Back to the ‘new normal’ following the excitement of Volunteers Week!  Many groups and organisations are now planning to prepare to open community facilities. There is not a lot of guidance currently available, but we will share what we have over the coming weeks.

INTERLINK COMIC RELIEF SMALL REVENUE GRANTS
Grants of between £500 and £2,000 on the theme of kindness and mental wellbeing during Covid-19.  We want to support projects that also contribute to the main themes of Comic Relief – children, safety and gender justice, as well as also covering mental health.  For an application form, please email grants@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 01443 846200.

VOLUNTARY SECTOR EMERGENCY FUND
There has been a call for more applications from RCT to the Fund – APPLY NOW. The purpose of this fund is to enable those providing vital support to groups such as: people in isolation, the elderly, carers, people struggling to access food etc. so that they can be supported during this time. Grants will support not for profit organisations working at a community scale up to a national level in Wales and can be between £10,000 – £100,000. Click Here

APPLY FOR THE CO-OP LOCAL COMMUNITY FUND
The Fund will help communities to come together, co-operate and have a positive impact on community wellbeing – physically and virtually. Click Here to apply to be one our causes. If you’re successful, the funding period will begin on 25 October. Applications must be completed by midnight on 28 June.

RED CROSS HELP AND HELPLINE
If you need practical or emotional advice, the latest coronavirus information or just to hear a friendly voice, the British Red Cross can help you find the support you are looking for. Get Help Here

WELSH GOVERNMENT COVID FINANCIAL SUPPORT – BILINGUAL LEAFLET. Financial Support leaflet – ENG     Financial Support – leaflet – WELSH

WILDLIFE, FRUIT AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN STARTER PACKAGES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS
These starter packages are open to community and volunteer groups of all shapes and sizes – you don’t even need a bank account or constitution to apply! Each package includes all the native plants, tools and materials you’ll need; guidance on how to install the garden, and a small amount of Keep Wales Tidy officer time to provide extra advice and support. Click Here

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN – THE REALLY BIG RCT VOLUNTEERING CELEBRATION
We want you to nominate the fantastic groups and volunteers working throughout RCT – don’t be shy if you do not tell us, we will find you – we know who you are! Anyone can nominate.  You can nominate a groups of volunteers all at once and/or tell us about individual volunteers who may have overcome lots of challenges or helped to support someone, a community, coordinate a street or group.  Please start nominating a volunteer or a group today! Please email: volunteering@interlinkrct.org.uk

HELP PHOTOGRAPH THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS THROUGH COVID-19
We are looking for help from all the local photographic groups and filmmakers out there – we need to capture the photographs and stories of volunteers, and the people they have supported through Covid-19 – can you help us? Please email volunteering@interlinkrct.org.uk  or call 01443 846200.

REALLY BIG LISTENING CAMPAIGN – GET ON BOARD
We are soon to embark on our REALLY BIG LISTENING CAMPAIGN to look at how we can learn from Covid-19 and how to prepare for the future.  Do you want to get involved collect experiences of Covid-19?  Please email info@interlinkrct.org.uk  or call 01443 846200.

THANK YOU

To the wonderful RHONDDA RADIO Visit Here

and
RHONDDA HUB FOR VETERANS who help rebuilding Veterans lives by promoting healthier lifestyles & providing suitable accommodation. Visit Here
(NB. Please let us know if we have missed you out
– we will get you a mention!)

We like to share your stories – so please drop us a line on what you have been up to and what you find useful.

Keep safe, keep well.

Simon James
Chief Executive
Interlink