Interlink Community Link Newsletter Spring/Summer 2019

20 years of listening to and suppor ng the development of people and communi es

Issue 78 Summer 2019

Posi vely Volunteering

Interlink’s newsle er for community groups and voluntary organisa ons in Rhondda Cynon Taf

IntroducNews on Interlink

Welcome ..... to the Spring/Summer edi on of Interlink’s Newsle er. If you would like to contribute to the next issue please send your ar cles, informa on or adver sements by: 11 November 2019 to Cara Jordan-Evans

cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk

In this issue we have: 2 3 4 5-6 7

Introduc on Interlink News Volunteers Week Volunteering Friends of Aberdare Park Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Mental Health Health and Wellbeing Community News Funding Training

8 9 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 - 15 16

Our new address: Glenview House Courthouse Street Pontypridd CF37 1JY Tel number: 01443 846200 Email: info@interlinkrct.org.uk Website: www.interlinkrct.org.uk Office opening mes are: Monday - Thursday: 9.00am - 5.00pm Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm

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Welcome to Volunteering In this volunteering edi on we bring you a round-up of the many many events which took place during Volunteers Week. We have a short story into volunteering and the posi ve impact it had on someone referred from a GP surgery.

In Health and Wellbeing we report back on the successful ICF Demen a Community Capacity Grant Scheme, celebrate Rhondda Housing Associa ons’ success at the Crystal Trophy Awards.

We hear about Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care fundraising ac vi es to help support people affected by cancer, and Friends of Aberdare Park celebrate a year of volunteering to improve their local park.

We also hear from The Penrhys Pilgrimage Trail group about the route from Llandaff and up through Tonyrefail to get involved in helping to create a new walking trail with an ancient past. How young people in Rhydyfelin have been involved in designing and building Wales’s first digital bench providing temporary shelter for the homeless. In Treforest St Dyfrigs Catholic Church celebrate their successful applica on to the Heritage Lo ery Fund.

Interlink are moving, and more of the staff team are out and about hot-desking in the local community. We are responding to members’ feedback that we need to be more visible in the communi es’ we are with. From 1 July our new office is in Glenview House, Courthouse Street, Pontypridd.

This is part of Interlinks move towards an areas based approach and looking at how we support community hwbs and neighbourhood networks.

Interlink News

New Beginnings We are really pleased to be welcoming a number of new staff to Interlink…

Kath Rogerson-Davies - I am delighted

to join Interlink as the new Funding and Development Manager (Mental Health) working with third sector organisa ons and service users to develop new opportuni es and secure resources for innova ve health and wellbeing services across Cwm Taf. I am really excited to work together on the gaps and opportuni es to develop much needed services. That said, I am staggered by the volume of great services that are available and I look forward to promo ng the fantas c work of the third sector.

Contact me by email: krogerson-davies@interlinkrct.org.uk or 07736 586089

Julie Lomas - I recently joined Interlink as the GP Wellbeing Coordinator for the South Cynon area. My role is to be er connect primary care with the range of services available across the community and third sector and to support people to gain access to the right support for their health and wellbeing. I work with people to iden fy what is important to them and match their interests to what is available in the community. I am based in GP prac ces and also work out in the community.

For more informa on contact me by email: jlomas@interlinkrct.org.uk or 07730 436807

Hannah Furnish - I am really pleased to join Interlink as the Taff Ely Community Wellbeing Coordinator. My role is to link adults to sources of non-medical support in the community to support their social, emo onal and prac cal needs. I work closely with GP surgeries as well as community organisa ons improving the link between primary care and third sector organisa ons. I work with people to iden fy what ma ers most to them and link them to ac vi es, groups and services in their community.

For more informa on contact me by email: hfurnish@interlinkrct.org.uk or 07730 431859

Lisa Lewis - I am the latest addi on to Interlink staff as the Rhondda GP Wellbeing Coordinator. Based throughout the GP prac ces of the Rhondda cluster my role is to connect individuals to local community groups, ac vi es and services based on what ma ers to them. I can refer people for support with non-medical issues such debt management, welfare advice, housing along with issues of loneliness and isola on all of which have a significant impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.

For more informa on contact me by email: llewis@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 07340 708385

Goodbyes

Interlink bids a fond farewell to a number of valued and incredibly talented staff, Beth Smith who leaves us for the Singapore Government, Brogan Smart who has secured employment with the hospitality industry. Nia Williams and Becky Thomas take up posts with Women’s Aid and Gemma Lloyd our recep onist. Interlink wish them well in their future endeavours and thank them for all they have achieved for the sector.

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Volunteers Week Volunteers Week 2019 in RCT: Vol Factor Celebra on and Round Up Volunteers Week has been in full swing all week in RCT and here are some more highlights from the week so far, and one more event s ll to look forward to.

Llanharan Drop In Centre hosted Interlink RCT’s Youth Volunteering Celebra on where young volunteers from organisa ons funded by the Vol Factor Youth Grant Scheme were presented with Cer ficates by the RCT CBC Cabinet Member for Stronger Communi es, Well-being and Cultural Services, Councillor Rhys Lewis.

Canolfan Pentre Chair and Interlink Trustee Elizabeth ‘Buffy’ Williams won the Pride of Wales Community Hero Award for her fantas c work suppor ng the local community through Canolfan Pentre!

To quote Buffy on Twi er: ‘Absolutely thrilled to have been nominated let alone actually win.

Shocked was in understatement when I received the call today.

Young Volunteers from Llanharan Youth Drop In, Arts Factory, Hirwaun YMCA, Fernhill Youth Project, Aberdare Valley AFL, RCT People First, Avant Theatre, Pontypridd Panthers Basketball Club, Ac ve Valleys, Urdd RCT and Eventsparks were rewarded at the event.

Cllr Lewis said: ‘You're a credit to your communi es and most importantly a credit to yourselves.’

Ci zens Advice in RCT have published some very impressive stats on their volunteering programme.

They have supported 77 volunteers in the past year, of whom 14 have progressed to employment. 63 of the Volunteers have been retained and no fewer than 84% of staff began as volunteers. Well done to everyone on the Volunteer Team at Ci zens Advice!

Rhondda Housing meanwhile have recruited with 140 tenants and community members as volunteers on 37 projects. 22 of their volunteers have completed training courses, with 3 moving on to employment. Another great place to volunteer!

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Avant Cymru also hosted a Festy Porth event at the Factory to collect ideas on what Porth needs, and to encourage people to volunteer locally, whilst today Interlink RCT are proud to support Cynon Valley Museum’s Volunteer Event, celebra ng their team of over 30 volunteers.

We have been proud to publicise or promote the work of 67 organisa ons working with Volunteers in Rhondda Cynon Taf this week and will of course con nue to do so! Please get in touch if we can help celebrate the fantas c work you and your volunteers are carrying out in RCT. Volunteers Week 2019! Celebra ng the Power of Volunteering in RCT For more informa on about Volunteering contact Thomas Crocke on 07742 499188 or email: tcrocke @interlinkrct.org.uk

Volunteering

Llanharan Drop in Enjoys Day Out! Our young volunteers had a brilliant me at their team building assault course at the Taff Valley Quad Bike and Ac vity Centre.

Lots of fun, mud and water. A huge thanks to Interlink RCT for the volfactor funding.

We run adult educa on classes through the day and ac vi es for children and young people during the evenings term me. During the holiday periods we run a holiday club - childcare and also playschemes in Brynna, Llanharan, Pontyclun and Llanharry For more informa on about the Drop In visit www.facebook.com/llanharandropincentere

Sue Wilkins - Volunteers Story I took early re rement in September 2017 a er working in the NHS for more than 30 years. I had always had a very busy job as well as caring for my family and ageing parents and was concerned that I would find this huge change in lifestyle to be more stressful than being busy all the me. I was used to having a very structured day and didn’t want to be trying to think of things to do to fill up my day, and I really wanted to be able to feel that I had done something useful with my me. I was looking at the Volunteering Wales website before I le work and knew that there would be a lot of opportuni es to offer something to support people and/or organisa ons. My NHS work had provided me with an insight into how much support individuals and communi es need to achieve good outcomes in respect of health and wellbeing.

For me, volunteering was a fantas c experience.

I worked with a wonderful team of people who were doing a really important job working with people to improve their health and wellbeing, and to tackle the real problem of loneliness.

I hope that my contribu on of pu ng wouldbe volunteers in touch with organisa ons with a need for volunteers made a difference to the volunteers and the individuals and communi es involved.

I am not a hugely confident person, always preferring to be ‘backroom’ staff, and a concern was that once I le the workplace, I would lose what confidence I did have.

I was very fortunate in that the team I worked with were so welcoming and helpful, I felt like a part of that team from my very first day. I made some lovely friends from this role.

The Volunteer Centre made me realise that even if I have no experience in a par cular field but wanted to offer some me to help and support, then I should do it - there is always some help needed and you will hopefully make a posi ve difference to someone’s day. Volunteering is a lifeline for both volunteers and those they support, I believe it has a posi ve outcome for everyone involved.

Everyone at Interlink would like to thank Sue for all her hard work and commi ement to suppor ng the Volunteer Centre at Interlink.

For more informa on about volunteering opportuni es visit www.volunteering-wales.net Page 5

Volunteering

Volunteering Helps Wellbeing A gentleman aged 63, was referred to the Wellbeing Coordinator via his GP in April. He had experienced intense mental distress at work, resul ng in him losing his job.

He a ended an appointment and presented as depressed, anxious and stressed and informed the Coordinator that he was ‘not interested in a ending any courses, social groups, or training’ as he was not a sociable person and did not enjoy mixing with other people. He stated that he was only a ending the appointment to keep his GP happy.

The gentleman said he had hated his job as a fabricator and he had been feeling mentally and emo onally unwell for some me, and thought that due to his age he would not be able to obtain further employment. He had no friends and no social life and felt that his life was over as he had no purpose.

He men oned during the appointment that he had an allotment and this was the only thing that brought him any joy or peace. The Wellbeing Coordinator informed him of a new community venture called ‘Cynon Valley Organic Adventures’, a social enterprise looking for volunteers to help develop and sustain a 5-acre community garden. They were about to start a 10-week self-development programme called ‘Plan ng the Seed’. Ini ally he was very reluctant to get involved and stated there was nothing that he could learn or gain from the experience as he felt already skilled in this area, however he reluctantly agreed to a end the programme.

In May 19 the programme coordinator gave the following feedback: ‘He seems to be a natural leader, you can see he loves taking people with extra support needs under his wing and organising everybody. He is very good with people, especially the hard to reach, his manner changes around them, it’s nice to watch.’

During a follow up phone call with the Wellbeing Coordinator, he informed that not only is he comple ng the self-development programme every week, but he is also a ending the community garden every day as a volunteer.

He thoroughly enjoys his me there and feels he now has a purpose, that he no longer feels stressed nor depressed and he believes that the reason for this is volunteering at the garden. His son has commented on how well he is and for the first me in his life he feels no pressure.

He also said he really enjoys mentoring the other volunteers, and in par cular the ones with extra support needs. He stated he has surprised himself with the extent of his skills and he would like to obtain paid employment at the garden if the opportunity arose.

He no longer feels he has nothing to get out of bed for and expressed his thanks to the Wellbeing Coordinator for referring him to the programme.

Welcome Friends A Lady has various health condi ons and had a hospital stay in April following a fall on her stairs at home. Her daughter visits twice a week but the lady hasn’t told her that she is not managing well mentally. She accepted to be referred to me the Community Coordinator to find out about groups as she feels she is becoming socially isolated.

I suggested a befriending organisa on to her and explained how the service works. She was happy to be in receipt of such a service and gave me permission to make a referral which I made to the Welcome Friends befriending service.

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She has now been in receipt of a volunteer befriender for 3 months and this is what she had to say: ‘Lillian (Welcome Friends volunteer) comes to see me every Friday and she’s wonderful.

She makes me laugh a bundle and we have a great me together. I’m really happy with how it’s made me feel. Thank you’

Friends of Aberdare Park

Friends of Aberdare Park Volunteering

This year is an important year for Aberdare Park as we celebrate its 150th Anniversary. It was the first ‘People’s Park’ in Wales to give an open space of natural beauty and enjoyment for the hard working residents from the smoke of the ironworks and dust of the coal mines. It is a real gem for the Cynon Valley which was regarded as the Queen of the Valleys.

The Friends of Aberdare Park was formed about two years ago aiming to support the Council with their efforts to make the Park an ac vity hub to a ract people of all ages to enjoy their interests and ac vi es.

The most successful ac vity last year was undoubtedly the start of the parkrun. Every Saturday morning between 9am - 10.30am there are more than 100 par cipants taking part to walk, jog or run 5 kilometres (3.6 mes around the Park). In order to organise the run we have 20 volunteers to help.

The Dragons Running Club which was recognised by the Welsh Athle cs Associa on as a successful club with their ‘Couch to 5k’ programme for people who want to improve their fitness in a friendly atmosphere.

Two people, in par cular, Claire and Ian are thanked for the success of the Aberdare parkrun.

In the Spring of last year the Friends published a book on the History of the Park and arranged a series of guided walks around the Park by our volunteer historians Geoffrey Evans and Vic Morgan on Sunday mornings once a month from Spring to Autumn. If History is your interest, why not support us and train to be one of our guides.

Volunteering for Friends of Aberdare Park ac vi es is easy. We have projects that may suit you. In Autumn 2017 we renovated the dilapidated Raglan memorial bench. A group of volunteers turned up to do the job.

Our Park was rated among the three best Parks in RCT. Another ini a ve has been to provide healthy duck food for the birds in the park, bread is the worst food to give them hence the mess le behind by the ducks. Bags are for sale at 50p in the café.

We are thinking of providing dispensers for the food when the café is closed. Any ideas? Filling the bags is another job for volunteers!

Friends of the Park are suppor ng the work of Council Park Rangers. The Park was awarded the important Green Flag of excellence. The grounds surrounding the statue of Lord Merthyr are a fine example of their work.

We will be redecora ng the toilets near the North gates when the modernising is complete. Volunteers are welcome to help.

The group are awai ng the results of our funding applica ons to build a Splash pad to replace the dilapidated paddling pool. We hope to be up and running by early summer. We will need volunteers to help with this.

It will be a fantas c project for the children of the Cynon Valley and further. A toilet for the disabled and baby changing facili es will be added to the facili es already there.

To be a volunteer means that you are able to meet like-minded people and being ac vely involved is a plus for your own enjoyment and sense of worth.

Friends of Aberdare would welcome you.

For more informa on visit www.foaberdarepark.com or Facebook - AberdareParkWales

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Aberdare Friends of Tenovus

Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care are a small group of friendly, like minded people who want to raise money to help this fantas c charity - Tenovus Cancer Care.

We organise local events to raise funds and raise awareness for Tenovus Cancer Care, and the work they do in the community to support cancer pa ents and their families. These events include quizzes, concerts, fashion shows, bucket collec ons and more.

Over the past year, events held by our group included Line Dancing Events, a fashion show, a Hymns and Pimms Birthday Celebra on, Lovelight Christmas Concers and our Annual Presenta on evening, where we celebrate the year of fundraising and thank supporters.

In 2018, Tenovus Cancer Care celebrated its 75th Birthday, what an incredible achievement! Set up by 10 volunteers in 1943, it is widely recognised for its ground-breaking work in cancer research and its unique solu ons to suppor ng those affected by cancer in local communi es. Their aim is to give cancer pa ents and their loved ones the future they deserve, and work towards a world where no one dies of cancer.

Their Mobile Units bring treatment closer to home, saving money and stress of travelling long distances to hospital and giving more precious me to spend with loved ones. In October 2018, the third state-ofthe-art Mobile Support Unit was launched. This unit is the biggest mobile chemotherapy space in the world.

Last year they launched their new service, ACTivate Your Life - Affected by Cancer. This is a free fourweek course which aims to help people experiencing nega ve thoughts and are having difficulty living with or a er their cancer. It teaches mindfulness techniques and iden fies core values which will help people live a fulfilled life by commi ng to taking posi ve ac on, regardless of their circumstances.

We are proud to say that this service is coming to Aberdare for the first me this year. Tenovus Cancer Care’s research has found that their Sing with Us choirs are effec ve at reducing peoples' anxiety and depression, and have a posi ve impact on feelings related to stress, immune func on and inflammatory response. They are fun, upli ing, and for anyone who has been affected by cancer.

Sing with Us Merthyr began in 2014, and they have gone from strength to strength since they started, not only being fabulous in voice but being a strong network of support for each other.

We are always looking for volunteers to help at our events, so if you fancy joining us, please give me a ring. We are also on Facebook – Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care (@AberdareFOT).

If you would like to come to one of our events you’re more than welcome to join us.

Contact Carol Williams, Chair of Aberdare Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care on 07501 339244 or email: Carol.williams@tenovuscancercare.org.uk

Tenovus Cancer Care Freephone Support Line 0808 808 1010 is open 7 days a week, so someone is always there for anyone who is worried about cancer, even on Christmas day!

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Mental Health

Service User Representa ves Update A key role for Interlink’s Mental Health team is to ensure the voice of the service user is heard and to support the involvement of people with lived experience in the design, development and delivery of community ac vi es and services.

In March, three of Inerlink’s Service User Representa ves were given the opportunity to a end South Wales University and speak to their MSC Clinical Psychology students to talk about their experiences, as service users, and of the treatments and therapies they have encountered.

Feedback from the Rep’s was that they found it a really useful day by having the opportunity to share their views and opinions but the feedback from the students was phenomena!! Below are just some examples of the posi ve feedback received.

‘I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for coming in today and sharing such personal experiences with us. I found it very important and insigh ul for us as clinical psychology students that we had real-life perspec ves regarding experiences with mental health problems. I am very grateful that you took the me to share your journeys with us and I have learned a lot from this session. Thank you very much.’

‘I'd like to thank you very much for sharing your stories with us. It was incredibly insigh ul and certainly for me highlighted the need for a pa ent-centered approach to treatment.

To keep the individual's safety, dignity and wellbeing at the heart of treatment and care.

Your talk will certainly keep in perspec ve a personally held belief and ideal that no ma er the restraints imposed through high demand, the lack of funding or lack of resources, the therapeu c rapport between clinician and pa ent is paramount. Unfortunately, health services appear to be focusing on efficiency rather than being effec ve. It is impossible to be efficient with people, only effec ve and, this is something that I will take away from your me spent with us today. Again I would very much like to thank you for your me and your shared experiences.’

Interlink would like to say a big thank you to Sharon, Jane and Jess for doing such a fantas c job at posi vely represen ng fellow Service Users.

If you are interested in ge ng involved in any future projects as a Service User or Carer then please get in touch with Maria by email: mabson@interlinkrct.org.uk or Kath by email: krogerson-davies@interlinkrct.org.uk

World Mental Health Day 2019 - Suicide Preven on World Mental Health Day on the 10 October raises awareness for the global community in an empathe c way, with a unifying voice, helping those feel hopeful by empowering them to take ac on and to create las ng change. This year, the World Federa on for Mental Health (WFMH) has decided to make ‘suicide preven on’ the main theme of World Mental Health Day. Suicidal behaviour has existed throughout human history, but in the past few decades has reached alarming sta s cal levels. More than 800,000 people die by suicide a year and is the principal cause of death among people fi een to twenty-nine years old.

The object of making suicide preven on the theme is to get people to talk about a subject that tends to be taboo which will help the community to learn about the risk factors so that they can iden fy and learn to address them.

We need everyone’s help and invite you to join the campaign, through planning local events and ac vi es that raise awareness of mental health issues. There will be a number of small local events run by local organisa ons, these events and ac vi es will be promoted via the RCT and Merthyr Tydfil Mental Health Facebook page www.facebook.com/ mentalhealthcwmtaf/

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Call Samaritans on 116 123 free of charge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Health and Wellbeing

ICF Community Capacity Grant Scheme The ICF Community Capacity Grant Scheme for Demen a is a dedicated fund for third sector organisa ons and community groups who can respond to unmet need, bringing forward a range of innova ve and preventa ve support services which demonstrate how community ac vity is an essen al part of maintaining health and wellbeing for all, including people living with demen a and their Carers. The fund seeks to build capacity in the community providing individualised services close to home. The following groups received funding in 2018:

Scheme

Summary

Loca on

S ll Me

Mul genera onal project, support group and ac vi es for people living with demen a and their carers and families. Run by people living with/ affected by demen a

Taff Ely (Garth Olwg, Church Village)

Valleys Kids

A Place and Time for You : Targeted community care programme – sustaining the successful pilot scheme offering 3 weekly closed group sessions for people with demen a and their carers; and fortnightly home visi ng programme for carers.

Rhondda

Demen a Friendly community centre in Rhydyfelin, offering coffee bar, informa on ac vi es etc

Taff Ely Rhydyfelin

Gellideg Founda on Group

Weekly support group for carers and family members, plus a weekly ac vi es group for people living with demen a

Merthyr Tydfil Gellideg

Arts Factory

Opening up current groups / ac vi es to those with demen a and their carers, plus offering a taxi service for those where transport is a barrier to access

Rhondda Ferndale

Bri sh Red Cross

Camau Cadam Posi ve Steps – 12 week goal based Befriending service – already in place for older people and to be expanded to include more older people and carers with demen a

Cwm Taf Wide

The Parent Network

Carers peer support groups and network

Merthyr Tydfil

St Ma hew’s Church Support group for people with demen a and their carers

Rhondda Treorchy

Pontyclun Community Council

Support group for people with demen a and their carers

Taff Ely Pontyclun

Demen a friendly Maerdy

Adver sing of the support group for people with demen a and their carers.

Rhondda Maerdy

Age Connects Morgannwg

Local engagement to determine level of need and inform a strategy for how the Cynon Linc Hub (due to be launched Spring 2010) and ACM can support people living with demen a to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence

Cynon

For further informa on on any of these project then please contact Anne Morris by email: amorris@interlinkrct.org.uk Page 10

Health and Wellbeing

Cwm Taf Crystal Trophy Awards

Community Groups Praised at the Cwm Taf Crystal Trophy Awards!

Community groups promo ng healthy lifestyles and preven ng ill-health in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil have been celebrated and rewarded at this year’s Crystal Trophy Awards. The awards recognise the achievements of local groups and organisa ons throughout Cwm Taf who are working to improve health and wellbeing. Impressive applica ons were received this year from a diverse range of groups and organisa ons.

Rhondda Housing Associa on scooped second prize of £750 for their project; Hapus Pawb? a six week health and wellbeing course which supports them to be er manage and improve their mental and physical health.

Professor Marcus Longley, Chair at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, who presented the awards, said: ‘These awards help to showcase the great work that’s happening in our communi es to improve health and wellbeing. Today has been an opportunity to see some of the many examples and demonstrates that we can all make a real difference.’

For further informa on contact Anne Morris by email: amorris@interlinkrct.org.uk

New Cwm Taf Morgannwg Social Value Forum!

Catapulted by the Welsh Government agenda and the Integrated Care Fund, the profile and focus on Social Value is at an all- me high. Social Value Forums are a requirement under the Social Services and Well Being Wales Act with a duty on local authori es and local health boards to promote the development of social value organisa ons in their area. The aim is to collaborate to achieve real posi ve change in people’s lives, par cularly people in need of support.

On 1 April 2019, Bridgend healthcare services transferred to Cwm Taf University Health Board moving the health board boundary accordingly. Consequently, the Cwm Taf Social Value Forum became the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Forum to accommodate Bridgend, an inaugural event was held in April with a focus on transforma onal change. The event brought together people from across RCT, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend and showcased innova ve third sector projects that demonstrate Social Value in ac on.

Integrated Care Fund Integrated Care Fund (ICF) is an important lever to bring about an improved culture in the way services are planned and delivered. The third sector is a key strategic partner in the development and delivery of ICF programmes and projects. The Social Services and Wellbeing Act places a duty on local authori es to promote the development of social value organisa ons to provide care and support and preventa ve services, this requires local authori es to take a pro-ac ve approach in promo ng the involvement of people in the design and delivery of services.

This year Welsh Government expects an increased ICF investment in social value/third sector projects and models of service delivery from previous financial years and by the end of 2019-21 at least 20% of the overall ICF revenue spend should support the sector. To this end Interlink are working hard to ensure the sector is represented and will be working closely with you over the coming months to develop this further.

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Community News

Penrhys Pilgrimage Project wants You! Enjoyment, enhancement, empowerment. All this from one ancient path whose history goes back into the mists of me The Penrhys Pilgrimage was very popular in the Middle Ages. People walked from Llandaff Cathedral to Radyr, before heading Westwards towards Groesfaen, turning again to enter Llantrisant where they usually stayed the night. The next day, they would be up bright and early to cross Llantrisant Common and head up towards Trebanog before climbing over the mountain to Dinas Rhondda and finally climbing up away from the Rhondda Fawr to Penrhys.

In Penrhys there was a Statue to Our Lady on Penrhys and a Holy Well. The Well goes back to Cel c mes for certain and probably predates that too and is probably the reason why the Cistercian monks chose to build a church close by.

The Project is engaging with local schools and community groups, working together to plant na ve wild flowers along the path. Small clumps that can act as yet another form of way marking but also add li le pools of colour to li our hearts. There are so many stunning loca ons that only need a li le tender loving care, a li er pick, some clever plan ng to transform communi es into colourful, a rac ve places for locals and for tourists.

One of our recent projects has been the Cloud Seats at Trebanog. Last year we had support from Trivallis to work Artes Mundi and local communi es to make a special place in Trebanog. It is close to the Penrhys Pilgrimage Way making it a great place to stop and take in the view.

So sing out about the Penrhys Pilgrimage. Tell your family to come and walk it, put it on your Facebook pages and your Instagram feed… tell the world that there is a wonderful walk to be discovered and much of it is in Rhondda Cynon Taf. We are building a website and if you have a business, such as Bed and Breakfast and would like to see it on the website get in touch with us.

If you, your business or your community group want to be involved with developing the path then email: ppwp2020@gmail.com

Hafal Carers Link Service Do you support someone who needs help with day to day living due to any illness or disability?

Hafal's Carers Link Service is aimed at providing signpos ng and support for anyone who may be giving care to another person. Advisors available to meet at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda and Royal Glamorgan Hospitals.

The carer and person with the illness or disability can be of any age, any disability or illness. Hafal also offers services for people with a diagnosis of a serious mental health illness in our projects throughout the Cwm Taf Area. This does not include Alzheimers or Demen a but we can signpost you on to relevant services.

Also a free carers transport service to the mental health wards including older persons mental health at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

For further informa on please ring Gill Bundy on 07976 624332 or Donna Evans on 07805 665527 Page 12

Community News

Young Tenants Build Wales’ First Digital Bench A local youth club has created Wales’ first digital bench on the grounds of St. Catherine’s Church in Pontypridd.

The innova ve idea came about a er members of Rhydyfelin Youth Club began developing their woodwork skills during training with Eggseeds, a sustainable educa on organisa on. They iden fied the problem of charging a phone when out and about and wondered whether a sta on such as a solar powered bench could assist.

With ini al support from Newydd Housing Associa on, the project was kickstarted with funding from Interlink RCT, specialist support from Renew Wales, and wood donated by TR33, Newydd’s contractors. Solar panels were also acquired by GB Sol and Roo ase Cardiff also donated roof slates.

Several addi onal partners were also forthcoming in providing addi onal support and exper se. This gave the group the confidence to present the idea of installing the bench on church grounds to Reverend Peter Lewis of St Catherine’s Church.

Following their successful pitch to the Church the produc on of the digital bench went full steam ahead through RCT Youth Engagement and Par cipa on Service (YEPS) and with help from EggSeeds and Newydd staff. During the project, two members of the youth club par cipants gained their CSCS card, allowing them to work on construc on sites in future.

The completed wooden bench has a solar panelled roof that stores power and allows the public to charge devices through one of two USB ports. The wooden trellis on either end of the bench will be used to grow fruit bearing vines such as strawberries or tomatoes, while the wooden planters will be used to grow root vegetables. The gu ering acts as an irriga on system, diver ng water away from the bench and to the planters.

Sco Tandy, Community Regenera on Officer at Newydd said; ‘I am so proud of the team at Rhydyfelin Youth Group for their hard work and enthusiasm in seeing this project through. Not only have they worked together as a team, gained fantas c skills for the future but they have also thought of the needs of the local community.’

Youth Centre in Treorchy set for rebirth a er community group's takeover A youth and play centre in Treorchy is to get a new lease of life thanks to a local community group.

Alison House Youth and Play Centre in Cwmparc closed in 2018, but is set to reopen thanks to Cwmparc Community Associa on.

The group have been announced as the new tenants for the building - and have signed a 10 year lease with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The building, which has previously been used for youth and open access play, will be renamed Cwmparc Family Centre and officials say they have plans to expand its use for recrea onal and educa onal ac vi es.

Proposed ac vi es include language and play sessions as well as cookery classes.

The takeover has happened via a so-called Community Asset Transfer, which will allow its new tenants to employ more staff including a Community Co-ordinator, par cipa on officer and play staff.

It is hoped once the centre gets up and running again that it will be open from 9am to 9pm between Monday and Friday and possibly at weekends.

Cwmparc Community Associa on, both a a charity and limited company, own and run the Cwmparc Welfare Hall. That facility is next to Alison House and includes a theatre space, cafe, gym and community rooms.

For more informa on visit www.cwmparcca.com/about-us Page 13

Funding

Are you looking for funding?

Check out the latest funding news at www.interlinkrct.org.uk/funding

For more informa on call Interlink on 01443 846200 email: kmoon@interlinkrct.org.uk or mgough@interlinkrct.org.uk

Visit our Ge ng Money page and find out about: Funding news - updated constantly with the latest informa on about funds.

Informa on sheets - including Gi Aid and what’s required in a good grant applica on and lots more

St. Dyfrig's Catholic Church Treforest Successful with Lo ery Grant St. Dyfrig’s Catholic Church, Treforest, has received a confirmed Na onal Lo ery grant of £68,100 for the urgent structural and roof repairs heritage project.

Thanks to money raised by Na onal Lo ery players and with help from Interlink RCT, the project aims to ensure St. Dyfrig’s con nues to be used for religious services and community events and secure its future as a church of historical interest and community asset.

The project will deliver an improved facility for the whole community and ensure the church's heritage is preserved for future genera ons.

Supported through the Heritage Lo ery Fund (HLF), the project aims to carry out essen al repairs, research and record the history of St. Dyfrig’s Church and its place in the local community over the past 90 years.

St. Dyfrig’s history will be exhibited in the church and parish community hall and uploaded to the church website and social media, allowing online public access.

Parish Priest, Fr Allan Davies-Hale, said; ‘I am delighted and grateful that the Heritage Lo ery Fund has awarded our Parish of St. Dyfrig’s, Treforest a substan al grant of £68,100. The grant will enable us to restore the fabric of the church building so that the church will con nue to be a beacon of faith to the whole of the community in Treforest and the Valleys.’

St. Dyfrig’s benefits from a diverse parish community, so those involved in the project would like to talk to a number of people about why they or their families came to Treforest and record their memories as oral history. Their recorded stories will be uploaded to the People's Collec on Wales in the Na onal Library.

The project will be achieved with support from the History Department at USW and Pontypridd Museum.

Volunteers from across the local community will help to deliver the project.

The Heritage Lo ery Fund (HLF) said it is delighted to support these much-needed repairs, preserving this Grade 2 place of worship for genera ons to come.

HLF funding is con nuing to transform communi es across the UK, making a posi ve and las ng difference to people’s lives. This is only possible thanks to Na onal Lo ery players.

For further informa on, images and interviews please contact Liz Mayo at St. Dyfrig’s Church on 01443 209850 or mayoliz@hotmail.com Page 14

Funding

Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund The Community Fund has been established by energy company Va enfall for the benefit of the communi es hos ng the wind farm in and across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys.

The Fund has an annual budget of £1.8 million un l at least 2043 and offers an amazing opportunity for local people to invest in themselves and their ideas building on all that is best in their communi es. The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-forprofit Community Interest Company. We are here to help!

There are 2 funds:

Micro Fund - This opens on 1 June 2019 There are two rounds of Micro Fund per year - one opens on 1 June and closes mid-August and one opens on 1 December and closes mid-February.

We recognise that great ideas can some mes be realised by the injec on of rela vely small sums of money at the right me on a one-off basis. The Micro Fund offers one-off grants up to £5,000 to support important aspects of community life and to support enterprise development.

Micro Grants can help cover the costs of community events, give the finishing touch to a larger scheme or can be the s mulus to a start-up; they can help publicise a service or support feasibility studies to develop bigger schemes. Grants have an upper limit of £5,000 but we expect many awards to be for smaller sums, and we ac vely invite those applica ons.

There are two Micro Fund strands: Micro Fund: Community - for voluntary and community organisa ons, social enterprises, community and town councils, and school PTAs. Micro Fund: Micro Business - for those looking to develop or start up an enterprise.

Vison Fund

The Vision Fund offers grants over £5,000 (capital and/or revenue) to support ac vi es that help to deliver one or more of the priori es set out in the Fund Prospectus. New and developing businesses, voluntary sector and community groups can all apply.

Although public sector bodies are not eligible, we welcome partnership working.

Visit www.penycymoeddcic.cymru We hope that you can find answers to most of your ques ons on the site, but if not, please drop us a line enquiries@penycymoeddcic.cymru or give us a call 01685 878785. We’d love to hear from you.

Interlink’s Meriel Gough provides support rela ng to the Penycymoedd Community Fund and can help with ge ng your community group ready for funding, contact her by email: mgough@interlinkrct.org.uk or call 07598 241359

Cranfield Trust Cranfield Trust is a na onal charity taking prac cal ac on, to support the development of successful voluntary sector organisa ons. For 30 years, we have been transforming organisa ons by sharing business skills with chari es to empower learning and improve lives. We are able to offer all of our services at no cost, thanks to the generous support of funders, individual donors, corporate partners and our network of skilled volunteers.

Every year our network of highly skilled volunteer management consultants share their knowledge and experience with chari es. They provide free, independent advice and support on everything from business planning, to charity governance, and financial management.

Contact details: www.cranfieldtrust.org/pages/9-free-business-services-for-chari es For more informa on contact Jayne Kendall by email: Jayne.kendall@cranfieldtrust.org Page 15

Training at Interlink Who Does What in Mental Health

Planning Using Outcomes

19 August 2019 10.00am - 1.00pm Venue: New Horizons Aberdare Cost: FREE Trainer: Sharon Phillips

18 September 2019 10.00am - 4.00pm Venue: Interlink (New Office) Cost: Members £20, Non-members £40 Trainer: Ken Moon

Fit for Funding - Be er Bids

Safeguarding Children and Young People

25 September 2019 9.30am - 12.30pm Venue: Rhydyfelin Community Centre (Valleys Kids) Cost: FREE

September - Date to be arranged Cost: Members £20 Non-members £40 Trainer: Meriel Gough

Essen al Training for Trustees

Safeguarding Adults

5 September 2019 6.00pm - 8.00pm Venue: TBA Cost: Members £20, Non-members £40 Trainer: Ken Moon

25 September 2019 1.30pm - 4.30pm Venue: Rhydyfelin Community Centre (Valleys Kids) Cost: FREE Trainer: Maria Abson

RCT Third Sector Learning Together Programme September 2018 to March 2019 Interlink are : • •

Promo ng all local learning that is shared with us Working with community organisa ons to jointly develop and promote opportuni es

For example, a community organisa on was not able to afford training on volunteer management – they offered to hold the course at their venue and promote the course; and we provided them with several free places.

So if you wish to: • • •

Promote an opportunity Develop an opportunity together Are able to provide a venue and help to promote an opportunity

Please get in touch, contact Cara on 01443 846200 or email: cjordan-evans@interlinkrct.org.uk

Charity No 1141143 Company No 07549533

Next Issue: December 2019