March 2014 Welcome to the first edition of our bulletin.
Interlink News Interlink is reviewing all its services with a view to restructuring the organisation, to this end Interlink would value your views to help us shape our future. Here are a few questions that we would be really grateful if you could complete in order to have your say and contribute to the development of the organisation. Please click on the link to complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L3NXVBQ Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.
The Volunteering Celebration Awards are changing, but we want YOU to shape it, so ALL volunteers, groups and communities can be involved by completing this short 3 minutes survey on the Award categories, give it a go, it is dead easy! Lets Celebrate Volunteering in RCT!
Interlink Training Dealing with Difficult Situations Positively – booking form
This session will enable the participant to have a better understanding of what is group dynamics Participants learn about assertiveness and how to assert themselves through adopting different behaviours Participants look specifically at the problems that their group encounters and how these problems can be resolved Date: 20 March 2014
Time: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Venue: Interlink Cost: A: £20
Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533
B: £80
Interlink offers a range of meeting and conference facilities, whether your requirements are for a training venue, workshops, conferences, small business meetings, one-to-ones or just time out from your current environment. Conference Facilities
Interlink are able to assist with skill sharing or provide bespoke training on the following Microsoft packages: Word Excel Publisher Access Powerpoint Internet and e.mail Our HelpDesk team are able to assist organisations with the following services: • Website – we can post information on about your organisation on/event on our website • Mailshot – send us your information on for our newsletter and mail outs • Desktop publishing – which includes design of leaflets, posters, tickets, business cards, etc. • Photocopying – our colour photocopier has the capacity to print in full colour with a professional finish • Laminating/Binding • Signposting – if we can’t help, we will find someone who can! For more information contact the HelpDesk on 01443 846200 or e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk
Local News The YMCA in Mountain Ash would like to invite you to a Coffee Morning, which will be held two mornings a week on a Wednesday and a Friday from 10.00am. You will be able to purchase a number of different drinks and snacks including Bacon Rolls, Panini’s and Homemade Soup in the recently opened Community Café. Click here to download a flyer where you are entitled to a FREE tea/coffee with a purchase.
PRIME Cymru will be running a FREE 3 day course in the RCT area in the New Year. It is suitable for anyone aged 50 or above who is either looking to become self-employed or start a new business. It may be particularly useful to trustees of charities who are looking to start social enterprises or improve their financial sustainability. The course is accredited by Sfedi. Click here for more information.
Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533
RCT CAB are looking to expand their Board of Trustees by recruiting committed board members who possess the relevant skills to support the progress of business development. Click here for more information.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out a review of their resources across the whole of the Service area. The next stage of the review will be in Merthyr, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We will be holding a 9 week consultation process starting at the end of March. Please look out for updates on our website and in your local community. Click here for more information.
Grow Wild is all about getting involved in sowing, growing and supporting UK native wild flowers. The exclusive seed kits have been designed to help your group grow beautiful, colourful wild flowers which will be a haven for bees, butterflies and birds. As well as the fun of sowing the seeds, there’s the huge satisfaction of seeing them grow and flower, not to mention the fun of enjoying them in the summer. The kits are supported by web resources with lots of hints and tips and ideas for activities – you can find out more at www.growwilduk.com/community-kit
From 2016 the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund will make available around £1.8m annually to invest in projects that will benefit communities for over 20 years. We need your help to ensure the fund delivers what your community needs. We’re looking for your ideas on how the fund can help communities in the upper Afan, Rhondda, Cynon and Neath valleys. How can you or your members get involved? Add your ideas at http://powerinthevalleys.vattenfall.co.uk Email emily.faull@vattenfall.com for an information pack. Stay up to date by signing up to our e-newsletter and following us on Twitter @PenyCymoedd By working together we can make our Community Fund a real Power in the Valleys – delivering what’s needed by local people and communities for many years to come. Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533
Up to £3,500 available NIACE Dysgu Cymru is working with Communities First Clusters on a project which will deliver learning and skills opportunities for adults. As part of this project, which is funded by Communities Division of Welsh Government, we would like to commission some short learning sessions that will encourage adults into learning and help them on the path to fulfilling their ambitions. We are looking for learning providers in Wales, from any sector, to design and deliver innovative workshops. Click here for more information.
The MOD has just published details of its Veterans accommodation fund. Click to View The first document provides details about the fund; the second document states the eligibility criteria that all bids must meet. This fund will only be open in 2014 with applications being invited from 4 Feb 2014 to 13 June 2014. It looks like the MOD will hold a conference for interested bidders on or around the 4 March 2014. Anyone who is interested in attending should email: covenant-mailbox@mod.uk
11 March 2014 at Sbectrwm Centre, Fairwater, Cardiff the cost is £85.00 per person. This course provides an overview of key legislation in regard to staff management in the voluntary sector. If you are a trustee, director or volunteer manager this course will benefit you in providing information and guidance on this important topic. It will also provide opportunities for sharing concerns and good practice with other participants. To book a place on this course please contact Shirley David on 01646 651655 or e-mail her on sdavid@bestuk.org.uk or book online at www.bestuk.org.uk by completing the Training/Event Booking Form under “Bookings”.
Employment law is an ever-changing minefield. It's important that you know what's what in order to deal with any problems that come your way. That’s why WCVA and Hugh James are bringing you a half-day conference all about the ins and outs of employment law as it stands at the beginning of 2014. Coming to Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 20 March 2014 A place at the event costs just £45 for WCVA members (excluding e-members) and £60 for WCVA e-members and non-members. Book your place at this essential event here.
Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533
Elite Supported Employment Agency Ltd is a registered charity that enables individuals with disabilities and those at a disadvantage, aged 14 to 65, to access, obtain and maintain paid employment through appropriate support and tailored training. We are currently looking to recruit Trustees to join our Management Committee. Click here for more information.
The funding environment for third sector organisations continues to change, with more and more public contract opportunities going out to the market. Whether you're new to tendering or already experienced, these events will provide you with the information, tools and tips to improve your organisation's ability to succeed at tendering. Thursday 13 March 2014, Venue Cymru, Llandudno – 9:30am start, with lunch from 1:00pm Wednesday 26 March 2014, Cardiff City Stadium – 9:30am start, with lunch from 1:00pm For more information visit www.wcva.org.uk/training-and-events/events/how-to-win-tenders
Citizens Advice Cymru is launching a survey to find out experiences of the Discretionary Assistance Fund in Wales. We would like as many people as possible to complete this survey both advisers/support staff and individuals that you come into contact with in order to get as complete a picture as possible of both the awareness of the scheme and the administration of the scheme. We have attached a paper user survey that you can print if you require. DAF User questionnaire - English.doc Holiadur defnyddiwr DAF- Cymraeg.doc There are two surveys available, one for advisers and support agencies to complete and the other for members of the public and clients to complete which is offered bilingually. The survey will run until 5 March 2014. DAF Adviser questionnaire: - www.surveymonkey.com/s/DAFAdviser DAF User questionnaire: - www.surveymonkey.com/s/DAFUser Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol (DAF) Holiadur defnyddiwr: - www.surveymonkey.com/s/DAFDefnyddiwr
Closing date for applications is 10 March 2014. Click here for more information.
Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533
SCOPE – Sleep Solutions: Get involved in our online events Children need good sleep as much as they need good food. Being tired affects your whole family’s mood, health, learning and behaviour, at school and work. If this sounds like you, don’t suffer alone. This March, get help from our Sleep Solutions team and their bite-sized training and support. The team has years of experience working with families of disabled children and those with additional needs. Ask questions, pick up tips and find out more about what support is available. For more information click here
Adult Learners Week 2014 and the Festival of Learning May 2014 will see the start of our new Festival of Learning – for adults, families and communities – which will culminate in a week of activities during Adult Learners’ Week at its new date of 14 – 22 June. The Festival of Learning will encompass activities such as Voluntary Arts Week, Museums at Night Festival, Learning at Work Week, Hay Festival, VQ Day (a national celebration of vocational qualifications) Volunteers Week and Universities Week. For more information click here
Playwork: Principles into Practice (P3) Level 3 engagement events To gather feedback that will contribute to and influence the development of the learning materials, guidance and supporting information of the new Playwork: Principles into Practice (P3) level 3 Certificate, Play Wales is holding two engagement events: South Wales: 19 March 2014 Cardiff Bay Creative Centre, Cardiff 10.30am – 3.00pm North Wales: 20 March 2014 The Interchange, Old Colwyn 10.30am – 3.00pm As part of the event there will be a special workshop on inclusion within the context of play sufficiency facilitated by Di Murray. These are free events but you must book in advance – by 10 March 2014. Book online - South Wales Book online - North Wales
Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533