World Mental Health Day Events in RCT and Merthyr are fast approaching; this year’s theme is ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ the RCT event will be combined with the Disability Information Day! Why not get involved in the Rhondda Alliance ‘Shine on Rhondda’ Event on 7 October to look at all the great projects and opportunities in the Rhondda. Could your community or voluntary group benefit from some good quality furniture or equipment? If so, the Council’s upcoming surplus asset recycling day could be well worth a visit on 1 October. Do you have events or information you would like to include in the bulletin? Then please forward your information to cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk by Wednesday 7 October. Click here to view the Summer Edition of our newsletter.

Interlink News
Interlink is made up of our members, which are all community and voluntary organisations. We believe the more we work together, the stronger we all become. Once you join, you will be able to make use of all the things we have to offer. Please fill in our Membership application form and e-mail it to cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk or send it to us at the address below.

RCT World Mental Health Event and Disability Information Day – 2 October at 10.30am – 2.00pm at Sobell Leisure Centre.  For more information contact Maria Abson on 01443 846200.

Rhondda Alliance Event – 7 October 2015, 9.30am – 3.30pm at the Arts Factory, Ferndale, contact Interlink for more information.

World Mental Health Day Event – 9 October, Merthyr Tydfil Rugby Club – For more information contact Carol Hindley at VAMT by email: Carol.Hindley@vamt.net or call 01685 353900.

Have Your Say 2015 – We need YOUR help to find the RIGHT priorities for Mental Health Services in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, 9 October, 10.30am – 2.03pm at Merthyr Tydfil Rugby Club. You can also complete our short survey on-line at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DYW2DG or visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk You can also take park in our wellbeing survey www.surveymonkey.com/r/3K39LCK Follow us on Twitter @Involve2E and Like us on Facebook at Involve2evolvemh If you are interested in attending or would like further information please contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or e-mail: rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk

Apply NOW for the Interlink Development Fund for small community and voluntary groups in RCT – Interlink Development Fund is available to any member community or voluntary group in Rhondda Cynon Taf to support them to recruit new members, involve more people from the community and help to develop your group. For more information call Interlink on 01443 846200. Older People, Isolation and Loneliness: Interlink Research Report – OUT NOW! -Email: sjames@interlinkrct.org.uk or call Simon on 01443 846221 for the full report or a discussion on the research and / or the ethnography project or storytelling project.

Interlink Training

Interlink offers a range of meeting and conference facilities, whether your requirements are for a training venue, conferences, small meetings or one-to-ones. www.interlinkrct.org.uk/conference-facilities

Are you looking for office accommodation in the Pontypridd area? We have office space available to rent in our office in Upper Boat, for more information give us a call on 01443 846200.

Training Courses

Safeguarding Children and Young People – 30 September 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.30pm – FREE Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults – 30 September 2015 at Interlink, 1.30pm – 4.30pm – FREE
Health & Safety Training – 16 October 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 4.30pm – £45 members £90 non-members Awareness of Eating Disorders Training – 10 November 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.30pm -FREE
Substance Misuse Training – 17 November 2015 at Interlink, 1.00pm – 5.00pm – FREE
Action Learning Sets Training – 9 December 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.30pm – £20 members £40 non-members
Managing Volunteers Training – 13 & 14 January 2016 at Interlink, 9.30am – 4.30pm – £40 members £80 non-members
Volunteer Recruitment Training – 27 & 28 January 2016 at VAMT, 9.30am – 4.30pm – £40 members £80 non-members
Social Services Wellbeing Act Training – 29 January 2016 at VAMT, 9.00am – 1.00pm – FREE
Safeguarding C&YP Training – 18 February 2016 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.30pm – FREE
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Training – 18 February 2016 at Interlink, 1.30pm – 4.30pm – FREE
For more information visit our website or to book a place contact Interlink.

Would you like to attend a First Aid course? Then please let us know by calling 01443 846200 or email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk. We will be providing another course soon, date to be confirmed.

Cwm Taf Safeguarding Children Board Training Programme 2015-16 For more information email: mjames@interlinkrct.org.uk

Interlink are able to assist with skill sharing or provide bespoke training on Microsoft packages:We are able to assist organisations with the following services:

• Website • Mailshot • Desktop publishing • Photocopying • Laminating/Binding • Signposting

For more information contact us on 01443 846200 or e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk Visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk/training to see what training we have on offer.

Children and Young People

Children in Wales, Parenting Conference – Thursday 15 October 2015; 9.30am – 4.00pm, Park Inn by Raddisson, Cardiff Central. To book your place for south Wales please click HERE

Equality and Inclusion of Disabled Children – 21 October 2015, Rhyl – Online Booking Form
25 November 2015, Cardiff – Online Booking Form
Please contact training@childreninwales.org.uk for more information.

Working Positively with Autistic Children in the Early Years
29 September 2015, Cardiff – Online Booking Form
23 October 2015, Llandrindod Wells – Online Booking Form

Building Resilience in Young People 3 November 2015, Cardiff – Online Booking Form If you are interested in future Children in Wales courses, please visit our website

Children in Wales, Early Years & Health – what does good health mean for young children in Wales? -24 November 2015, 9am – 4pm, Park Inn by Radisson, Cardiff City Centre For further details and to reserve your place, please visit our website at: www.childreninwales.org.uk/events

Cwm Taf Safeguarding Children Board Training Programme 2015-16 – For more information email: mjames@interlinkrct.org.uk

Local Events

TEDS 30th Anniversary Event, September Recovery Month & Open Day! – 30 September – This is a milestone event for TEDS, marking the 30th anniversary of the agency, also celebrating Recovery month and serving as an Open day. For more information Tel: 01685 880090 or email: teds@teds.org.uk www.teds.org.uk

Innovate Trust – Discover a Career in Health and Social Care – Friday 2 October 2015, 9:00am – 3:00pm at Llantrisant Leisure Centre. For further information and an application form please contact Innovate Trust on 02920 382151 or alternatively email: Rhiannon.eagle@innovate-trust.org.uk

Positively Ponty’s Fun Palace – 3 and 4 October 2015 – for more information contact www.facebook.com/PositivelyPonty www.funpalaces.co.uk

Alzheimer’s Society RCT Activities 2015 –
Singing for the Brain Every Wednesday at 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Alec Jones Day Centre, Station Street, Porth, CF39 9NR. Every Thursday at 10.45am – 12.15pm, Pont-y-clyn Community Centre, Rear Cowbridge Road, Pontyclyn, CF72 9EA Every Friday at 10:45am – 12:15pm, St Mairs Day Centre, Seymour Street, Aberdare, CF44 7BL
Forget Me Not Café s The first Friday of every month from 2pm – 4pm, The Bertie, 1-3 Phillips Terrace, Trehafod, CF37 2NW (Please call prior to attending as venue will be changing shortly). The first Thursday of every month 2pm – 4pm, Ton and Gelli Community Centre, Dinam Park Avenue, Ton Pentre, CF41 7AT. For more information contact Vicky Lewis on 01685 353919 or email: vicky.lewis@alzheimers.org.uk

RCT World Mental Health Event and Disability Information Day – 2 October – Sobell Leisure Centre, 10.30am – 2.00pm. For more information contact Maria Abson at Interlink on 01443 846200 or email: mabson@interlinkrct.org.uk or to book a stall email: kprice@interlinkrct.org.uk

World Mental Health Day Event – 9 October, Merthyr Tydfil Rugby Club – Please complete and return your Booking Forms to Carol Hindley Carol.Hindley@vamt.net or call 01685 353900 no later than Thursday 7 September, 2015.

Alcohol Brief Intervention Training – Friday 16 October – 10am – 12pm, Seminar Room 3, Keir Hardie Health Park Aberdare Rd, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1BZ. For more information and a booking form contact: Cerys Preece, Health Promotion Practitioner on 01685 351453 or email: cerys.preece@wales.nhs.uk

State Aid – What does it mean for third sector organisations? 20 October 2015, Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil or 22 October 2015, WCVA, Rhyl. To view the programme and book your place please visit our website www.wcva.org.uk/training-and-events/events/state-aid

Green Valleys Support Fibromyalgia support group – Meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 11.00am -2.00pm at Taff meadow community centre and on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in Sainsbury’s Cafe at 7.00pm – 9.00pm. Meetings are £3. For more information contact Jojo on 07511537613 Facebook:- gvsfm https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreenValleysSupportFibromyalgia/

Local News

RCT Together – 30 day Window of Opportunity – As part of the Council’s Community Asset and Service Transfer policy, the Council will provide a ‘30 day Window of Opportunity’ for any community groups wishing to submit their own proposals for the following assets and/or service transfers in order to ensure equity of opportunity and fairness to all community groups. Deadline 7 October 2015. www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/communityliving/communityinitiativesandprogrammes/rcttogether/rcttogether-windowofopportunity.aspx Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE 01443 846200 e-mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk www.interlinkrct.org.uk Registered Chairty No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee: 07549533

RCT Together – Surplus Furniture and Equipment Giveaway – 1 October!– The surplus equipment will be available to take away at an open access event on Thursday 1 October 2015 from 10am to 2pm in Aberdare Girls Upper Comprehensive School, Cwmbach Road, Aberdare CF44 0NF. The stock on offer includes good stackable chairs, tables, metal filing cabinets etc. If you have any queries in the meantime, please email rcttogether@rctcbc.gov.uk or contact: Debra Hanney (RCT Community Asset Development Officer) on 01443 425715 or Gareth Griffiths (Land Review Manager) on 07795 391664.

Play Wales – Manifesto for children’s play in Wales.  Today we are launching our Manifesto for children’s play in Wales. Play Wales is calling for the next Government in Wales to continue to prioritise provision for play. We are asking all political parties to recognise that having time, freedom and good places for playing are of paramount importance to all children, their families and the wider community. www.playwales.org.uk/eng

Director of Public Health Annual Report – Childhood Obesity in Cwm Taf: Hear our Story www.cwmtafuhb.wales.nhs.uk/opendoc/274088

Summary of United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child – On 20 November 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, also known as the UNCRC. The Convention changed the way children are viewed and treated – in other words as human beings with their own distinct set of Rights. These Rights describe what a child needs to survive, grow and reach their potential. The vast majority of countries in the world have signed up to these Rights, including the United Kingdom. Summary of United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/Publication-pdfs/UNCRC_summary.pdf

Toogoodtowaste –Please vote and help us combat climate change today and everyday – Hollywood Actor Michael Sheen thinks we are doing an amazing job, please vote for us if you agree with him. We were delighted to find out that we have been shortlisted for the Marks & Spencer Energy Fund and if we are successful they will finance the installation of photo-voltaic solar panels on our roof at the Ynyshir showrooms. You can vote by following this link: https://www.mandsenergyfund.com/project/28457/ www.toogoodtowaste.co.uk

RCT faces upto the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill – The summary report in now available – please email sjames@interlinkrct.org.uk For more information visit www.thersa.org/fellowship/in-your-area/regions/wales-cymru

New Horizons courses for September to December – www.newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk/services/ Tel: 01685 881113 Email: info@newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk

Mindfulness and Stress Control courses – September to November 2015 – For further information contact CTT_stresscontrol&mindfulness@wales.nhs.uk or call 01443 744800

The Care Council for Wales has been asked by Welsh Government to work with partners to develop the national learning and development plan to support the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The Care Council has also been asked to develop a ‘one stop shop’ where all resources on the Act can be available and accessed by all organisations from one central information hub http://www.ccwales.org.uk/getting-in-on-the-act-hub/ If you wish to apply for the Co-production Grant Fund please request a proposal form from Abubakar Askira at abubakar.askira@ccwales.org.uk .Proposal forms need to be completed against the fund criteria and returned to Abubakar Askira at abubakar.askira@ccwales.org.uk by Tuesday 27 October 2015.

Funding

‘The Vol Factor’ Grant Scheme for 2015/6 is open and ready to receive applications!

-The deadline for applications is Thursday 1 October 2015. Applications will then be shortlisted to a second stage on Wednesday 7 October 2015 when project members will be invited to give a brief presentation before a panel. For more information or send your written application to Thomas Crockett, Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Upper Boat, Pontypridd CF37 5BE or email: tcrockett@interlinkrct.org.uk. Exciting News about the Sport Wales Grant Application Process – From 26 October 2015, the way you apply for a Sport Wales Community Chest and Development Grant will be changing. Applications will have to be made online, via the Sport Wales website, rather than using the existing paper/pdf based application forms. Please regularly check the funding pages on the Sport Wales website http://sport.wales/funding–support.aspx for the announcement of the Go Live date. If you would like to know more about the changes please contact Rebecca Goodall on Rebecca.Goodall@sportwales.org.uk or 029 2033 8223

Taff Ely Onshore Wind Farm Fund – deadline 13 November – The Taff Ely Wind Farm Community Fund is administered by Interlink RCT the umbrella body for all local community and voluntary groups in RCT. To find out more about the fund please contact Ken Moon at Interlink RCT on Tel: 01443 846200, or email: kmoon@interlinkrct.org.uk. An electronic form is available on our web-site or by emailing adavies@interlinkrct.org.uk

Grow Wild Funding to help communities bloom – Organisations and community groups across Wales are being invited to apply for funding of £1,000 to £4,000 from Grow Wild to create inspiring spaces. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Applications for 2016 funding must be received by 1 December 2015 First, please read the community project application guidelines for 2016 funding: www.growwilduk.com/community-projects/application-guidance For more information contact Maria Golightly by email: wales@growwilduk.com or call 07917 266 445

Another £50K for community buildings … it’s round four of the popular WPD fund . Grants of up to £1,000 are now available to community groups across Western Power Distribution’s network area in the Midlands, South West and South Wales to reduce the energy use in their community buildings. The Community Chest, funded by WPD and administered by CSE. Applications are open from today until Friday 27 November 2015 or until the grant pot is exhausted. Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. More details, the case studies and application downloads are available here www.cse.org.uk/projects/view/1302

The Watkin Jones Community Fund – Offers grants of up to £1,000 to support projects aimed at promoting communities throughout the UK, with particular emphasis on enhancing the physical environment and improving quality of life for local people. Deadline 30 September 2015. You can download the Watkin Jones Community Fund application form here www.tyfupobl.org.uk

Asda grant using their plastic bag levy money – The admin is being handled by the Community Foundation in Wales. Awards are for £2,000 and should be used to support good causes that benefit local communities in areas where ASDA stores are located. Deadline 30 September 2015. For more information visit www.cfiw.org.uk

RCT Together – Community Enabling Fund – Expression of Interest Form now available on RCT Council Website – If you need any further information, please contact Debra Hanney, Community Asset Development Officer, RCT County Borough Council on 01443 425761. RCT Together – Enjoy the video link to find out more about RCT Together.

Vacancies

New Horizons Mental Health CIO is inviting applications to join the Management Committee – For further information please email: Janet Whiteman (Director) –janet.whiteman@newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk or contact New Horizons on 01685 881113.

Board Members Wanted for Pen y Cymoedd, Vattenfall – To apply, please go to www.empowersvs.co.uk/pycfund The closing date is noon, 23 October 2015.

Step Change Peer Mentor Vacancy with Drugaid – The closing date for all applications is Midday, Friday 9 October. Interviews are expected to be held 15 October. For more information and to return application form contact recruitment@collageservices.co.uk

Bulletin ends

community link bulletin 25 September 2015