Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

As you may be aware, a new physical activity action plan entitled ‘Creating an Active Wales’ was launched by the Welsh Assembly Government on Wednesday 13^th January 2010. Creating an Active Wales sets out the steps the Welsh Assembly Government will take, with partners, to achieve an active, healthy and inclusive Wales.

The action plan focuses on four strategic aims; to develop a physical environment that makes it easier for people to choose to be more physically active; to support children and young people to live active lives, and become active adults; to encourage more adults to be more active, more often throughout life and to increase participation in sport, by all sectors of the population.

The Window of Opportunity Week is now taking place at Cymer Afan Comprehensive School from 1^st to 5^th February 2010. There are a range of workshops on offer including help with job searches and CV writing, computer training taster sessions, cookery sessions, activities for the under 11s and youth activities including circus and rugby skills.

The Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee is currently holding an inquiry into Safe Places to Play Out and Hangout.  This is an opportunity for young people to give their views through submitting questionnaire answers, photos and video evidence.  This can be entered online on The Assembly’s website. If you would like to this discuss further, please contact Rebecca Jayne Spiller on 02920 898807.

The Volunteer Centre would like to notify you of the decision to extend the deadline for applications to the youth opportunities bank by one week. This means the deadline for Neath Port Talbot CVS to receive applications is now Friday 22nd January.  This decision is due to the snow experienced in the past two weeks and the impact this has had on organisations. If groups would like any advice on their applications or need any further information please contact Nigel Cram, Youth Volunteering Development Officer, Neath Port Talbot CVS on 01639 631387 or nigelc@nptcvs.org.uk.

A new National Advocacy and Advice service for children and young people, backed with £459,850 of new Welsh Assembly Government funding has been announced by Children’s Minister Jane Hutt.

Source: Welsh Assembly Government website

A major new education Measure has been agreed by the National Assembly for Wales giving children and young people with special education needs (SEN) unprecedented rights of appeal with regard to their education. Source: Welsh Assembly Government Website

An anti-bullying roadshow is set to travel across Wales as part of a major Welsh Assembly Government campaign to tackle bullying in schools. Co-ordinated by NSPCC Cymru/Wales and supported by the Welsh Anti-Bullying Network, ‘The Respect Tour’ aims to raise awareness of the different types of  bullying which affect children and young people. Source: Welsh Assembly Government Website.

CLIMB – Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases based in the UK are holding a satellite meeting for families and interested parties at 6pm until 8pm on Thursday 19th November at the Best Western Aberavon Beach Hotel, Swansea Bay, Port Talbot, to promote CLIMB’s services to families. The meeting is free to attend and £5 towards cost of travel can be given to each family. Please phone 0800 652 3181 if you are able to attend.

The Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced that ‘Designed to Smile’, the Oral Health Improvement Programme aimed at young children in Wales, is to be extended following two successful super pilot schemes in north and south Wales. Source: Welsh Assembly Government website.

A review of childrens’ social services which aims to bring about fundamental changes is being carried out in Neath Port Talbot. The Council is carrying out a systems review in response to the increasing demands on children’s services. Source: Neath Port Talbot CBC website.