Spring - Summer 2014
Hi there and welcome to the latest edi on of our Communi es First newsle er for Mid Valleys West, packed with lots of informa on about the dierent projects and ac vi es being run by Communi es First, as well as useful informa on from lots of other organisa ons in the local area! Communi es First have been working hard over the past year to deliver a range of health, employment and learning projects to support local people, including healthy ea ng courses, self help groups, job clubs, training courses, school projects and many, many more. Included within this newsle er is a quick summary of the types of work we will be doing over the next year, so please feel free to get in touch (using the contact details on the next page) if you would like to know more about any of the projects men oned or to sign up for anything. We would also love to hear from you if you would like to get more involved in your community or are interested in volunteering on any of our projects.
Happy reading! The Mid Valleys West Communi es First Team
Your Communi es First Team
Emma Saunders Cluster Manager 01443 86 42 28 saunde@caerphilly.gov.uk
Liam Churcher Environmental Par cipa on Officer 01495 22 26 05 liam.churcher2@groundwork.org.uk
Rhiann Mason Mental Health Officer 01443 86 42 26 masonr@caerphilly.gov.uk
Ceri Smith GAVO Community Development Officer 01443 86 35 40 ceri.smith@gavowales.org.uk
Helen Griffith Health and Wellbeing Officer 01443 86 43 87 griC4@caerphilly.gov.uk James Stevenson Employment Officer 01443 86 43 98 stevej1@caerphilly.gov.uk Kara lee CF Admin & Monitoring Officer 01443 86 33 45 leek@caerphilly.gov.uk
Ross Thomas GAVO Community Development Officer 01443 86 35 40 thomasr@gavowales.org.uk Victoria McCann CF Youth Worker 01495 23 00 67 mccanv@caerphilly.gov.uk David Davies Youth & Community Support Worker 01443 86 34 93 davied11@caerphilly.gov.uk
What Communi es First do? Contact the team if you would like advice or informa on on: How to get involved and support your community, how to sign up to any of our projects which cover Health, Prosperous and Learning, advice for applying for funding for community groups, training or submi ng ar cles for the newsle!er
Communities First will now be working from the following community-bases pop in and say hello! Wednesday Mornings Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre, Gelligaer Road, Cefn Hengoed CF82 7HH
Thursday Mornings Neuadd St Catwg Gelligaer Neuadd St Catwg Community Hall Church Road, Gelligaer CF82 8FW
Health Projects Family Health and Wellbeing Project Specific sessions for families to address health and mental health needs
Lifestyle Awareness and Management Project Raising awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing and managing lifelong limiting illness
Active in the Outdoors A project to encourage community members to become more physically active, and therefore improve their health, using outdoor spaces
Streetgames Doorstep sport opportunities for young people, within their local community
Self Help Project Providing community based support for people with low level mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness
Young People’s Mental Well Being Project Improving mental well being with children and young people
Community Food and Nutrition Project A focused project to improve community nutrition and healthy eating through theoretical courses and practical cooking sessions
Prosperous Projects Work Surgeries Focused support sessions for people seeking employment, including help with CV’s and job searching
Employability Skills Programmes Focused courses and training to enhance skills as a route to employment
The Caerphilly Passport and Pre-Passport Programme Providing work placement, training and apprenticeships opportunities within CCBC for 16-24 year olds
Youth Employability Skills Providing focused courses and training for young people as a route to employment
Digital Inclusion Project Providing basic computer courses and activities to improve digital inclusion within Mid Valleys West
Healthy Homes Energy efficiency project to help people reduce debt by addressing energy bills
CAB Engagement and Outreach Advice Services Providing community-based debt advice and management services
Prevention Project Working with young people to prevent involvement in crime and anti social behaviour
Learning Projects School Support Project Sessions delivered in schools in order to provide additional support to those at risk of poor educational outcomes
Heolddu Achievement Project Additional study support for young people at risk of poor attendance or Achievement, based within Heolddu Comprehensive
Families and Schools Together (FAST) Project to link Families and Schools Together to help improve parental engagement with school
Young People’s Qualifications Project Extra curricular qualifications for young people
Essential Skills Project To provide essential skills classes for adults who would like to improve their reading, writing or numeracy skills
Mid Valleys West Communi es Below are some of our Communi es First projects. Please circle any that you would like to know more about. You can pop them into one of our community offices on page 3 on the day we are at the centre, post them to us at: Kara Lee, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Business & Technology Centre, Tredomen Business Park, CF82 7FN or phone us on 01443 86 33 45 to let us know which ones you would like to take part in.
Family Health & Wellbeing
Healthy Homes
Lifestyle Awareness & Management
Active in the
Street
Self Help
Outdoors
games
Project
Digital
Employability
Inclusion
Skills
Project
Programmes
Heolddu
School
Achievement
Support
Project
Project
Prevention
Work
Project
Surgeries
(FAST)
Young People’s
Community Food
Mental Well
& Nutrition
Being Project
Project
Youth Employability Skills
Essential
Young People’s
Skills
Qualifications
Project
Project
Caerphilly Passport & Pre-Passport Programme
Data Protec on Act 1998 Name: Address: Telephone Number:
Date of birth:
Email:
I give my consent to the personal informa on in this form to be stored by Caerphilly County Borough Council and partner organisa ons to support me to par cipate in Communi es First projects. I am aware that the Welsh Government Communi es First programme funds the projects and as such I will be contacted by a member of the Communi es First team to evaluate the projects I par cipate in. I understand that informa on will be recorded for the monitoring of the funding and may need to be shared with Welsh Government for monitoring purposes. I give my consent to the informa on being held and used in this way. Signed: Date:
Unemployed and looking for work? Would you like some help? Come along to…… Communities First Work Club Every Thursday at Neuadd St Catwg, Gelligaer 10:00 - 12:00 For informal, friendly advice and support on: Interview Techniques
Se ng up an email account
Online job applica ons
Access to training
CV Wri ng
Online Job Search
Volunteering Opportuni es
Applica on forms & covering le!ers
Confidence Building
Are you up for a challenge? Did you know there are over 49,000 not currently online regularly in Caerphilly?
Do you have computer or admin skills that you would like to use?
Would you like to help ensure people in your community are not missing out?
Get Caerphilly Online is a project working across the Caerphilly borough to encourage and support people to get online and get more out of technology. We have a number of exci ng volunteering opportuni es to join the team and help us meet the challenge including in an administra ve capacity, social media/communica on role and delivery role. Loca on – Within the borough of Caerphilly or from home If you’d like to join in contact Isobel Hunt on 07785465481 or email your CV to isobel.hunt@ci zensonline.org.uk
What is a CV? A curriculum vitae is a marke ng document that gives a summary of a job seekers work history, qualifica ons, training and also explains their future poten al. The phrase ‘curriculum vitae’ is La n for ‘the story of your life’. It is also occasionally known as a resume, although this term is more commonly used in America. A completed CV aims to impress recruiters and is a means of first contact with a poten al employer. Either to obtain a applica on form for the job or provide the opportunity to be invited to an interview for a company that you would be interested in working for. CV’s are valuable and important because they are your first and maybe only direct communica on with a poten al employer. Presenta on is key, for this reason it should be carefully thought out, designed and wri!en so that it makes and has an immediate posi ve impact. When a reader looks at your resume they should be able to quickly gain a clear indica on of your experiences and poten al. Bear in mind that the person reading it might not have met you in person, so ensure that you haven't made any spelling mistakes and that it is focused, as it will be seen as a reflec on of you as a person. To summarise your CV is essen ally a marke ng tool that gives you a opportunity to sell yourself and your abili es to employers. It should have: A posi ve outlook Clearly show those strengths and experiences that are most relevant to the job you are applying for Demonstrate your poten al as a future employee
What should your CV include: Your resume will be made up of a number of different sec ons, these may vary depending on each persons work history. The essen al parts that every CV should include are:
Personal summary / Career objec ve Job history
Qualifica ons / Training
References
Your key abili es/strengths
Areas of exper se
Apart from applying for jobs, a CV is also useful for: Reminding you of what you have done Helping you to iden fy any weakness in your skills, work experience of qualifica ons Allowing you to reflect on your work history to date, i.e. seeing if you have achieved the targets you have set yourself Refreshing your mind before a job interview Aim your CV at winning a job interview - A CV will not usually get you a job alone, it is generally an opportunity for the company to invite you to an interview and you should bare this in mind when wri ng you CV. In a CV presenta on is everything - You could be the best person for the job but if your CV is rambling, disorganised and does not highlight your key abili es/strengths then you might be overlooked. Keep you CV short and sweet - It is recommended that your CV be no longer than two pages, to help you save space only include factual informa on relevant to the vacancy or accomplishments that you feel the employer would be interested in.
Beat the loan
Bite back!
The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (WIMLU) is warning Caerphilly residents who may be finding it difficult to make ends meet not to make the mistake of turning to loan sharks, who are even worse than doorstep or payday lenders. These illegal lenders operate without a consumer credit licence, and prey on people who are vulnerable – whether because of poverty or debt, or difficul es in their lives such as addic on or health problems. Loan sharks will rip off borrowers by charging extor onate interest (WIMLU says that 150,000% APR is not unheard of!) and adding on penalty payments as and when they want. “Sharks don’t give you paperwork explaining the terms of the loan, and you have to keep paying them back un l they decide you can stop. They may appear friendly when they offer the loan, and when you pay - it’s when you can’t pay that you see the other side of them”, the WIMLU team explains. And beware - more than half the loan sharks prosecuted by WIMLU are female. It can get worse than just being ripped off. Loan sharks use threats and some mes violence to make sure their vic ms keep paying - the helpful person who offers to lend you some cash may not be such a good guy. WIMLU urges residents to make sure that anyone offering to lend money has a consumer credit licence. If you are a loan shark vic m, or think there may be a shark opera ng nearby, phone WIMLU on the 24 hour Hotline: 0300 123 3311. You can phone anonymously if you want. Specialist client liaison officers will support and assist vic ms, advising on debt and other problems. “Loan sharks should be warned,” says WIMLU, “we are determined to stamp out this crime.”
The Money Advice Service gives you the informa on you need to make the most of the money you have, without trying to sell you anything. From insurance to pensions, mortgages to borrowing, if you need help pu ng together a budget or understanding tax and welfare benefits, our trained Money Advisers will go through your op ons. Helpline: 0300 500 5000 or www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
BAG Credit Union LTD Putting People Before Profit What is a Credit Union? Credit Unions are financial co-opera ves owned and controlled by their members. They offer a friendly, convenient and easy place to save with access to loans at a reasonable rate of interest. Anyone living or working in the Upper Rhymney Valley can apply to join BAG Credit Union Ltd. Saving with your Credit Union Saving with a credit union couldn’t be easier and provides you with FREE Life Insurance. BAG Credit Union is authorised by the Pruden al Regula on Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pruden al Regula on Authority and we are also covered by the Financial Services Compensa on Scheme. Members can save as much as they choose with no minimum level set and in a variety of ways. Cash at a local collec on point or any Caerphilly County Borough Council Cash Office by Paypoint Card Standing Order or Payroll Deduc on. Borrowing from your Credit Union Members can apply for a loan from the credit union aOer saving regularly for 13 weeks. The first loan must be repaid within 12 months/52 weeks and can be up to double what a member has saved. The interest is a maximum of 12.6% per annum and is calculated daily. The quicker the loan is repaid the less interest is charged. There are no hidden extras. £100 saved allows a £200 loan repaid at £5.00 per week for 42 weeks amount repaid is £210.08. Just £10.08 interest Credit Unions are not for profit organisa ons and exist only to serve their members. This means low cost loans are available to those who join. AOer all the credit union expenses are paid any surpluses are returned to members in a form of dividend. Benefit of joining
Easy and friendly way to save
Access to low cost loans
We do not discriminate, you do not have to be employed or own your home
Interest on all loans is set at a maximum of 1% per month
FREE Life Insurance
The credit union is owned and controlled by it’s members
Credit Unions are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pruden al Regula on Authority
Membership is FREE (there is an annual subscrip on fee)
Areas we cover Abertysswg, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Bute Town, Britannia, Cefn Fforest, Cefn Hengoed, Deri, Fochriw, Gelligaer, Glan-y-Nant, Hengoed, Maesycwmmer, Nelson, New Tredegar, Pengam, Pontlottyn, Rhymney, Ystrad Mynach. If you would like further informa on about BAG Credit Union Ltd and the benefits of joining then please contact us at 01443 838605 or visit our office at 47 Commercial Street Aberbargoed, CF81 9BT or email us at bagcredunion@aol.com
Welsh Water Assist
NO
YES
Do you, or anyone in your household, receive any of these Benefits/Tax Credits? Income Support
Housing Benefit
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Working Tax Credit
Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
NO
…
NO
…
NO
…
NO
…
YES
Do you, or anyone in your household, have any of these medical condi ons? Desquama on (flaky skin disease)
Incon nence
Abdominal stoma
Desquama on (flaky skin disease)
Crohn's disease
Ulcera ve coli s
Renal failure - requiring home dialysis (except Another medical condi on which requires the use of a where the health authority contributes to cost of significant amount of extra water
YES
…
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YES
As a result of this medical condi on does this person use a significant amount of extra water? NO
Does the person who claims the Benefit/Tax Credit also receive Child Benefit for 3 or more children under the age of 19 who have not leO full me educa on and who live at the address on the water bill? YES
YES
You are likely to be eligible for Welsh Water Assist. You can request a copy of our Welsh Water Assist applica on form via post by calling us on 0800 052 0138 Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm. Or by visi ng our website.
NO
You are not eligible for this scheme You might want to contact us about switching to a meter or other easier ways to pay. Please call us on 0800 052 0145.
Welsh Water Assist is one of the schemes we offer to make bills more affordable. The scheme helps low income households who have either a large family, or a family member with a medical condi on that requires the use of a significant amount of extra water.
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Are you a household customer?
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Free support to help reduce your energy bills If you own or privately rent your home, and yourself or someone you live with receive a means tested benefit, then you may qualify for support. What Free help may be available?
Wall and loO insula on Replacement central hea ng boiler Draught proofing for doors and windows Renewable energy technologies Energy saving ps and advice Benefit en tlement checks
Call now! Freephone 0808 808 2244 To see if you are eligible for NEST home improvements at no cost to you. nestwales.org.uk
SeQng up a Community Group? We can provide help & support to get your group started - from the basics of Commi!ee Cons tu ons and ac on plans to helping you draw down funding & sourcing training opportuni es for your members.
GeQng in touch with us Ceri Smith - CF GAVO Development Officer Ross Thomas - CFGAVO Development Officer Tel: 01443 86 35 40 Gwent Associa on of Voluntary, Organisa ons, First Floor, Unit 1A, Withey Duffryn Court, Duffryn Business Park, Hengoed Ystrad Mynach CF82 7TT
What is QWEST? QWEST is a project funded by the European Social Fund, and led by the University of South Wales which aims to aims to tackle economic inac vity and unemployment across the Heads of the Valleys. How does the project work? The project aims to help local people by providing *FREE accredited training and employability support to open doors to a brighter future, by improving skills and job prospects for sustainable employment. All learning and training opportuni es take place at local community venues giving par cipants the opportunity to gain qualifica ons in a friendly and approachable atmosphere.
Par cipants can benefit from:
Who can benefit from QWEST?
Free Learning and Training
Support from a One to One Buddy
Aged 16-65
CV Wri ng
Help with Applica on Forms
Not working or working Not on the DWP Work Programme less than 16 hours a week
Work Experience Placements Confidence Building Interview Prepara on
Help with Job Searching
Not in full- me educa on
Living in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil or Rhondda Cynon Taf
Career Planning & Advice Involvement with QWEST will not affect any state benefits. For more informa on contact: Tania Perkins, QWEST Development Officer - Caerphilly. Telephone: 01495 356 728. Mobile: 07795 044 935 Email: tania.perkins@southwales.ac.uk
Home & Community Family Learning Home and Community Family Learning is an opportunity to improve your literacy and numeracy skills and support your child’s learning. Sessions are aimed at parents and children working together. Sessions can be provided aOer school and early evening, we can work with individual families within their home or with groups of families within the community. If you would like to improve your literacy and/or numeracy skills and feel more confident to support your child at school; please contact Jennifer Knee on: 01633 613551 or e mail kneejl@caerphilly.gv.uk
Llancaiach Fawr Manor Heritage Lottery Funded project to develop interpretation and access Construc on work to the Manor will commence in January 2014. The work will include replacing the concrete roof les with slate, removing an exis ng spiral fire escape and reinsta ng the floors, adding a new external staircase tower with a liO for disabled access, as well as improving the food storage and washing facili es in the cellar to allow cooking ac vi es to be undertaken following project comple on. In addi on, the a cs will be recreated as the servants quarters and opened to the public to give a greater insight to how the servants lived. The project is scheduled to last nine months and during this me improvements to the ligh ng and hea ng including replacing modern lights with more authen c lanterns, building period furniture to disguise heaters for background warmth to keep tex les dry, opening up fireplaces for use and making sure more windows can be opened will be undertaken to create a more realis c atmosphere. This work has been scheduled in three phases, meaning the Manor can remain open to visitors during construc on. In order to engage the public and schools with the process of conserving and interpre ng the building, we have developed tradi onal building workshops, which will start during the building works and then con nue aOerwards to give visitors in the future the chance to learn about the building itself rather than just what happened inside it. Tradi onal Building Workshops These include dry-stone walling, arch construc on, wa!le and daubing, lime poin ng, lath and plaster construc on, roofing, aggregate segrega on and roof structure mber join ng. Short tours about the architectural history of the Manor will also be included. The workshops will be available to all levels of learners, including adults and children. Opportuni es for Volunteers Volunteers (young and old) will be given training to help deliver these workshops. An understanding of how buildings are constructed or an interest in history would be useful in advance, but, as long as the volunteer facilitators are prac cally minded and enjoy sharing their knowledge with people, this informa on can be quickly acquired to be able to pass on these skills. The workshops will mainly take place in a covered area outside due to the nature of the ac vi es, which might get a bit messy, so a level of robustness regarding the weather and the se ng up of the ac vi es will be necessary. It is a fantas c opportunity to learn tradi onal building skills and about the history of one of Wales’ iconic buildings in return for your spare me and commitment to sharing our heritage with the community and visitors to the area. Volunteers will receive lunch and refreshments on the days they a!end. They will also learn some tradi onal skills and craOs and play a major part in passing this knowledge on to a wide range of visitors. The volunteers will be part of a high profile project at a pres gious heritage site. To find out more please call Sam Baker on 01443 412248 or e-mail him at bakers2@caerphilly.gov.uk
0300 123 6600 Legal highs are oOen tested on you, they come with li!le or no research into their effects. But FRANK can help make sure you at least know the differences, the risks and the latest facts. Because, while legal highs like Bath Salts don’t sound it, they can be as harmful as illegal drugs… What are ‘legal highs’? ‘Legal highs’ are substances which produce similar effects to illegal drugs (such as cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy) but that are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. These new substances are not yet controlled because there is not enough research about them to base a decision on. However, more and more ‘legal highs’ are being researched to see what the dangers are and if they should be made illegal. 'Legal highs' cannot be sold for human consump on so they are oOen sold as bath salts or plant food to get round the law. Just the fact that a substance is sold as legal to possess, doesn’t mean that it’s safe - you can’t really be sure what’s in a ‘legal high’ that you’ve bought, or been given, or what effect it’s likely to have on you. We know that the use of many ‘legal highs’, like mephedrone, Ivory Wave and 5-IT, have been directly linked to emergency hospital admissions and, in some cases, deaths. The main effects of almost all ‘psychoac ve’ drugs, including ‘legal highs’, can be described using three main categories: S mulants, ‘downers’ or seda ves, psychedelics or hallucinogens. Some drugs sold as ‘legal’ actually have been found to contain one or more substances that are, in fact, illegal. What are the effects of ‘legal highs’? Whilst drugs in each of the categories will have similari es in the kinds of effects they produce, they will have widely different strengths. S mulant ‘legal highs’ act like amphetamines (‘speed’), cocaine, or ecstasy, in that they can make you feel energised, physically ac ve, fast-thinking, very cha!y and euphoric. However, they can make you overconfident and disinhibited, and can induce feelings of anxiety, panic, confusion, paranoia and can even cause psychosis. ‘Downer’ or seda ve ‘legal highs’ act similar to benzodiazepines (drugs like diazepam or Valium), and like cannabis or GHB/GBL, in that they can make you feel euphoric, relaxed or sleepy and reduce inhibi ons and concentra on, making you feel forge\ul, and can slow down your reac ons. Psychedelic or hallucinogenic ‘legal highs’ act like LSD, magic mushrooms and ketamine. They create altered percep ons and can make you hallucinate (seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t there). They can also induce feelings of euphoria, warmth, ‘enlightenment’ and being detached from the world around. However, they can cause confusion and panics. Some psychedelic drugs create strong dissocia ve effects, which make you feel like your mind and body are separated. Are ‘legal highs’ illegal? ‘Legal highs’ are substances which produce similar effects to illegal drugs but that are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Just the fact that a substance is sold as “legal”, doesn’t mean that it’s safe regardless of any “brand name”, the actual contents can vary greatly and you can’t really be sure what’s in a ‘legal high’ that you’ve bought, or been given, or what effect it’s likely to have on you. Also, some drugs sold as ‘legal highs’ have been found to contain one or more substances that are, in fact, illegal. The truth is that you cannot be 100% sure what they will contain. A number of substances previously referred to as “legal highs” have now be banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act, for example mephedrone. Being in possession of or supplying a controlled drug is an offence. Did you know? Like drinking and driving, driving while under the influence of drugs, including ‘legal highs’ is illegal – with some ‘legal highs’ you could s ll be unfit to drive the day aOer using. You can get a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even go to prison.
Stop Smoking Wales is pleased to announce appointments are now available in Bargoed Community Centre and Gelligaer Surgery. Lucy Morgan, Stop Smoking Wales Advisor, has been working in partnership with Communi es First to iden fy community friendly loca ons to run smoking cessa on groups. Lucy said: “We already operate across the Caerphilly area but thanks to Communi es First we have managed to secure two new venues so community members don’t have to travel so far for stop smoking support.” Stop Smoking Wales is a free NHS service that provides a six week behaviour support programme to help smokers quit the habit. By using the service you are four mes more likely to quit than doing it alone. The service offers a friendly approach that helps people quit smoking and provides them with the support to stay stopped. Clients receive informa on on Nico ne replacement therapy, other treatment aids as well as intense behavioural support. To make an appointment or find out more please call 0800 085 2219 and a friendly member of the Stop Smoking Wales will assist you or visit www.stopsmokingwales.com
Llamau is the leading Homelessness Charity for the most vulnerable Young People and Women in Wales. The word Llamau means steps, progression or threshold in old Welsh, and our ul mate aim is to support the people who use our services in making these posi ve steps. We work with all young people and vulnerable women. We oOen engage with those at risk - par cularly care leavers, young offenders, those at risk of offending, vic ms of domes c abuse, and people who have chao c and disadvantaged lifestyles. To offer the support they need to gain the necessary skills to live independently and integrate with within their communi es. If you or a loved one are in a situa on where they would benefit from support from Llamau please don't hesitate to contact us on (02920) 23 9585 or e-mail hilarysexton-barrow@llamau.org.uk to find out more about how we can help. Llamau also a!end the Communi es First coffee mornings at Cefn Hengoed Community Centre on the last Wednesday of every month from 9:30 - 11:30 so pop in for a cuppa and a chat.
Clare’s Law The Domes c Abuse - Disclosure Scheme If you suspect that you, or a loved one, might be involved in an abusive, rela onship, you can contact your local police force to find out more about that person. You can also ask the police for informa on about domes c abuse support available in the area.
Communities First Wellbeing Drop In Are you Would you like
Feeling anxious or depressed
Some one to talk to
Feeling isolated
To join a group
Have a lot on your mind
To know what services could help
Feeling a li le lonely
To ďŹ nd out about ac vi es in your area
We can help Call Rhiann Mason on 01443 86 42 26
Or pop in to see us at Neuadd St Catwg, Gelligaer from 10 am - 12 pm every Thursday
MVW Word Search There are 12 key interests/places in Mid Valleys West hidden in the below word search. See if you can find them!
St Gwladys YMCA Lewis School Heolddu St Catwg Roman Fort Bargoed
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Gelligaer Aberbargoed Cefn Hengoed Tir y Berth Cascade
10 Ways to look after your Mental Health
Talk about your feelings Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with mes when you feel troubled. Its part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.
Eat well There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel for example, caffeine and sugar can have an Instant effect. But food can also have a long las ng effect on your mental health.
Keep in touch Friends/family can make you feel included and cared for and can offer different views from whatever's going on inside your own head. They can help keep you ac ve and help you solve prac cal problems.
Mocktails Accept who you are Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantas c meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We're all different.
Keep ac ve Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel be!er. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy.
Do something your good at What do you love doing that you can loose your self in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an ac vity you enjoy probably means you're good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.
Take a break It could be a five minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you.
Ask for help None of us are superhuman. We all some mes get red or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are ge ng too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.
Drink sensibly We oOen drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.
Care for others Caring for others is oOen an important part of keeping up rela onships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Family Page
Body
Wing
Beak
Make Your Own Easter Chick Finger Puppet
Make sure you ask an adult to help you!
1.
Cut out two bodies on paper and glue them together at the edges leaving enough room for you finger.
2.
Cut out two wings and s ck them to the back of the body one on each side.
3.
Cut out one beak and s ck it in the middle of the body.
4.
Draw or s ck on googly eyes to bring your chick to life
Make a speedy bird cake Make this quick and easy cake to keep the birds happy Stuff you need:
Good quality bird seed; raisins; peanuts; grated cheese; suet or lard; yoghurt pots; string; mixing bowl; scissors.
Important notes
Not suitable for children with nut allergies. Note that bird seed, including peanuts bought for birds, is not suitable for human consump on. Steps
Carefully make a small hole in the bo!om of a yoghurt pot. Thread string through the hole and e a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so that you can e the pot to a tree or your bird table. Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, but don’t melt it. Then cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your finger ps. Keep adding the seed/raisin/cheese mixture and squidging it un l the fat holds it all together. Fill your yoghurt pots with bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so. For more informa on and fun ac vi es please visit the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/youth/
Are you looking for informa on, help or advice on childcare or children's leisure ac vi es in Caerphilly county borough, but don't know where to start? The Caerphilly Family Informa on Service (FIS) provides free advice and informa on on a wide range of childcare op ons and ac vi es for children, young people, their families and their carers. This includes informa on on nurseries, childminders, out of school clubs (including holiday childcare), playgroups and parent and toddler groups. We also provide help and advice on paying for childcare. For more informa on or for a tailor made enquiry for your family please call 01443 863232 or e-mail fis@caerphilly.gov.uk. You could also take a look at our website www.caerphilly.gov.uk/fis where you can search for your own informa on on our Family Zone, or go along and ‘like’ the Caerphilly Family Informa on Service Facebook page.
Right Door, Right Service, Right Time What is Families First? Team Around the Family (TAF) is part of the Families First Programme set up to support families throughout Caerphilly County Borough working with communi es and services by se ng up projects that support families to overcome challenges they face in their lives. The projects make sure the families needs come first and are there for support, advice or guidance to help families get through those difficult mes. We can help… TAF coordinates mul -agency support for children, young people and their families to help them at mes of need. The whole family is at the centre of the support from the start to finish of their involvement in the service. If you have a child who is between the ages of 0-25 years, TAF may be able to help you with difficul es such as; Teenage pregnancy
Domes c abuse
Issues with housing homelessness & debt management
Challenging behaviour at home/school/community
Bereavement or young carer
Poor physical, mental, sexual or emo onal health
Self-harm or substance misuse
Basic skills/learning disability/IT literacy
How we work... Once we receive your request for support, we will arrange to meet with you and your family to tell you about TAF, answer your ques ons and look at your families strengths and difficul es. This will help us to work out what is the best support for you and your family. Following this, one professional will be chosen to be your main contact. They will be in charge of checking that you are ge ng all the support you need from different services and will keep in touch through it all. When things have go!en be!er and you feel that you no longer need support your case will close, but you may be offered on-going support from services if you need it. We will also contact you a couple of months aOer to make sure things are s ll ok. To speak to someone who can help… For requests for support Tel: 0808 1001 727 E-mail: contactandreferral@caerphilly.gov.uk
To speak to the TAF team directly Tel: 01495 233 232 E-mail: taf@caerphilly.gov.uk
The Caerphilly Passport Programme has been developed by the Caerphilly Local Service Board, consis ng of Caerphilly Council, Communi es First, Gwent Police, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Caerphilly Business Forum and the Voluntary Sector. The Welsh Government’s LSB ini a ve has been backed by European Sustainable Funding and aims to maximise the impact of public services through collabora ve projects. £372,000 of ESF funding has provided and Caerphilly Council and Job Centre Plus have also provided funding to support the programme. It is aimed at addressing local skills gaps by providing employment opportuni es for young people, aged 16-24 and who are not in employment, educa on or in training or taking part in the Government's Work Programme. The projects aim is to provide young people with the skills, knowledge and experience to find sustainable employment opportuni es. James’ story My name’s James Kemp and I’m 22 from Gelligaer. I first started the Passport Programme back in July 2013. I was first approached to join in the programme, which was rela vely new at the me, by my advisor at Job Centre Plus in Bargoed. Having been ac vely seeking employment for a few months prior to this, I was eager to par cipate in anything that would help me into full me employment. The programme consisted of a few training sessions, including:
A Basic Skills Assessment
CV Wri ng theory and prac cal session
How to complete Applica on Forms
Work Based Behaviours / Policies and Procedures
Interview Skills Having completed the mandatory training, I began star ng a voluntary period on my placement, before joining the team full me for 6 months on a paid placement through Jobs Growth Wales with CCBC’s Suppor ng People Team as an Administra on Assistant. Within a few weeks of my placement I realised that this field was definitely an area I’d love to work in. Before I knew it, I was able to apply for vacancies within the Local Authority where I came across a post within the Communi es First Team. Having applied for and interviewed for the role, I was able to secure a job as a result of the experience and knowledge gained from par cipa ng in the Passport Programme. Working in both these roles has changed my future plans drama cally. Having previously wanted to work within a computer related field, I have now decided to look at becoming a Social Worker in the next few years. The Passport Programme is an excellent opportunity for everyone. It’s definitely helped me massively gaining all sorts of experience and finding full me employment. Annalisse’s Story I started out on the Passport Programme when I was eighteen. I completed an 8 week voluntary placement at Tredomen Business and Technology Centre. I then a!ended an interview at Tredomen Business and Technology Centre where I gained a 6 month paid placement with the Passport Programme. Whilst I was on paid placement, I completed an Emergency First Aid Course. I had some difficul es transi oning from Educa on to the world of work and my personal life was unse!led. I had a lot of support from the Passport Programme which helped me develop my confidence and communica on skills and the new rou ne helped me reorganise my life. I had suppor ve colleagues who helped me make good decisions. At the end of my 6 month placement, I was offered an interview within the Educa on Department of Caerphilly County Borough Council for Pre-VENT 14-19. The Passport Programme helped me to prepare for the interview \ and I successfully gained a full me contract. How can I get referred onto the Programme? If you are unemployed, claim job seekers allowance*, not on the work programme and live within the Caerphilly Borough, please express your interest in the Programme to Lynsey Thomas on 01443 878096 or Greg Roach on 01443 864387. Alterna vely you can speak to your JCP advisor.
Young Peoples Page Guess the celebrity…..
Answers: Cheryl Cole, Adam Levine, Tinchy Stryder, Robert PaQnson, Will Smith, Amanda Seyfried, Wayne Rooney, Taylor SwiO, Joe Calzaghe, Jessie J, Nina Dobrev, Ryan Reynolds
Looking for informa on about young people’s leisure ac vi es or help and advice about services in Caerphilly county borough, but don't know where to start? You can e-mail us at: yis@caerphilly.gov.uk or log onto fis@caerphilly.gov.uk the Youth informa on Service provides free informa on for young people looking for leisure ac vi es like youth clubs and fitness classes. We also have contact details for support services throughout the borough.
Sport Caerphilly Street Games Gelligaer! Bored on a Friday evening? Well, Street Games is perfect for you! You can decide what sports or ac vi es you want to do or just come and join in and try something different. The best thing about it..........it’s FREE!!! Friday 6:30 - 7:30pm On the grassed area at the end of Haman Place If you are interested in gaining Sport coaching qualifica ons please come along and speak to the staff or contact Mike Jones jonesm19@caerphilly.gov.uk
Communities First Cuppa & a Chat Drop in Every Wednesday Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre 9:30 - 11:30 Pop along for advice or information on our projects for: Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health & Employment Citizens Advice Bureau - Every Wednesday Llamau - The Last Wednesday of every month
Volunteers Food Co-op Bags of Fruit, Veg, Salad & S r Fry - ÂŁ3, Bread, Milk & Eggs also available **Healthy Start Vouchers Accepted** Place your order & pay for it; Collect your produce the following week; No refunds Gilfach Fargoed Food Co-op Gilfach Fargoed Community Centre, Park View Bargoed, Every Friday 10 - 12
Cefn Hengoed Food Co-op Hengoed Chapel, Chapel Terrace, Hengoed Every Thursday 2:30 - 3:30
For more informa on please contact Hannah James on (02920) 23 29 43 or visit www.foodcoopwales.org.uk