Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

The Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board is preparing its first Welsh Language Scheme to replace existing separate schemes of the former NHS organisations (Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, and the Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Local Health Boards). They would like to invite you to comment on the priorities identified within our draft Scheme. The consultation runs from 5 – 23 March 2010. For more information go to the consultation section of our website.

BAWSO are holding a number of training programmes throughout March – May 2010.  Bawso aims to spread knowledge and understanding in order to raise awareness.   The training schedule; which covers forced marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic abuse from a BME perspective, cultural diversity and victims of trafficking; is shown on the training page of the website.

This year’s National Planning Aid Conference is being held in Cardiff on Thursday 29^th April and the morning of Friday 30^th April 2010.  It will bring together a range of people from all over the UK in a friendly, relaxed environment that will encourage them to exchange ideas, inspire, and learn from each other.  

The conference is open not only to planning aid staff and volunteers, but also to representatives from community and voluntary groups, community and town councils and others who have been or are currently involved with the planning system. The idea is that planning aid really only makes sense when it is supporting people within the community to help them realise their visions and practical projects.

The conference, which will be chaired by Kelvin MacDonald of the University of Cambridge, is an invaluable opportunity for those involved in planning aid and community work throughout the UK to come together to be inspired and develop new ideas.

Programme details and a booking form are available to download from the Planning Aid website or by contacting Marika Fusser on 01286 882 834 or marika@planningaidwales.org.uk.  Also contact Marika if you are interested in bringing an exhibition stand.

The new strategy sets out plans for a wholesale transformation of how energy is used in the UK’s homes. For more information go to the following website.

Source: Grantfinder

Free financial capability training is available from the Citizens Advice Bureau as part of the Swansea Bay – waterfront and western valleys spatial plan. Dates and venues are to follow. If you need a session completed for a group please contact Ian Howell-Morgan, Financial Capability Trainer, Neath Citizens Advice Bureau, 01639 634061.

A new guidance leaflet, ‘My Life, My Way’,  which gives young disabled people information and advice on making the right choices about their future was launched on 4^th March 2010 by Deputy Minister for Children, Huw Lewis.  For more information go to the Welsh Assembly Government website. 

Source: Welsh Assembly Government website

A proposed Welsh Language Measure that will lead to rights for Welsh speakers to receive services in Welsh, has been published on 4^th March 2010. For more information go to the Welsh Assembly Government website.

Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration has announced that Barry is to become the seventh Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) in Wales with a £9 million investment from the Welsh Assembly Government. For more information please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Neath Port Talbot Environment Awards 2010 will be open for applications from 1^st March.

Information will be available on the website shortly. The Evening Awards Ceremony will be held in the Towers Hotel on the 12^th November 2010.

Councillors at Neath Port Talbot have appointed John Flower as Corporate Director of Environment. For more information please visit the Neath Port Talbot CBC website.

Source: Neath Port Talbot CBC website.