Suppor ng and Developing a Vibrant Voluntary Sector

Annual Impact Report 2015 - 2016

Findagroup 650 £5,736,672 546 groups supported raised for community and voluntary organisa ons RCT groups and 187 Merthyr groups uploaded onto Findagroup

Community Coordinators 100% 262 increase in the knowledge volunteers placed of services off ered by voluntary sector organisa ons and community groups

Involve 2 Evolve Community Voice 52 involvement hours grew to over The number of people that report that services are better training courses 1,000 meeting their needs 572 at the Living Wage that equates to 1535 £8,250 learners but it is worth much more than that! Abundant Communi es The Diff erence We Make Together Welcome We believe listening to people and communi es is OUR OUTCOMES at the core of tackling poverty and improving Individuals, communi es and organisa ons wellbeing. Interlink works with community and voluntary organisa ons to involve people in • Promote wellbeing due to increased addressing the challenges they face. Due to volunteering, community connec vity and ongoing austerity and a reduc on in community community ac on. services, we are faced with providing more support • Are resilient as a result of building social to those most in need of help. Community and capital and strong and sustainable community voluntary organisa ons are expected to deal with and voluntary groups. • Have the informa on, advice, support and an endless number of challenges, to con nue to do training to be eff ec ve. more with less, to be resilient. • Are well connected. However, has an abundance of • Contribu on to local decision making is excep onal community and voluntary organisa ons meaningful, recognised and valued. that constantly rise to these challenges.

We are constantly amazed by how much is achieved Plans for the Year were set out in the Strategic with very li le money. We do have assets and Delivery Plan 2014-15. The Plan was tled Building resources, they are the people and the communi es Stronger Communi es ‘suppor ng and connec ng of RCT. The contribu on of volunteers is people and communi es in RCT.’ immeasurable. We believe that we can tackle poverty and improve Our Collec ve Impact Report is not about Interlink, wellbeing by working together and harnessing the as we can achieve nothing without the support of huge amount of knowledge and skills held by community and voluntary organisa ons and our individuals, communi es and organisa ons in RCT. partners. The support we get is truly excep onal. Interlink provides informa on, advice and support We thank each and every one of you. to individuals and community and voluntary groups in Rhondda Cynon Taff . Interlink is a charity with over 450 members and is called a County Voluntary Jean Harrington Simon James Council. Chair, Interlink Chief Execu ve Offi cer Our three main areas of work are: Community Advice - ‘Giving communi es all the informa on and support they need’ Community Volunteering - ‘Suppor ng Interlink has volunteering to happen’ Community Voice - ‘Suppor ng people and 482 communi es to be involved’ members

1 Impact Collec ve Impact Report 2015/16

How we supported volunteers, community groups and voluntary organisa on in 2015/16

‘We put people and communi es at the 100 centre of everything new services and we do.’ organisa ons supported

650 52 groups supported training courses 572 learners

2 Every Li le Bit Helps

We helped provide 32 organisa ons in small grants in 2015/16 Community Advice The Team provide an incredible amount of in depth support and training in areas such as se ng up new groups and legal structures, business planning, reaching out to the wider community, and funding. Taff Ely Wind Farm Fund £2,500 194 Interlink people a ending Development funding events Fund £5,000 £5,736,672 raised for community and voluntary organisa ons £3,500 RCT Together CommunityComm Ac on Fund 296 £8,400 Trustee Enquiries Gwirvol Youth Grant

3 Volunteering and Voice

Our Achievements Volunteering Community Voice We had great success placing volunteers through the Over 6,000 people of all ages and abili es have Volunteer Centre and working with the University been involved, suppor ng people to have a VOICE of South Wales to place students with member and take ac on on things that ma er to them. organisa ons. Interlink RCT coordinates 8 organisa ons to work together to deliver 8 projects to engage people and communi es in public service design and delivery. The programme is all about coproduc on between public services and people who use these services. The lessons learnt from this approach will inform 262 the Local Service Board and all partners about volunteers placed meaningful engagement in designing and developing public services.

The number of people that report that services are better 187 meeting their needs enquiries on good 1535 prac ce in managing volunteers

Over 100 ‘Thank you for the opportunity and valuing ons my views.’ Young Person student volunteers placed in community organisa

‘Volunteering is fun and enjoyable, it helps you to build confi dence and feel posi ve about ge ng back into work.’

4 Findagroup and Listening

Findagroup - community and voluntary sector The Listening Project - trained organisa ons in RCT and Merthyr can now promote collectors and captured the experiences from older who they are and what they do through our people and changed the experiences into data. Findagroup. This means we can listen, learn and act on evidence to tackle the concerns of older people. The key issues iden fi ed were loneliness, transport and informa on and advice. 43 volunteer listeners 546 were trained from over 25 organisa ons. RCT groups and

187 Within 3 months of the Merthyr groups training over uploaded onto Findagroup 120 stories had been collected from Older People across Cwm Taf

‘Really good to see so many dedicated people interested in listening to older people and trying to minimise peoples isola on and loneliness.’

‘This is brilliant! I’ve asked my staff to input all our services and loca ons!’ Upon presen ng the fi ndings, 77% of respondents in a post event survey Membership reported that it had impacted upon or changed 482 their subsequent work

‘What I learned is that a lot of older people are not just concerned about themselves. They are concerned about younger people and the community at large.’

5 Community Wellbeing

A wide range of support took place to engage the Mental Health - Involve 2 Evolve third sector in health, mental health and wellbeing in service development and delivery. INFORM - involved service users working with GP surgeries to raise awareness of how to support pa ents experiencing issues with their mental Community Coordinators - health. We have been able to employ some support have been an overwhelming success, enabling for the project to involve more people and reach out older people to fi nd out about and take part in a further into the community. huge range ac vi es and services in the community to address isola on and loneliness. 97% Statutory partners (UHB, of par cipants at Local Authority, PCSO’s) INFORM reported: training sessions felt the training had increased their 80% awareness of poor mental health reported an increase in the number of referrals made to voluntary organisa ons and community groups Involvement hours grew to over 1,000 at the Living Wage that equates to • 100% increase in the knowledge of services off ered by voluntary sector organisa ons and community groups £8,250 • 73% of respondents reported an increased but it is worth much confi dence in the quality of services delivered by more than that! voluntary organisa ons and community groups

Third Sector partners reported: • Number of referrals from Local Authority has increased by 23% ‘I like being involved because we make a diff erence to everyone we meet be it a li le or a • Number of referrals from GP Surgeries has lot we are INFORM us, you, them, everybody. All increased by 30% you need is someone to listen and hear the words • A 27% increase in referrals from social housing that you say.’ Nigel Benne , Volunteer trainer

6 Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

Neighbourhoods Men in Sheds - Telecare A place where he feels at Neighbourhood Community Capacity Scheme and Business School home and pursues prac cal (Intermediate Care Fund) of £65,000 was distributed and independent interests between 13 projects has supported 1000’s of older Memories - Merthyr Tydfi l A programme of Music people get help from befriending schemes, demen a Leisure Trust Memories, Dance and services and community ac vi es for older people. Exercise Event and the crea on and launch of a It has helped connect services provided by the Memory Box service voluntary sector, GP’s, nurses and social services. It Doesn’t Have to be Like It Doesn’t Have to be Like The independent evalua on has been extremely This - Valleys Kids This’ is a programme of posi ve, leading to the Community and Voluntary weekly ac vi es engaging Sector being highly valued with addi onal £100,000 65+ in social ac vi es, being secured for 2016/17. excercise and arts and culture Demen a Care Rhondda This project in the Rhondda Fach - Alzheimer’s Fach provide a service for Society people aff ected by demen a ‘Thank you for informing me volunteers were A ernoon Tea - This intergenera onal project needed on Christmas Day at St Fagan’s Church. Troedyrhiw Youth Forum will provide chair exercises, I volunteered with my friend. It was one of the dance sessions, a tradi onal party and quiz games best Christmases I’ve had for many a year.’ PATCH (Posi ve Ac on Develop Parkinson’s Café in Mrs.D, Volunteer Towards Change) - Merthyr Tydfi l and off er taster Parkinson’s UK ac vi es including music, medita on, yoga and refl exology Care Gardens - Create 2 therapeu c gardens Growing Space to encourage residents with demen a to par cipate in the £65,000 communal outdoor spaces in the grounds of care homes for 2015/16 Companionship, Workshops to encourage Conversa on and Crea vity friendships in and outside the - and Tynant group to give older people Community Library confi dence in mee ng new £100,000 people and revive their for 2016/17 interest in new hobbies Community Road Safety A week of ac vi es in the Campaign - Rhondda 50+ community to address road Forum safety as part of Na onal Road Safety Week Reaching Out - Befriending support to Age Connects Morgannwg isolated older people, Mrs R said: ‘Thank you so much for helping (ACM) focussing on those who have me and my husband in obtaining handrails. been bereaved A er I spoke to you about how I get them, Take Me Out - Accessible Expand the Range Rider my husband fell outside the house and is now Caring Transport Service to develop a very grateful that they were fi ed. All within programme trips to include those who are frail or 2 weeks from when I fi rst spoke to you. Thank disabled you for the prompt service. Time to Talk - Run 4 bereavement support Cruse Bereavement Care groups

7 Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

Project 5 Ways To Wellbeing - Sheds - Crystal Trophy Awards Merthyr and The Valleys Mind This year’s winner of the Crystal Trophy and £1500 One gentleman used to distance himself from the prize money was the HAPI project which aims to ac vi es and kept himself busy making tea and provide individuals and families with the skills and coff ee for the tenants. Each week, Project 5 staff knowledge to help them to make posi ve choices to would gently encourage him to be involved and improve their health and wellbeing. As a result of build rela onship with him. It has been a step by the project local residents in have gained step journey and now he no longer keeps to himself employment and taken a lead on community and ac vely joins in the ac vi es and is a popular ac vi es to benefi t and sustain the project. and ac ve member of the group.

Secondcond prizeprize of of £1000 wentwent to to PorthPorthMe Men’sn’san andd Women’s Sheds whose aim is to help those at risk of social isola on and loneliness by providing ac vi es in a friendly, welcoming place.

Tom loves to take part in the arts and cra s ac vi es, Third prize of £750 was awarded to RCT Homes he was unaware of his ar s c ability un l ge ng (Trevallis) for their Go4it project which supports involved. Tom recycles jars and ns and brings these families to live a more ac ve and healthy life style. to the groups for our recycled arts projects and is Families enjoyed sports taster sessions and took very relaxed, comfortable and confi dent when taking part in cookery sessions with advice provided by a part. die cian. Finally fourth prize of £500 went to Merthyr and the ‘I really enjoy a ending our group, I didn’t think Valleys Mind for their Project 5 Ways to Wellbeing that I would enjoy the stories and memories as which aims to reduce the impact of loneliness and I didn’t think that I had anything much to share. isola on and improve the health and wellbeing of I don’t go very far these days due to my health older people, volunteers support them to engage and things. I do like to socialise though.’ with ac vi es around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing - Give, Learn, Connect, be Ac ve and take No ce. Tom’s par cipa on with Project 5 ac vi es has strengthened his rela onship with other tenants and ‘I fi nd Aerobics very good for me as I had a reduced feelings of isola on. It is such a pleasure to stroke and now I haven’t got good balance. So see how Tom’s rela onship with the team at Project it’s nice that I am moving around a bit. You have a 5 has developed over the months and the enjoyment good laugh.’ Par cipant at Armchair Aerobics and sa sfac on he receives from par cipa ng.

8 Volunteering

Awesome! That was the verdict on Fes vol gave members the chance to celebrate their Fes vol - our fi rst-ever outdoor celebra on of volunteers, who enjoyed a free family fun day. volunteering.

Held in Ynysangharad Park, on 6 June, the event off ered our member organisa ons the opportunity to showcase their projects to hundreds of people.

Hirwaun Drum Majors drummed up enthusiasm by star ng off the day in style with a parade.

Some of the many exhibitors on the day included the Phoenix Ini a ve, Toogoodtowaste, Rhondda Breast Friends, Purple Shoots, Glyncoch Regenera on, Contact a Family, Pontypridd Museum, Menter Iaith, New Horizons, RCT People First. We can’t list everyone who a ended here – but would like to thank everyone for your contribu on to the day!

Cor Meibion Morlais later called the tune when they ‘A big thank you to all the team at Interlink fi lled the park with upli ing music. for making Fes vol go so well. We certainly enjoyed the atmosphere in the marquee and look forward to next year.’ Byron Young, Cor Meibion Morlais

There was also a fashion show featuring wedding ou its presented by Rowan Tree Cancer Care and live music, as well as a number of interac ve informa on stands.

‘Had a great day at Fes vol organised by Interlink RCT. Met lots of inspira onal chari es and voluntary groups.’ Graham Williams, South Wales Police Hate Crime Unit

Highlights of the day included Interlink RCT’s Feedback from Fes vol showed that a good me Annual Volunteer Celebra on, held in the main was had by all - and that member organisa ons marquee, where volunteers were presented were pleased to have the opportunity to inform with cer fi cates. people about their work.

9 Volunteering

A Li le Extra Help - Peer Mentoring Valuing Volunteers is for any community groups with Interlink or organisa ons that wants to show that they value and support their volunteers. Sherrie had always worked in offi ces but when her husband became ill, she gave up work to become his You may be doing a great job already but may want full- me carer. to do even be er or would like to have some Through helping her husband, she realised she would recogni on for the work that you do. For larger also like to help others and originally considered organisa ons, Inves ng in Volunteers may be youth work. appropriate, but for smaller organisa ons, both the me and cost may be off pu ng.

‘I wanted to be out and about in the community, mee ng new people and I knew I wanted to support people who needed a li le extra help and make a diff erence to them.’ she said.

Sherrie heard about the Volunteer Centre at Interlink through her husband’s connec ons at the organisa on and met Volunteer Offi cer Chris Davies. Chris told her about the Peer Mentor service that supports people having diffi culty ge ng into a voluntary group to successfully bridge the gap and from their fi rst mee ng, Sherrie knew Peer Mentoring was what she’d been looking for.

Sherrie a ended training, signed up as a Peer Mentor and was introduced to an adult with learning diffi cul es.

‘I’ve learnt a lot since then, I now have a be er understanding of Karen’s life and how her Interlink has created a quality standard and can off er condi on aff ects her. I’ve learnt that working with help, advice and support to any group that wishes to adults with learning diffi cul es needs pa ence take part. Taking part is free and you can tell others and understanding. I’ve benefi ed by seeing that you are working towards ‘Valuing Volunteers’ Karen happier and more confi dent. It’s a lovely status. feeling to know that I achieved that.’

Karen now volunteers at a local food bank and a er ‘Volunteers are the life blood of Home-Start RCT just two weeks of ge ng se led in, she was willing Valuing Volunteers has given us the opportunity to a end alone. Sherrie, who received support from to assess our current prac ces and procedures Development Offi cer Chris whenever she needed it, and ensure we con nue to recognise the posi ve is now moving on and wonders who she will support impact that volunteers have on the lives of next and what challenges there will be. Sherrie says children, young people and families.’ Sue Norris, she has achieved what she set out to do and Karen Scheme Manager, Home-Start RCT is happy in her volunteering opportunity.

10 Volunteering

VolFactor! - Interlink’s Youth Led Volunteer Management Training Grant Scheme Eighteen par cipants from 14 diff erent voluntary Interlink RCT’s youth-led grant scheme ‘The Vol groups a ended and enjoyed Interlink and VAMT’s Factor’ off ers grant support to projects involving Volunteer Management Training Course in January 16-25 year-old volunteers in Rhondda Cynon Taf and February 2016. and is funded via the Welsh Government’s Gwirvol The course, consisted of four sessions over six days, programme. with the par cipants being either employees or volunteers. These sessions covered: • Introducing what volunteers do • Why a volunteering policy is important and how to develop one • Learning about how to recruit, select and induct volunteers into an organisa on • What mo vates volunteers, support, supervision and training of volunteers.

Interlink’s Youth Led Grant Panel allocated their £8,400 fund to thirteen projects. RCT People First Rock Week Valley Associa on Junior Development Centre Football League Spectacle Theatre Bullying Behaviour Unity Theatre Hansel and Gretel Community Pantomime Fernhill Youth Project Healthy Ea ng Sessions Menter Iaith Gweithdai DJ Menter Iaith Dosbarthiadau Ffi trwydd Spectacle Theatre Community Voice Conference ‘Really good course reaffi rmed some things I Avant Theatre Theatre Produc on in already knew, really good handouts which I’m defi nitely going to refer back to. Very fun, never Ac ve Valleys Glowminton Project laughed so much at a training course.’ YMCA Gym Buddies Dynamic Young Young Peoples Steering Group Communi es Follow on ac ons iden fi ed by the par cipants Showcase Theatre Pantomime Produc on included upgrading volunteer procedures, clarifying role descrip ons, organising volunteer social events, implemen ng targeted recruitment strategies and ‘This is great news and thank you so much for crea ng Volunteer Marke ng DVDs. helping us in achieving this. The young people will be pleased! Please pass on my thanks to ‘Really enjoyed the interac on and working in all concerned in making this happen.’ groups. Felt very relaxed and friendly but with Mark Hu on, Dynamic Young Communi es good structure.’ Project Leader

11 Young People’s Volunteering

Ac ve Valleys - Volunteering, Sport Student Volunteering - with the and Hannah University of South Wales Hannah started as Women and Girls Project Offi cer with Ac ve Valleys which is a student-run enterprise which specialises in sustainable, inclusive community sport and Hannah’s goal was to deliver three new women’s sport sessions. 75 local voluntary groups recruited as placement providers

student volunteers152 placed on course-related volunteering placements

Hannah has also managed to fi t in volunteering at Golf Development Wales, Disability Sport Wales, Sport RCT and Rhondda Ladies Hockey Club during her me at the University of South Wales. Hannah says her volunteering role is rewarding and she plans to join the board of Ac ve Valleys.

She said the support received from her university lecturer, Hannah Mawson, was important to her, and she would now like to use her experience to support those wan ng to get into volunteering n and engage with spor ng organisa ons at all levels. ono

Volunteering Promo Week supported by ‘Volunteering with Ac ve Valleys has ons par cularly helped because of their links with organisa so many partner organisa ons and in my 53 ended by current role, I have been in contact with and a non-spor ng networks, too. My volunteering started off as a hobby and will hopefully now students develop into a career.’ 437

12 Community Advice

Museum Secured for the New Life in Tonyrefail Community - The Cynon Valley In Tonyrefail, Interlink worked with Dawn Parkin of Museum Trust New Life Church to help secure £300,000 from the Welsh Government Community Facili es Programme Interlink worked with the Cynon Valley Museum to refurbish and extend the building with a new Trust helping trustees with their new roles and training kitchen and toilet facili es. This will allow responsibili es and manage the transfer of the them to increase their community support ac vi es Museum from the Council to the Trust. Interlink also such as their debt advice sessions, veterans support helped the Trust iden fy sources of funding which and youth club. Interlink was able to provide a has led to them securing more than £132,000 from volunteer business mentor who worked with the the Heritage Lo ery, RCT Together and Coalfi elds group on their business plan. Regenera on Trust.

Dinah Pye, Chair of Cynon Valley Museum Trust said: ‘The Cynon Valley Museum Trust are grateful for the support from the staff at Interlink and for providing relevant informa on to enable the trustees to make progress with this important project.’

Dawn Parkin of New Life Church said: ‘Nothing was too much trouble and without Ken’s help we couldn’t have proceeded with our funding bid. We had no idea how to put our vision down into a business plan and applica ons, but Interlink listened to our ideas and helped us put them in a professional way. We have been very impressed with Interlink and obtained far more in funding Chair Dinah Pye, with Centre Manager than we could have imagined.’ Charlo e Morgan, Roy Noble, and others at the launch of the Cynon Valley Museum

Since receiving support from Interlink the Trustees With further support from Interlink New Life and volunteers were able to run a series of open Church was able to secure an addi onal £150,000 days in the Spring of 2016 whilst they completed in match funding, including a loan from WCVA’s the lease nego a ons with Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Investment Fund which will allow County Borough Council. Roy Noble formally them to complete the rebuild of their Church and re-opened the Museum on 3 September 2016. Community Hub by Spring 2016.

13 Community Advice

Communi es Pull Together - Hall Hits the Heights RCT Together and Asset Transfer A well-used community facility in the Cynon Valley, We have worked together with partners to develop Community Hall, has received £170,000 a new ‘RCT Together’ approach to look at what towards a major refurbishment programme, thanks Council assets and services the community is able to support from Interlink RCT. Interlink’s Community and interested in taking over. We have seen some Advice and Support Coordinator, Joanna Markham, incredible groups grow and develop such as Beddau worked with the Hall’s commi ee to help secure the funding. and Ty Nant Community Hub, Cynon Valley Museum and War Memorial Pool.

‘Trecynon Hall is an amazing community facility which has been successful in receiving funding due to the commitment and passion of We have worked together to develop this new its volunteers. They are unique in the way they approach to look at what assets and services the self-generate income and should be used as a community is able and interested in taking on, to role model across RCT.’ support new grass roots community ini a ves to take over surplus Council assets and deliver local services Trecynon Hall were supported with their business and ac vi es with a greater reliance on volunteers plan and funding applica on to Welsh Governments from the community. Community Facili es Programme. Together and with the help of our volunteer, Paul Robinson, they completed the business plan and submi ed the applica on for £59,000 on me. RCT Community Ac on Fund The programme has gone on to support groups such as Canolfan , Regenera on Gareth Jones, trustee, said: ‘I found Paul to and Woodlands. This also led to a new be a great help in pu ng together the package small grant scheme, the RCT Community Ac on that was required to put forward our bid for grant aid. I found Paul to be very knowledgeable Fund with £10,000 being given to Interlink from in the work that he carried out for Trecynon Hall the Council to give to community groups star ng and was very professional in all aspects, as a on their journey. community group we would like to thank Paul for all that he did for us.’

14 Community Voice

Working Across the Genera ons What Katy Did Next - Katy’s Story with Community Voice about Children’s Rights Interlink RCT coordinates 8 organisa ons to work The fi rst project I got involved in was with Spectacle together to deliver 8 projects to engage people and Theatre with the Ty Ddewi project, with Dee and communi es in public service design and delivery. John. John wrote a script, based on a true story. This The programme is all about coproduc on between involved a group of young people bullying an older, public services and people who use these services. disabled person. During this project I believe that The lessons learnt from this approach will inform I improved on many of my performance skills and I the Local Service Board and all partners about learnt a lot about myself. meaningful engagement in designing and The second project I worked with Sue Phillips and developing public services. learnt how to present a training session on the Armchair Exercise - The Genera on Game United Na ons Conven on of the Rights of the Child Through a Community Voice consulta on at the (UNCRC) and spoke about the rights of a child at the Ffordd Gower Davies sheltered accommoda on in ‘Intergenerate Conference’. I was really nervous we found out that older people wanted to about doing this but when it came to actually doing live a healthier lifestyle and were concerned about it, I really enjoyed it. physical ac vity and ea ng healthily. A taster session on ‘armchair exercises’ was arranged. It went down amazingly well.

I took part in the Vote at 16 project at the Senedd in Cardiff , met more people and made friends and built upon my confi dence along with my social skills. I got to get my voice heard, having an opinion about ‘It will help us to keep mobile and hopefully we lowering the vo ng age to 16. will feel a lot be er as we get be er at it.’ Joining Spectacle has also helped me because I’ve had the freedom to become involved in what I want A group of sixth form girls from County and to become involved in. I have volunteered for certain Girls Rugby supported by Mark Hu on, People and projects that have given me the chance to have an Work, agreed to meet with the older residents and opinion and have my voice heard. Whilst doing to fi lm a DVD of the exercises for them. The girls these projects, I’ve achieved so much. I’ve met new found working with older people inspiring . When friends and built upon my skills like my confi dence, older poeple and younger people meet and this due to performing and presen ng to audiences. connect, something magical takes place as rela onships develop and understanding grows. This intergenera onal project was a huge success ‘This has really helped me build upon my as a result. www.youtube.com/watch?=34a_Ld_6u9o social skills.

15 Community Voice

Residents Make Breakthrough - Local people of all ages were invited to various free ac vi es, informa on events and demonstra ons The Breakthrough Project of Age Connects throughout the week. The campaign was seen as a Morgannwg is part of the Community Voice great success following the support of over 30 Consor a in RCT. The aim of the project is about partners, feedback, the number of a endees and fi nding and engaging with harder to reach older social media. It was decided that a further campaign people who are not part of a recognised community would be planned for Na onal Road Safety Week group, and to give them a voice by using a range of later in the year in an eff ort to keep the Road Safety mul media, events, outreach services and working Message at the forefront of people’s minds. with partner organisa ons. The Breakthrough Project was then approached by older residents in Gelli who had collected over 300 signatures from those who expressed road safety fears for their area. It was decided that following the concerns of Gelli residents and a pedestrian fatality in , that the two areas would also be included into the follow up campaign.

Older residents in sheltered accommoda on in the Rhondda voiced their concerns regarding speeding traffi c and drivers failing to stop at pedestrian crossings through and Pentre. Following discussions with South Wales Police, it was agreed to formulate an Community Road Safety Campaign to raise awareness and educate drivers and pedestrians of all ages in an eff ort to stop older people becoming more isolated and feeling vulnerable when out in the community. A very successful Road Safety Week took place on the 23-27 November in the Rhondda. South Wales Police have launched Speedwatch in these 4 areas as a legacy to the campaign and to address road safety issues.

‘During this most recent campaign, over 40 Partners and 6 schools were involved with over 30 ac vi es and workshops organised and enjoyed.’ Shelley Bird, Project Offi cer

16 Involve 2 Evolve

Involve 2 Evolve Project Have Your Say - Engagement Stronger Together for Mental Health Services in Ini a ves Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfi l. Involve 2 Evolve Project brought together a range of people to plan and implement a community wide engagement for the Together for Mental Health Partnership Board.

Involve 2 Evolve supports people to come together We looked at two things: to make a posi ve diff erence to mental health • The wellbeing of people living in Cwm Taf. A services. We want to know what ma ers most survey was coproduced to fi nd out about the and support people to work with others, have a sorts of things that people do, or would like to voice and infl uence change. do, to improve their wellbeing The total number of ac ve Service User and Carer • The priori es for mental health services in Cwm Involvement hours for the year was 1095 hours. Taf Together 4 Mental Health - Service Planning and Development This Partnership oversees how the Welsh Government’s mental health strategy is delivered in Cwm Taf. In March 2016, the reps carried out a consulta on to gather people’s views to inform the new Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan.

We engaged with over 200 people as part of our Have Your Say and Wellbeing Surveys and held two workshops to gather qualita ve feedback on specifi c areas within mental health such as the Crisis Response and Home Treatment Team and Psychological Services.

Service users have been ac vely involved in lots of issues and groups including: • Ea ng Disorders Par cipa on Group ‘The workshops were really good. There was a feeling that the people present were much in • Care and Treatment Planning Monitoring group agreement over gaps.’ • World Mental Health Day Planning Group • Mental Health Act Monitoring Group • Clinical Psychology Service User and Carer A report was produced with recommenda on which Involvement Commi ee (Cardiff University) was presented to the Together for Mental Health • Na onal Service User and Carer Forum Partnership Board in October 2015.

17 Involve 2 Evolve

Making Things Be er - Monitoring Ge ng the Right People - and Evalua on of Mental Health Services Involvement in Staff Recruitment A Care and Treatment Planning Survey was Service user recruiters were involved in 20 interview coproduced with Service user reps and sent out to panels for Mental Health posts at Cwm Taf UHB, everyone who is accessing secondary mental health Board, RCTCBC and the University of South Wales, services in Cwm Taf. 300 surveys were returned and including Social Workers, Psychologists and the Head gave an excellent baseline for further repor ng on of Mental Health Nursing. people’s involvement and sa sfac on with their Recruiters have also been involved in interviewing Care and Treatment Plan. applicants to the Mental Health Nursing degree at The News - SUN Newsle er the University of South Wales. We trained 11 new 4 newsle ers fi lled with all sorts of informa on recruiters for the forthcoming year. from serive users have been produced by our amazing volunteer editor and distributed to the Service User Network. Involvement in Training We have supported people to deliver the following training sessions to staff : • INFORM - Mental Health Awareness Training Outcomes Focused Care and Treatment Planning Training • Ea ng Disorders Awareness Training • Mental Health Awareness Training Ge ng the Right Informa on - Involvement in Informa on on Mental ‘Relaxed and very informa ve session. I learnt Health Services a lot about community groups.’ INFORM Service Users and Carers have been involved in the Par cipant development of informa on resources with Cwm Taf UHB including the Psychology leafl et for Primary Care Mental, Health Support Service, Trauma Stabilisa on pack, for Secondary Mental Health Services.

‘We have now developed a Trauma Stabilisa on pack in line with the feedback of the Service Users. It was personally I think a great deal about the language we use in services, and how we as a service construct or leafl et.’

‘Thank you all very much for your help with the project. The volunteers made the leafl et ‘I thoroughly enjoyed taking part. I felt as if the what it is.’ staff wanted to hear what we had to say.’

18 Mental Health

Fantas c Forum - Mental Wellbeing Dignity in Mental Health - The Cwm Taf Mental Health Forum brings together World Mental Health Day the voluntary sector and interested partners to The event was organised in Michael Sobell Sports work together to improve services. There were four Centre RCT and Merthyr Tydfi l Rugby Club in October mee ngs to share informa on, network, and discuss 2015 giving members of the public the opportunity service changes and newly funded projects. to discuss their concerns about mental health and challenges some of the stereotypes people hold around mental health. 98% of members said that they highly rate the network and feel more informed about local developments in mental health

290 members of the public a ended and around 90 community organisa ons holding stalls, giving Wellbeing set to improve through Mental advice, guidance and signpos ng Health Peer Support people to relevant services People tell us that the peer support groups help to maintain people’s wellbeing in the community. People feel be er connected to their communi es and less isolated. Many group members have reported that they have created friendships with other members and they meet outside of the group for coff ee, shopping, walking and cra s.

Peer group member said: ‘I didn’t have friends un l I joined this group we meet up outside the group on a Friday now for coff ee and some mes go walking.’

19 Mental Health

Pioneering a New Approach - Feeling Be er - Depression Bus ng Deaf People and Mental Health Services A Depression Bus ng Course was delivered with 20 A Partnership between Public Health Wales, New par cipants with people feeling less isolated, more Horizons and the University Health Board on a confi dent and with improved well-being. The two Pioneering approach with the deaf community. day course improves knowledge of mental health • A new focus group has been set up in Pontypridd issues and condi ons, helps people to recognise with seven ladies from the Bri sh Sign Language their triggers, signs and symptoms and how to (BSL) Deaf community who helped develop an respond to various mental health crisis. awareness DVD • Deaf awareness sessions were delivered by the Helping People into Work - Bri sh Deaf Associa on to primary care staff and volunteers Working with Job Centre Plus • BSL picture cards are now being used in pilot GP Following mental health training, 17 health leads in Surgeries in Cwn Taf and two GP Surgeries have seven Job Centre Plus offi ces reported that they are received BSL training and amended their forms to be er able to iden fy people with a mild to ask about communica on needs moderate depression and are using the on-line service directory to more eff ec vely to signpost The project has been working with the Expert Pa ent people to local mental health services. Programme to develop the programme in BSL.

A team manager from DWP fed back: ‘We would like to thank you so much for delivering the mental health sessions to us and our work coaches. We all gained so much from it. The Mental Health Directory is such a good source of informa on and used by all our coaches so much they have it saved onto their desktops’

Person-Centred Crea vity - With Valleys and Vale Community Arts Journeys, a mental health charity has trained two The workshops brought people together to refl ect volunteers from the deaf community to deliver about their lives, explore issues, be crea ve and to mental health awareness training. The two tell their stories. The process was very empowering, volunteers are now working with Journeys to design enabling individuals and the group to solve their own problems and to communicate their needs and ideas. a deaf friendly training course on mental health awareness which will be piloted in Pontypridd Deaf Club. 100% Sa sfac on A project member from health said: ‘This is a All par cipants improved overall confi dence good example of genuine partnership working and and wellbeing on the Warwick- Edinburgh coproduc on with the Third Sector and Deaf Mental Wellbeing Scale using the principles Community.’ of Person Centred Crea vity

20 Young People’s Par cipa on

We Have a Voice - Young People’s Debate on Children’s Rights ‘It is a fundamental Right for every child to have the opportunity to be bilingual but it is Young People’s Debate on Children’s Rights their choice and not their parents.’ ‘Is the UNCRC (United Na ons Conven on on the Rights of the Child) Fit For Purpose? • There should be more help and support for Many young people from across RCT par cipated young people when they move from primary to in the above debate, with Y Pant School speaking in secondary schools favour and Ysgol Gyfun Cymmer Rhondda speaking • Posi ve role models are very important for against. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, young people Sally Holland, a ended and fully par cipated in what she described as ‘an excellent event for raising the • More educa on for young people around profi le of Children’s Rights’. Almost 100 young people ci zenship and for some young people schools and adults a ended the event, held in the Council should be less exam orientated and more Chamber. towards life skills • Young people need to know about and be able to understand poli cs • More services should be youth led • The pressures on schools is too much e.g. Estyn’s expecta ons. Schools are measured through exams but exams are not the right measure for some children and young people • The UNCRC needs upda ng to take into account the advances made with technology and this could be a good opportunity to promote and raise awareness of Children’s Rights Some of the points raised: • The UNCRC should be promoted much more eff ec vely • Children and young people need a safer place to hang out • There is not much help for young people with mental health problems, bullying is s ll a big problem for young people • There should be more access to youth provision, as there is not much for young people to do • There is a need for the improvement of behaviour in RCT and not just with young people • Young carers in par cular need some extra help The vote closed following the arguments when they leave young carer services researched and presented by the young people themselves, the Chambers voted FOR the mo on in the debate by 60% - 40%. They would like to ‘We need to be more concerned with how take forward Children’s Rights in RCT by raising children and young people feel.’ awareness of the UNCRC.

21 The Listening Project

The Listening Project has been engaging with over Tackling Loneliness - 50’s and recording their experiences using a tool The Listening Project called SenseMaker®. Unlike tradi onal consulta on Since hos ng a volunteer Listening Project Training SenseMaker® is used to capture and make sense day in January, the Listening Project has collected of what ma ers most to people, making research well over 100 in-depth stories (and coun ng!) about about people not sta s cs; whilst s ll genera ng what it is like to be over 50 and living in Cwm Taf. strong evidence to support and guide the work of the third sector. The Listening Project is an ac on research project that has involved over 40 volunteer listeners ranging from local individuals to staff from over 25 ‘Love the concept. Most important part of my organisa ons; from the third sector, Public Health, job is to listen to people.’ Housing and County Borough Councils. Everyone involved shared the common belief that older people are highly valuable members of our communi es, with experiences and knowledge that The fi ndings were presented at the Cwm Taf Older should be listened to and shared. Peoples Coproduc on Network. However, it has been raised that a lot of older people in our communi es are o en subject to loneliness and isola on. The main issues were: Loneliness Transport Informaf on

77% of respondents in a post event survey reported that it had ‘The fi ndings will help highlight best prac ce that is in place as well as establishing needs within impacted upon or changed their communi es.’ subsequent work

22 Execu ve Commi ee

Interlink Trustees April 2015 to March 2016

Jean Harrington TEDS Chair Pauline Richards Valleys Kids Vice Chair Geoff Bell and District 50+ Forum Treasurer Kate O’Sullivan Community Associa on Rhian Dash Rowan Tree Cancer Care Stephen Davis Spectacle Theatre Janet Whiteman New Horizons Louisa Addisco Glyncoch Community Regenera on

23 Staff Team

Simon James Chief Execu ve June Williams-Sykes Finance and Resources Manager Kath Price Offi ce Manager Alisa Davies Finance Offi cer Cara Jordan-Evans Informa on and Communica ons Offi cer Joanna Markham Development Offi cer Ken Moon Development Offi cer Ravi Vedi Development Offi cer (from April 2015 to June 2015) Meriel Gough Community Coordinator Jason Tynan Community Coordinator Karen Powell Community Coordinator Chris ne Davies Volunteering Development Offi cer Thomas Crocke Volunteering Development Offi cer Maria Abson Mental Health Development Offi cer Rachel Wya Mental Health Service User Involvement Offi cer (Development) Amie Brown Mental Health Service User Involvement Worker (from October 2015 to December 2016) Anne Morris Health, Social Care Coordinator Lucy Foster Community Voice Par cipa on and Evalua on Offi cer/ Stepping Forward Coordinator Kate O’Donohue Rhondda Worker (from November 2015 to January 2016) Bethan Smith Community Ac on Researcher (from January 2016) Brandon Allsopp Volunteer Centre Administrator (from January 2016) Maria Prosser Children and Young People’s Partnership Development Offi cer (Hosted by Interlink) Sue Phillips Fframwaith Par cipa on and Involvement Offi cer (Hosted by Interlink)

Interlink Cleaners Jackie Willis Rebecca Edwards

Interlink Volunteers Nick John Paul Robinson

24 Accounts Accounts

Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2016

2016 2015 ££ Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 24,988 38,064 Investments 213,601 220,980 238,589 259,044 Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments 212,343 145,121 Cash at Bank and in hand 198,518 250,079 410,861 395,200 Liabili es: Amounts falling due within one year 8,165 7,364

Net Current Assets 402,696 387,836 Net Assets 641,285 646,880

Funds Unrestricted Funds 614,220 629,429 Restricted Funds 27,065 17,451 Total Funds 641,285 646,880

These summarised accounts may not contain suffi cient informa on to allow for a full understanding of the fi nancial aff airs of the charitable company. For further informa on, the full accounts, the independent auditor’s report and the trustees’ annual report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, CF37 5BE Telephone: 01443 846200.

To the Members of Interlink RCT In the opinion of the independent auditors, Williams Ross Limited, the summarised accounts given in this document are consistent with the full annual accounts.

The full annual accounts were approved by the trustees on 3 November 2016. WILLIAMS ROSS LIMITED Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor, 4 Ynys Bridge Court, Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff , CF15 9SS.

25 Accounts

Statement of Financial Ac vi es (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of total recognised Gains and Losses) For the year ended 31 March 2016 2015 2015 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ Income

Sponsorship and dona ons 3,125 - 3,125 20,100

Income from charitable ac vi es: Grants and contracts 326,030 609,803 935,833 975,516 Management fees 51,243 - 51,243 53,766

Income from other trading ac vi es Prin ng, training and room hire 5,680 - 5,680 33,568

Investment Income 5,811 - 5,811 5,856

Other incoming resources 919 - 919 962 Total Incoming Resources 392,808 609,803 1,002,611 1,089,768

Expenditure Cost of Genera ng Funds 4,380 - 4,380 2,847 Charitable Ac vi es 393,544 600,189 993,733 1,068,128 Total Resources Expended 397,924 600,189 998,113 1,070,975

Opera ng (defi cit)/surplus (5,116) 9,614 4,498 18,793 Gains/(losses) on investments (10,093) - (10,093) 21,392 Net (defi cit)/income for the year (15,209) 9,614 (5,595) 40,185 Transfers between funds - - - - Net Movement in Funds (15,209) 9,614 (5,595) 40,185 Funds brought forward 629,429 17,451 646,880 606,695 Funds Carried Forward 614,220 27,065 641,285 646,880

26 Get In Touch For further informa on on Interlink’s ac vi es and membership details, visit: www.interlinkrct.org.uk www.facebook.com www.twi er.com/interlinkrct

Contact us on 01443 846200 Fax No. 01443 844843 E.mail: [email protected] Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE Registered Charity No: 1141143 Company Limited by Guarantee No: 07549533

With thanks to : The Rhondda Trust Fund The Rank Founda on Public Health Wales