community link bulletin 7 September 2015

Welcome to Interlink’s Information bulletin
We have a vacancy for a Rhondda Project Worker with Interlink; deadline for applications is 16 September.  There are lots of events coming up in the next couple of months so check them out under ‘Interlink News’ and don’t miss out on having a stall at the World Mental Health Day Events in RCT and Merthyr, book now!  We still have a few spaces on our Introduction to Investing in Volunteers training course, so book now!   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 23 September.  Click here to view the Summer Edition of our newsletter.

Interlink News
Interlink Membership
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.

Vacancy for Rhondda Project Worker with Interlink – The deadline is 5pm Wednesday 16 September.  For further information please call Simon James sjames@interlinkrct.org.uk 01443 846200.  For an application please contact 01443 846200 or kprice@interlinkrct.org.uk

Get Creative Workshops for Service Users and Carers –   Visual Arts –  16 September,  1.30pm – 3.30pm & 23 September  1.30pm – 3.30pm at the YMCA Pontypridd.  To book a place, please contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk

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 and 10 September, 12.30pm – 4.00pm at the YMCA Building, Taff St, Pontypridd.   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

Taff Ely Funding and Enterprise Event – 15 September – Gilfach Goch Community Centre , 1pm – 5pm, contact Interlink to book a place.

Transforming your Community – 23 September – Ferndale Community School, 10am – 3pm, contact Interlink to book a place.

RCT World Mental Health Event and Disability Information Day – 2 October   at 10.00am – 2.00pm at Michael Sobell Sports Centre.  For more information contact Maria Abson on 01443 846200 or to book a stall email: kprice@interlinkrct.org.uk

Rhondda Alliance Event – 7 October 2015, 10.00am – 4.00pm at the Arts Factory, Ferndale, contact Interlink for more information.

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.

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.

Silver Linings Peer Support Group for people experiencing anxiety or depression – Where? Chill Out Room at Llanharan Drop In Centre, When? Every Monday 1.00pm – 3.00pm, Want more information?  Contact Phoebe Walford on 01443 229723

Interlink Training
Interlink Conference Facilities
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 –   September – November 2015
First Aid Course – 11 September 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 4.30pm, £40 for members, £80 for non-members
Introduction to Investing in Volunteers – 17 September 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.00pm FREE
Mental Health First Aid for Youth – 25 September and 2 October at Interlink, 9.30am-4.30pm – Cost £40 for both days
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 for members  £90 for non-members
Awareness of Eating Disorders Training – 10 November 2015 at Interlink, 9.30am – 12.30pm -FREE
For more information visit our website
Cwm Taf Safeguarding Children Board Training Programme 2015-16   For more information email: mjames@interlinkrct.org.uk

ICT Support / Bespoke Training
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
Child Protection Conference and Core Groups training – 15, 16 and 29 September  2015 at  9.15am – 4.30pm, Both at Glyncornel, Llwynypia, RCT CF40 2JF. To book please contact email:  Jayne.L.Bush@rctcbc.gov.uk
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

Working with Fathers Training – 22 September 2015, Cardiff – Online Booking Form
11 November 2015, Llandudno Junction – Online Booking Form  For more information www.childreninwales.org.uk/item/working-fathers-6/

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

Local Events
Bipolar Support Group at New Horizons Aberdare – Bipolar UK Support Group meet the first Wednesday of every month- the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd September 12pm – 2pm.  For more information contact New Horizons on 01685 881113 or Bipolar UK on 01633 244244

RCT Eating Disorder Peer Support Group – The group meets on the 1 Monday of each month starting on
7 September2015.  6.30pm –8.00pm Tel: 01685 881113 Email: rcteatingdisorderselfhelpgroup@gmail.com

Getting results from LinkedIn –  Ideal as an introductory course for businesses of any size that want to realise the power of LinkedIn and the power that it has to generate results immediately.  Tuesday 8 September 2015 at 7.30am Registration and Breakfast Roll (Tea and Coffee) for 8am to 11am event. Venue: Central South Consortium Joint Education Services, Nantgarw. If you are interested in attending as an exhibitor please email: businessclub@rctcbc.gov.uk

THE AWARENESS IN BEREAVEMENT CARE FOUNDATION TRAINING COURSE – Commences 22 September.  For more information contact 01685 876020 or email: merthyr.rct@cruse.org.uk  HELPLINE: 0844 477 9400 www.cruse.org.uk

Wellbeing at work workshop invitation – 22nd September 15 – Healthy Working Wales are holding a small workshop for organisations to help them develop their approach to managing smoking in the workplace. Further information is available from the Healthy Working Wales website http://www.healthyworkingwales.wales.nhs.uk/se-wales-wellbeing-at-work-workshop.

Job and Career Fair ‘Try a Trade’ – 25 September, Sobell Leisure Centre – For more information contact Communities First on 01685 872364 or 01443 476750.

The Maerdy Archive ‘On the Buses’ presentation evening – 25 September at 6.00pm at Sion Chapel Maerdy.

An Introduction to Action Learning Sets
13 October 2015, Wrexham – Online Booking Form
15 October 2015, Cardiff – Online Booking Form
Please contact training@childreninwales.org.uk for more information.

WCVA Fundraising courses – 7 October 2015, Cartrefi Cymru, Bridgend
Effective and Efficient writing  7 October 2015  or Pitch perfect (making the verbal “ask”) 7 October 2015
**Attend both courses and receive a £20 discount**
To view full course information, including prices and places available, please click course date or contact our Helpdesk 0800 2888 329 or training@wcva.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.

Cancer Research Open Day – 24 October – 10am –4pm, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

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
WOULD YOU MAKE A GOOD LIPREADING TUTOR?  – For more information contact Wales Council for the Deaf by  email: recruitment@wcdeaf.org.uk

Leading charity Too good to Waste are opening longer to serve the community better  – If you would like to find out more about the work that the charity does you can visit their website at www.toogoodtowaste.co.uk

Say NO to Ageism Campaign – On October 1 the ‘Say NO to Ageism’ campaign will be launched, which will challenge the myths and misconceptions about older people and highlight the amazing contribution they make to our communities across Wales.  For more information contact Everyday Heroes on 029 2044 5040 or www.olderpeoplewales.com

Living with dementia research –  If you are able to help please contact Kathy Lye at Age Cymru on kathy.lye@agecymru.org.uk or 029 2043 1570. If you would like to discuss this research further or have any questions then you can contact Graeme Francis, Project Manager, on 029 2043 1547.  www.agecymru.org.uk

One Family Foundation Community Awards Invites Entries – Opens 1 September – The key dates for the next round are as follow:  Nominations open 1 September 10am – 29 September 9am.  Voting open 6 October 10am – 3 November midday.  Winners announced w/c  9 November.  We are also launching a Thunderclap campaign to help raise awareness for all of our community projects and we would love you to sign up. You can find out more on our Thunderclap page – https://goo.gl/6rDEHe  www.foundation.onefamily.com

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

 Race Equality First Hate Crime Advocacy and Empowerment Project – For more information visit www.refweb.org.uk Tel: 029 2048 6207

Teach First Innovation Series – FREE! – Apply today by completing the application form and submitting it to ecook@teachfirst.org.uk by Wednesday 23 September 2015.

Chwarae Teg – Agile Nation2 launch – a fantastic opportunity for working women in Wales! – apply on-line today: www.agilenation2.org.uk   www.cteg.org.uk/agile-nation-2-latest-news-all-systems-go/   If you would like any further information about this great opportunity please feel free to contact Andrew Reed by email:  andrew.reed@chwaraeteg.com

The Wales Co-operative Centre delivers a Welsh Government project, Digital Communities Wales, click here for more information.  www.digitalcommunities.wales/index.php/our-training-2/
Do you think you have what it takes to become a Trustee of WCVA?  The annual elections are now open for WCVA’s Board of Trustees.  This year we have nine places available on the Board, no prior experience required! Click here to find out more.

Live Fear Free Campaign – If you think you know someone suffering from domestic abuse or are a victim yourself, call the free, 24-hour confidential Helpline now on 0808 80 10 800 or visit livefearfree.org.uk  for further information.

Local groups benefit from RCT Together www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/news/archive/2015/august/communitygroupsbenefitfromrcttogether.aspx
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

Rhondda Foodbank Annual Sponsored Walk  – 12 September 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.

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, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council on 01443 425761.  RCT Together  – Enjoy the video link to find out more about RCT Together.

Vacancies
Vacancy for Rhondda Project Worker with Interlink – The deadline is 5pm Wednesday 16 September.  For further information please call Simon James sjames@interlinkrct.org.uk 01443 846200.  For an application please contact 01443 846200 or kprice@interlinkrct.org.uk

Children in Wales Vacancies – Development Officer (Children’s Financial Capability and Parenting Pilot).  Deadline for receipt of applications 14 September 2015. Interview date 18 September 2015 (interviews will take place in Cardiff).  Training Officer, For full details and an application pack please visit www.childreninwales.org.uk/jobs   Deadline for receipt of applications Mid-day 18 September 2015. If you have any enquiries or would like to speak with someone about the post before applying, please contact us on 029 2034 2434.  Applications must be submitted on our application form to Caroline Taylor by post or by e-mail: vacancies@childreninwales.org.uk
Welsh translation services Chwarae Teg – Deadline date is 21 September  2015 www.sell2wales.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG100776  Chwarae Teg is seeking a limited number of suppliers (a maximum of 3) to form a framework of suppliers for Welsh Translation Services for a number of activities for the next three years, with the possibility of extending after this period.

Consultations
UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark consultation – The UK’s largest youth consultation is here, and race to give 1 million young people a voice heard has began.  All resources can be found here.  You will receive weekly updates, throughout the campaign.  Visit: www.byc.org.uk | Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
We need your views on our plans and priorities for older people’s health and social care services in Cwm Taf – 27 July to 18 September – We’ll be asking the public for their views from 27th July – 18th September 2015. To have your say on our plans and priorities for older people’s health and social care services, visit www.cwmtafhub.com and take part in our online survey.  If you’d like any further information, or have any queries please contact Jessica Thomas via email Jessica.S.Thomas@rctcbc.gov.uk

Protecting Community Assets Consultation
Protecting Community Assets – Consultation – Please see a link below to a consultation, DTA Wales/Renew Wales will respond but it would be good if you could also respond and please distribute the consultation to others who you think might be interested.  http://gov.wales/consultations/people-and-communities/protecting-community-assets-consultation/?lang=en (English)
http://gov.wales/consultations/people-and-communities/protecting-community-assets-consultation/?lang=cy (Welsh) Consultation ends 11 September 2015

Bulletin ends