Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Try it. Like it. Work it.

Skillscymru is the biggest careers and skills event ever to happen in Wales. The event ifs for young people and adults and features expert seminars, insightfull master classes, impartial advisers and hands-on, have a go areas.  In short it will be the most interactive, exciting careers in Wales for everyone.

We are open Saturday 18 September from 10am – 4pm to make it easier for families and adults to come along of you can visit on Thursday 16 & 17 September between 9.30am – 3pm.

Community Tourism Day – 11th October 2010 at The Institute, Cwmaman

This event is an exciting opportunity for existing and developing community tourism projects to share information and learn more about making your project attractive to visitors.

Guest Speaker : Jocelyn Davies AM Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration

This day is for you if:

• Your project is based within the South Wales valleys
• Your project is led by the community
• You would like to be part of shaping the future of community tourism in the South Wales valleys
• You would like to learn about how you can benefit from the Valleys Regional Park project
• You would like to promote your project
• You would like to share your experiences and learn from others
• Your project is well established, you only have an idea or you’re somewhere in-between
• Your project attracts visitors or has the potential to attract visitors
• Your project has an environment or heritage theme

To register your interest contact Nic Williams on 01443 845503 or Nicola.Williams@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Following approval from the Wales European Funding Office in April 2009, the Big Lottery Fund have committed £9.5m towards Life Skills projects for care leavers, carers/former carers and economically inactive families. The Life Skills project is the first time that Big Lottery Fund money has been matched with European Social Fund (ESF) at source.

They are now in a position to offer further funding to support Older People to help get them back into education, training, volunteering, or employment.

As with the other rounds within the Life Skills project, it will follow a strict competitive tender process. Further information about the project can be found at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Two briefing events are being held in September to enable people to gain a fuller understanding of these further procurement rounds of funding and how to apply under the Life Skills project. They will be held on the following dates at the following locations:

10.30am -12pm Wednesday 1st September at Bangor University
10.00am -11.30am Friday 3rd September at the YMCA in Newport

If you would like to attend one of the briefing events please complete and return the attached reply slip to LifeSkillsWales@biglotteryfund.org.uk or contact Betty Smith on 01686 611702.  Please book your space as soon as possible as spaces are limited.

Volunteers are sought for the following ‘Learn with Grandma’ event and to help at in the office:

- Margam Country Park (Neath Port Talbot) on 18th August 2010

If you are interested, please contact Val on 01550 720994 or email valwoodgaiger@aol.com. Alternatively you can contact the NPTCVS Volunteer Centre on 01639 631387.

SNAP Cymru is hosting the first annual Pandy to Hay-on-Wye sponsored walk on September 12th 2010.

Help SNAP Cymru raise funds through sponsorship, or entry fee.  You can walk all or part of the route, supported by experienced guides and accommodation and packed lunches are available.  Further information is available on their website.

There will be a funding and information session at Neath Port Talbot CVS on Thursday 16th September at 5.30pm featuring presentations on the GwirVol and Millennium Volunteers Grant Schemes as well as from the Terrance Higgins Trust.

For more information, please contact Helen Williams on 01639 631246 or HelenW@nptcvs.org.uk

Embracing the Challenges – Changing Conditions at Cardiff City Hall, November 10-11th 2010

Interest in chronic conditions management has grown considerably in the last five years, but has care improved? Has a focus on prevention worked? What have we learnt so far?

This conference draws on the expertise of leading international experts to prevent illness, improve services and find sustainable and affordable solutions for the future.

A collaboration between the Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh NHS Confederation, National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH) and Public Health Wales, this conference demonstrates the unique integrated approach to health and social care in Wales.

Further information and booking forms can be found here.

There will be an Accessible Information training course taking place on 18th August 2010, at RNIB head office in Trident Court, Cardiff.

The course is a half day session 10am-1pm and will cost £70 per delegate (£60 for Visibly Better Partners).

Further information is available here.

If you are a local group or individual in need of advice about funding or volunteering, Neath Port Talbot CVS will be holding volunteer and funding surgeries between 1.30pm and 6.00pm as follows:

• Monday 20th September 2010 in Croeserw Community Hall, Upper Afan Valley.
• Wednesday 6th October 2010, Dulais Valley Silver Band Hall, Seven Sisters
• Tuesday 12th October 2010, Canolfan Maerdy, Tairgwaith.

If you would like to book an appointment with a development officer for one of the above dates, email us on info@nptcvs.org.uk You will be contacted by a member of Neath Port Talbot CVS staff to confirm your appointment.

Organisation: Sarn Helen Community Garden

Date and Time: Friday 20th August 2010, 10.00 am – 7.00 pm

Location: Sarn Helen Community Garden, Roman Road, Banwen, Neath. SA10 9LW

Telephone: 01639 700024

Website: www.doveworkshopuk.org

Attractions include: Fresh Eggs, Honey & Marmalades, Chutney & Preserves, Welsh Cheeses, Plant Sales, Welsh Black Beef, Craft Stalls, Locally Produced Sausages, Face Painting and Balloons, With Special Guests: Maesmarchog Primary School pupils selling hand painted pots of herbs to support their enterprise.