20 years of listening to and supporting the development of people and communities
Issue 79 Winter 2019
2020 Vision
Interlink’s newsletter for community groups and voluntary organisations in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Introduction Interlink News
Welcome
..... to the Winter edition of Interlink’s Newsletter. If you would like to contribute to the next issue please send your articles, information or advertisements by: 6 April 2020 to Cara Jordan-Evans
cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk
In this issue we have: 2 3 4
Introduction Interlink News Community Coordinators Wellbeing Coordinators Food Banks Mental Health Welsh Charity Awards Community News Measuring the Mountain Funding Pen y Cymoedd Training
5 6 7 8 9 - 11 12 13 14-15 16
Our new address: Glenview House Courthouse Street Pontypridd CF37 1JY Tel number: 01443 846200 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 Welcome to the latest edition of Community link, the new year brings new premises, new staff and new opportunities! Community Coordinators have been busy supporting older people through the long winter months when loneliness and isolation is more prevalent. The Wellbeing Coordinator team welcomes four new members of staff who are raring to go connecting people to local services, groups and activities. World Mental Health Day was celebrated across RCT with numerous events taking place and the official launch of the Welsh Ambulance Service Mental Health Support leaflet. Read all about the new WCVA Welsh Charity Awards and the recognition given to local charities operating across the borough. Have a look at the amazing achievements of our local community groups and their contribution to community wellbeing and there’s plenty of funding news too. We would like to wish all our members a Happy New Year and we look forward to working with you in the coming months!
Citizen Powered Communities
We had an inspiring Citizen Powered Communities event in November. The presentations from local groups were exceptional, people and communities taking action is at the centre of citizen power and there is no place like RCT for what communities are doing for themselves. It does help to have a supportive environment, and it was great to hear from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Andrew Morgan, making it clear RCTCBC are there to help and work alongside communities. We have some great stories of the support provided to groups, and some alternative experiences. But listening to what Andrew had to say gives us all confidence that RCT will continue to be the best in Wales, well the world, to find Citizen Powered Communities Please read the Citizen Powered Communities Report on our website to find out more and contact us on 01443 846200 or email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk to get involved!
Interlink News
Interlink Welcomes New Staff Members! Elizabeth Williams
I am delighted to join the team at Interlink as Hwb Programme Coordinator and look forward to working with community and voluntary organisations to transform the support available in local communities. I have always had a passion for community engagement and feel that working as part of the Interlink team we can help build and sustain, strong and thriving communities throughout RCT. To contact Elizabeth call 07598 003707 or email: ewilliams@interlinkrct.org.uk
Julie Edwards
I’m delighted to have joined Interlink wearing two different hats. As Hwb Coordinator, alongside my colleague Elizabeth, we will be working with voluntary and community groups to make connections, provide support where necessary and develop asset based approaches. As Children and Young People’s Coordinator I will be working with groups and organisations to transform the support available to children and young people within local communities. By covering a broad range of ages and working with the team in Interlink, I look forward to meeting so many wonderful people within the third sector. To contact Julie call 07598 009035 or email: jedwards@interlinkrct.org.uk
Transformation: Four additional posts Transformation funding has recently been received by Cwm Taf Morgannwg from Welsh Government to expand successful projects across Cwm Taf and Bridgend that provide greater choice and independence for individuals, whilst reducing pressure on social care, GP surgeries and hospitals. This is in line with the vision set out in ‘A Healthier Wales’, the Welsh Government’s long-term plan to transform the way health and social care is delivered. One successful project was the ‘Virtual Ward’ approach piloted in the Cynon area which consists of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the coordination of seamless, holistic health and social care services organised around the individual and the family as close to home as possible. The third sector is fully integrated within the team and the approach has been highly successful, reducing demand on General Practice both in and out of hours and on A&E but crucially providing better outcomes for people.
Further expansion of this model is planned to transform the way in which local authorities, health and the third sector work collaboratively to transform how care is delivered and forms the core basis of the Enhanced Cluster Team (ECT) model going forward across the whole of RCT. Based on the experience of the Cynon project, the Cwm Taf ECT model will involve a wide range of partners including GPs, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, CAMHS, Welsh Ambulance and the third sector, including Wellbeing Coordinators. Transformation funding has provided extra capacity for the existing Wellbeing Coordinator team across RCT and four new Coordinators have now been appointed who will integrate into this model going forward. We will be working in partnership in the coming months to negotiate the hosting of the Wellbeing Coordinator team into third sector organisations
Contact our new Wellbeing Coordinators for information: Katy Williams Melanie Holly Samantha Williams Aminah Teague
Rhondda Rhondda Cynon Taff Ely
- 07515 166024 or email: kwilliams@interlinkrct.org.uk - 07515 166036 or email: mholly@interlinkrct.org.uk - 07515 166017 or email: swilliams@interlinkrct.org.uk - 07515 166035 or email: ateague@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 3
Community Coordinators Community Coordinators support older people to maximise their health and wellbeing and maintain their independence. They work with older people to explore their needs and then signpost them to local services. A key aim of the team is to help reduce the negative impact on health of social isolation and loneliness, by helping older people to access local activities, attend groups and connect with their community.
New Beginnings
Following a short hospital stay Mrs J was referred to the Rhondda Community Coordinator by the Stay Well @ Home team. Mrs J felt she was being harassed because of her mental health issues by other residents in the sheltered housing complex where she resided. She was becoming isolated as she was afraid to leave her flat. The Coordinator gently explored with Mrs J what was of most importance to her, she said she needed to attend activities outside of the complex so she could make new friends. The Coordinator informed Mrs J of a local wellbeing group whose aim is to support people with mental health issues and who provide activities such as cooking, tea dances and trips away. Mrs J was too anxious to attend alone so the leader of the group arranged to meet her prior to joining.
Mrs J has started attending the wellbeing group every Monday and is enjoying her time there, her aim is to attend the Thursday session too once her confidence has developed further, she stated she was feeling a lot more hopeful.
‘Thank you for putting me in touch with such a lovely group. It makes my day. My confidence is improving and I’m feeling more hopeful that I can get through this dark time in my life.’
Home Sweet Home
Ms H was advised to call the Taff Ely Community Coordinator because her financial situation was very worrying. She has various health conditions which include Fibromyalgia and spots on her brain that are affecting her balance. She was claiming PIP but had been taken off that following a review and she has no others means of income. She was concerned that she’d lose her tenancy as she hadn’t long moved into a one bedroomed flat because it works out better for her. She tried to appeal the decision but it was too stressful and she couldn’t cope with the paperwork. The Community Coordinator offered to refer her to Trivallis who could visit her at home to assess and help with her situation by performing a benefits check and also help out with the paperwork and ease her worries. Ms H rang the Community Coordinator several weeks later to say that her PIP was reinstated and they were even applying for another benefit she didn’t realise she qualified for. Page 4
‘Thank you so much for all your help. I didn’t know what to do and the situation was really stressing me out which was affecting my health. I am so relieved that I can now afford to keep living at the accommodation which is suited to me.’
Wellbeing Coordinators Wellbeing Coordinators link adults to sources of non-medical support in the community to support their social, emotional and practical needs. They work closely with GP surgeries and community organisations improving the links between primary care and the third sector. They work with people to identify what matters most to them and link them to activities, groups and services in their community.
Communities Together! A collaboration between Julie Lomas, Wellbeing Coordinator for Cynon South, and a local café owner resulted in the launch of ‘Communities Together’ in September. ‘Communities Together’ is a monthly social event held at the Coffee and Cream Café in Penrhiwceiber to combat the impact of loneliness and social isolation in the Cynon area. The local café owner was aware that many people in the local community were lonely and he wanted to do something to try to alleviate the problem. He closed the Café to the public and offered it for a social event, Julie encouraged people in the local area who she was working with to attend. The launch event saw nine very apprehensive people that had never met before warmly welcomed and encouraged to chat and get to know one another. The event was a huge success, which resulted in everyone swapping phone numbers and arranging to meet together in the café the following week. There have been a further three events held since the launch with seventeen people attending, many friendships have been formed and people are now meeting up weekly in the café themselves.
Listening Ear
Mrs D was referred to the Rhondda Wellbeing Coordinator by her GP as she was experiencing mental health issues. Mrs D attended the appointment along with her husband, during which she became extremely upset and divulged that she was struggling to cope and didn’t know where to turn. Her Husband said that his wife stayed in bed most of the time and that things had deteriorated so much that he had given up work to care for her, which was impacting on his own mental health and on their financial situation. The Coordinator referred Mrs D back to her GP who referred her to the crisis team to obtain some immediate help. She also explained to the couple about the different kinds of support available. Mrs D did not want to attend group support due to the severity of her anxiety, so the Coordinator referred her to Hafal, a mental health charity that offers 1:1 mental health recovery support. Mr D was referred to the Carers Support Project for support in his caring role and to Citizen’s Advice for some advice on benefits to ease their financial difficulties.
Upon contacting the couple they explained that things are improving; Mrs D was spending less time in bed and feeling more positive about her future due to the support she was receiving. Mr D was able to make an application for benefits and was awaiting a Carers Assessment to assess his support needs as a Carer. ‘We cannot thank you enough, you’re the first person who actually listened to us and tried to help us. We are so grateful, you couldn’t do enough for us.’ Mr and Mrs D Page 5
Food Banks
New Taff Ely Foodbank One Stop Drop-in Centre The new manager of Taff Ely Foodbank, Andrew Butcher has set up a drop-in centre at Capel Farm Community Centre, with the aim of improving the support available for service users using the foodbank. People coming into the foodbank are able to access support from various third sector organisations such as Citizen’s Advice, Hafal, Barod, Interlink’s Wellbeing Coordinator and Communities for Work, who can link them to right support they need at the time.
Andrew said: ‘Not long after starting in the role, I realised there was something missing. It was all well and good being there for people who were desperate for food, but we were just giving them the food and then watching them leave. So I decided we needed to tackle the issues at the root. When the clients come in with their Foodbank ticket, it lets us know what the issue is that they are struggling with. We have been running it for two months and it has been very successful, with various people being helped with more than just food. I would love to thank all the agencies that have been involved, and in the New Year I will be looking to run the drop-in in other areas.’
Food Banks
Some people struggle to feed their families over the festive season, and a lot of people rely on their local food bank for support. The Trussell Trust run food banks throughout South Wales, and is always welcoming of donations. In the run-up to Christmas they needed help more than ever with many families in need wanting to have the best Christmas they possibly could. Each food bank differs as to what they need most. Some may need more tinned food while others may be running low on toileteries.
Lorraine Delbridge, Lead volunteer at the Taff Ely food bank said: ‘We are in need of tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, tinned potatoes and toiletries. The public are so generous and we give out everything that comes in.’
You can donate at Taff Ely Food Bank at Bethel Baptist Centre, in Pontyclun. At Pontypridd Food Bank it's not just food and toiletries that make a difference. Items like washing up liquid are in demand to help those struggling. You can donate to Pontypridd Food Bank at St Luke’s Church on Cardiff Road in Rhydyfelin. Rhondda Food Bank put together more than 150 parcels for local families leading up to Christmas. You can find the main food bank at 236-237 East Road, in Tylorstown. To find your local foodbank visit www.trusselltrust.org
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Mental Health
World Mental Health Day To celebrate World Mental Health Day in October Interlink supported the Mental Health Forum members to secure funding from Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to host a number of events across Bridgend, Merthyr and RCT. In RCT, The Arts Factory and New Horizons hosted events in Ferndale and Aberdare to raise awareness of mental health and related wellbeing services available across RCT including support for suicide awareness. Both events were a tremendous success with multiple partner organisations exhibiting and offering advice and guidance as well as being able to signpost and refer to local third sector services. In addition to the exhibitions both events delivered a number of wellbeing activities, which included; Information Workshops, Reiki, Gong Therapy, Therapeutic Drumming and Tai Chi. Spectacle Theatre supported both events by delivering some creative workshop activities and also delivering a brilliant evening performance. Feedback from the day was very positive with people enjoying the events and having the chance to take part in various therapies and given the opportunity to find out information of the services available in RCT. On the 10 October Valleys Steps hosted an event at Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw which was attended by over 15 partner organisations.
Set up in the main foyer it was a great way to raise awareness of mental health services to young people but also to talk to staff about mental health in the workplace. In addition to the information stands there were a number of workshops that took place throughout the day including a talk from Samaritans about Developing Emotional Awareness and Listening.
The event also saw the official launch of the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Mental Health Support Helpline leaflet, which was co-designed and developed with Together for Mental Health Reps, with Vikki Howells and some Coleg Cymoedd students giving emotive speeches about the impact and difference the information could make to an individual. For more information contact Maria Abson at Interlink by email: mabson@interlinkrct.org.uk or Kathryn Rogerson-Davies by email: krogerson-davies@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 01443 846200
Let’s Talk Outside the Box
Workshops at Arts Factory on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, first session on Wednesday 22 January 2020 at 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Workshops including: • • • • •
Stress and anxiety Depression Bereavement Suicide prevention LGBT
For more information contact Angharad at Arts Factory on 07376 941210 or email: angharad@artsfactory.co.uk
New Horizons Walking Group Thursdays at 1.00pm - 3.00pm Clydach Lakes, Clydach Vale, Rhondda Join us for a short walk around the bottom lake ( 2 laps) We are a small friendly group who enjoy a little exercise in the fresh air, come rain or shine. For more information call 01443 681881 or 01685 881113
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Welsh Charity Awards
Interlink Members Highly Commended at the Welsh Charity Awards The Welsh Charity Awards are brand new Awards, organised by WCVA. They recognise and celebrate the fantastic contribution charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers make to Wales. From befrienders dropping in to visit their older neighbour every Tuesday, to organisations campaigning for nationwide equality, the Awards highlight and champion the positive difference we can make to each other’s lives.
Thriving charity category
The Cynon Valley Museum Trust was honoured to attend the Welsh Charity Awards after being shortlisted in the Thriving Charity category and came highly commended on the evening. There is a huge network of community behind what the museum does every day - from the Museum Cafe, to gallery artists, shop stockists, room hirers, and event organisers and their biggest thanks goes to their visitors and supporters who make a difference. ‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been able to contribute to the Museum’s success to date - we really wouldn’t be here without you. From protesters, working group members, founding and current trustees, and our amazing volunteer team and staff.’
Elizabeth said: ‘I feel passionately about community spaces like ours. They are the beating heart of the local community, creating safe spaces where local people can get the help they need to survive and thrive. I enjoy the work enormously and see it as an utter privilege. I was thrilled to be nominated as volunteer of the year and very much enjoyed the evening, it was a pleasure to watch all the amazing volunteers being celebrated in such a fantastic setting.’
Outstanding Trustees Category
Llanharan Community Development Project were also Highly Commended in the Welsh Charity Awards in the category of Outstanding Trustees. Over the last year they have clearly benefited from governance support and training from Interlink RCT.
For a small charity in the Cynon Valley, not even 5 years old, to be shortlisted alongside national and established organisations is a great achievement not only for the museum but for the voluntary sector in RCT as a whole. They are a testament of the hard work and passion of the local community for their Museum.
Volunteer of the Year
New Interlink staff member Elizabeth ‘Buffy’ Williams and volunteer centre manager at Canolfan Pentre was also highly commended in the volunteer of the year category.
‘Thank you Interlink for your continued support and guidance. This has enabled LCDP Trustees to understand their roles and responsibilities to be able to even be considered for the Welsh Charity Awards.’ Jane Hawkshaw Page 8
Community News
Christmas Grotto at Wales Council for Deaf People We at Wales Council for Deaf People have had an eventful few weeks leading up to Christmas! Over the last 2 years we have had the idea to turn our sensory garden into a Christmas grotto, for children with and without a hearing loss. Due to funding difficulties and workload we were unable to see this come to fruition in the past, however this year we were lucky enough to receive funding from the Sydney Albert Fund via Interlink for £265.96, with this funding, alongside help from the RCT Mayor Steve Powderhill, our amazing volunteer Sharon and the two incredibly jolly volunteer Santas, we were able to finally realise this project. 25 volunteer hours, 10 metres of Christmas lights, 8 candy canes, 6 Christmas trees, 4 extension leads, 3 reindeer lights, 2 cans of snow spray, 2 metres of tinsel, 2 personalized sacks and stockings, 1 Santa Suit, 1 Elf outfit, 1 snow machine, 1 fireplace and 35 children later the grotto had come to life. Even the rain didn’t put a damper on things! Although one could argue there’s a metaphor in there somewhere about the effects of global warming and the North Pole. Either way it has definitely heightened the Christmas spirit in the office and is a great way to end the decade, in which we will be celebrating our 70th anniversary! To everyone at Interlink, and to everyone reading this, we wish you a happy New Year. Blwyddin newydd dda! For more information visit www.wcdeaf.org.uk
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Community News
Gelligaled Park Community Action Group The RCT County Borough Council Community Asset Support Team organised an initial meeting with Gelligaled Park Community Action Group and Meriel Gough, Interlink’s Community Advice Team Member to discuss the support the Group could access via Interlink to move their project forward.
Also, to take in to consideration the Governance of the Group and the development of the Business Plan, initial fundraising and management of the project. Meriel was so impressed! The Group members had all of the skills, attitudes, beliefs and values necessary to make their project a success!
At this meeting Meriel initiated discussion around the Group and its formation, the motivation from the individual members of the Group in becoming involved, the skills of members of the group and how members will pull together to make a MUGA a reality (Multi-Purpose Games Area).
The Project was to create a MUGA similar to the one in Darren Park, Ferndale. The MUGA will be virtually indestructible and will be located near to the Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Club Pavilion in Gelligaled Park next to the Sports Centre in Ystrad Rhondda. The Group need to raise in the region of £55,000. Members walked from Ystrad Rugby Club to Pontypridd and back some 15 miles to raise funding for the Group’s activity via a Sponsored Walk and to raise awareness of their Project. ‘Meriel’s support has been invaluable, she has kept the group focused and on track with our objectives.’ Chair, Gelligaled Park Community Action Group
For more information about the group visit www.facebook.com/ MUGA (multi use games area) Gelligaled Park Action Group or if you would like support from Interlink call 01443 846200 or email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk
Canolfan Pentre
Canolfan Pentre, the first asset transfer of its kind in the Rhondda Fawr, opened its door in 2016 thanks to an agreement with the local authority that saw two local volunteers take on a lease of the former day centre; opening its door to the local community providing activities and access to a local café. The venture has proved such a success that capacity at the centre has had to grow to meet demand and in 2019 a new Mental Health and Wellbeing room was opened. The centre is committed to serving all in their local community and after the paddling pool was closed in 2014, the volunteers knew there was a service need requirement! After mass consultation, the community opted for something for the children and funding was secured for a Multi Use Games Area which was also opened in 2019. Page 10
As a result of the centre being taken on by the local community, the area has seen a financial investment that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
For more information visit www.canolfanpentre.com
Community News Celebrating Success in Sustainable Funding - Cylch Meithrin Seren Fach We opened in 2012 to meet the Welsh Medium childcare needs of the lower Cynon Valley providing good quality, low cost Welsh Language childcare and play experiences, in a friendly, welcoming environment. We operate sustainably by charging a fee for our services with some local fundraising and project grants.
We then asked Interlink to help us with identifying sources of funding and we then approached the National Lottery Community Fund and the Community Facilities Programme. Interlink talked us through the application process exploring how we needed to approach the questions and gave feedback on our initial responses and our final application.
In 2017 the local authority announced they would be moving the library and we were left with two options: to take over the whole building as an ‘asset transfer’, or to close.
In 2018 we secured £237,000 from the NLCF but we had still not heard back from the Community Facilities Programme. Interlink was also able to help us make progress on this and we were very pleased to be able to secure the £228,328 match funding this year.
We approached Interlink RCT for support to explore what we would need to do, which included looking at our governance, strengthening our governing document, engaging with the local community and developing a business plan before we could even think about applying for grants.
‘We have just had a phone call to confirm. We are so happy and resemble crazy banshees at the moment, we are still on cloud nine and very relieved. Thanks for all of your help and support, we couldn’t have done it without you.’ Claire Jones, Seren Fach While the process of applying for larger grants can often be fraught with difficulties this level of funding can help smaller groups and organisations expand and grow, take on and renovate larger spaces and develop more of the services which their communities need.
As a result we realised that we had an opportunity to extend and renovate the existing childcare facility to provide a modern Welsh medium childcare and offer a wider range of community provisions.
‘Thanks to the level of funding we have been put on a firm footing for future success and have also gained the long term security of our setting.’ For more information contact Claire Jones by email: cylchmeithrinserenfach@outlook.com
Ynysybwl Regeneration Partnership’s new Website goes live! Ynysybwl Regeneration Partnership is a development trust, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The trust aims are to raise the quality of life for all, create opportunities for young people and create opportunities in health and well-being as well as to help develop the local economy, particularly countryside access and tourism. Check out the new website for more information www.visionproject.wales or call 01443 791425 Page 11
Measuring the Mountain
Every Story Is Important Last year people across Wales shared an incredible 473 stories with Measuring the Mountain. Stories that highlighted the complex and very personal nature of being a carer and of using care and support services. These stories, helped to paint a picture of what social care is really like for people.
We are hugely grateful to everyone who shared stories with us. Even though not every story featured in the final report, every one of them was read, every one of them was analysed and every one of them contributed to the findings, conclusions and recommendations made by the project. MtM presented these findings to Welsh Government earlier this year. You can find our full report, including our recommendations, on our website www.mtm.wales/resources. Welsh Government will be issuing a formal response to the findings of the first year of work this autumn. We will share this response when we receive it and publish it on our website – you can follow us on Twitter @mtmwales to keep up to date with all the latest news and events. Since then, we have received further funding for the project to continue its work until October 2020. In September, MtM formed part of the agenda at the National Social Care Conference 2019. This is an important event, especially for leaders from across the social care sector working to transform the provision of services in Wales. On Day 2 of the conference, Katie Cooke shared MtM’s findings and recommendations from 2018. Katie outlined some of the factors that contributed to people’s experiences being positive or negative with around 130 social care professionals, local authority cabinet members and people from Welsh Government.
This current phase of the project will focus on gathering further stories, hosting a second Citizens’ Jury in May 2020 and continuing to share the findings from the first phase. To help further build the picture of what being a carer or of using care and support services is really like, we are asking you to share stories with us again. You can do this by going online and clicking the link on our website www.mtm.wales/share-my-story or you can invite Katie to visit a group you are part of to hear stories. MtM would love to hear from people who contributed last time and from people who are new to contributing. Every story is important, every story tells us something valuable and every story could help shape the future of social care and support service delivery. For further information, to invite MtM to your group or if you have any questions visit www.mtm.wales, follow us on Twitter @mtmwales or contact Katie Katie.cooke@southwales.ac.uk / 07964 407739
DBS Cymru DBS Cymru is the registered Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Umbrella Body for the charity Mental Health Matters Wales (MHM Wales) based in Bridgend, South Wales. DBS Cymru provides a customer focused, personalized service to both large and small employers, both private and within the voluntary sector, including those who are self-employed requiring standard and enhanced DBS Checks across Wales and England. We also can undertaken DBS check for Volunteers For more information on our service, please contact us or visit our website www.dbscymru.co.uk or call 01656 679881 or email: dbscymru@mhmwales.org Page 12
Funding
Graig and Penycoedcae Community Fund The Graig and Penycoedcae Community Fund is operated by Interlink RCT on behalf of the communities of Penycoedcae and Graig in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The fund was created as a one off payment to the local community from the development of the Berthlwyd Solar Farm, Penycoedcae and will be made available as a local grant scheme administered by Interlink RCT, the umbrella body for all local community and voluntary groups in RCT. In carrying out this undertaking Interlink will support the creation of a local community panel to assess fund applications. There will be an informal launch and community engagement event on Thursday 6 February 2020 at Graig Community Centre at 6.30pm. To find out more about the fund please contact Ken Moon at Interlink RCT on 01443 846200 or email: kmoon@interlinkrct.org.uk
The Fund for Wales The Fund for Wales is a national community endowment fund, managed and promoted by the Community Foundation Wales. It is a philanthropy promotion and grant-making programme which raises money from people and organisations across Wales, the UK, and overseas who want to ‘give back’ to support and strengthen local communities: the Fund for Wales connects people who care with causes that matter. Grants of between £500 - £1,000 will be awarded to small, volunteer driven community organisations. Grants can support full or partial costs of, for example: projects costs, small capital items and equipment, core costs, activities and programmes (e.g. room hire, transport costs, volunteer expenses, insurance, tutor fees, community events). Closing dates 31 January and 31 July 2020. For more information visit www.communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/fund-for-wales
Cynon Valley Organic Adventures has Funding Success! Good News! We have just been awarded an environmental grant of £4000 from Lush-cruelty free cosmetics! The money will be spent on a butterfly garden, lagoon and a social prescription scheme to help people improve health and wellbeing while learning about the environment. Thank you so much everyone for your support. If we didn't have community involvement we would not get these grants that are crucial to keeping us open. Check out Facebook/Cynon Valley Organic Adventures for more information.
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Pen y Cymoedd
Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club The Secretary of Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club contacted Interlink to discuss the needs of their Club and Club House.
Rhondda Lawn Tennis had already been in touch with the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Team and it was suggested they get in touch with Meriel Gough at Interlink. Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club is based at Ystradefechan playing fields next to Treorchy Park and is the location for the only tennis club in The Rhondda Valleys. The Club currently has 63 members. It runs 2 men’s teams in the South Wales League, the First Team has just gained promotion to the Premiership. Until recently The Club ran a Women’s Team and following a recent increase in female membership are confident to do so again next year.
They compete in the Winter League with Men’s and Mixed Doubles Teams. The Club organise weekly coaching sessions with their own Coach on Saturday mornings where many of those attending are nonmembers. Meriel met with the Committee of The Club and together discussed The Club’s development needs which are to create a Tennis Centre in Treorcy. ‘Meriel provided us with invaluable advice and insight into how we go about applying for our club to become a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Without her help we would probaly have failed to achieve the CIO status. Her in depth knowledge of what was required, guidance as to where to look for information and advice, together with her explanations of the applicaion process were crucial to our successful application. We were always extremely confident that we would achieve CIO status with Meriel’s involvement in our application. I personally would highly recommend bringing Meriel on board at the start of your application to ensure it’s success.’ John Denton, Treasurer, Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club For more information about the club visit www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/RhonddaLTC or www.rhonddatennisclub.org.uk
Treherbert and District Gardening Society In August 2019 we were assisted by Meriel Gough to complete a Pen y Cymoedd Community Micro Fund application. Meriel met with us to assist us in understanding the application form and to develop our ideas and plans for the future of our Gardening Society which was founded around 1954. We consulted with our Society’s Community and listened to their needs which we included in the application form. As a result of our application to Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Micro Fund we were successful in receiving £2,099 and have purchased, a strimmer brush cutter and small chain saw to keep the undergrowth on the allotment site under control, a 2 day course on using a small chain saw safely for 2 of our members and protective clothing, boots for 2 people and a first aid kit. Page 14
Gerald Rose the Treasurer and Allotment Coordinator said: ‘Excellent! I cannot fault the support we received. Everything was done very well. Thank you for what you did for us’.
Pen y Cymoedd
Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund The Community Fund has been established by energy company Vattenfall for the benefit of the communities hosting the wind farm in and across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys.
The Fund has an annual budget of £1.8 million until at least 2043 and offers an amazing opportunity for local people to invest in themselves and their ideas building on all that is best in their communities. The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. We are here to help!
There are 2 funds:
There are two Micro Fund strands:
We recognise that great ideas can sometimes be realised by the injection of relatively small sums of money at the right time on a one-off basis. The Micro Fund offers one-off grants up to £5,000 to support important aspects of community life and to support enterprise development.
Vison Fund
Micro Fund The 7th Round of Micro Fund is now open for applications up to £5.000. The deadline for applications is 17 February 2020 and decisions will be announced at the end of March and opened on 1 December 2019.
Micro Fund: Community - for voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, community and town councils, and school PTAs. Micro Fund: Micro Business - for those looking to develop or start up an enterprise. The Vision Fund offers grants over £5,000 (capital and/or revenue) to support activities that help to deliver one or more of the priorities set out in the Fund Prospectus. New and developing businesses, voluntary sector and community groups can all apply. Although public sector bodies are not eligible, we welcome partnership working.
Micro Grants can help cover the costs of community events, give the finishing touch to a larger scheme or can be the stimulus to a start-up; they can help publicise Visit www.penycymoeddcic.cymru a service or support feasibility studies to develop bigger We hope that you can find answers to most of your schemes. Grants have an upper limit of £5,000 but we questions on the site, but if not, please drop us a line expect many awards to be for smaller sums, and we enquiries@penycymoeddcic.cymru or give us a call actively invite those applications. 01685 878785. We’d love to hear from you. Interlink’s Meriel Gough provides support relating to the Penycymoedd Community Fund and can help with getting your community group ready for funding, contact her by email: mgough@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 07598 241359
Are you looking for funding? Check out the latest funding news at www.interlinkrct.org.uk/funding
For more information call Interlink on 01443 846200 email: kmoon@interlinkrct.org.uk or mgough@interlinkrct.org.uk
Visit our Getting Money page and find out about: Funding news - updated constantly with the latest information about funds. Information sheets - including Gift Aid and what’s required in a good grant application and lots more Page 15
Training at Interlink Meet the Governance
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Impact Training
Safeguarding – Adults at Risk
28 January 2020 5.30pm - 8.30pm at Cynon Valley Museum Cost : Members £20 Non-members £40 Trainer: Ken Moon 5 March 2020 Time and venue TBA Cost : Members £20 Non-members £40 Trainer: Meriel Gough
24 March 2020 9.30am – 12.30pm at VAMT Cost: FREE
19 March 2020 1.30pm – 4.30pm at VAMT Cost: FREE Trainer: Maria Abson
Dates for 2020 Mental Health Forum: 29 April, 29 July, 28 October at 10am -12pm
RCT Third Sector Learning Together Programme Interlink are :
• Promoting all local learning that is shared with us • Working with community organisations to jointly develop and promote opportunities For example, a community organisation was not able to afford training on volunteer management – they offered to hold the course at their venue and promote the course; and we provided them with several free places.
So if you wish to:
• Promote an opportunity • Develop an opportunity together • Are able to provide a venue and help to promote an opportunity Please get in touch, contact Cara on 01443 846200 or email: cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk
Charity No 1141143 Company No 07549533
Next Issue: May 2020