Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

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

A networking event for Communities First Partnerships is to be held between 4.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 at Margam Orangery. The event will close at 6pm with a buffet and time to chat with fellow partnership members! A full programme and directions to the venue will be sent on registration. For more information or to attend contact the Communities First Central Support Team, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Ffrwdwyllt House, Commercial Road, Taibach, Port Talbot, SA13 1PZ or email communitiesfirst@npt.gov.uk.

Nominations are now being invited for the 2010 Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of Welsh volunteers and voluntary and community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to their community. The closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 23^rd April 2010. For more information please visit the WCVA website.

Participants on the Welsh Assembly Government Leadership programme are required to undertake a community action project. This will involve five teams of 8 – 10 people at different levels in the organisation. The teams will need to receive details of their project in July 2010 and complete the project by January 2011. Participants have 5 days volunteering time. The project criteria are as follows: Project requires consultation/long term relationship & a direct connection with the customer.
1       Involvement with the community partner will provide an external focus
2       Involves ‘real’ work
3       There is a need to influence others
4       Requires that all participate
5       Provides a mix of strategic thinking/communication/problem solving/action
6       Has a degree of emotional uncertainty
7       Includes some ambiguity
8       Provides a real benefit to the partner
9       Constitutes a long-term engagement
10     Uses a broad skill set
If you have a project that could involve 8 – 10 people and incorporates the above criteria, please send your expression of interest and a brief outline of the project to Julie Bush by Friday 19th March 2010. If you need any further information or would like to discuss a potential project please contact Julie Bush on 01685 729297 or julie.bush@wales.gsi.gov.uk

The Welsh Assembly Government is seeking to appoint volunteer members to the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council. CHCs are the public’s independent ‘watchdog’ in the National Health Service in Wales. They represent the public interest and play an important role in influencing the way that health services are planned, delivered and improved. The Abertawe Bro Morgannwg CHC will be established from 1 April 2010 with the following Local Committees:

• Neath Port Talbot
• Bridgend
• Swansea

Each Local Committee will have three third sector places, nominated by the relevant County Voluntary Council. The CHC is looking for people from all walks of life – the most important requirement is a genuine interest in improving health services for your community. Some key skills which would be useful include: an interest in and understanding of local health issues; being able to work in a team and with a diverse range of people; and an ability to listen to others and exchange views. For more information go to our employment page.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced reforms to Community Health Councils (CHCs) in Wales following extensive consultation.  Under the changes, from 1st April, 17 of the existing 19 CHCs will be dissolved and six new CHCs created in their place, with the same boundaries as the Health Boards. Each new CHC will consist of Local Committees, providing strong local links and having the same boundaries as the local authorities within the CHC’s area. The new CHCs will have the challenge of ensuring that the interests of patients are represented in the new larger health bodies.  For more information go to the Welsh Assembly Government website.

Neath Port Talbot CVS has organised three local information and funding events, one was held in January and the other two (which were postponed due to poor weather) will be held in March. Information stands will be available from local service providers and funding advice/support will be given. They will be held between 1.00pm and 6.00pm on:

• Thursday 18th March, Peniel Hall,  Glynneath

• Friday 19th March,  St Theodore’s Church, Port Talbot

For more information or to attend please contact Neath Port Talbot CVS on 01639 631246

The Welsh Assembly Government is seeking to appoint volunteer members to Community Health Councils (CHCs) across Wales (except to those CHCs in Powys). 

More information regarding the above vacancy, along with contact details can be found on the employment page of the website.

Nominating someone for an award is simple. The nominee has to live or work in the Evening Post circulation area — Swansea county, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire or South Powys. The closing date is Friday, February 19. Judging will take place during early March and the awards ceremony will take place at the Brangwyn Hall on Friday, April 16. Nominations should include full contact details for yourself and the nominee, the category in which they are nominated, where they are based and up to 300 words on why they should win. To nominate or find out more information please visit the website.

A Business Writing Course is being held on the 11th February 2010 in The Quays. If you would like to apply for this course please contact Elouisa Phillips on 01792 510 718 or email e.baker@npt.gov.uk