Issue 66 Spring 2015
Get Involved with FestiVol ‘Pride and Passion in our Valleys’
A Celebration of Volunteering 6 June at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Interlink’s newsletter for community groups and voluntary organisations in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Introducti on Interlink News
Welcome ..... to the Spring edition of Interlink’s Newsletter. If you would like to contribute to the next issue please send your articles, information, job vacancies or advertisements by: 24 July 2015 to Cara Jordan-Evans at Interlink by email: cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk
In this issue we have: 2 FestiVol 3 Volunteer Awards 4 Investing in Volunteers 5 Volunteering 6 Volunteer Story 7 Young People 8 Volunteer Story 9 Volunteering 10 Community Voice 11 Making the Connections 12 Purple Shoots 13 Local News 14-15 Training 16 Introduction
Our address: 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road Upper Boat, Pontypridd CF37 5BE Tel number: 01443 846200 Fax: 01443 844843 Email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk Website: www.interlinkrct.org.uk Office opening times are: Monday - Thursday: 9.00am - 5.00pm Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm
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Welcome to the Volunteering Edition of the Community Link, and it has never been such an interesting time for volunteering. There are lots of opportunities to be involved, FestiVol ‘Pride and Passion in Our Valleys’ a Celebration of Volunteering in on the 6 June in Ynysangharad Park and our Volunteer Celebration Awards 2015. Interlink has also recently launched ‘Stepping Forward’, a volunteering peer mentoring and employability project.
RCT Challenge Event
With significant reductions in public services, there is an even greater reliance on volunteering to provide community-led services. Volunteering was one of the issues discussed at the RCT Challenge Event on 25 March at Hawthorn Leisure Centre. RCTCBC worked with Interlink and the third sector to look at how working together will be essential in delivering new services and how we can develop an ‘Enabling State’ that promotes community-led services. It was a great success, led by Cabinet Member and Councillor Keiron Montague explaining how the Council is now really listening to and working with the community and third sector through #RCTTogether. This does involve transferring responsibilities to volunteers and communities, a change in relationships and a transfer of power, with democratic democracy working alongside participative democracy (I know, that is a mouthful), by that we mean everyone in a community who wants to be involved has a really crucial role to play in making decisions about their lives, the services they receive and what happens in their community.
Farewell to Jenny
On a very sad note for Interlink, we have said goodbye to the ever resourceful, enthusiastic and incredibly talented Jenny O’Hara- Jakeway who played a massive role in helping Interlink better involve and work with individuals, groups and communities in RCT. ‘Mrs Coproduction’ is irreplaceable and we miss her, but we wish her the very best of luck in her new role as Chief Executive of Powys Carers.
Goodbye to Lauren
Lauren has been the Interlink Receptionist since starting on the Future Jobs Fund in December 2010, sadly we said goodbye to Lauren as a staff member on the 31 March 2015. Lauren has been meeting everyone with a smile, answering the phones, coordinating our training programme and doing another 100 jobs on top with skill and enthusiasm. Everyone has told us how friendly, helpful and approachable Lauren is. Lauren is a bundle of fun, everyone will miss her and we will struggle to cope without her. We wish her every success in the future.
FestiVol ‘Pride and Passion in Our Valleys’ - A Celebration of Volunteering in Rhondda Cynon Taf Excitement is mounting at Interlink as we get to grips with putting on our first ever Outdoor Celebration of Volunteering, FestiVol. Don’t miss out on this terrific opportunity to showcase your project to a huge audience, for free, at the height of Summer! The event will be held in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd on Saturday 6 June between 11.00am - 3.00pm and will be a wonderful opportunity for our member organisations to showcase their projects and their work to the wide audience expected to pass through Ponty Park on a Summer Saturday! It also gives members the chance to celebrate their volunteers by bringing them along to a Family Fun Day, which will of course be free to all. Our two Marquees will host Interlink’s Annual Volunteer Celebration Ceremony, a session with the exceptional ‘Singing for the Brain’ project run by the Alzheimers’ Society, a Fashion Show presented by Rowan Tree Cancer Care and an acoustic music session coordinated by students from Ysgol y Pant.
Toogoodtowaste, Rhondda Breast Friends, Purple Shoots, Menter Iaith, Pontypridd Historical Museum, the Ynysybwl Festival Committee and Glyncoch Regeneration are bringing interactive information stands, while the Phoenix Initiative are running IT Taster Sessions. Contact a Family are putting on Forest School Skills Activities, Rowan Tree Cancer Care will be running Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage sessions, while Game On Wales/Coalfields are bringing an Inflatable Football Shoot Out. Something for Everyone!! We are also recruiting traders and food retailers from within the sector. The good news is there is still time to book in but given the complexity and planning levels needed to run such an event in a public space, we need those booking forms back as soon as possible.
If you’d like to be involved - and who wouldn’t? Please contact Interlink on 01443 846200 or email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk
Don’t miss your opportunity to nominate your Volunteers for the 2015 RCT’s Volunteer Awards Celebration This year’s event is different to any other! The outdoor event will recognise and celebrate the work of the dedicated and inspirational individuals and groups of volunteers across RCT. Every volunteer nominated will receive a certificate and be invited to take part in the fun and interesting activities that are part of this ‘open’ event. So bring along friends and family to enjoy the day.
The ceremony will take place at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd on 6 June 2015. This celebration event is solely funded through our brilliant sponsors, Tydfil Training Consortium, Rhondda Housing, RCT Homes and Cynon-Taf Community Housing. A huge thank you to them again this year.
Nominate someone you know TODAY! The closing date for nominations is 8 May 2015 Nomination forms are available from adavies@interlinkrct.org.uk or cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk or by calling 01443 846200. Alternatively download it from our website www.interlinkrct.org.uk Page 3
Volunteer Awards RCT Volunteer Awards and Celebration Evening 2014 - ‘an awesome event’ That’s how Lian Carter of Rhondda Housing described the 2014 Volunteer Awards Evening, held on 13 June at The Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd. The annual event which acknowledges and celebrates the contribution volunteers make in RCT was a huge success and saw 120 invited guests, mostly volunteers, enjoy an evening of good company, fun and laughter. Every volunteer nominated received a certificate and the nominations who received the highest scores from our panel of judges made short films, which were shown on the night and the audience decided the winner of the ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ which was presented by last year’s winner Barbara Powell. The two runners up were Raymond Cooper and Michael Baker.
This year’s winner was:
Lian says ‘Sandra is exceptionally reliable, committed, responsible and charismatic. These characteristics means she offers unique passionate understanding to our tenants, their families and community members know that someone cares and is there to help.’ At the event the audience awarded the ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ to Sandra Charlesworth. Our congratulations go out to her but as Interlink know ‘every volunteer is a winner.’
This year’s highest scoring nominees were:Michael Baker, (pictured centre) was nominated by Jennifer Evans (pictured right) for his contribution to Too Good To Waste.
Sandra Charlesworth, pictured below, being presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award by last year’s winner Barbara Powell, was nominated by Lian Carter of Rhondda Housing for her role in setting up and running a community food box scheme.
‘The boxes help support those living below the poverty line and empower them to become more involved in community life. Edible food currently treated as waste is distributed to disadvantaged people across RCT. The food box is provided to a family for a donation of a third of the value of the food. That donation is then deducted from their rent arrears, helping people to avoid debt.’ Lian Carter, Rhondda Housing Page 4
Jennifer said ‘Mike has an ethos that if an item of furniture isn’t good enough for him, then it isn’t offered for sale until it is. Mike is extremely motivated and encourages others. He is committed and punctual, contributing 5000 hours during his time with us.’ Volunteering has changed Mike’s life from one of petty crime to one of assisting his local community and residents. Mike buddies up with new volunteers during their early days, he remembers how isolated he felt when he first entered the world of volunteering and says he wants to minimise the isolation that people sometimes feel.
Investing in Volunteers Jennifer says ‘Mike extols the benefits of volunteering, he explains how volunteering has helped him turn his life around.’ Raymond Cooper, (pictured below) was nominated by Barbara Locke for his contribution to Parkinson’s UK.
Barbara says of Ray ‘He campaigns for better services for people affected by Parkinson’s. He successfully campaigned for a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist in Cwm Taf University Health Board. He then went on to set up and run a Parkinson’s Café in the Rhondda, where people who are affected by Parkinson’s can come together in an informal, non-judgemental atmosphere. Ray holds concerts, garden parties and gives talks to raise funds for research and to improve treatments for those affected by Parkinson’s.’
Interlink wish to thank our sponsors for this event:Framwaith, Social Care Workforce Development Programme, Tydfil Training, Cynon-Taf Community Housing Group, Rhondda Housing and RCT Homes, without who this event wouldn’t take place. To find out about volunteering contact Christine Davies by email: cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 01443 846200.
Be the Best - The Investing in Volunteers Health Check If your organisation involves volunteers, then the Investing in Volunteers Health Check will provide an invaluable ‘diagnosis’ of your practice in volunteer management. By using the Investing in Volunteers framework a trained advisor will benchmark your organisation against the standard and provide you with a development plan which outlines areas for improvement or gaps in practice. They will be able to signpost you to where you might get help to address these. A Health Check will take about half a day of your time but the benefits are far reaching. Our experience with Investing in Volunteers shows that some organisations struggle with the self assessment techniques. By opting for the Health Check you let an Advisor do this part of the work for you!
You can use your Health Check to plan your development and to improve your volunteer management practice. It also means that, if you wish, you are just one step away from achieving the Investing in Volunteers Award. If you choose to address your development plan within six months of the Health Check than you can proceed to assessment for the Investing in Volunteers Award. You can use your Health Check as a way of testing your readiness for an Investing in Volunteers assessment without having to commit to the whole process. You can use it as a ‘first step’ toward achieving the award or simply as a diagnostic tool. Either way, you are demonstrating commitment to your volunteers by ensuring the best possible management practices for your organisation.
If you would like to find out more contact Christine Davies on 01443 846200 or email: cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk or iiv@wcva.org.uk you can register your interest online at www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk Page 5
Volunteering Christine Davies, Volunteering Development Officer. My role involves supporting voluntary organisations in RCT to develop quality volunteer management practices, which links in perfectly with my role as an Investing in Volunteers Assessor and Advisor. I also support voluntary
organisations by publicising volunteering and sign posting potential volunteers to appropriate organisations. One method of publicising volunteering that I particularly enjoy is organising the Annual Volunteers Awards ceremony. Contact Christine Davies on 01443 846200 or email: cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk
Stepping Forward - Volunteers Supporting Volunteers through Peer Support The service the Volunteer Centre provide is changing. We’ve always known the impact volunteering has on individuals. Volunteering can change people’s lives, broadening experiences, building confidence, turn negatives into positives and giving people real, usable skills which enable them to move on in life. That may be into employment but equally importantly it could enable them to stay/be healthier mentally, physically and emotionally. Volunteering changes people and that will impact on communities, volunteering in communities not only strengthens the individual and the organisation but ultimately the community they volunteer in as well.
We have been exploring ways in which we can support volunteers who fail to engage because ironically it’s these volunteers that have the most to gain from volunteering.
Using this information, we’ve identified a number of barriers to volunteering that people experience. Lack of confidence, physical/emotional issues, entrenched worklessness, learning difficulties, to name but a few. Interlink has secured funding to provide a wrap-round support service for the long term unemployed. The service will entail working in partnership with DWP and Valley and the Vale Community Arts to provide a 16 day training course. The course is designed to provide informal and enjoyable learning experiences for participants, improving confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness. Participants will gain a City and Guilds Award in Personal and Social Skills and valuable experience via volunteering. Claire, one of the first people to show interest in the course said ‘I can’t wait to start, I’m really looking forward to it.’
So the Volunteer Centre has introduced a new service. Stepping Forward - our volunteer peer mentoring offers trained peer mentors who can give potential volunteers the support they need to engage in volunteering. Every peer mentoring relationship is different so the service is individual to each supported volunteer. For some it may involve support to complete application forms but for others it may involve building confidence slowly over many weeks and accompanying the potential volunteer when they meet an organisation or start volunteering. This is supported by the Department of Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government.
If you would like to be involved or find out about this scheme contact Chris at Interlink on 01443 846200 or email: cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 6
Volunteer Story
Volunteer Story - Nick Nick has been volunteering at Interlink as an admin volunteer for approximately 10 months. Over the last few months his role has changed and now incorporates Information and Marketing as well. This is his experience of volunteering, in his own words. To be honest, I’d never considered volunteering. It was something I knew nothing about. I’ve always been employed full time and lead a full life so I didn’t think I had time to volunteer. In my mind it was something that older people did, to keep active after retirement and I honestly believed the only volunteering opportunities available were in charity shops. When I was made redundant and found it difficult to find another paid job, someone suggested I try volunteering. So I went along to the Friends of the Animals charity shop near my home and enrolled. I thoroughly enjoyed the 6 months I spent there but I was very aware that I wasn’t using my admin skills, that can go out of date so quickly, computers and software change so much for example just five years ago I’d never used a touch screen. To be honest I was at my lowest point at that stage, I’d been on the work programme for 2 years and didn’t feel as if I’d achieved anything and was feeling quite despondent. I got to the stage where I dreaded going there. One good thing to come out of it though was that I had an opportunity to see how Tydfil Training worked and so wished I’d gone to them instead. When one of the Tydfil Training staff told me that Chris from Interlink was giving a talk about volunteering and suggested I have a chat to her I followed their advice. I was quite shocked how quickly things happened after that. Tydfil Training were the start of me turning things around because it was through them that I met Interlink.
It seemed like a seamless service going from one to the other. Chris invited me to come into the office and meet the team, she explained how it had to be ‘the right opportunity for me’ as well as me being the right person for them. As it happened it was perfect for both of us. Volunteering at Interlink came along at just the right time for me because I’d just completed an ECDL course and needed experience of using the skills I’d learnt. I’m hoping that having qualifications, experience and a reference from Interlink will make finding another job easier.
I’ve learnt so much from being at Interlink, not just using my admin skills, I’ve also learnt to use social media to advertise volunteering but even more than that, my confidence has improved so much, I’m part of a team and we all work together to meet targets and goals. I know my confidence isn’t where it was before my redundancy but I’m getting there.
‘It’s great to see you working on your own initiative and coming up with some great ideas. You’re such an asset to the volunteer centre.’
The whole team have noticed the change in me they say ‘he fits in well and is very reliable’ and ‘he’s definitely more chatty.’
If you would like to find out more about volunteering contact Chris at Interlink on 01443 846200 or email: cdavies@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 7
Young People Thomas Crockett, Youth Volunteering Officer. As the local GwirVol Advisor I promote volunteering to 16-25 year olds in Rhondda Cynon Taf, though I am happy to speak with over 25’s too! I am currently working on a partnership with the University of
South Wales and are looking for volunteer placements for their students, so if you wish to recruit young volunteers, or are trying to develop a project with young people, please give me a call on 01443 846200 or by email: tcrockett@interlinkrct.org.uk
The Vol Factor The Vol Factor is a youth-led grant scheme, funded by GwirVol through Welsh Government, supporting volunteering projects for 14-25 year olds in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The scheme is coordinated by a panel of young people (Gareth Morgans, Neil Sanders and Samantha Taylor) and this year they awarded grants totalling £4,800, to eight projects. These excellent projects were showcased at The Vol Factor Celebration Event in the Feelgood Factory, Bryncynon in March 2015. Danny Evans, Secretary of the Aberdare Association Football League said: ‘Thanks to your support the League is able to continue its weekly sessions at the Blaengwawr Comprehensive School, purchase new or replacement equipment and provide for those young people undergoing Football Leaders courses, Coaching and First Aid courses. As was evident at the Annual Presentations held at Bryncynon the Centre is in the capable hands of Teresa Kemble and the young coaches Jamie, Ryan and Kierion. Once again sincere thanks to you all.’
Volunteering Opportunity with the British Red Cross
The British Red Cross are looking for volunteers to help in their new charity shop in Aberdare. You will be providing invaluable help with the running of the shop. Keeping it stocked and attractively displayed. You can get involved with as much or as little as you like by sorting out stock, working on the shop displays and serving customers at the till. For more information contact Bethan Clough on 029 20 815683 or email: bclough@redcross.org.uk Page 8
Groups awarded the grants were: Aberdare Valley Association Football League - Junior Development Centre Ton and Gelli Community Centre - Sporting and Recreational Activities Spectacle Theatre - Are You Coming Out? Bryncynon Strategy - Youth Drop-In Facilities RCT People First - Spooky Science Glyncoch Communities First - Game On Project Glyncoch Communities First - Youth Forum Development 1st Llantwit Fardre Rangers - Sensory Garden Project
CSV Volunteer Befriender Opportunity Community Service Volunteers are looking for volunteers who have good listening skills, who are patient, friendly, understanding, non-judgmental and committed to making weekly, one hour home visits as a befriender to people over 50. For more information contact Diane Matheson on 07788 310445 or 029 20 464001 or email: dmatheson@csv.org.uk
Volunteer Story Paddy tells us about volunteering for the Pontypridd Food Bank I have always been interested in volunteering. I was with the Air Cadets and the Scouts from a young age, and that instilled in me the ethos of helping people, so a big thing for me at University was to give something extra and to help others. I was referred to Thomas Crockett and we tried Pontypridd Food Bank as a placement. I’m still there nine months later! I’m not personally doing it to help me find a job I just like to feel that I’m using my time to help another group of people.
Other people within the organisation are very good and friendly and they are always interested in what I’ve got going on. Even though I’m from a different background they make me feel valued and we can all unite over a common goal. Organisations like the Food Bank are so needed in society nowadays, especially with all the cuts going on, so I plan to keep volunteering throughout my life.
I’m volunteering with the Pontypridd Food Bank with Warwick Butler and Father Michael. My role is to take over the phone once every fortnight, so that when people request it I deliver food parcels either to individuals or to organisations. I can also open up the Church for collections and working directly with the Clients, I’m on call for a whole day so it can get quite busy. It may help me get employment in the future, but as I’ve said I’m really doing it because of the values involved, of helping other people. It makes you feel good to help out and the Food Bank is good in that you directly meet the people you are helping, which does make it more rewarding. I also meet a wide range of people in the role. I think the Food Bank is one of the best Charities around, because it is so local. People from the community donate food and that goes directly to the clients. Food is the main currency and all the work is done by volunteers: I think people can connect to that. Some people are disillusioned with larger Charities so this seems a much purer model, it all seems to happen within a three mile radius.
Warwick Butler, Pontypridd Food Bank Distribution Centre Manager said ‘Volunteers like Paddy from the University of South Wales have done very well for us over the past twelve months and without them we definitely couldn’t have coped so well with the massive demand for our services. The link with the University has definitely been worthwhile for us over the past year, but we could still do with a few more volunteers so we’ll be staying involved next year.’
For more information about volunteering contact Thomas Crockett on 01443 846200 or email: tcrockett@interlinkrct.org.uk
Lymphoedema Prevention Service Volunteering Opportunity Breast Cancer Care Cymru are looking for volunteers to help meet and greet participants making them feel welcome, making sure they complete registration forms, provide suppport to any clients showing signs of distress, offering time out outside the group and an offer of sitting with them.
You need to be a good communicator, understanding that listening is as important as sharing information. For more information contact Beverley Hampson on 029 20 234075 or email: beverley.hampson@breastcancercare.org.uk Page 9
Volunteering
Volunteering and Social Care We are seeing this in action through the Intermediate Care Fund that has been a tremendous success with volunteers being key to developing befriending schemes and successful projects such as the Community Coordinators employed by Interlink and Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil, connecting community-led services with social services to better support people in their community; 5 Ways to Wellbeing and Interlink’s Isolation to Integration project to help tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people. This is now moving on to how we work together to implement the Social Service and Wellbeing Act, which will mean more reliance on volunteers and community-led services. For more information contact Anne Morris at Interlink on 01443 846200 or email: amorris@interlinkrct.org.uk
Volunteer Management – What Would You Like to Talk About? Interlink’s Friendly Neighbourhood Volunteering Advisors, Thomas Crockett and Christine Davies, will be teaming up this Autumn to deliver a half day taster session on Managing Volunteers – but the exact content is up to you!
Our half day course will cover selected elements from these sessions - but we aim to tailor the course content according to our participants’ needs, to provide a bespoke service ... so tell us what elements you’d like to cover!
The Material for the course will come from the ever popular WCVA Course on Volunteer Management, which Interlink co-delivers with Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil every year.
The course is run in a friendly, non judgemental manner with a strict code of confidentiality, to ensure that real world examples and scenarios can be discussed and solutions found.
The four day course includes the following modules and elements:
The taster session will be held on Thursday 3 September between 9.30am - 12.30pm at Interlink’s Offices in Upper Boat.
Introduction to Volunteering (defining volunteering; volunteer motivation and resource implications) Preparing For Volunteers (volunteering policies and legal issues; volunteer role descriptions and risk assessment) Volunteer Recruitment Selection and Induction (recruitment methods; vetting and DBS checks; interviews; identifying volunteers’ skills; data protection; induction and accessibility) Getting the Best from your Volunteers (understanding motivation; support and supervision; managing difficult situations; training and development; recognition and rewarding your volunteers) Page 10
To book a place contact Interlink on 01443 846200 or visit out website www.interlinkrct.org.uk to view our training programme.
Community Voice
Actions Speak Louder Than Words Community Voice has had a busy 6 months meeting targets and planning a conference. ‘Actions speak louder than words’ was the title of the RCT Community Voice Conference held at the Burberry Factory, Treorchy on 15 October 2014. It was a conference about doing and learning by doing, an interactive event facilitated by the Community Voice partners. It brought everyone together to plan, agree and be accountable for actions that would improve the meaningful involvement of people and communities in developing better services in RCT.
The guiding question for the event was:
‘How do we communicate, plan, influence and deliver together in a way that improves services for service users in RCT?’
When and where?
The conference at the Burberry Factory in Treorchy. Although we are still evaluating its success and creating action planning from its recommendations this year, the mood of the day was one of serious fun, it provided a chance to listen, to be heard, to change our minds, a chance to persuade, to support others in speaking openly about the challenges we all face in improving services in RCT; this was a Conference about getting things done and who does what and when. Over 100 people were invited to take part and enter the rabbit hole as we had an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme. The attendees were made up of individuals, communities and organisations interested and involved in improving services in RCT including service users, patients, community representatives, public service staff and managers and decision makers.
What did we achieve? • • • • •
It allowed voices to be heard and listened to It began a step change in the way services are delivered and developed It began a conversation to develop a set of key actions to make this happen It began to identify who is accountable to deliver each action It has already began to improve services in RCT
What did we find out?
The main areas raised by the workshop discussion were: • General Practice Surgeries • Transport • Disempowerment and disenfranchisement of young people • The engagement of young people in changes to youth services • Police and anti-social behaviour • Risky behaviour • The Department of Work and Pensions and the attitude of some Job Centre staff • Recycling Now it’s time to act on the key themes and recommendations of the day. All projects have imbedded everything learned from the day into its consortia action plan. Thank you to the consortia and all the volunteers who helped to transform the room into a wonderland and to RCT CBC for part funding such a great event.
To find out more contact Lucy Foster on 01443 846200 or email: lfoster@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 11
Making the Connections Making Coproduction Happen in RCT - Making the Connections Interlink RCT have been able to develop a coproductive approach to its work as a result of the Making the Connections project. The project has been a huge success with Jenny O’Hara-Jakeway given the job of ‘Making coproduction happen in RCT’ and what an incredible job she did! Jenny was given a senior role to make things happen inside and outside of the community. This has enabled Interlink to work with a wide range of volunteers, communities and organisations to develop more meaningful approaches to listening to and involving people in designing and delivering a range of community activities and services. Volunteering is at the heart of developing coproductive approaches.
Involving People
This has included some fantastic work including events and training courses, leading on the development of the Public Engagement Strategy ‘Involving People’ and helping a range of local projects to listen and involve people to ground breaking projects that are emerging from this work. Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr now have coproduction as core to the development of the Cwm Taf Public Engagement Strategy.
Small Countries: Big Ideas
One of the highlights was being chosen to be part of the Small Countries: Big Ideas Project to develop the use of Sense Maker, new software that allows the development of tools to measure how people feel and the impact on people of services through story telling. We now have projects in development to listen to the stories of young people in the Rhondda and older people throughout RCT. Let us know if you would like to be involved!
Projects Ideas - from Younger to Older!
Two of the most exciting projects that we are currently exploring have been specific projects focused on older and young people and aim to use Sense Maker to look at how we can best support and empower older and younger people.
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Older People, Story Telling and Tackling Loneliness and Isolation
Interlink applied for some funding from the Intermediate Care Fund for the ‘Isolation to Integration’ project to carry out training to enable us to carry out a storytelling project to find more about how isolated older people feel. We have done the training and some stories and are now planning how we take our next steps into carrying out more stories and improving services. We were also able to fund some research into whether the services that were being commissioned for older people are helping to address loneliness and isolation. The stories everyone collects will help to inform the research. Jenny was able to support the Friends of Tonypandy Community College carry out a coproduction approach to involving the whole school community in improving outcomes for young people with the support to Teach First. Appreciative enquiry training was delivered to pupils, teachers and parents and has empowered everyone to work together.
Festival of Dangerous Ideas – Talented Rhondda Alliance
A brilliant event took place in Trerhondda Chapel, Ferndale on the 26 February to launch the Talented Rhondda Alliance. The Chapel was packed with lots of organisations and young people and explored some of the barriers experienced by young people especially those young people whose talents are not considered academics.
Purple Shoots Over 100 ideas were generated on the day, including a social enterprise to build and loan scooters for young people to get about. It is an exciting time and the next move is to carry out a huge listening campaign with local people involved in collecting and telling stories and building on the talents of young people in the Rhondda. If you have an idea or want to get involved come and join the Talented Rhondda Alliance.
Influencing the Way We Work
So even though we are saying farewell to the Making the Connections Project and also very sadly to Jenny, we have grabbed the opportunity, learnt a huge amount and embedded coproduction principles in our work. While we have always followed community development and participation principles, the adoption of more coproductive approaches and the support and leadership we had from Jenny has had a massive positive influence on our approach, what we do and how we do it, now and in the future. Staff at Interlink now feel more informed and more confident in delivering these approaches. The project was facilitated by WCVA and delivered by County Voluntary Council’s in Wales and funded through the European Social Fund Convergence Programme.
PURPLE Shoots - Little loans to grow ideas The Future is Purple! The wonderful Purple Shoots have a new quarterly newsletter. Purple Shoots was set up as a not-for-profit microfinance institution which means it makes small loans to people trying to start or run a small business who cannot get funding from anywhere else. They are often people struggling with unemployment who want to set up their own business. This brings economic development to the most disadvantaged areas of Wales.
Purple Shoots started lending at the end of October 2013 and Purple Shoots has made a total of 91 small loans to 81 different individuals most of whom were unemployed before they had their loan. There are now two self-reliant groups running, both in Treherbert in the Upper Rhondda Valley, one developing income generating ideas around the forest and the other looking at running a community cafe.
For people further away from self-employment Purple Shoots is also helping get small groups of people together and helping them rebuild confidence, identify skills and develop income generating ideas. These are called ‘self-reliant groups.’
For further information contact Karen on 07726 599267 or email: info@purpleshoots.org or visit www.purpleshoots.org
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Local News Charity ‘2 Wish Upon a Star’ praised by NHS and Police The Talbot Green based charity was founded by Rhian Burke to improve bereavement services for families who have lost children suddenly. The work of the charity has been lauded by figures from two police forces and the NHS during a meeting held at the Senedd. 2 Wish Upon a Star held an event at the National Assembly of Wales in Cardiff Bay to thank its supporters and outline the organisation’s plans for the future. Three years have passed since the double tragedy that inspired the launch of the charity - with founder Rhian Burke losing her baby boy George followed by the death of her husband Paul. Mrs Burke used the pain of the loss of her son and husband to raise money for the improvement of bereavement services for families who have lost children suddenly. The charity was praised for its work which has influenced policy reform and procedures within the NHS, South Wales Police and Dyfed Powys Police. Money raised by the charity goes towards helping those who are in need of trauma support and to improve the bereavement facilities in local hospitals. The Senedd event opened with entertainment from local Welsh choir Cor Tadau Trisant, followed by an introduction from sponsor, Mick Antoniw, Pontypridd AM.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley addressed the audience and underlined the impact the charity has had on procedures. Paul said: ‘Rhian’s family was a close knit unit so that really does demonstrate the severity of the trauma suffered by all involved after the loss of George, then Paul. When we heard that Rhian had set up the charity, we were extremely eager to engage the charity’s advice. It has been obvious from the start that processes need to be clearer and more sympathetic. I’m pleased to say that all of our family liaison and child death policies, as well as a course for families who have suffered the death of a child, have been adapted with the input of 2 Wish Upon a Star.’
Emily Jones, sister at the Paediatric Emergency Unit at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, added: ‘Previously, a booklet was the only source of support that we could offer. Now, with the work of 2 Wish Upon a Star, we have had relatives rooms refurbished where families can grieve more privately and appropriately. There are now bereavement boxes where families have items such as clothing and teddies to help with the logistical and sentimental processes and the purchase of cold cots to facilitate the child for a period of time so relatives who aren’t present can say goodbye.’ A pilot scheme is now set to be launched by the charity and UHW, which will see immediate support for families who have suffered the sudden loss of a child - by trained counsellors and the charity. Mrs Burke, nominated as a finalist for the St David’s Citizenship Award, closed the evening by thanking all those who have supported her and the charity.
Rhian Burke and AM Mick Antoniw
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For more information visit www.2wishuponastar.org or email: info@2wishuponastar.org
Local News Fancy Zumba in Abercynon Community Centre? The Committee are really passionate about developing the Centre for the community and secured funding from Amgen for it to be renovated. The premises had been virtually derelict for some time. The renovations were completed in May. It looks absolutely magnificent and has a large hall with stage and kitchen and good sized secondary room with kitchen, both of which are available for hire at extremely competitive rates. The Centre offers a host of activities for all ages and is working with partners to develop youth provision. For older people it has Zumba Gold on Tuesdays at 2.00pm and a Coffee Morning every Friday 10.30am to Noon. They also host regular dinner dances and afternoon teas.
For more information contact Mrs Murphy on 07748 442878 or email: abercynoncommunitycentre1@outlook.com
The Community Centre, Station Road, Abercynon CF45 4TA
Grants from Interlink The Taff Ely Wind Farm Fund supported by RWE
and administered by Interlink is available to any community or voluntary group living closest to the wind farm, such as Blackmill, Evanstown, Gilfach Goch, Tonyrefail, Thomastown, Llanharan, Bryncae and Heol Y Ciw. The fund supports these communities carry out the aims and objectives of their organisation, recruit new members, involve more people from the community and help to develop your group.
This year we awarded £2,500 to: Cylch Meithrin Thomastown - Gardening Project Blackmill Youth and Community Centre - Purchase of steel container Tonyrefail Boys and Girls Football Club - Training and match footballs Little Fingers Kidz - Stationery and educational trip Ely Valley JFC - 4 x plastic samba match goals Llanharan Community Development Project - Café Project – OAP Support Group
Village and Valleys Community Sweetshop Ferndale
Interlink Development Grant is given to small
and emerging groups to support them in recruiting new members.
This year we awarded £500 to: Rhondda Hearing Impaired Support Group - Cost of transport Village and Valleys Community Sweetshop Ferndale - Volunteer expenses Action for Abercynon War Memorial Paddling Pool - Stationery and marketing Llanharan Recreation Trust - Internet/Wifi Pontypridd & District Gateway and Mencap Society - Transport and marketing costs Llanharan Community Development Limited Training costs and marketing materials CBS Group - Advertising/meeting room costs/guest speaker costs Nantgarw China Works Museum - Publicity materials Friends of Tonteg Community Park - Publicity materials and printing costs Ynysybwl Enterprise Programme Limited - Set up costs for website and associated costs Greenhill Allotments - Gardening tools and supplies For more information about funding contact Joanna Markham on 01443 846200 or email: jmarkham@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 15
Broaden your horizons ..... with Interlink training Dementia Awareness
Mental Health First Aid for Adults 12 and 19 June 2015 9.30am - 4.30pm
24 April 2015 3 Sessions 9.30am -10.45am 11.00am - 12.30pm 1.30pm - 3.00pm FREE
Practice Exchange Group: Young People’s Participation
Substance Misuse Training 5 May 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm FREE
First Class Funding Strategies 17 June 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm
Engaging Older People 4 June 2015 9.30am - 12.00pm
First Aid Training 17 July 2015 9.30am - 4.30pm
Perinatal Mental Health Basic Awareness
Health and Safety Training
9 June 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm
23 July 2015 9.30am - 4.30pm
Action Learning Sets
Volunteer Management Training
11 June 2015 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Running your Organisation Exceptional Committees 11 June 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm
17 June 2015 2.00pm - 4.00pm
3 September 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm
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We are able to assist with skill sharing or provide bespoke training on Microsoft packages. Get in touch for more information. Are you looking for office accommodation in the Pontypridd area? We have office space available to rent in our office in Upper Boat. Or looking to hire conference facilities?
We offer a range of meeting and conference facilities, whether your requirements are for a training venue, conferences, small meetings or one to one meetings. All room hire charges are inclusive of: Laptop Projector Projection Screen Internet Connection Flip Chart Dry Wipe Board Refreshments are available on request for a small charge. We can advise on local caterers.
Charity No 1141143 Company No 07549533
Next Issue: August 2015