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NEWSLETTER FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN

Issue 42 July 2008 Volunteer Week 1st-7th June 2008 CONTENTS News 2 Gwynedd Volunteering 4 Centre Communities First 5 Health, Social Care and Well- 5 being Training and Events 6 From left: Ffion Parker, John Boulter, Richard Brunstrom, Cheryl Dobson and Sara Roberts Children & Young 7 People The first week in June is well volunteers throughout Gwynedd. established as Volunteers' Week, During the afternoon, Mr Brunstrom Grants 8 as 2008 is the 24th year since it has presented certificates to a number been celebrated nationally. The of committed volunteers from three ‘Rs’ summarises the aims of Gwynedd who had been nominated the week in that it hopes to: for the ‘ Volunteer of the Year Recognise, Reward and Recruit 2008’ Awards. Volunteers. For a full list of people who received Further news The highlight of the Week in a certificate, please see page 4. Gwynedd was the ‘Celebration Elinor Ellis and Zonia Pinnington on articles and and Thank you Tea’ held at Plas behalf of Cyfeillion Plas Glyn y Weddw Glyn y Weddw Gallery in information Llanbedrog on 9th June. With the sun shining, the weather provided an can be opportunity to enjoy this glorious venue at its best. Mr Richard found on our Brunstrom - Chief Constable of North Wales Police was the guest website! speaker, and Councillor Evie Morgan Jones - the Chair of Gwynedd Council gave a vote of thanks. This event is a chance to acknowledge National Winner - James Hewett The gang from ‘Y Ffynnon’ the valuable contribution made by

Registered Office: 24-26 High Street • CAERNARFON • LL55 1RH. (: 01286 672626 • 7: 01286 678430 Registered Office: The Old Police Station • Lombard St. • DOLGELLAU • LL40 1SB. (: 01341 422575 • 7: 01341 422147 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.mantellgwynedd.com Registered Charity: 1068851 • Company Limited by Guarantee: 3420271 • Registered in Wales MANTELL is published by Mantell Gwynedd. The opinions expressed in Mantell are not necessarily those of Mantell Gwynedd. We reserve the right to edit before publication. News July 2008

A note from the Chief Officer As always, before the quieter summer period, Affairs during her recent visit to Caernarfon. communities and it is a flurry of consultation.This year is no The views have been backed up by another everyday life.Awards exception.There are several really important strong letter to the Assembly.Although the were presented by consultations taking place including the Assembly has now formally adopted the North Wales Police proposals for restructuring the NHS in Wales Spatial Plan we must still ensure that Chief Constable Wales. Mantell Gwynedd has already the Third Sector has considerable input into Richard Brunstrom who emphasised the responded to this consultation, making strong the Delivery Plan. significant role the Third Sector has to play in observations about the lack of reference to all of our futures and the very real Thirdly, the Draft Gwynedd Children and the Third Sector throughout the consultation opportunities and challenges which lay ahead Young People's Plan - 'Our Plan,Your Plan' is document.Above all we have made the of us in the Sector. It was a particularly out for consultation, another extremely stance that whatever proposals for change poignant afternoon for me as I have had important document for Sector input and I are made it is the patient who is paramount personal connections with Plas Glyn Y would urge you to contact out Children and in this debate. Mantell Gwynedd response Weddw since my early childhood, coupled Young People Facilitator for further can be viewed on our website. with the fact that I have also personally information and to ensure your opinions are known Richard Brunstrom for a number of The second consultation of importance is the reflected in any consultation response. years and have great personal respect for him Wales Spatial Plan. Regular readers of this Last, but certainly not least.The Community both as a professional and individual. He is a newsletter will already know that Mantell Strategy document is once again out on man of great vision. Many thanks to all of you Gwynedd has done some hard lobbying consultation. Many Third Sector who contributed to and attended the event regarding the Spatial Plan.We have long held representatives attended the recent and particularly to those who arranged it. the view that centralising efforts within the consultation event at Caernarfon. I would Menai Hub will have a devastating impact for Enjoy the remainder of the summer, and lets urge you to take a look at this document as hope we have some fine weather to enable the rural areas of Gwynedd.The notion of it has important implications for our us to enjoy the outdoors and all our the "trickle down effect" of benefit from the communities in Gwynedd. surrounding countryside has to offer in hub to the rural areas is a notion which has Gwynedd. long been rejected by leading world In closing I was delighted to take part in the economists and we must not be fooled to recent Volunteer Celebration Tea at Plas Glyn With Best Wishes. thinking it will work in Gwynedd.We took Y Weddw in Llanbedrog. This was a truly the opportunity, yet again, to air the Sector memorable afternoon recognising the value views with AM, Minister for Rural of volunteering and of volunteers to our Bethan

Congratulations! Congratulations to the small community of Prenteg in securing a ‘Siarad Cymraeg’ brand new Community Centre.The residents have worked hard over a number of years and their perseverance has paid off.The new Is your organisation supportive Community Centre was officially opened on Saturday 5th July by the of the ? world renowned Eric Jones.To hire the centre contact Magwen Griffiths If you need help with your 01766 513660. Language Policy, you can contact Meinir at Mantell Gwynedd. She’s keen to help if you need to develop a new Policy or bring an old one up to date. Contact: 01286 672626.

2 Mantell Gwynedd July 2008 News

To view and download news and information for Wales from: Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) visit the News section on Mantell Gwynedd’s website - www.mantellgwynedd.com

set up new groups, it's important that tenants know that there are other ways they can participate if they don't want to have to attend monthly meetings! TPAS and landlords are keen to make sure that tenants know what their choices are if they want to be involved in having a say in what happens in their homes and community. Participation benefits tenants, communities and the TPAS Cymru and Gwynedd Council work in landlord. If tenants are asked to give their thoughts and partnership to ensure tenants in the county are aware opinions about issues which affect their homes and of their right to participate or take part in issues about communities it has been proved that better services their homes and communities.TPAS Cymru is a can be provided by the landlord. This benefits democratic 'not for profit' organisation controlled by its everyone! members, working with tenants and their landlords to TPAS Cymru can deliver a wide range of projects for its make tenant participation a reality. members and is available to support and share Their aims are: experience and best practice about tenant participation. 1. Supporting their Members TPAS Cymru is also able to provide impartial advice 2. Sharing Experience & Best Practice and clear information to tenants and residents. 3. Influencing Policy and Promoting Participation For further information please contact Helen Cook There are already several Tenants and Residents TPAS Cymru on 01492 593046 or Gwyn W. Jones Associations in Gwynedd, and while it's always good to Gwynedd Council on 01286 889112.

Simply Creative MID AND WEST WALES ME GROUP Group, Nantlle Mid and West Wales ME Group is a members through its local contacts, self-help group for people with the meetings in different areas every On Tuesday 2nd July 2008 a mural neurological condition ME/CFS and two months, a newsletter published was unveiled at Llys Llywelyn, related illnesses, their families and every two months, a listening ear Nantlle which has been a labour carers. Its members support the service and a postal library of books, of love for a group of ladies from Group through subscriptions, newsletters and magazines, videos, Nantlle for over two years.The donations and fund-raising activities. CDs and DVDs. Some of the money raised is The Group is actively involved in unveiling was performed by Josie donated to national charities Russell. campaigning for better health care concerned with ME and to for people with ME/CFS in its The idea of creating the mural organisations providing help for catchment area. disabled people. came from the group itself and For further information, please find support was had through the The Group offers information and contact details below: support based on the experiences of Gwraidd fund which was available its members and the wider ME Group website: to new groups in Communities community. It can also put people www.midwalesmegroup.org.uk First areas. in touch with organisations in the Secretary: Dr. Derryan Paul, 11 Nant voluntary sector which offer Seilo, Penrhyncoch, Aberystywth, Therefore, if you get the practical help to disabled people Ceredigion SY23 3HD. opportunity, visit Llys Llywelyn in and their carers, and advice and E-mail: Nantlle to see the mural, you support in claiming benefits. It helps [email protected] won't be disappointed! to alleviate the isolation of its Tel: 01970 828896.

The deadline for information or articles to be included in the next edition of Mantell is 24th October, 2008. Please send or email any information to Beryl Norgrove in Dolgellau: [email protected] Tel:01341 422575

Mantell Gwynedd 3 Gwynedd Volunteering Centre July 2008

Gwynedd Volunteers' Organisers Network Meeting An informative and interesting afternoon was had in the company of Mark Restall - Independent Trainer and Consultant, on 14th May. His subject was ‘Volunteers and the Law’, and he began by referring to three issues which affects all volunteers: Health and Safety Data Protection Copyright He then went on to talk about three further issues that can affect some volunteers: Benefits Volunteering with vulnerable clients Volunteer, worker or employee? Mark Restall has written a book on ‘Volunteers and the Law’, and it’s possible to obtain further information from the website: www.volunteering.org.uk/law

Volunteers' Week Winners of the ‘Wales Volunteer through the eye of the camera! of the Year 2008’ from Gwynedd 1st - 7th June 2008 In December, each year, a challenge is set to people across Wales to nominate someone special who has inspired them by what they do as a volunteer, and this year a total of 198 nominations were received RECRUITING! throughout Wales with 9 of them from Gwynedd. There are five categories in all, and the judging panel selected one volunteer from Bangor Gwynedd to be among the national winners in the Trustee Category. He is: James Hewett who volunteers with the Welsh Highland Railway Ltd. Nominated by Chris Dearden - colleague. In addition,‘Highly Commended Certificates’ were presented to each of the following: Young People Category (under 25 years) Ffion Parker who volunteers with South Gwynedd Women's Aid. Nominated by Gwenan Paewai - Volunteer Officer with South Gwynedd Women's Aid. Adult Category (over 25 years). 1. John Boulter who volunteers with the ‘Tywyn Freewheelers Club’. Nominated by Mr Stan Diston - Chair of the Club. 2. Cheryl Dobson who volunteers at Ysgol Nefyn. Nominated by Glenys Williams - Head of Ysgol Nefyn. (in the rain!) 3. Philip Horwood is a volunteer treasurer for 5 organisations in the area. Nominated by Siân Williams -Business Partner. 4. Mrs Peggy Millard volunteers with the ‘The Over 60s Club’ Tywyn. Nominated by Mr E S Harris - Tywyn Probus Club, and a member's husband. 5. Sara Roberts who volunteers with South Gwynedd Women's Aid. Nominated by Gwenan Paewai - Volunteer Officer with South Gwynedd Women's Aid. Group Category 1. Cyfeillion Plas Glyn y Weddw Nominated by Mr Gwyn Jones- Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw. 2.Y Ffynnon Nominated by Mr Hywel Williams MP. Further details on all the above winners can be found on our The travelling information stall also visited website: www.mantellgwynedd.com Pwllheli and Dolgellau!

4 Mantell Gwynedd July 2008 Communities First New laptops will help with IT

Computers are an asset to communities. grandchildren and a number of people over A total of 50 laptops are being handed out 80 years of age have also taken part”. to local residents as part of a project to The project is being supported by help technophobes become computer Communities@One, a Welsh Assembly wizards. Government initiative, administered by the The ‘Dyfodol Digidol’ scheme run by Wales Co-operative Centre, to help people Deudraeth Cyf. aims to raise people's in Communities First areas to make the confidence in using information technology. most of new technology.The programme is The Penrhyndeudraeth IT based specialists jointly funded through the European have distributed 10 laptops to each of the Union's Objective 1 and 2 programmes and five Communities First areas in Gwynedd. Laptops presented to members from the Talysarn & the Welsh Assembly Government. Nantlle ward by Alun Ffred AM The laptops will not only help people to practice and use their computer skills at among all ages, especially older people home, they will also enable young people wishing to understand and use a computer to do their homework and allow older for e-mails, photography and accessing the people who have mobility problems to do internet. their shopping from their own home. Deudraeth Cyf Managing Director Keneuoe Around 20 have been handed out in Morgan believed the scheme would allow Talysarn, Nantlle and in Caernarfon's Peblig novice computer users access to a whole ward by local AM and MP new world of online opportunities. She Hywel Williams. said: “This project plays a crucial role in The laptop presentations follow a series of encouraging people to access and use over 200 free computer taster sessions, computers - both for work and pleasure. Hywel Williams with members of the Peblig which have been running over the past nine We are especially pleased to see so many Communities First area months in Gwynedd.These sessions have of the older generation in Gwynedd proven to be very helpful and popular wanting to keep up with their

Health, Social Care and Well-being

Health Challenge DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!

Gwynedd Grant! Launching the South Gwynedd Leisure Centre, Porthmadog at 10:00 Invitation to apply for Health Long Term Health Condition am. Commissioning Services will be Challenge Gwynedd grant Directory of Services - the main focus of this meeting and money. Each application will Meirionnydd County Show, Bala - Dafydd Owen, Joint Planning & be assessed against the 27/08/08 Commissioning Manager, Gwynedd following benchmarks: Council will give an outline on the This Alliance, which meets on a Care Directorate's proposed That they target regular basis in Dolgellau, has commissioning processes. Mrs Grace priority groups been working on a Long Term & Lewis Parry, Chief Executive will give Tackle Health Challenge Gwynedd Chronic Condition Service an update on the latest situation at priorities, e.g.: Directory for the South of the Gwynedd Local Health Board. o Food and nutrition Gwynedd. This Directory will be o Physical activity launched by MP at the Conference on DEMENTIA o Tobacco control Meirionnydd County Show in Bala The conference will be held at o Prevention of accidents and injuries on August 27th at Mantell Galeri, Caernarfon October 30, o Sexual health Gwynedd's tent. Please feel free 2008. For more information please o Good mental health and well-being to come and see us at the Show! promotion contact the Alzheimer's Society on 01248 671125. o Alcohol misuse. Health, Social Care & Well-being Focus on working in partnership Network Event - September 19, For further information on any of the To receive an application form contact 2008 above events, please contact Llinos Owen, Health and Well-Being The next Health, Social Care & Well- Sioned Larsen at Mantell Gwynedd Facilitator on: 01286 679 065 or being event will be held on on 01286 672626. [email protected] September 19, 2008 at the Glaslyn

Mantell Gwynedd 5 Training and Events July 2008

Mantell forthcoming training/events: ‘Courses for Communities’ (CCC) (also part of the ‘Courses for Communities’programme (CCC) OTHER COURSES ACROSS NORTH WALES A new affordable training programme for community SEPTEMBERI 2008 and voluntary groups, delivered through a partnership between County Voluntary Councils (CVC’s), volunteer Roles of Committee Officers centres and the WCVA September 24th 2008 7:00 - 9:00pm Date Location Contact CVC Duration Catholic Church Hall, South Pwllheli Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd Members - £15 Non-members The Committee Cycle Voluntary Sector - £40 Private and Statutory sector. 5 Sept 08 Wrexham AVOW ½ day Networks, Consortia and Alliances 11 Sept 08 Ruthin DVSC ½ day OCTOBER 2008 Developing your Newsletter 12 Sept 08 Mold FLVC ½ day Organising a Committee Skills for Negotiation and Influencing Others October 21st 2008 18 Sept 08 Colwyn Bay CVSC ? 1:00 - 3:00pm Volunteer Recruitment, Selection and Induction Noddfa - Caernarfon 15, 16 & 18 Sept 08 Ruthin DVSC 2½ days Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd Members - £15 Non-members Grants Fit For Funding Voluntary Sector - £40 Private and Statutory sector. 19 Sept 08 Colwyn Bay CVSC 1 day Introduction to Being a Trustee or Committee Member NOVEMBER 2008 22 Sept 08 Mold FLVC ½ day Governance Accounting Basics 24 Sept 08 Mold FLVC ½ day November 19th 2008 Roles and Responsibilities 10:00am - 1:00pm 25 Sept 08 Ruthin DVSC ½ day Mantell Gwynedd - Caernarfon Staff Induction and Development Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd Members - £15 Non-members 26 Sept 08 Colwyn Bay CVSC ½ day Voluntary Sector - £40 Private and Statutory sector. Introduction to Being a Trustee 13 October 08 Colwyn Bay CVSC ½ day Boards and Sub- committees If you would like to discuss 13 October 08 Colwyn Bay CVSC ½ day the training needs of your Grants Fit For Funding organisation or wish to find 21October 08 Llangefni Medrwn Môn 1 day out more about the training Budgeting that Mantell Gwynedd offer, please contact: Mantell 18 Nov 08 Llangefni Medrwn Môn ? Gwynedd,The Old Police Station, Lombard Street, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 1SB. For general enquiries on the Courses for Communities Tel:01341 422575 or Cymru programme, please contact the WCVA [email protected] Helpdesk on 0800 2888329 or [email protected] Funders Fair A Green Funders Fair was organised by Mantell Gwynedd this year. Organisations had the opportunity to meet bodies such as the Environment agency, The Big Lottery and the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action who offer financial support. Also there were agencies promoting sustainability. There was an opportunity for every project, whatever its aim, to consider how it could become more sustainable, especially from an environmental perspective. A busy day in the Funders Fair organised by Mantell Gwynedd in Llanberis on July 1st.

6 Mantell Gwynedd July 2008 Children and Young People

Young Volunteers Achievement DRAFT GWYNEDD

In this issue of Mantell, it's a grate pleasure volunteering. CHILDREN & YOUNG to congratulate three successful young PEOPLE’S PLAN Hannah is a sixth form pupil in Ysgol Syr women on their achievement on the Hugh Owen, and she volunteers in the 'Our Plan,Your Plan' ‘Millennium Volunteer’ Scheme. school, with the sports scheme 5x60, and The consultation period on the Hannah Hughes is the latest volunteer from the Urdd. Hannah also gives her time to Gwynedd to receive an 'Award of help out with the Segontium Judo Club and Draft Gwynedd Children & Young Excellence' for her dedication to she also volunteers and is a member of the People's Plan, 'Our Plan,Your Police Cadets - North Wales Police. Plan' is nearing its end. If you were Hannah receiving her certificate from Mirain Roberts not fortunate enough to join Another two Young women - Roberta and Mantell Gwynedd and the Siân have been successful and reached their Gwynedd Children and Families 100 hours of volunteering - Roberta Williams has enjoyed her volunteering Forum in a Consultation session experience in Ysgol yr Eifl,Trefor, and Siân held on 15th July at Antur Roberts volunteering in the Oxfam Shop in Waunfawr, there is still time to Porthmadog, and with the Urdd and respond personally. volunteers in Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle. You can download a copy of the Congratulations to all three girls. full document together with the supporting questionnaire from Mantell Gwynedd's website.The Gwynedd Youth Led Grant link is as follows: http://www.mantellgwynedd.co m/eng/gwacynrhb.html. It can There has been some On a Wednesday night, 18th of be found under the 'Document' development with the Gwynedd June, the Grant Allocation Panel section at the end of this page. Youth Led Grant. There is a came together again - to look at grant of £4000 available to the applications received, and to Closing date for responding to the draft document is 31st July, develop and create volunteering decide on which ones will be 2008. opportunities for Young People, funded. It wasn't possible to and the closing date for the first allocate the entire grant, and a round was 30th of May. 5 second round will be held. Taking Action on applications The successful requested applicants will Child Poverty money from be notified by Eradicating poverty and improving the the fund. Mirain life chances of our children and young people is at the top of the list of priorities A group of Roberts. for the Welsh Assembly Government. young If you would The Assembly Government is committed to eradicating child poverty volunteers like to receive came together by 2020 and halving it (against the 1997 an application rate) by 2010. on the 11th of form for the June for a Your attention is drawn therefore to the second round please contact Consultation on a Voluntary Joint training session on how to score Mirain.The closing date for the Agreement on Child Poverty and applications and allocate grants, second round is 26th of Proposed Legislation wich comes to an end on 30th September 2008. and it is them who will be making September 2008. the decision on which Your link to the document: http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/c applications will be successful. urrentconsultation/childrenyoungpeople /takingaction/?lang=en

For further information, or advice about any aspect of volunteering, contact the Gwynedd Volunteer Centre on: Tel: 01286 672626 / 01341 422575 or e-mail: [email protected]

Mantell Gwynedd 7 Grants July 2008 Watkin Jones YOUTH LED Community Fund GRANT

The Gwynedd Volunteer Centre are inviting more applications for the Youth Led Grant Fund. The next round will close The Watkin Jones on 26th September, 2008. The fund is Community Fund has been set up to assist and support intended to encourage groups to help projects which aim to make develop more opportunities for youth a real difference to volunteering. communities in North Wales. For more information please visit www.mantellgwynedd.com The scheme offers grants of or alternatively contact Mirain Roberts on 01286 672 626 or up to £1,000 and is open to [email protected] all community-based groups and not-for-profit Gwynedd Council organisations based in Extension to North Wales. Arts Fund The application process is Gwynedd Council is prepared to 'Go For It' Fund straightforward, and consider awarding grants to designed to encourage appropriate bodies, organisations and The new Pilot Grant Fund 'Go applications from a wide associations in order to promote or For It' by Mantell Gwynedd range of projects with a ensure activities in fields pertaining has been granted an particular emphasis on to all the arts, in order to enrich the extension until the end of enhancing the physical lives of residents and visitors to the March 2009. The fund is environment and improving county, and to support and aimed only towards the non- quality of life for local strengthen the indigenous arts and sporting voluntary people. culture of our areas. organisations across Gwynedd who do not have direct The Fund can support a Please note: Grants will not be involvement with sports and variety of projects including given to registered charities regeneration, and arts festivals. keeping fit. The fund is aimed at encouraging new physical environmental, Applications up to the sum of activities within communities sustainability, educational, £500 can be made. Closing to help promote and improve capacity-building and skills dates: September 30, fitness and better health. development, renovation December 30 For more information please and sports projects. For more information please contact Delyth Vaughan on To find out more, contact contact Gwawr Wyn Roberts 01286 672626 or visit Mantell 01745 538 200 or visit (Community Arts Officer): Gwynedd's website www.watkinjonescommunit [email protected] www.mantellgwynedd.com yfund.co.uk Phone : 01286 679 721

8 Mantell Gwynedd