Making the Connec ons The project supports the third sector to get involved in delivering public services. It’s focus has been public engagement and working with the Local Service Board to develop the Single Integrated Plan. The highlights included the successful development of ‘Involving People’ the RCT Public Engagement Strategy and developing the Community Voice programme.
Developing Skills through Training The Interlink Training Programme delivered over 50 courses with 575 par cipants during 2012/13, with 98% ra ng our training as very good or excellent.
South East Wales Community Economic Development
Networks and Fora
This project supports economic regenera on, suppor ng people through the applica on process. Groups that have been awarded a grant from the SEWCED Grant and assisted by Interlink include Aberaman Motorcycle Club, Aberdare Rugby Club, AX Music, Cleanstream Carpets, Cra of Hearts, Dylan’s Den, Mountain Ash Golf Club, Rowan Tree Cancer Care and Spectacle Theatre. The project supported a total of 50 groups over the year.
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Wales Volunteer Project The Wales Volunteering project has successfully completed its first year, providing support and assistance to 49 individuals who require extra support looking to enter volunteering.
Our main networks and forums support during 2012-13 were: Health Social Care and Wellbeing Forum Mental Health Forum Children and Young People’s Development Network Social Enterprise Forum
The Interlink AGM and conference ‘Partnerships with a Purpose’ took place at Coleg Morgannwg’s Nantgarw Campus. Ma Wya was extremely well received as he explained how we need to appreciate and value older people and not treat people as vulnerable but as assets. It was a hugely successful event.
Student Volunteering The Volunteer Centre have been successful in developing closer rela onships with the University of Glamorgan and suppor ng students into volunteer placements, which has led to over 50 students being placed in community organisa ons in RCT.
Jean Harrington Chair, Interlink
Simon James Chief Execu ve Officer
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Informa on, on,Support Support and Funding Informa and Funding See CHANGE Fantas c work has been established with many communi es in RCT and great links have been made with key organisa ons, which has been fundamental to the project’s success. See CHANGE is able to help you as an individual or as a group to have a voice in the decisions that affect you and your community. See CHANGE is a BIG Lo ery funded project. Our aim is to support people to make a real difference and this involves: • Learning with others • Sharing ideas • Ge ng to know how decisions are made • Ge ng other people involved CHANGE can happen when people work together. We deliver training and support in: • Community development and leadership • Community research skills • Campaigning • Community par cipa on • Mentoring • Confidence building
Training Organisa ons iden fied the need for Community Development, Mentoring skills, Par cipa on, Confidence building, Team building, Working together effec vely, Measuring outcomes, Communica on skills, Conflict Management, Safeguarding, Equali es, Basic skills, Interview Techniques and Asser veness courses. See CHANGE helped deliver this training to over 140 community members and volunteers! Glyncoch Community Regenera on - asked See CHANGE to provide training for help to develop their community ‘Health Advocates’ volunteer programme. Following a successful training package the previous year it was iden fied that in depth and accredited mentoring skills training was needed. We met this need by offering one to one sessions to all volunteers and 6 courses were held. Linking with Pedal Power the groups will use their skills on many people with disabili es who access Pedal Power in Cardiff sharing good prac ce.
Support Communi es First - With a new workforce established in every cluster support was requested from See CHANGE in training new staff and volunteers on working together effec vely. Training and one to one support has been given to Perthcelyn and Aberdare clusters.
‘Really informa ve, I like that we did case studies, gave me confidence to use the knowledge. Really enjoyed it.’ Safeguarding par cipant
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See CHANGE Adref - requested See CHANGE to help train service users in par cipa on and community development and help set up a service user group. Adref is a charity aiming to eradicate homelessness and promote independence. QWEST - iden fied the need for mentoring training within their local community groups and See CHANGE helped meet this need by providing 4 courses to over 50 par cipants. QWEST work with communi es to help people learn and grow through skills and learning. ‘The really useful thing for me as a worker was that See CHANGE did all the hard work of se ng the training up and ensuring the tutor knew where the learners were coming from. Thank you See CHANGE!’ QWEST Rhondda Housing Associa on - asked See CHANGE to help support 3 new tenancy groups and a new Health Advocacy project with community development, confidence building and mentoring skills training. Over 36 people a ended and many have proceeded to find work due to their new found confidence.
Community Voice - a successful applica on for just under one million pounds was made to the Na onal Lo ery to deliver the Community Voice programme. The programme will develop the voice of people and communi es in decision making in 7 projects delivered by 6 organisa ons, working with the public sector to improve local services.
Welcome to Our Woods! - See CHANGE worked with local groups including Valleys Kids, Learn and Grow and Communi es First to find out how the community wanted to use their local woodland in Treherbert as one of the Community Voice projects.
‘See CHANGE and in par cular Lucy Foster have been inspira onal in the support to community members and hands on delivery of projects, one of which is a health advocate project at Glyncoch, Pontypridd. Lucy helped to establish the idea of community volunteers receiving training in health ma ers and to monitor health and wellbeing issues in the community, with each volunteer specialising in a par cular aspect of health to be a point of contact for community members. The addi onal benefit of improved self-confidence for volunteers has led one of the groups to start a parent and baby/toddler group with health and wellbeing ac vi es. This group is now organised and run by two volunteers from vulnerable family backgrounds and is itself suppor ng new members in the community which is both amazing and life changing to the community.’ Mark Hu on
Safeguarding f di - See S CHANGE ttookk on the th extra t role l of delivering safeguarding training for vulnerable adults this year. This form of training con nues to be in demand; we have delivered 5 courses funded through the Social Care Workforce Development Partnership and a number of addi onal courses have been delivered as outreach sessions. 4
Volunteering The RCT Volunteer Centre at Interlink promotes volunteering as a means of change. Volunteering changes those who volunteer, the organisa ons they volunteer for and the wider community in RCT. Chris, Thomas and Sam form the Volunteering Team at Interlink and run a variety of projects. The Volunteer Centre brings about these changes in many ways, it supports its member organisa ons to a ain strong, robust, good quality volunteer management systems. We have staff able to help groups provide the best possible support for volunteers through ‘Inves ng in Volunteers’. We help each group to choose which areas of work they wish to improve.
During the evening, the audience select the winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award from three of the most inspira onal stories, shortlisted by a panel of judges. This year’s winner was Douglas Whi akar who volunteers with Grow Enterprise Wales. Doug’s volunteering has taken him from success to success. Prior to volunteering Doug had been unemployed for nearly all of his life but a er being introduced to Grew two years ago, things began to change. Supported by manager Julie Philips, Doug became a vital member of the team.
An amazing 87% of employers think that volunteering can have a generally posi ve effect on career progression for people aged 16-25. However, a further 30% felt that volunteering was only relevant if linked directly to the field of work they were recrui ng for (A tudes and Percep ons, 2008), which highlights another essen al part of our role, ‘matching’ volunteers to the right opportunity.
Volunteer’s Awards 2012 In June Interlink hosted the RCT Volunteer Awards held at Abercwmboi Rugby Club, celebra ng the dedica on and achievement of volunteers throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. This annual event is an opportunity for groups to recognise the difference volunteers make to the organisa on they volunteer for, the communi es they support and to the health and wellbeing of the volunteers themselves.
‘It was wonderful to see so many volunteers together. It’s easy to forget that while you’re doing your li le bit every week, that thousands of volunteers are out there helping so many people in so many different ways. This is a wonderful evening.’ Volunteer
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‘There are a lot of individuals like Douglas, volunteering their me to help good causes throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. We believe that every one of these stories should be celebrated at events like these.’ Julie Philips Interlink would like to say a huge thank you to the people who made this event such a huge success this year our sponsors: • • • • • • • • •
RCT CBC Regenera on and Planning Cynon Valley Crime Reduc on Groundwork Merthyr and RCT Social Care Workforce Development Partnership Tydfil Training Cwm Taf Local Health Board Cynon-Taf Housing Group Rhondda Housing RCT Homes
Volunteering Case Study Here’s one volunteers experience of volunteering and the benefits she found. Janet has been a ‘stay at home mum’ for most of her adult life, priori sing her family, home and children over her own career. In 2010 a series of incidents lead to a complete nervous breakdown. At her lowest point Janet was unable to make the simplest decisions, her concentra on was so poor she couldn’t even talk.
Janet told me ‘I was worried about this case study because of the s gma that can exist about Mental Health issues but I feel my story should be out there, in the open. I hope my experience has made me a be er person, I’m able to relate to people’s problems now and have be er rela onships because of my experience. I don’t judge anyone anymore and now think you shouldn’t under any circumstance.’
Janet says about this me ‘I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t even read a book.’ It was decided that a period as an inpa ent was the most appropriate treatment and Janet spent 3 months in hospital. A er a period in hospital, an excellent occupa onal therapist suggested volunteering could form an integral part to the recovery process. She met Chris and cha ed about the type of volunteering opportunity that would suit her. Together they decided that the Adref Charity Shop would be appropriate.
Today Janet says ‘My illness is over now, it’s behind me. When I was ill, I would never have believed I would be doing the things I am today. My consultant has recently discharged me. He says I’ve done very well.’
Janet feels volunteering has been a big part of that recovery process, ‘without volunteering I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about volunteering, it’s really worth doing.’
‘I wanted to do it and although it took a long me for me to feel really comfortable there, I was determined to keep going. I’m so glad I did because now I really enjoy it and love mee ng new people. Volunteering has really brought me out of myself, the team at Adref don’t push me, they let me do things in my own me.’ says Janet
The RCT Volunteer Centre is funded through Welsh Government
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Young People’s Volunteering Young Heroes Recognised at Vol Factor Celebra on Evening
Student volunteers making an impact in Rhondda Cynon Taf
35 local young heroes from Rhondda Cynon Taf were recognized at Interlink’s Vol Factor celebra on evening, held at the Pop Factory in Porth, in March 2013.
The Volunteer Centre have been working closely with the University of Glamorgan. The campus site in Treforest celebrated its Centenary as a seat of learning last year, as the School of Mines was set up in 1913, and with a student popula on of 33,000 and a vast array of courses taught all year round, the University provides a rich seam of poten al volunteers. Interlink has been suppor ng students into volunteer placements via GlamVol, and students from the Social Sciences and Psychology Schools. In February half term week 2013, 20 psychology students carried out week long volunteer placements. •
Funded by GwirVol, the Welsh Assembly partnership promo ng Youth Volunteering, the Vol Factor’s panel of four handed out a total of £4,800 to the Trecynon Free Library and Ins tute’s musical project, two different football projects run by the Aberdare Valley Associa on Football League (Development Centre Coaches) and Game On! (Girls Football clinics); RCT People First’s Our Voices project, Green Army Produc ons (of Llanharan Youth Drop In’s) Youth Theatre and Fernhill Youth Project’s Halloween Party project.
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Six students braved the snow to deliver a fundraising and promo onal project for RNIB/ Cardiff Vales and Valleys around the supermarkets of South Wales. Five ventured up the Rhondda Valley to support playschemes at Cwmparc’s Alison House project. Four students were placed with RCT People First in Porth. One volunteered with ADREF’s Charity Shop in Pontypridd. The final four are delivering a project suppor ng older people with with Age Concern Morgannwg and Mencap.
‘It was great to see once again how our fantas c Vol Factor Panel supported young peoples’ new and exci ng project ideas. The young people’s enthusiasm for their projects was inspira onal and came across both in the interview process, and the Celebra on Evening.’ Thomas Crocke , Interlink’s Youth Volunteering Advisor The volunteering has gone well and from April onwards we will have a presence on campus two days a week, in partnership with the University’s award winning ‘GlamEdge’ scheme. 7
Wales Volunteering Project The BIG Wales Volunteering Project has successfully completed its first year, providing support and assistance to 49 individuals with addi onal needs looking to enter volunteering. The Project - funded by BIG lo ery - is designed to provide a helping hand with volunteers who are hardest to reach, 83% of all volunteers seen by Interlink need extra support to enter volunteering. Project Officer Samuel Griffiths provides one to one support and key skills training, allowing volunteers to access vital courses such as Self Esteem or Time Management, totally free of charge. With each individual ge ng their own personally tailored approach, the Wales Volunteering Project is able to help those who might be le behind, and in doing so help volunteers achieve their aims. Stephen became isolated while caring for his father and led to issues with Stephen’s mental health. Finding that he needed a purpose to get up in the morning, Stephen came to Interlink as a method of mee ng people, and trying to take his recovery into his own hands.
Sam met with Stephen, and referred him to the Nantgarw China Works. With some one to one support and a few training courses, he was very soon having a go at everything! ‘Volunteering helped distract Stephen from his own issues by diver ng his a en on onto something more posi ve. Mee ng people was an enjoyable part of his experience, and broke the isola on that being a carer had brought. A er only a few weeks, Stephen felt less anxious and more confident – though understood this was s ll only the beginning of his journey.’ says Sam Stephen feels be er as he feels valued. Volunteering quickly helped him feel be er. ‘Half way through the day, I had an unfamiliar sensa on of feeling myself again.’ Stephen
Suppor ng Groups Working with Families Maria James works for the Fframwaith Partnership and is based with Interlink to support the third sector’s involvement in the planning and delivery of children and young people’s services, and supports the Children and Youth Development Network (called CYD). This year has seen joint network events take place; our event in June focused on the new Single Integrated Plan and gave par cipants the chance to network and explore how they and their organisa ons can be involved in the planning and delivery of the Single Integrated Plan. Our event in September was themed around Welfare Reform, specifically Personal Independence Payment and included presenta ons from members detailing their involvement in Team Around The Family and Canopi.
The third sector has embraced the introduc on of Team Around the Family (TAF) within RCT. Over 19 organisa ons have a ended the two day generic training which ensures that prac oners will have the confidence and knowledge to engage in the process. Safeguarding is s ll high on the agenda with 154 people a ending the Cwm Taf Children’s Safeguarding training and the Protec on Of Vulnerable Adults training. 38 people a ended the Reduc on of Suicide Self Harm training, Sexual Health Founda on training and Domes c Abuse Awareness training. This demonstrates that the third sector recognise the links between different issues and problems families face. 8
Young People’s Par cipa on Sue Phillips is the Par cipa on and Involvement Officer for the Fframwaith Partnership and is based with and works alongside Interlink and the third sector. The main area of work is to ensure the effec ve engagement and involvement of children, young people and families, to improve and inform service delivery.
Single Integrated Plan Children and young people par cipated in the consulta on process for ‘Delivering Change’ the Single Integrated Plan for RCT, and had strong opinions on what they thought of the 3 areas of Safety, Health and Prosperity (young people chose to call this HAPPY FUTURE!) Children and young people were able to par cipate on their own terms, helped by the young people’s versions produced by young people from RCT.
SAFETY example Young people expressed concerns about others smoking and drinking alcohol, in that they felt much of this behaviour was what they see at home and so copy that themselves. Alcohol was quite a big concern for older and younger children, with the older ones aware of the consequences of drinking too much and then not knowing what they are doing. Examples were given of young people being at par es and ge ng carried away. They think there should be more done to raise awareness in schools, as PSE lessons were rated very low. If they had informa on on alcohol, smoking or other drugs, they felt it was at too gentle a level. They think teachers should accept that they can handle much more hard-hi ng informa on. One sugges on was that they had input into these lessons from people who had abused alcohol and drugs themselves and could speak from experience about the consequences. Some young people would like to see sessions in school on domes c violence and how it affects children and young people. ‘Older people seem really worried around groups of young people but so are we in midated too.’
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HEALTH example School lunches are a huge concern for most of the young people we spoke to, with the younger children rela vely happy. Some ideas for improvement included a ‘traffic light’ system, where healthy foods had a green s cker, medium had an orange one with very fa y foods having red. They also suggested por on sizes reflected the age of the pupils e.g. a 6 foot boy in year 13 would tend to eat more than a 4 foot girl in year 7, so having small, medium and large meals with appropriate prices would be hugely beneficial. ‘Your quality of life is more important than money.’
HAPPY FUTURE (PROSPERITY) example Older young people feel very strongly that school should include more prac cal sessions e.g. how to open a bank account, pay a gas bill, and budge ng in general. ‘Algebra will not help me to cook a meal or show me how to get a television license.’
Taking Part On a scale of 1 to 10 the majority felt it really important to be able to be involved in all kinds of decisions and felt that they can ‘handle’ much more than adults think. ‘It is important to have a chance to speak and say what you think, but I don’t think we are heard, we have opportuni es to have our voices heard but they are not listened to.’
Funding Advice and Support Rhondda Breast Friends - Case Study Rhondda Breast Friends were supported to write a new fundraising strategy and make funding applica ons to a variety of funders.
Rhondda Breast Friends on Interlink ‘For the past four years of my employment with Rhondda Breast Friends, I have come across lots of queries regarding running a charity organisa on and not having a background in charity work, I have struggled. Interlink has been my main source of informa on whether it be for grants, health and safety, risk assessments, courses or just general informa on. If they didn’t have the answer they would find someone who would. I have spoken to many employees but would like to express my thanks especially to Joanna Markham, Phil Barre , Anne Morris and Ken Moon who have always been there for me and to other employees that have also helped in the past. Keep up the good work as I know you all provide so much support to the community. Thank you.’ Chris na Ryan, Centre Manager Joanna also supported groups about funding and sustainability, such as: •
Tylorstown Welfare Hall, working with Communi es First, developing a fundraising strategy to get funding for the renova on of the hall.
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Summerdale Tenants and Residents were supported in developing a legal structure and successfully applying for money from the Big Lo ery.
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St Barnabus Church contacted Interlink for help with raising funds for their church and Hall. They were successful in obtaining money from Interlinks small grant and the Welsh Church Fund.
Joanna was also the designated officer responsible for Interlink’s Small Capital Grants.
Interlink’s Small Capital Grants Welsh Government Community Facili es and Ac vies Programme awarded Interlink £80,000, which led to 37 groups delivering a huge range of fantas c projects, all with grants of less than £5,000
Comments from successful groups Act 1 Theatre Group: £2,000 ‘This grant helped our organisa on purchase some necessary equipment to help in assis ng us to keep our prices low for both members and the general public. Without grants such as this we would struggle financially to provide this service for our communi es.’
Ely Valley Junior Football Club: £2,500 ‘We bought football kits for every team in the club, without your support community football would not be possible. Thank you.’
Hirwaun Garden and Allotment Society: £3,016 ‘The grant from Interlink saved a legacy in Hirwaun by keeping the 30yr+ Garden Shop open. The installa on of the four polytunnels have extended the growing season by two months – fantas c!’
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Funding Advice and Support Pendyrus Male Choir: £1,000 ‘On occasions we have needed to decline invita ons because venues did not have pianos. Therefore the grant provided us with a much needed portable piano that can be easily transported and set up at smaller venues such as community centres or chapels. We are most grateful to Interlink for their help in securing the funding for our project.’
Spectacle Theatre Limited: £1,331 ‘This has enabled and increased the quality of our work. Also enabled us to increase sales as have necessary equipment for projects. This grant has been a great help. Thank you.’
Storm Kickboxing Academy Pontypridd: £1,585 ‘With the grant I was able to purchase equipment and training aids to progress and encourage all the students. Myself and all the students would like to thank you once again.’
Joanna Markham, Development Officer supported Engagement Gateway to September 2012. Engagement Gateway provides funding for employability programmes and support people to develop their confidence and skills. As the project funding came to a close in September, Interlink worked with groups including Innovate Trust, Too Good to Waste, Groundwork Merthyr and the Valleys and The Bryncynon Strategy. Rhondda Fach Music Partnership: £2,498 ‘Our work to put on cultural events and give young people and the public opportuni es to get involved becomes more expensive each year, by receiving this grant to purchase essen al equipment it has reduced produc on costs and allows us the opportunity to increase our ac vity and provide events at realis c costs. The legacy of this grant will benefit so many organisa ons in the years to come, it is being made available to all the community groups free of charge, with volunteers from our group assis ng and tutoring others in its use.’
The Bryncynon Strategy needed support in preparing for a project audit. As the project staff had le at the end of the project, volunteers needed training and support to put files in order for the audit. ‘Interlink helped us over a number of challenges during our audit, due to staff leaving we were le with valuable volunteers trying to pick up the work. Without the help and knowledge of Interlink’s staff we would have really struggled.’ Rhian Dennis, Corporate Services Co-ordinator Engagement Gateway is supported by the European Convergence programme and coordinated by the WCVA.
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Enterprising Communi es Groups and Individuals Supported Ken Moon and Phil Barre provided essen al support to community and voluntary groups under the Enterprising Communi es Project, providing 113 groups with advice and support. Groups were supported in a range of ways including developing funding bids, advice on legal structures and help with their business plans. Phil and Ken also supported 12 enterprising individuals with developing their social enterprises ideas, including Graham Lewis from Valleys Veg. ‘Interlink RCT have been pivotal in helping Valleys Veg establish itself as a start-up social enterprise in South Wales. They are well connected and extremely knowledgeable within the sector and have a fantas c 'can do' suppor ve a tude which is essen al for any new ideas to flourish and have any chance of success.’ Graham Lewis, Valleys Veg
RCT Energy in the Community Event
Between January and March 2013 the Enterprise Team organised three ‘Energy in Your Community’ events a rac ng over 100 groups and individuals to discuss energy efficiency in community buildings and developing community hydro schemes in more detail.
Social Enterprise Forum Events In April Interlink hosted the RCT Social Enterprise Forum spring mee ng 'Developing Innova ve Income Genera ng Strategies' at the Llanharan Drop in Centre which was a ended by 16 organisa ons. The highlight of this mee ng was a talk by Sian Davies of Llanharan Drop in Centre who explained how they can be too busy increasing their income through trading to spend me to look for and manage grant funding. In July Interlink co-ordinated the ‘RCT Energy in the Community Event’ in Porth. This event was a ended by over 100 representa ves from a range of organisa ons. Workshops were help on energy efficiency in community buildings and community hydro projects.
Energy in Your Community Event
‘We can now make the next steps to moving forwards to improve our building.’ Par cipant
In November the Forum enabled 10 organisa ons to discuss the Regenera on Strategy and its links to ‘Delivering Change’ the Single Integrated Plan and to look at the pros and cons of different legal structures.
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Enterprising Communi es Strategic Case Study
Project Case Study
In May, Simon James and Ken Moon were successful in pitching their ideas at the Green Dragons Den event at the Hay Fes val, winning an audience vote to secure £10,000 in funding towards developing community hydro projects.
The Social Enterprise Team received a request for support to develop a sports enterprise with the University of Glamorgan Business School.
The Green Valleys Limited were commissioned to undertake work on micro hydro feasibility studies with support from the Ynni’r Fro scheme and further funding from Interlink and Heads of the Valleys. Interlink has engaged a wide range of organisa ons in the RCT Energy events, and partly due to this partnership working 13 community building energy audits were funded through the Coalfields Regenera on Trust. During the course of the year the Enterprising Communi es Team also worked closely on working with communi es on the local woodlands of Cwm Saerbren (near Treherbert) and Daerwonno with Forestry Commission Wales on the delivery of the Heads of the Valleys Priority Woodlands Plan.
‘Events like this have a big role to play in encouraging and keeping volunteers.’ Par cipant
A mee ng was held with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Sports Services, lecturers in Sports Management and Ken Moon, the Enterprising Communi es Officer where support was offered to develop the business plan with the group, and providing guidance on governance and legal structures. Enterprising Communi es Officers Ken Moon and Phil Barre delivered an interac ve legal structures workshop to the enterprise advisory group and two students in September 2012. As a result of this workshop and advice given, in rela on to the roles and responsibili es of students who might be involved in running the enterprise, it was decided that the enterprise would run as an in-house opera on ini ally. This would help to provide a safe environment within which the students could develop their enterprise, test the market for their service and develop the capacity and skills of those involved with a view to establishing a separate legal structure in the future. Thanks to all our partners During the course of the year Interlink has worked closely with Welsh Government Ynni’r Fro Programme; Wales Co-op; Coalfields Regenera on Trust; the South East Wales Community Economic Development programme; Communi es First; Community Voice and Cardiff Universi es SEREN project and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Enterprising Communi es in supported by the European Convergence programme and coordinated by the WCVA. ‘Outstanding Event – Keep it Up!’ Jamie Peter Lewis, Cardiff Univeristy
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South East Wales Community Economic Development Scheme (SEWCED) Meriel Gough delivers the SEWCED project at Interlink the project aims to build economic sustainable communi es through the Grant and focus' on: • Increasing the economic contribu on of the third sector. • Improving services for communi es where gaps can be clearly iden fied. • Developing local networks that engage local communi es to find and implement local solu ons. • Promo ng social inclusion through cultural and heritage ac vi es. Groups that have been awarded a grant from the SEWCED Grant and assisted by Interlink during this period include: Aberaman Motorcycle Club, Aberdare Rugby Club, AX Music, Cleanstream Carpets, Cra of Hearts, Dylan’s Den, Mountain Ash Golf Club, Rowan Tree Cancer Care and Spectacle Theatre. ‘Meriel, Many thanks for this, I've just contacted Paul and they are interested in filming our bridal photo shoot in the Heritage Hotel on Monday!! Big thanks.’ Rhian, Rowan Tree Cancer Care A large number of enquiries were received working with a total of 50 Groups over the year: • 45 of these were supported with organisa onal management and business planning. • 30 with accessing funding that was not SEWCED. • 15 were assisted with legal structures and governance.
‘This is AMAZING!! Thanks so much for all of your help and I must say... I love having a mee ng with someone who describes the advice from the Food Standards Agency as 'Gorgeous!'
Organisa ons worked with: TABS, Communi es in Partnership LTD, New Horizons, Aberdare Meithrin, Penrhiwceiber’s Boxing Club, Merthyr and the Valleys MIND, Old Red Dragon Cra s, Llanharan Drop In (Community Associa on), Penrhys Partnership, Educ8, Treforest Football Club, Glyncoch Community Associa on, RCT Breast Friends, MiFuture, Penrhiwceiber’s Hall, Missy in Wonderland, Treforest Community Associa on, Friends of Tonypandy Community College, Small Crea ons Play Group, Abertaf Children’s Services, Crea ons, Aberdare Rugby Club, Mountain Ash Golf Club, Be Inspired, WEA, Penygraig Boys and Girls Club, Cra of Hearts, Treforest Wholesome Food Associa on, Daerwynno, Acrow De Cymru, Tylorstown Hall, Kai Childheart, Salva on Army, Alex Tyler, Toogoodtowaste, Valleys Golf, Rock Academy Wales, Sunrise Arts, Reefshotz, People in Work Unit, Red Valleys Enterprises, Health and Well Being Academy, Sweetsuccess, Your Pets Warehouse, Penderyn Community Centre, ADREF, Y Cwtch Rhondda, Elite Training, St Catherine’s Church Hall. Interlink wishes all of these organisa ons the best of luck with their enterprises in 2013/14 and beyond. ‘I can't believe how helpful you have been! Thanks a million!’ Jenny O’Hara, Glyncoch
‘Meriel you have worked wonders yet again!! Rowan Tree Cancer Care have booked us for a very special event next Monday at the Heritage Park Hotel - fantas c cause and great event, Thanks again.’ Paul Nagle, TABS
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Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Forum The Forum is facilitated by Anne Morris who also supports a number of condi on specific focus groups that sit under the main forum. The Forum brings together representa ves from the public and voluntary sectors aiming to improve services through partnership working. The Forum helps support the flow of informa on and the focus groups. It provides a networking opportunity and a place to share knowledge and keep people up to date. This year two of the regular mee ngs were replaced by joint events in conjunc on with Mental Health and Children and Young People. With greater emphasis on working together, this proved to be effec ve in discussing health and social care issues whilst integra ng with other networks. Key themes were Welfare Reform and the Single Integrated Plan.
The Award is a developmental process with three levels, based on good prac ce and improvement and is used to support the crea on of ac vi es that promote the health and wellbeing of employees. The Award has been developed to target key preventable ill-health issues in the workplace, which also helps to increase organisa onal performance and produc vity. Interlink were successful in gaining the Gold Award focussed on physical ac vity, nutri on, alcohol, drugs and smoking. A variety of ac vi es were undertaken including the forma on of a company walking group for lunch me par cipa on in the ‘Work out project’ and awareness raising workshops on drugs.
Cancer Focus Group The Cancer Focus group in its first year as a virtual forum supported a Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign, one of the RCT Mayor’s chosen chari es, a Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign and screening programmes (in line with the preven on and early interven on themes of the cancer delivery plan). The Cancer Focus Group also supported a bid to Macmillan for a Clinical Psychologist for Cancer Services. Macmillan will be funding the post with a contribu on from Cwm Taf Health Board for the first 3 years, following which the Health Board will pick up the full cost for the con nua on of the service.
Small Workplace Health Award Interlink have been successful in gaining the Gold Level Small Workplace Health Award, which is the na onal mark of quality for health and wellbeing for organisa ons employing fewer than fi y people developed by the Welsh Government.
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Assessors comment: ‘It has a healthy culture – people are engaged and interested and feel supported and cared about by their employer. A large range of health and wellbeing ac vi es are undertaken. One fairly new staff member told me that it is the healthiest place she has ever worked. On my short visit, I could see why this would be true. I came away feeling that this was a place where people wanted to work.’
Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Crystal Trophy for Outstanding Community Projects Community projects promo ng healthy living in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil celebrated the annual Crystal Trophy Award ceremony in May of this year. The Crystal Trophy Awards recognise the achievements of local groups and organisa ons who are working to improve health and wellbeing in the Cwm Taf Health Board area. ‘The Crystal Trophy Awards are about grassroots projects that make a real contribu on to our communi es’ health and wellbeing.’
Scooping first prize was ‘The Stories’ from 3G’s Media Project which picked up the coverted Crystal Trophy and a prize fund of £1,500. Stories from the 3G’s is a trilogy of films; ‘Sun beds and Steroids,’ ‘The Hut’ and ‘The Boxer’ that address issues such as body image, substance misuse, healthy lifestyles, discipline and territorialism.
Based on Penywaun Estate in Penywaun, Aberdare, the allotment associa on grows vegetables for the local community, aiming to encourage local residents to eat five-a-day. The group also encourages young people in the area to take an interest in gardening and healthy ea ng. The associa on has close links with local schools and pupils visit the allotments as part of their lessons where they are given prac cal advice on plan ng and growing their own vegetables. Third prize of £750 went to Merthyr Aloud, which is a community singing group. The weekly mee ngs on Friday morning begin with a gentle physical warm-up and breathing exercises to help reduce stress and promote wellbeing. Make a Difference, a support group in Maerdy, which runs weekly drop-in sessions to support people with substance misuse or alcohol dependency issues, collected the fourth prize and £500.
Seventy-two-year-old Horace Rogers won second prize of £1,000 for Heol Kier Hardie Allotment Society.
Make a Difference
Heol Kier Hardie Allotment Society
Nicola John, Director of Public Health at Cwm Taf Health Board, who presented the awards, said: ‘We learn such a lot from awards such as these when we hear of all the things that are going on in our community – it’s really humbling. It demonstrates that communi es can really work together to make a difference.’
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Mental Health Mental Health Forum The Forum brings together the voluntary sector, statutory sector and local health board to enhance partnership working, co-produc on and increase knowledge and awareness of current ini a ves. The Forum is facilitated by Maria Abson. There were 4 mee ngs this year and the key topics included were the Mental Health (Wales) Measure, the Together for Mental Health Strategy and the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure.
It was a great success with 400 members of the public a ending and over 70 community organisa ons holding stalls, giving advice, guidance and signpos ng people to relevant services. The event was opened by the Mayor Lisa My on, who spoke about theimportance of the event and World Mental Health Day in raising public awareness. ‘One service user said that the event really helps to create be er understanding and a more compassionate community.’
‘I’ve always enjoyed the mee ngs and more recently the workshop sessions, the forum helps me to understand what’s going on locally and gives me an opportunity to influence change.’ Forum member
World Mental Health Day A mental health awareness raising event in Merthyr in October 2012 gave members of the public the opportunity to discuss their concerns about mental health and challenge some of the stereotypes people hold. IIn RCT a World W ld Mental M l Health H l h Day D Walk W lk tookk place l in Aberdare Park on the 11 October involving service users, carers, peer support groups, mental health chari es such as Mind, New Horizons and Gofal and the Council’s Mental Health Independent Living Service.
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Service User Involvement in Mental Health Service User and Carer Annual Conference SE Wales - Together for Change An Annual Regional Conference was run in May 2012 at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. The event involved 260 people with experience of mental health service use in South East Wales. The aims of the Conferences were to ini ate discussion between local service user and carer groups about the development of a new Na onal Partnership Board, and to take a joint approach on the mechanisms for delivering this and to discuss key priori es for improvement of services and service planning.
The event was sponsored by Welsh Government and organised by the Mental Health Development Officer at Interlink and Public Health Wales with involvement from other development officers across SE Wales, local service user/carer groups and supported by Mental Health Ac on Wales.
Strategy Together for Mental Health was issued for an extensive 3 part consulta on process in May 2012. Two consulta on mee ngs were held in Cwm Taf, and a ended by service users, carers and service providers across all sectors and a formal consulta on response was put forward. The Mental Health Development Officer post is funded through Cwm Taf Health Board.
‘Best event I’ve ever a ended, not just useful informa on on what’s new and the interes ng talks but plenty of things to do and opportuni es to get involved, I’ve really enjoyed the day.’ says a service user
Mental Health Service User Involvement Project (MHSUI) The Involvement Project promotes and supports service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evalua on of mental health services across RCT and Merthyr Tydfil. By doing this, we aim to ensure that the service user voice brings about las ng improvements in mental health services. The project employs Helen Rees and Rachel Wya as MHSUI Development Officers. Helen supports people to take part in various involvement ac vi es and to capture people’s stories to help raise the awareness of mental health and to challenge s gma. Rachel facilitates the mul -agency Stronger in Partnership group and develops involvement opportuni es that draw upon people’s grassroots experiences of services.
Na onal and Local Policy In June 2012, twenty service users and carers par cipated in the Welsh Government consulta on ‘Together for Mental Health’. The service user and carer response highlighted that in addi on to involving people in the planning and delivery of mental health services, people should also be involved in the evalua on and monitoring of services. The ‘Together for Mental Health’ strategy published in November 2012 was changed to reflect the involvement of people in the evalua on process. Service users and carers also par cipated in the RCT wide consulta on ‘How involved do you feel?’ as part of the development of the Public Engagement Strategy for RCT’s Single Integrated Plan.
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Service User Involvement in Mental Health Groups
Events
The Stronger in Partnership Group (service users, carers, statutory and third sector) met quarterly to promote mental health service user and carer involvement in the planning, design, delivery and evalua on of mental health services. The group is now formally recognised by Cwm Taf Health Board and is regularly consulted on mental health issues and services.
Listen 2012 was held in May 2012 as a follow-up event to Cwm Taf Health Board’s 2011 consulta on on the redesign of acute inpa ent services. Presenta ons were given by the Health Board and RCT and Merthyr Tydfil local authori es on service redesign and service users and carers raised a wide range of per nent issues including transport arrangements, occupa onal therapy service, inpa ent services for young people, involvement of carers in recovery, support for people with Post Trauma c Stress Disorder and the Primary Mental Health Support Service. The event was a ended by 40 service users, carers and service providers.
The Service User Recovery Forum met monthly in venues across RCT and Merthyr Tydfil to gather people’s views and experiences of local services and to hear feedback from service user reps who a end mental health planning groups. For example, people’s views on access to psychological services were gathered and included in Cwm Taf’s therapeu c interven ons working group. ‘Loved it. Really enjoyed mee ng other people and ge ng their perspec ve of how to change the doctors a tudes to mental health and pu ng wellbeing into the foresight of the medical profession. I hope that by chipping away at stereotypes we can make a difference and maybe in me change the world or how the world sees us!’
‘I enjoyed going on the computers and choosing all the different pictures. I’ve never used one before but a er the training I want to buy myself one for Christmas!’ Digital story par cipant
Service User Representa ves Mental health representa ves par cipated in various policy and planning groups including the Cwm Taf Mental Health Joint Planning Group, the Stronger In Partnership Group, Implementa on Group for the Primary Care Support Service, the Implementa on Group for Part 2 of the Welsh Measure and the Mental Health Act Monitoring Group. 19
Service User Stories 6 service user and carer stories have been collected as part of the INFORM project. INFORM will bring together a collec on of wri en and digital stories in a mental health awareness training pack for people working in the primary care sector.
A Li le Considera on A small adjustment can make a major difference to a pa ent who is severely depressed. ‘During my first experience of depression I had a lot of difficulty in going out and being around people, I was very ill and had been self-harming. I had also tried to take my own life. A friend, who was suppor ng me, rang my GP who made arrangements for me to come directly to see her, without having to wait in the wai ng room. During my appointment she was very suppor ve and we discussed my op ons. She recommended that to begin with I should take medica on to stabilise my mood and then she referred me on to mental health services. Had it not being for her support I really don’t think that I would have sought treatment and the consequences could have been very serious.’ The Mental Health Service User Involvement Project is funded through Cwm Taf Health Board and RCTCBC.
Execu ve Commi ee Execu ve Commi ee April 2012 to March 2013
Jean Harrinton
TEDS
Chair
Pauline Richards
Valleys Kids
Vice Chair
Lynne Herbert
DEWIS
Treasurer (un l November 2012)
Geoff Bell
Brynawel House
Treasurer (from November 2012)
Robin Cook
Treforest Wholesome Foods
Wendy York
RCT Community Arts
Kate O’Sullivan
Gilfach Goch Community Associa on
Rhian Dash
Rowan Tree Cancer Care
Stephen Davis
Spectacle Theatre
Lynda Corre
RCT 50+ Forum
Erika Helps
Pontypridd CAB
(un l June 2012)
Wayne Carter
Penrhys Partnership
(un l August 2012)
Michelle Lenton-Johnson
Bryncynon Strategy
(un l November 2012)
Gareth Taylor
Pontygwaith Partnership
(from November 2012)
Joanna Fashan
Cynon Valley Crime Preven on
(from November 2012)
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Staff Team Simon James
Chief Execu ve
June Williams-Sykes
Finance and Resources Manager
Ann Philpo
Opera ons Manager
Kath Price
Office Manager
Alisa Davies
Administra ve Assistant
Cara Jordan-Evans
Administra ve Assistant
Lauren Baker
Recep onist/Hospitality Assistant
Phil Barre
Development Officer (Organisa onal Development)
Joanna Markham
Development Officer (Informa on and Support) Engagement Gateway Development Officer (from April 2012 to September 2012)
Ken Moon
Development Officer (Social Enterprise)
Meriel Gough
Engagement Gateway Development Officer (un l March 2012) Development Officer (Social Enterprise) (from April 2012)
Chris ne Davies
Volunteering Development Officer
Thomas Crocke
Volunteering Development Officer
Sam Griffiths
Wales Volunteering Officer
Jenny Thomas
Learn RCT Development Officer (un l July 2012)
Ma hew Cook
Play Development Officer (un l March 2013)
Maria Prosser
Children and Young People’s Partnership Development Officer (Hosted by Interlink)
Sue Phillips
Fframwaith Par cipa on and Involvement Officer (Hosted by Interlink)
Maria Abson
Mental Health Development Officer
Helen Rees
Mental Health Service User Involvement Officer (Support)
Rachel Wya
Mental Health Service User Involvement Officer (Development)
Anne Morris
Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Facilitator
Kelly Daniel
See Change Coordinator and Trainer (un l June 2012) Making the Connec ons Development Officer (from July 2012)
Helen Green
See Change Par cipa on Officer (un l October 2012)
Lucy Foster
See Change Coordinator and Trainer (from July 2012)
Interlink Cleaners
Sian Richards (un l July 2012) Jackie Willis (from July 2012) Rebecca Edwards (from September 2012)
21
Accounts Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2013
2013 £
2012 £
47,520
67,791
75,532 464,254 539,786
100,100 411,270 511,370
8,143
8,173
Net Current Assets
531,643
503,197
Net Assets
579,163
570,988
Funds Unrestricted Funds
501,076
504,961
78,087
66,027
579,163
570,988
Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at Bank and in hand Liabili es: Amounts falling due within one year
Restricted Funds Total Funds
These summarised accounts may not contain sufficient informa on to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the Charity. For further informa on the full accounts, the independent auditor’s report on those accounts and the trustees’ annual report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE Telephone: 01443 846200. To the Members of Interlink In the opinion of the independent auditors, Williams Ross Limited, the summarised accounts given in this document are consistent with the full annual accounts. The independent auditors’ report on the full accounts was unqualified. WILLIAMS ROSS LIMITED Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor, 4 Ynys Bridge Court, Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff, CF15 9SS.
22
Accounts Accounts Summary Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 31 March 2013
2013 £
2012 £
926,651
970,113
-
139,407
926,651
1,109,520
918,476
1,054,500
8,175
55,020
Staff Costs
Other
Deprecia on
Total
£
£
£
£
592,398
298,700
21,727
912,825
-
5,651
-
5,651
592,398
304,351
21,727
918,476
Gross income from normal con nuing opera ons
Special projects Total income of con nuing opera ons Total expenditure of con nuing opera ons
Note
Net income for the year
Note Analysis of resources expended
Support Costs Management and administra on expenditure (including governance)
23
Accounts Statement of Financial Ac vi es (Including Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2013 2013 Unrestricted Restricted £ £
Total £
Total £
Incoming resources Incoming Resources from Generated Funds: Ac vi es for genera ng funds: Trading income Bank Interest
11,481 379
-
11,481 379
13,231 302
382,548
518,545
901,093
934,352
-
-
-
76,967 62,440
Other incoming resources
13,698
-
13,698
22,228
Total Incoming Resources
408,106
518,545
926,651 1,109,520
458,852 5,471 -
453,973 180 -
912,825 5,651 -
923,668 6,450 69,138
-
-
-
55,244
Total Resources Expended
464,323
454,153
Net Income / (expenditure) for the year before Transfers Transfers between Funds
(56,217)
64,392
8,175
52,332
(52,332)
-
Net movement in funds Opening Resources
(3,885) 504,961
12,060 66,027
8,175 570,988
55,020 515,968
Funds Carried Forward
501,076
78,087
579,163
570,988
Incoming Resources from Charitable Ac vi es: Grants and contracts DWP Future Jobs Fund Local Energy Assessment Fund
Resources Expended Charitable Ac vi es Governance Costs DWP Future Jobs Fund payments to providers Local Energy Assessment Fund
918,476 1,054,500 55,020 -
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Membership Membership Interlink Membership to 31 March 2013 12th Pontypridd Scout Group; 1st Aberdare St Fagans Scout Group; 1st Pontygwaith Scout Group; 1st Tonyrefail Scout Group; Aberaman Amateur Boxing Club; Aberaman Bowls Club; Aberaman Newydd Tenants Associa on; Abercwmboi Community Revival Group; Abercwmboi Environment Group; Abercynon Ac on Team; Abercynon RFC; Abercynon Social Hall; Aberdare & District Radio Society; Aberdare Childrens Contact Centre; Aberdare Cricket Club; Aberdare Scribblers; Aberdare Trefoil Guild; Abergorki Community Hall; Abernant Community Interests Group; Access Mondial; Accessible Caring Transport; ACT 1 Theatre Group; ACTS Community Church; ADD-LIB; ADREF LTD; Advocacy Ma ers; Age Ac on Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber; Age Concern Cymru; Age Concern Morgannwg; Alison House Youth and Play Project; All Wales Forum; An Open Door; Arosfa Senior Ci zens Guild; Arts Factory; Ategi; Barry Sidings Ac vity Group; BETH Beyond Everything Theres Hope; Bethel Place Residents Associa on; Bethlehem Bap st Church; Bipolar UK; Boys and Girls Clubs Of Wales; Breast Cancer Care Cymru; Breathe Easy Rhondda; Briars Bridleways; Britannia Street Watch; Bri sh Deaf Associa on; Bri sh Heart Founda on Cymru; Bri sh Red Cross; Bronwydd Ladies Bowling Club; Bryn Golau Caergwerlas Tenants and Residents; Brynawel House Alcohol Rehabilita on Centre; Bryncynon Community Centre; Bryncynon Li er Pick Group; Bryncynon Walking Group; Bryn rion Graveyard Fund; Bryn rion Tenant & Residents Associa on; C.A.S.S. (Calectoral & Stoma Support); Camau Bach Outdoor Ac vity Group; Cambrian Male Voice Choir; Canny Quilter's; Capel Farm Resource Centre; Capel Salem Tonteg; CapelSoar SoarChapeltheTrustees; CapelyTabernaclCyf;CardiffValesandValleys; Care&RepairRhonddaCynonTaffLtd; CartrefiCymru; CASE; Castle Square United Reform Church; Cefn Primary Mother & Toddler; Cemetery Road Tenants & Residents Associa on; Central Glamorgan Guides; Central Glamorgan Trefoil Guild; Churches Counselling Service in Wales; Chwarae Plant; Chwarae Teg; CIC (Cynllyn Ieuenc d Y Cymoedd); Cilfynydd Art Society; Cilfynydd Kids Club; Circles Network Wales; Cleanstream Carpets CIC; Clwb Carco; Clwb Gymdeithasol Cymraeg Cwm Cynon; Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisa on; Coalfields Regenera on Trust; Coed Ely Community Centre Steering Group; Colorectal & Stoma Support Group; Communi es in Partnership; Community Cancer Services; Community Development Cymru; Community Media on Services RCT; Cor Meibion Morlais; Cor Meibion Pontypridd; Cornerstone Church; Cra yways Society; Crime Reduc on Ini a ves; Crossroads Rhondda Cynon Taff; Cruse Bereavement Care Merthyr Tydfil/Rhondda Cynon Taff; Cwm Clydach Development Trust; Cwm Clydach Outdoor Ac vity Group; Cwm Cynon Women's Aid; Cwm Gymnas cs; Cwm Taf Credit Union; Cwm Taff Alzheimer's Society; Cwmaman Health Group; Cwmaman Ins tute Silver Band; Cwmaman Public Hall and Ins tute; Cwmbach Choir; Cwmbach Scouts and Guides; Cwmparc Branch Na onal OAP of Wales; Cwmparc Community Associa on; Cwmparc Out of School Club; Cwmparc Treorchy and Ynyswen Community Regenera on; Cylch; Cylch Meithrin Aberdar; Cylch Meithrin Efail Isaf; Cylch Meithrin Nant Drys; Cylch Meithrin Porth; Cylch Meithrin Thomastown; Cylch Meithrin Tynewydd; Cymdeithas Rhieni y Cymer; Cynon Allotments Associa on; Cynon Culture; Cynon Taf Community Housing; Cynon Valley Area Na onal OAP's Associa on of Wales; Cynon Valley Ci zens Advice Bureau; Cynon Valley Crime Preven on Associa on; Cynon Valley Disabled Club; Cynon Valley First Responder Scheme; Cynon Valley Neighbourhood Watch; Cynon Valley PALS; Cynon Valley Vision; Cynon Valley Walkers; Dai Davies Community Centre; Darranlas Residents Associa on; Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Diabetes Peer Support; Diabetes UK Cymru; Diabetes UK Pontypridd and District; Disability Wales; Dragon Savers Credit union; DRIVE; Drugaid (Swapa Ltd); Dylan's Den; Dynea Neighbourhood Watch; Early Start; Ea ng Disorders Wales; Efail Isaf Village Hall; Elim Cynon Valley Church; Elite Supported Employment Agency Ltd; Ely Valley Junior Football Club; Epilepsy Wales; FADS - A Family Service; Fairbridge Cymru; Fernbank Residents Group; Ferndale & District Boys and Girls Club; Ferndale Court Residents Fund; Ferndale Home Improvement Service; Ferndale Old Age Pensioners; Ferndale Skate Park; Fernhill (Rhondda) Conserva on Group; Fernhill Associa on of Residents; Fernhill Family Flats; Fernhill Youth Project; Fforest Uchaf Horse & Pony Rehabilita on Centre and Pit Pony Sanctuary; Firebrake Wales; Forum of Older People in Cynon Valley; Friday Youth Club; Friends of Caerglas Resource Centre; Friends of Craig yr Hesg Community School; Friends of Four Seasons; Friends of Maesgwyn Special School; Friends of the Animals; Friends of The Rhondda Heritage Park; Friends of Tonypandy Primary School; Friends of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park; Friends of Ynyshir Primary School; Friends r Us; Gadlys Regenera on Ini a ve Programme; Garthwen Residents Sheltered Homes; Gatehouse; Gelli Fedi Rise Tennants Associa on; Gelligaled Bowls Club; Gilfach Goch and Tonyrefail Community First Responders; Gilfach Goch Community Associa on; Gilfach Goch Welfare OAP Associa on; Gilfach Goch Youth Commi ee; Gingerbread; Girl Guiding Pontypridd; Glamorgan Blended Learning; Glamorgan ME Support Group; Glamorgan Mission to the Deaf; Glan Road Neighbourhood Watch; Glancynon Gardening Group; Glasbrook Recrea on Commi ee; Glyn Aman Neighbourhood Watch; Glyncoch Community Centre; Glyntaff Serenades; Glyntaff Tenants and Residents Associa on; Gofal Cymru (Rhondda Cynon Taff); Greenhill Allotments Society; Greenmeadow Riding for the Disabled Group; Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff; Groundwork Wales; Grow Enterprise Wales; Growing; GTFM; Gwalia Care & Support; Gwaunruperra Residents and Community Group; Hafod Care Associa on Ltd; Hawthorn and Upper Boat Senior Ci zens; Headway Cardiff; Heartbeat 95; Hirwaun and Penderyn Community Council; Hirwaun OAP Associa on; Hirwaun Welfare Football Social Club; Hirwaun YMCA Youth & Community Centre; Homestart RCT; Ilan Diamonds Jazz Band; Innovate trust; Innovate Trust; Kyber Colts ABC; Laburnum Court Residents Associa on; Lan Woods Environmental Protecon Group; Learning Disability Wales; Lewis Merthyr Band; Library Close Senior Ci zens; Llanfair Uni ng Church; Llanharan Community Development Project Ltd; Llanharan OAP Associa on; Llanharan Recrea on Ground Trust; Llanharry & Tylagarw Community Associa on;
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Membership Interlink Membership to 31 March 2013 Llantrisant ABC; Llantrisant History Society; Llantrisant ladies Choir; Llantrisant SubAqua Club; Llantrisant Fardre Football Club; Llantwit Fardre Football Club; Llantwit Lions Skater Hockey Club; Llwydcoed Band; Llwydcoed Community Centre; Llwynypia Boys & Girls Club; Llys Catwg Residents Associa on; Lower Trealaw Branch OAP Maes Yr Haf; Maerdy Archives; Maerdy Community Centre; Maerdy Infants Taskforce Environment; Maerdy/Ferndale Tenants and Residents Board; Maes yr Haf Community Centre; Meadow Cra s; Mencap Cymru; Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf; Merthyr & the Valleys Mind; Mid Fach River Care Group; Mid Glamorgan Area Scout Council; Mid Glamorgan Scouts; Mid Rhondda Band; Mid Rhondda Modeling Miskin Art; Miskin Regenera on Trust; Mountain Ash Golf Club; Mountain Ash YMCA; Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin Rhondda Cynon Taf; Nant-y-Fedw Tenants & Residents; Nantgarw OAP Associa on; Na onal Childminding Associa on; Na onal Council of YMCA's in Wales; NCH Ac on for Children Penwaun Family Centre; NCH Ac on for Children Rhondda Family Project; Nebo Chapel; New Horizons; New Life Community Church; Newlink Wales; Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry; Newtown Llantwit Allotment Associa on; Newydd Housing Associa on; Nixons Welfare Ins tute and Social Club; Oasis Church; Ogwr DASH; Old Age Pensioners and Widows Assoc, Treherbert; Old Bridge Photographic Society; Old School Community Centre; Older Peoples Advisory Group; Parc & Dare Band; Parc Cra Club; Parents Associa on Llwynypia - Youth Sec on; Parents Staff Associa on of Ysgol y Cymer Rhondda; Park Lane Allotment Society; Parkinson's UK Cymru; Penderyn Senior Welfare Commi ee; Penderyn Sports Associa on; Penrhiwceiber Community Revival Strategy Group; Penrhiwceiber Ins tute and Community Society; Penrhys Partnership; Penygraig Boys & Girls Club; Penywaun Community Centre; Penywaun Enterprise Partnership; Penderyn Community Centre; Person to Person Ci zen Advocacy; Perthcelyn Community Centre; Pla orm Arts; Pontsionnorton PTA; Pontyclun Bosom Pals; Pontyclun Football Club; Pontygwaith Community Centre; Pontypridd & District Mencap Society; Pontypridd Canal Conserva on Group; Pontypridd Safety Unit (RCT); Pontypridd South Road Championship Club; Pontypridd Talking News Associa on; Pontypridd Women's Aid; Pontypridd YMCA; Porth Infants Kids Club; Posi ve Steps; Prime Cymru; Providence Bap st Church; Race Equailty Training Wales; RCT Access Group; RCT Eye to Eye Youth Counselling Service; RCT Homes; RCT Vic m Support and Witness Service; RCT Young People First; Recrea on Ground Sports Associa on; Re red Senior Volunteer Programme; Rhigos Community Sports Associa on; Rhigos Kidz n Youth Group; Rhondda 50+ Forum; Rhondda Animal Aid & Cats Protec on; Rhondda Apostolic Mission; Rhondda Breast Friends; Rhondda Calligraphy Society; Rhondda Community Credit Union Ltd; Rhondda Community Development Associa on; Rhondda Community Garden and Enterprise Scheme; Rhondda Cynon Taff Aspergers Syndrome Parent Support Group; Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Arts; Rhondda Cynon Taff District Scout Council; Rhondda Cynon Taff Parent and Carer Network; Rhondda Cynon Taff People First; Rhondda Cynon Taff Tenants and Residents Federa on; Rhondda Disabled Riding Group; Rhondda Fach Housebound Club; Rhondda Housing Associa on; Rhondda Housing; Maerdy Tenants Associa on; Rhondda Indoor Bowls Club; Rhondda Jazz; Rhondda League of Children's Marching Bands; Rhondda Listening Friends; Rhondda Radio; Rhondda Rocket Cheerleading Group; Rhondda Sea Cadets; Rhondda Taff Ci zens Advice Bureau; Rhondda Tennis Club; Rhondda Veterans Support Group; Rhondda Volunteer Informa on Centre; Rhondda Womens Aid; Rhydfelin Community Woodland Group; Rhydyfelin AFC; Rhydyfelin Methodist Church; RNIB Cymru; Rotary Club of Rhondda; Rowan Tree Cancer Care; Royal Bri sh Legion Ynyshir Branch; Salem English Bap st Chapel; Salva on Army TEENS Project; Save the Children Cynon Valley; Scope Cymru; Seion Bap st Chapel Maerdy; Showcase; SNAP Cymru; Soar Chapel Ladies Guild; SOVA; Speakeasy Advice Centre; Spectacle Theatre; Spor ngMarvels;SpringfieldSocialClub;SSAFA(Aberdare);SSAFA(MidGlam);StBarnabasChurch,Penygraig;StCatherinesChurch,Pontypridd;St Davids Founda on; St Davids Uni ng Church; St John Ambulance; St Ma hews Church; Stanley Football Club; Summers Tennants Associa on; Sunday Funday Gang; Surf Lifesaving Associa on of Wales; Taff Ely Crime Preven on; Taff Ely Neighbourhood Watch Associa on; Taffs Well Breas eeding Support Group; Taffs Well Community Garden; Taffs Well Village Hall; Talbot Green Playgroup; Tanglewood; TEDS; Telecentre and Business School Ltd; The Ark Youth and Community Project; The Big Issue Cymru Ltd; The Boilerhouse Project Ltd; The Down's Syndrome Associa on; The Heritage Singers; The Phoenix Singers; The Prince's Trust Cymru; The Strategy; The Vibes Foundry Brass Band; The WAK Club; Time Out Group; Ton & Gelli Boys & Girls Club; Ton Pentre Recrea on Associa on; Tonteg Senior Ci zens Associa on; Tonypandy & Llwynypia OAP Group; Tonypandy Albion Football Club; Tonyrefail ABC; Tonyrefail History and Folklore Society; Tonyrefail Homing Society; Tonyrefail Informa on and Advice Scheme TIAS; Tonyrefail Ladies Choir; Tonyrefail Welfare Football Club; Too Good To Waste; Total Care Support Solu ons Community Interest Company; TraVol Community Transport; Trealaw Village Trust Ltd; Trebanog Older Peoples Group; Trecynon Ins tute; Treforest Community Voluntary Group; Treforest Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Treforest Residents Assoca on; Treforest Wholesome Food Associa on; Trehafod Community Village Hall; Treherbert Quil ng Group; Treherbert Rugby Club; Treorchy Senior Ci zens Club; Treorchy Women's Ins tute; Trerhondda Arts Factory stay and play; Ty Rhiw Restora on Fund; Ty Rhondda-Young Single Homeless Project; Tylorstown Communi es First; Ul mate Stage Company; Upper Rhondda Brass Band; Urdd Gobaith Cymru; Valley of Hope; Valleys Kids; Valleys Regional Equali es Council; Valleys Womens Ethnic Minority Support Group; Village & Valleys Community Transport; Vision 21 (Cyfle Cymru); Viva Project; Wales PPA; Welfare Hall & Ins tute; Welsh Perry and Cider Society; Womens Royal Voluntary Service; Workers' Educa onal Associa on; World of Words; Ynyshir & Wa stown Boys & Youth Club; Ynyshir Welfare Band; Ynyslwyd Allotment Society; Ynyswen Senior Ci zens Club; Ynyswen Welfare Ins tute; Ynysybwl Community Centre; Ynysybwl Ladies Choir; Ynysybwl Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Young at Heart Thursday Club; Young Ones Parent & Toddler Group; Ysgol Feithrin Pontyclun; Ysgol Feithrin Ynysybwl; Ystrad Boys & Girls Club; Ystrad Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Ystradyfodwg Art Society
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Get In Touch For further informa on on Interlink’s ac vi es and membership details, visit: www.interlinkrct.org.uk www.facebook.com www.twi er.com/interlinkrct Contact us on 01443 846200 Fax No. 01443 844843 E.mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardi Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE Registered Charity No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee No: 07549533