Press Cutting

VAMT is pleased to announce that a new Communities First office has been set up at 88 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil after a successful application to the Assembly Government.

There are four new staff – Helen Wyn-Williams, Clair Houston, Rhonda Braithwaite and Jo-ann Banner – who will be working directly with the community to develop solutions to local needs.

Call the office on 01685 353944 or email tandpcomm1@vamt.net

STROKE DAY SERVICE

The Stroke Association runs weekly support groups to help people who have had a stroke to rebuild their confidence, encourage independence and develop or learn new skills. The association is looking for volunteers over the age of 18 to work as drivers or fundraisers, or in group sessions and in the community.

For more details call Karen Foley or Wendy Marshall at the Voluntary Action Centre on 01685 353900.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Visual Impairment Merthyr is to set up a local ′telephone visiting′ scheme to help keep blind or partially sighted people who live alone or in isolated areas in touch.

VIM is looking for volunteers who are themselves visually impaired to spend an afternoon once every few weeks making calls to give regular information updates and support.

Volunteers will be given training, will have the opportunity to meet with other volunteers and will receive support from the project coordinator.

If you are visually impaired, a good listener and feel confident on the phone, then call Karen Foley or Wendy Marshall at the Voluntary Action Centre on 01685 353900.

This is a free self-help course aimed at people who live with long-term health conditions or their carers.

Designed to improve quality of life, the next course runs from Wednesday June 6 and will last for six weeks until July 11.

To book your place please contact Caroline Jones on 01685 353900 or email caroline.jones@vamt.net

FUNDING ADVICE SURGERY

VAMT, in association with Awards for All Wales, will be running a funding advice surgery on Thursday May 24 at the Voluntary Action Centre between 10am and 4pm.

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for health, education, environment, community and heritage projects.

To book your place please contact Laura Johnson on 01685 353900.

CARERS WEEK 2007

The 2007 Carers Week runs from June 11 to June 17 and a number of events have been organised in Merthyr Tydfil.

On Monday, June 11 Hafal are hosting an Open Day from 11am – 2pm.

The Alzheimer′s Society will be holding a reception in the Mayor′s Parlour on the same afternoon, and VAMT hold′s its Annual Volunteering Awards – a new adult and young carer award will be presented this year.

On Tuesday, June 12 a Carers stand will be based in the Town Centre and the following day, Wednesday June 13, there will be a Pamper & Relaxation Day at Strikers Club starting at 10am.

GET your boots on the Charity, Heartbeat ′95 has arranged a sponsored walk to raise funds for the organisation and specifically to continue the Volunteer Drivers Service.

The walk will take place on Sunday April 15 at 11am in Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare.

The length of the course is optional, from a single mile to 10 miles along a route from the Country Park Visitors Centre to Cwmamon.

Sponsorship forms can be obtained from VAMT, Interlink or a Committee Member. More information can be found on www.heartbeat95.org.uk or www.vamt.net

YOUTH MENTORING

The Take 2 youth mentoring scheme is currently recruiting volunteers over the age of 19 to work alongside young people aged between 10-18 on a one-to-one basis.

If you have considered working with young people and want to gain experience and accredited training then please contact the team on 01685 353999 or email take2@smt.org.uk for more information.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Pyramid After-School Clubs are seeking motivated volunteers over the age of 16 to work in after school clubs within the Borough to help children develop social and emotional skills within small groups.

The clubs run for 12 weeks and induction training is provided. This could be an opportunity to gain valuable experience that is very rewarding and could lead to sessional work. For more information please contact 01685 353999 or email Pyramid@smt.org.uk

The Expert Patient Programme is open to anyone who is aged 18 or over and living with a long-term health condition in Merthyr.

Its a six week course that will help you improve how you deal with the effects of your condition.

The course is FREE and is two hours each week for six weeks.

The next courses are on Wednesday, February 21 (10am – 12.30pm) at the Salvation Army building behind the Civic Centre and on Tuesday, April 17 (10.30am – 1pm) at Treharris Boys and Girls Club.

If you would like to find out more about the course, contact Caroline Jones on 01685 358562 or email caroline.jones@vamt.net

Additional information can be found on www.vamt.net. All places need to be booked before the course commences.

Carers Support Groups

These groups are being set up to support carers who look after people with memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer′s.

There are two groups in Merthyr and both are free to attend. A carer can also be arranged to look after who you care for.

Held at Trefechan Community Centre on the first Monday of every month (1.30pm – 3.30pm) and at Treharris Boys and Girls Club on the first Wednesday of every month (1.30pm – 3.30pm).

For further information contact Helen Abberley on 01685 385033 or Sonia Lloyd-Williams on 01685 353900.

Trefechan Fruit & Veg Co-op

The fruit and veg co-op has started again on Mondays. Place your order with the Communities First Office and delivery will take place every Friday.

Trefechan After School Club

The club runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (4pm – 5.45pm) in the Community Centre.

Trefechan Partnership Board

The annual meeting of Trefechan Partnership Board will take place on Tuesday, March 13, in the Community Centre.

If you would like any information about the activities in Trefechan please contact Alison or Louise on 01685 383758.

Their work in the community encompasses everything from taking part in activities like the Scouts to giving up their time to help at Prince Charles Hospital.

Welsh International and Cardiff Blues player Robert Sidoli was on hand to present awards to the nine Merthyr Tydfil-based youngsters at the Merthyr Civic Centre. Deputy Mayor Allan Jones and Coun Bill Smith presided over the ceremony.

Paul Arthur, David Yoxall and Lauren McCubbin were awarded their 100 hour certificates for their work with the 6th Merthyr Scouts, while Matthew Palmer, Rhidian Evans, Rhianwen Long and Matthew O′Regan picked up the 200 hour certificate for the same.

Meanwhile Elizabeth Sullivan′s efforts with the WRVS at PCH were recognised with a 200 hour certificate and Jennifer Owen′s travails at St John Ambulance, the MS Society and Talking Hands earned her the same honour.

Robert Sidoli said: "It′s great when you′re presenting awards and you hear that they have done 100 or 200 hours and how much actually goes into that.

It′s great to see what these young people are doing and it shows real committment on their part, which has a huge influence on the community."

The awards were given as part of the Millennium Volunteers program, aimed at encouraging and recognising volunteer work among people aged 16-24.

Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil is the Millennium Volunteers Partner for the Borough. Call Karen Foley on 01685 353900 for more information.

Would you like to put some of your spare time to good use in 2007? Ever considered Volunteering, but not sure what′s involved?

Why not pop in and see one of our volunteering officers who will be able to tell you more about the type of volunteering that goes on in Merthyr and the current opportunities available.

The centre is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Give Karen or Frances a call on 01685 353900 to find out more.

Need Cash?

The Merthyr Tydfil Development Fund is now open for applications.

The fund is aimed at voluntary organisations and community groups working in the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil and grants will be between £5000 and £25,000. Grants can be for revenue, capital or a mixture of both.

The deadline for applications is 20 February 2007. Successful applicants will be awarded grants in April 2007.

The project must be of benefit to the residents of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil and meet one or more of the following themes:

Strengthening the capacity of local communities to help themselves.

Promoting social inclusion for disadvantaged groups.

Support development of services to benefit the community.

Opportunities for acquiring new skills and learning.

Promote sustainable development.

Demonstrate partnerships.

If you have had a Development Fund or Voluntary Action Fund grant in the last two years you cannot apply this time.

If your project requires other funding to be implemented this funding must be in place before you apply to the MT Development Fund.

You must be able to spend the grant before the end of April 2008.

Advice Surgery

There will be an advice surgery at 10am on January 17, 2007.

Groups are welcome to bring along draft applications and to discuss their projects with the team. The surgery will be held in the Civic Centre in Committee Room 2.

If you would like an application pack and further information please contact Carolyn Sharples on 01685 725046 or email Carolyn.sharples@merthyr.gov.uk

Six youngsters received their awards from Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (VAMT) after completing up to 200 hours of work in the community.

Merthyr′s Mayor Ian Clarke presented the teenagers with their certificates at a special ceremony earlier this month.

Christopher Dean, Samantha Powell, Gareth Plenty and Kayleigh Ryan, all pupils at Bishop Hedley School, were awarded their 100 hour certificates for setting up a gym and ballet club, arranging trips and setting up an after school club.

Elizabeth Sullivan was awarded a 100 hour certificate for the voluntary work she does with WRVS in Prince Charles Hospital.

A 200 hour certificate was presented to Jennifer Owen for her voluntary work with St John Ambulance, the MS Society and Talking Hands.

Millennium Volunteers is a UK-wide initiative that encourages volunteering in people aged 16 to 24.

Leah Doherty, Millennium Volunteers Coordinator for Wales, said: "Young people today are vastly under-estimated; the young people who have received their certificates and awards today show what a difference their commitment has made."

VAMT is the Millennium Volunteers partner for Merthyr and can help you achieve your first 100 hours of volunteering.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Karen Foley on 01685 353900.

If you had savings with Christmas Hamper Company Farepak you can get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau on 01685 382188 and Merthyr Credit Union on 01443 691968.

Relexology

A FREE reflexology afternoon for Trefechan residents takes place today, Thursday, from 1.30pm to 3pm at Trfechan Community Centre. Contact Helen on 01685 383758 for details.

Fruit and Veg

The Trefechan Fruit and Veg Co-Op has started up again and residents will be able to buy healthy food at cost prices, supplied by N Cullen and Sons of Caerphilly. Prices are fruit £2 bag; veg £2 a bag; salad £2 a bag; stew pack £1 a bag; 30 eggs £2, half a dozen free range eggs £1.20. Orders and money to the Communities First office by Wednesday afternoon every week.

VAMT AGM

On November 23 at 11am at Merthyr Rugby Club. This year′s guest speakers will be Huw Lewis AM, Deputy Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, and Bethan Wilkins-Jones from the Charity Commission. For details contact Laura Johnson by Thursday November 16th.

Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil (VAMT) held its fourth annual volunteering achievement awards on June 14.

More than 150 volunteers enjoyed the star-studded soiree hosted by Owen Money and Valleys Radio′s Karen Brown and Steve Powell.

The event celebrated the time and commitment that volunteers gave to the town over the past year.

Three organisations and 11 individuals were presented with outstanding achievement awards, including one Michael Cleary.

The 22-year-old walked away with two awards – young learner of year ang young citizenship award – for his work with the Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Gurnos.

VAMT volunteering officer Karen Foley said, "Once again the awards were well attended and enjoyed by all."

"We are very grateful to the sponsors for supporting this event and to the special guests who made time to attend, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Merthyr Tydfil, Ian and Pam Clarke."

The Arts Council of Wales and VAMT are holding a free event on Wednesday, June 28 from 9.30am until 12.30am.

Groups and individuals will hear information on the grants available from £250 to £50,000, including cash for training and learn about arts funding.

To book a place, or for more information, call Francis Barry on (01685) 353900.

Voluntary and Community Groups working within the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough are now able to make applications to the Capacity Building Small Grants Scheme of up to £5000 are available for a broad range of activities.

The first closing date for 2006 is May 31 with decisions being made in early June. The next round closes on August 30.

For an application form and guidance notes please contact VAMT on (01685) 353900.

Carers Week

There are a series of events planned for Carers Week next month.

On Monday June 12 there will be an advive stall at the Hafal and Pontcae Surgery.

Tuesday June 13 will see the advice stall move to the Hollies Surgery and a carers stall in Merthyr market.

Help for young and adult carers will be available at Prince Charles Hospital on June 14 with advice for carers in Dowlais available in the village surgery the next day.

The week will end on Friday June 16 with a Relaxation Day at Merthyr Rugby Club from 10am.

Trfechan Communities First are holding a fun day on Thursday, April 20 from noon until 2pm in the community centre. A nature walk will start the day off at 10am and then its back to the centre for free refreshments and hot broth followed by lots of fun and activities. All residents are welcome.

Easter Egg Hunt

Trefechan Community Safety Wardens and Trefechan Communities First are holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday April 13, starting at 1pm at the Trefechan Community Centre. All welcome and free easter eggs are available for all children.