Issue 64 Summer 2014

Interlink’s newsletter for and voluntary groups in RCT

Interlink Introduction News Welcome to the Health and Wellbeing edition Welcome It has never been so busy and we have struggled to keep this newsletter to 16 pages as there is sooo much going on. Wellbeing is vitally important ..... to the Summer edition of to us all and we cover the full range of the ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ in this Interlink’s Newsletter. If you edition as we include Connecting Communities, RCT Volunteer Awards, would like to contribute to the Community Voice, World Mental Health Day, mindfulness and stress next issue please send your control and the Crystal Trophy Awards. We also introduce mental health articles, information, job service user representatives and our new Community Coordinators vacancies or advertisements working with older people. by: 7 November 2014 to We hope to take the next steps in making a step change in public Cara Jordan-Evans engagement through the Community Voice Conference on 15 October. at Interlink by e-mail: We will see the Community Voice projects get people, community groups [email protected] and partners together to agree how we can really get people involved in decision making and get everyone working together to make our local In this issue we have: services and facilities even better - it's very exciting! What has really pleased us is we are now better connected to you, and Introduction 2 through our Connecting Community events we have recruited over 50 new Interlink Staff News 3 members to Interlink to join the 500 we already have - welcome on board! Mental Health The next step is to put all these members on an ‘app’ so everyone can find (MHSUI) 4-5 out what is going on throughout . Mental Health 6-7 We had a wonderful time once again at our annual RCT Volunteer Awards World Mental evening with over 100 volunteers taking part - a small section of the Health Day 8-9 thousands of volunteers throughout RCT that produce such strong Health & Wellbeing 10-11 communities. Community Voice 12-13 Two of the biggest challenges faced in Cwm Taf is our ageing population Connecting 14 and mental wellbeing. Communities We believe everyone in RCT has something to give to society, and older Local News 15 people often have an opportunity to give more than others. They give Interlink Training 16 in their capacity as neighbours, carers, parents, grandparents, shoppers, volunteers and have more knowledge and experience than the rest of us! Our address: Over a dozen new initiatives have been made possible through the 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road Neighbourhood Capacity Grant Scheme and will be supported by five , Community Coordinators throughout Cwm Taf, three based with Interlink. CF37 5BE One project is being facilitated by Interlink, training older people as Telephone number: researchers to carry out in-depth research with other older people. The 01443 846200 project will then look to see how to provide services to older people.

Fax: 01443 844843 Cwm Taf Mental Health Early Intervention New Service Proposal ‘Valleys Steps’ is a new service model for promoting wellbeing, supporting E-mail: recovery and improving community resilience. [email protected] Come along to Rugby Club on 16 September 9.30am - 1.00pm Website: and get to ask questions directly with representatives from Cwm Taf www.interlinkrct.org.uk University Health Board. There will also be inspirational speakers and a Office opening times are: real opportunity to have your say. This event is for Service Users, Carers, Monday - Thursday: Providers and their Trustees alike. 9.00am - 5.00pm Enjoy the read, connect, get involved - you make RCT a unique place with Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm such a strong community spirit and an army of passionate volunteers.

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Interlink Staff News

Intermediate Care Fund Dates for your

The Intermediate Care Fund announced in December 2013 promotes improved care coordination to support people to remain safely at Diary home or in a community setting. Part of the fund supports building Stronger in Partnership community capacity and hence Interlink and VAMT are now hosts to 10 September 2014 five new Community Coordinator posts. Their roles are to widen access 1.30pm - 3.30pm to community and neighbourhood facilities that support older people’s Voluntary Action wellbeing, recovery and reablement. They are currently out and about Merthyr Tydfil in their localities, finding out what’s available for the 65+ age group Contact Rachel Wyatt working toward reducing isolation and loneliness and encouraging social inclusion in the community. Deanne will be linking in with Primary Care Community Voice Practitioners throughout the Cwm Taf region including GP Practices and Conference Community Pharmacies. 15 October 2014 Contact Lucy Foster Cwm Taf Community Coordinators Valleys Steps Stakeholder I am Karen Powell and work in the Taff Ely locality, Engagement Event I am already enjoying the work I do, helping 16 September 2014 community groups and organisations to promote 9.30am - 1.00pm themselves and to have more awareness of their Abercwmboi Rugby Club services and activities within their communities. Contact Maria Abson Mobile 07580 869970 e-mail: [email protected] Mental Health Forum I am Jason Tynan and work in the locality, 4 November 2014 I’ve already been out and about meeting with groups 10.00am - 12.00pm and voluntary organisations in the community and am Contact Maria Abson really excited about being part of this initiative. Mobile 07580 869946 e-mail: [email protected] Interlink AGM 26 November 2014

I am Kelly Daniel and will be working on this very It is with great exciting project, I will be based in Ton and will cover the Rhondda locality. I’m really looking forward sadness we to finding out what services you offer that can support report that our older people and working with you on joint projects. volunteer of Mobile 07580 865938 e-mail: [email protected] fourteen years, Sue Shaddock, has passed I am Deanne Rebane, based in VAMT I will be linking away after a short illness. Sue’s in with Primary Care Practitioners throughout the volunteer supporters Hannah Cwm Taf region including GP Practices and Community and Charlotte who have both Pharmacies. been with Sue for 11 years Mobile 07580 869983 e-mail: [email protected] since they were in school are, as we are, devastated at this unexpected news. Many of I am Carol van den Berg for Merthyr Tydfil locality. you will remember Sue from I am excited to be working with people aged 65 and attending the annual Volunteer over, I am passionate about the ability of voluntary Award Event, which always gave organisations and community groups to support this Sue a great deal of pleasure. age group by offering locally based services. She will be greatly missed. Mobile 07580 866547 e-mail: [email protected]

Page 3 Mental Health

The Mental Health Service User Involvement Project (MHSUI) promotes and supports service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of local mental health services across Merthyr Tydfil and RCT to ensure that the voice of service users is heard. Rachel Wyatt, MHSUI Development Officer, has a development role and facilitates the multi-agency Stronger In Partnership Group. She develops specific projects, such as INFORM, linked to new service developments. Contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or e-mail: [email protected]

Introducing the Reps - Strengthening the Voice of Service Users and Carers in Cwm Taf Cwm Taf Health Board have recently recruited four Service User Representatives and one Carer I am delighted to have been selected as a Representative onto the Cwm Taf Mental Health Representative on the Partnership Board. Partnership Board. I believe that as service users we now have the The role of the board is to oversee the delivery and capacity to make a real impact to future changes implementation of Together for Mental Health. This and become involved at all levels of decision is the Welsh Government strategy for Mental Health making. My background is in education and one and Wellbeing in . of my passions is bringing awareness and breaking stigma towards mental health, It is a very exciting time in Mental Health and particularly in the workplace. I also believe hopefully the new reps will be involved with some that if we can educate young people of today very positive changes. Each of the Representatives we will improve attitudes of a future generation. are experienced in using Mental Health Services or caring for someone using the service. Here is a short Nik John introduction to the five people who will be representing Service Users and Carers on the Board. Hi all, I’m extremely excited about becoming a service user rep on Cwm Taf Mental Health I am a carer representative on the Local Partnership Board. As a service user for over 14 years Partnership Board and also one of the two carer and an Occupational Therapist, I hope to draw upon representatives on the National Partnership Board. both my personal and professional experience whilst I have been a carer for 12 years and am passionate working with other members on the Board. I’m about the quality of mental health services locally extremely passionate about meaningful involvement and nationally. I hope that as a team we will be for service users and carers during the design, delivery able to effectively represent the views of service and evaluation of services. Bethan Mair Edwards users and carers; highlighting those issues that really matter. Ultimately, I would like to see mental health professionals who are prepared to I am involved with a number of mental health listen and everyone working together to achieve a peer support groups within RCT and I have really good quality mental health service. Jane recently been asked by Merthyr and the Valleys Mind to be a trustee. I feel that by being on the Becoming a service user rep on the Cwm Taf Mental Partnership Board it will be an ideal opportunity Health Partnership Board is my latest involvement for me to represent service users and carers who in this area of work. I'm an active champion of the attend these groups and take their concerns Time to Change Wales campaign and am developing forward which will hopefully help to improve the an organisation 'Making Minds' that is promoting service that they and others receive now and in the role of art and creativity in mental health. the future. Sharon Phillips Mark Smith

Page 4 Mental Health

Do you have experience of Care and Treatment Planning? Your Voice Counts! The Mental Health Involvement Project is carrying The survey can also be completed on-line in two out a survey to gather the views of people who parts. Part 1 asks about your experiences of Care receive support from secondary mental health and Treatment Planning and can be completed services in RCT and Merthyr Tydfil. on-line at www.surveymonkey.com/s/M95SYL3 Part 2 asks about the review of your Care and If you are receiving support from the Community Treatment Plan and can be completed on-line at Mental Health Team (CMHT) (e.g. social worker, www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJ6KKN5 psychiatrist or community psychiatric nurse (CPN), we would really like to hear your views on your The survey will be live until October and the results experience of Care and Treatment Planning. will be fed back to Welsh Government and be used to help improve services locally. If you would like to have an informal chat about the service you have received or request a hard copy of the survey please e-mail: [email protected] or phone Interlink on 01443 846200.

Mental Health Awareness Training for GP Practice Staff

The need for better mental health awareness in The group delivered their first session in July to Primary Care has been identified at both a local and staff working at Park Surgery and will be a national level. One of the key recommendations delivering further sessions to practices across Cwm from Gofal’s 2014 survey of People’s Experiences of Taf this Autumn. Primary Mental Health Services in Wales 2014 states INFORM has been one of our most exciting and that; ‘Local mental health partners should ensure innovative involvement projects to date and we that GPs and other primary care staff attend wish the group every success in delivering this training to increase their awareness and training into 2015. understanding of mental health problems.’

The Mental Health Involvement Project had also received many anecdotal reports of the impact that negative attitudes can have when people visit their GP for support with their mental health and identified a lot of enthusiasm for a project that promotes better mental health awareness in primary care. Consequently, the INFORM training package was co-produced with service users and carers, and aims to raise awareness amongst practice staff of patients’ and carers’ experiences of accessing primary care for a mental health related condition.

The group have developed a variety of interactive training methods including digital stories, group activities and presentations to highlight common themes and demonstrate how simple changes to working practices can be extremely effective in supporting people.

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Mental Health

Maria Abson, Mental Health Development Officer, supports local mental health organisations in Cwm Taf and co-ordinates links between communities, voluntary organisations and the statutory sector through the Cwm Taf Mental Health Forum. The Mental Health Forum welcomes any community or voluntary group with an interest in mental health within Cwm Taf. Contact Maria on 01443 846200 or e-mail: [email protected]

Community Based Mindfulness and Stress Control Self Help Courses

Cwm Taf University Health Board’s Local Primary The courses help people to better understand and Care Mental Health Support Service (LPCMHSS) manage their feelings and thereby improve their commenced a pilot to deliver open access well being. Courses are ‘walk in’ / self-referral, all community based self management courses in adults are welcome, no-one is expected to speak January 2014. A total of 32 courses will be during the sessions and anyone attending is delivered during 2014 at venues such as leisure welcome to bring a friend. centres, community centres, church halls and libraries many of which have been funded via The Courses available are: Communities First. Stress Control© • This course is based on Cognitive Behavioural To date the average attendance has been Therapy (CBT) techniques approximately 30 people per course but 95% of • The Course aims to help people understand most participants have attended at least 5 out of the causes of stress and how to manage its the 6 sessions which make up both courses. Our symptoms highest attendance to date has been for an evening • Mindfulness course at leisure centre Mindfulness where 87 people attended and over 80 completed • This course is based on Acceptance and the 6 week course. Commitment Therapy (ACT) with some For the duration of the pilot scheme the course is meditation being promoted via GPs, the LPCMHSS, • Mindfulness is a technique that once learnt Communities First, UHB and Local Authority can be useful throughout your life • websites and occupational health services and the For further information contact: third sector. [email protected]

Mental Health Support Service Directory The Mental Health Support website is a partnership project between New Horizons Mental Health and Emotional Well-being Resource Centre, Local Health Board and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. The website aims to provide accessible advice and information about mental health issues and services to people with mental health problems, their carers, health professionals and anyone else with an interest in mental illness.

The site has many features, visit www.mentalhealthsupport.co.uk to find out more!

Page 6 Mental Health

Mental Health Peer Support Groups in RCT Positive Steps - Darran Las, Mountain Ash M.A.S.H. - This group meet every Friday afternoon at This group meet every Wednesday evening at 12.30pm - 3.00pm at Darran Las Community Centre. 6.00pm - 8.00pm at No.9, Maes y Rhedyn, Maerdy. New Beginnings - Rhondda Listening Friends - This group meet every Friday morning at This is a social group and people can call in anytime 9.30am - 12.30pm at Glyncoch Community Centre. or stay all day on a Monday in St John’s Church Hall between 11.00am - 3.00pm. Brighter Journey - This group meet every Tuesday morning at New Connections - 10.30am - 12.30pm at Capel Farm Resource Centre. This group meet every Wednesday morning at 10.30am - 12.30pm in Providence Church, Ystrad. Footsteps - Ferndale Contact Simone on 01443 424218 or [email protected] This group meet every Tuesday morning at These groups are for people who have mild to 10.30am - 1.30pm at The Morlais Hall, Ferndale. moderate anxiety and depression. All groups charge for refreshments and the amounts differ. For more information contact Sara Davies on 01443 424350 or e-mail: [email protected]

Mental Health - Who Cares? New Horizons’ Peer Support Group

The New Horizons’ Youth Projects are for young Meets at St Lleurwg’s Church Hall adults aged between 18-25 who live in RCT and (situated behind Library) every Friday who are experiencing mental health problems. 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Cynon - New Horizons The group offers support to adults with mental 16 Dean Street, Aberdare CF44 7BN health issues in a friendly and safe environment. Contact Kristy Davies on 01685 881113 The New Horizons’ Aberdare peer support group recently merged with the Hirwaun peer support Rhondda - New Horizons group and the transition of the group has gone Apple Tree Stores smoothly with everybody coming together to Apple Tree Avenue support or enjoy fun times with each other. Dinas, CF40 1JH A warm welcome awaits anyone who wishes Contact Tracy Thomas on 01443 681881 to join us, plus a cuppa and biscuits. The referral form can be found at For more information contact Natalie www.newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk on 01685 881113.

Making Minds As part of our commitment to encouraging art to Space is limited so the amount of work we can promote wellbeing, Making Minds is curating an exhibit will depend on the sizes of each individual exhibition in Llantrisant Gallery @ Model House, piece. The exhibition will run for the whole of Old Llantrisant. We are looking for art that represents October and work will need to be delivered during mental illness or mental wellbeing. It can be the last week of September. Work can be for sale painting, mixed-media, ceramics, textiles - anything with the gallery taking 40% commission, but we are artistic that we can display on the wall or upon a table. also happy for items to not be available to sell. To offer a piece of work, to make a suggestion or for further information

contact: [email protected] or call Kira on 07973 539026 Page 7

Mental Health

World Mental Health Day 2014 New Horizons A Global Mental Health Awareness Campaign Cynon Valley After the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) founded World ‘Open Day’ Mental Health Day (WMHD) on 10 October 1992 many countries 7 October 2014 adopted it as a means of promoting mental health issues. Every year a 12.00pm - 3.00pm theme is chosen and education materials are produced by WFMH for 16 Dean Street, Aberdare distribution. This year, the theme is ‘Living with Schizophrenia.’ Contact Janet Whiteman on To request the education material, please e-mail: [email protected] 01685 881113 with your contact details. World Mental Health Day is approaching with events planned in both RCT and Merthyr themed on living with schizophrenia. One in every ‘Quiz Night‘ hundred people will experience schizophrenia during their lifetime. It 8 October 2014 can be treated, and the majority of people who experience it will lead 7.00pm ordinary lives. Still, misunderstandings can result in stigma and Quiz starts at discrimination, which might make it much harder for people to speak 7.30pm - 10.30pm openly about it and seek the help they need. And you will probably be Ton Pentre Footabll Club aware of people with schizophrenia who work with you, are great neighbours and volunteer in our communities! We would like you to get Last year’s quiz was another involved in World Mental Health Day! resounding success and as such we will be repeating it Promoting mental health and well-being at a local level has important again this year for all general advantages and benefits for everyone in communities and goes a long knowledge quiz enthusiasts. way in reducing stigma and isolation creating a non-stigmatising, well Boyd Clack, Patron of informed and supportive community. This directs new energy and effort New Horizons has agreed to at improving the lives of those living with mental health problems by compere again this year. challenging discrimination locally. Please come along with your friends and colleagues to show your support, lots of prizes to be won and to have some fun. For more information contact Sara Davies 01443 424350 or Janet Whiteman on 01685 881113

New Horizons Rhondda Valley ‘Open Day’ 9 October 2014 Interlink would like to extend a very genuine thank you to everyone 12.00pm - 3.00pm involved in the planning of local WMHD events. Without continued Apple Tree, Dinas participation and support these events would not get off the ground. Contact Janet Whiteman on We thank everyone for his or her individual and collective support. 01685 881113 For more information contact Maria Abson, Mental Health Development Officer at Interlink on 01443 846200 or e-mail: [email protected] Page 8

Mental Health

World Mental Health Day 2014

‘RCT World Mental Health Day Event’ 3 October 2014 10.00am – 3.00pm Hawthorn Leisure Centre Fairfield Lane, Pontypridd This event is aimed at service users, carers, general public and professionals with an interest ‘ Merthyr Tydfil Main Event ’ in mental health, there will be a wide range of World Mental Health Day 2014 information relevant to mental health and wellbeing as well as other related issues. 9 October 2014 10.30am - 1.30pm There will be a variety of different Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre organisations present providing opportunities for individuals to ask questions and be given The World Mental Health Day Event is a way of guidance on issues and topics of interest to working collaboratively towards addressing the them. The event will also provide an arena for needs of our local communities. organisations to celebrate good practice and achievements whilst showcasing their services. This day will provide an opportunity for service users to engage with providers of services, Holistic therapies will also be available for and will also be a chance for local organisations you to try. Please come along and benefit and partners to showcase their services. from the information that will be provided. Refreshments will be provided throughout There will be a range of activities, crafts and the day. complementary therapies available on the day. For more information contact Contact Maria Abson on 01443 846200 or Claire Meredith on 01443 668813 Shian Neale on 01685 727067

We Need YOUR Help! Art Competition Storyboard for Thursday 9 October 2014 World Mental Health Day Events Are there any artists among you?! If you have lived experience and Produce an A4 outline of a contemporary painting that depicts a would like to contribute to the ‘Representation of Living Well in Merthyr Tydfil’ storyboard we would like your The Winner will produce a 3’x 4’ painting that will be shown on the poems, stories or quotes about 9 October at the World Mental Health Day event what it’s like to live with Schizophrenia to help raise Prize - £300 awarded to the Winner on the day awareness, please send it to: Closing Date is 1 September 2014 Rachel Wyatt at Interlink or Send your entries to: Merthyr and the Valleys Mind - Information and e-mail: [email protected] Advice Centre, 88 High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UH The deadline for submissions is Please mark your entry ‘World Mental Health Day - Art Competition’ Friday 26 September 2014 and include your name and contact details on the back. All information on the storyboard By submitting your entry you will be consenting to your work possibly being will be kept anonymous. displayed on the day. Sponsored by: Tydfil Training

Page 9 Health and Wellbeing

Anne Morris, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Facilitator, provides information, advice and support to community and voluntary groups involved in improving health and social care in RCT. This often involves getting people to network and work together. Anne also facilitates the RCT Health Social Care and Wellbeing Forum and a weekly bulletin on all things healthy.

Contact Anne on 01443 846200 or e-mail: [email protected]

‘Project 5’ Ways to Wellbeing Merthyr and the Valleys Mind has recently launched ‘Project 5’ ways to wellbeing, working in partnership Pam Khan – Project Coordinator said, ‘We are with local Registered Social Landlords across the Cwm delighted to bring Project 5 to older people living Taf community. in Sheltered Accommodation – we know that people often experience loneliness and isolation Funded through the Intermediate Care Fund (ICF) the which can be detrimental to a person’s wellbeing, project will work with older people to enhance their Project 5 is designed to change this trend.’ overall sense of wellbeing by engaging volunteers. The volunteers will assist older people by supporting them to connect to others, keep active, take notice of their environment, give to others and keep learning.

For further information on this project – you can call Merthyr and the Valleys Mind on 01685 353944 or visit them via www.matvmind.org.uk

Intermediate Care Fund The Intermediate Care Fund released in April of this Third sector agencies have a particular role year provides a real opportunity to build on and in identifying and supporting local initiatives, drive forward, effective planning and provision of essential to help older people to remain in their integrated services across social services, health and own homes safely and contentedly, helping older housing, with the third sector as equal partners. The people see that they have a vital role to play in their Cwm Taf proposal realised over £4.3million of which neighbourhoods is critical, as well as responding the third sector received almost £400,000. The to what they are saying about the importance fund is to assist in the development of new models of remaining active and purposeful. Part of the of delivering sustainable services that maintain third sector allocation led to the creation of a and increase people’s wellbeing and independence Neighbourhood Capacity Grant Scheme in order avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions or that the sector can respond to unmet need and inappropriate admission to residential care as well as show how neighbourhood activity is an essential preventing delayed discharge from hospital. part of maintaining wellbeing. Agencies were The third sector received £50K to promote invited to submit proposals that enhance local volunteering which was used to develop ‘Project 5’ resources, respond to the preventative agenda and ways to wellbeing as above. offer support to older people with complex needs. This resulted in thirteen local organisations being A substantial amount of the funding received enabled awarded almost £150K for innovative projects which the recruitment of the five Community Coordinators will commence shortly. introduced earlier.

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Health and Wellbeing

Healthy Competition at Crystal Trophy Awards Community groups that have gone above and Second Prize went to Community Food Boxes beyond to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent (Rhondda Housing Association and FareShare ill-health were commended at the prestigious and Cymru) This life-changing scheme is the first of its popular annual Crystal Trophy Awards ceremony. kind in and has seen healthy food that was once considered waste and thrown away by CwmTaf University Health Board’s Health and distributors, producers and retailers redirected into Wellbeing Partnership, in conjunction with the healthy food boxes that are distributed to residents voluntary sector hosted the Awards at Coleg y in need. So far, 160 families have benefitted from Cymoedd’s Rhondda Campus. the boxes and rent arrears have been cut by five per cent. The scheme also offers valuable volunteering Cllr Mike Forey said: ‘The success of this opportunities. overarching work is the day-to-day, grassroots innovation that takes place in communities, Prepare to Care (Merthyr and the Valleys Mind) targeting a particular group of residents or a won Third prize Prepare To Care is a unique training particular health and wellbeing issue. This is opportunity for those who care for someone else where residents are truly engaged and assisted in their community or for those looking for a career to deal with the issues that affect them. Crystal in care. The Level Three Agored Cymru accredited Trophy is a chance to showcase and celebrate course offers an informal and supportive local work, raising the profile of the sheer range introduction to care for participants. of activities and services on offer across Rhondda Cynon Taf to help people to help themselves.’ One participant said:‘Taking part has made me aware we are all unique with different This year’s winners were Fixers Project ‘Choices’ health and wellbeing needs and disabilities an innovative project that raises the awareness of and it has provided me, for the very first time, ‘legal highs’ such as NRG, Popper, Black Mambo and information about my choices and not to judge people.’ Meow Meow. The misuse of these drugs was first raised in a PACT meeting held at the Forsythia Youth Project, where young people expressed their fears Fourth Prize went to Activity for All (Friends of Ty about the widespread use of the drugs. This led to Cwm Care Association) Ty Cwm is a first-of-its-kind the production of a powerful DVD that can now be complex providing extra care for those with seen by young people, parents and professionals physical and sensory disabilities and long-term wishing to find out more about this important issue chronic conditions. Residents were brought together and raise awareness among young people. via the Activity for All initiative and now enjoy no less than 44 fun, stimulating activities that not only bring people together socially, but also assist with health and wellbeing.

Nicola John, Director of Public Health at Cwm Taf Health Board, said: ‘These grass root projects are making a huge contribution to health and wellbeing. I commend the work of these groups and would like to see it replicated in other communities across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.’

This year’s winners Fixers Project ‘Choices’

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Lucy Foster, Community Voice Participation and Evaluation Officer / See CHANGE Co-ordinator will co-ordinate 8 organisations to work together to deliver The Community Voice Programme that will run over 4 years in RCT. Engaging people and communities in public service design and delivery. The See CHANGE project aims to empower people through training and support. The project could help you as an individual, your group or community.

Community Voice

Lucy ‘2 jobs’ Foster is a busy girl holding down roles as Community Voice Participation and Evaluation Officer and also Training Co-ordinator. Lucy’s Community Voice role involves supporting 8 very different projects to involve a range of people, including young, older people and people with disabilities, in having a voice in improving community services. Contact Lucy on 01443 84200 or e-mail: [email protected]

Community Voice The Community Voice Programme will run over 4 years in RCT. Year one has seen some fantastic ‘I love youth club, I can’t believe we wasn’t work being carried out. Interlink coordinate 8 allowed one!! I’m glad Becca helped us get organisations to work together to deliver 8 projects one!’ Young person aged 11 to engage people and communities in public service design and delivery. The programme is all about coproduction. This involves people and communities who receive services working with those who provide them. The projects Futures - Ynysybwl and Glyncoch Regeneration Partnership Engaging the whole community, specifically targeting harder to reach groups to take responsibility for improving their own lives and that of the community. Links with the Community Plan for Llanwonno and Hydro Schemes.

Many fantastic opportunities and activities have Project worker Rebecca Arnold engaging with socially isolated older been carried out that includes - Street Cleaning - people - Completing a questionnaire done through the letterbox engagement with the street cleaning team, Keep Coproducing the Future - Wales Tidy and residents have led to a couple of Glyncoch Regeneration Partnership coproduced street cleaning projects with a lot of Engaging young people to coproduce local action new volunteers. At the start of the year the street plans on issues that affect them. cleaning team were informing residents of their work and this has moved through to engagement, ‘Youth club and local youth provision was participation and co-delivery. increased as well as participation and Youth Provision and Youth Forum – regularly coproducing activities that are delivered by attended youth club with a youth forum that Communities First and external organisations. informs the activities that go on in youth club and The youth club has moved from being a during the Easter holidays that are provided by Communities First based provision that was Communities First and E3. Volunteers have been delivered to young people and them being undergoing relevant training to help them support informed, to a service that engages young the youth provision. people and that is co-delivered and co-evaluated together.’ Project Worker

Page 12 Lucy Foster, Community Voice Participation and Evaluation Officer / See CHANGE Co-ordinator will co-ordinate 8 organisations to work together to deliver The Community Voice Programme that will run over 4 years in RCT. Engaging people and communities in public service design and delivery. The See CHANGE project aims to empower people through training and support. The project could help you as an individual, your group or community.

Community Voice

Wanting to be Heard - Our Voice, Our Future - Cardiff Vale and the Valleys Community College Developing the visually impaired forums to engage Targeting young people aged 16 plus at risk of being with decision making and consultation, working to NEET. It aims to research how service providers ensure effective integration to mainstream services. such as Careers advice, education and the police Jackie’s Story engage with young people, developing a toolkit of good practice at engaging young people in decision ‘I have increased not only the numbers for the ‘I lost my confidence to come out of the house making at all levels. CSG but the enthusiasm of those on the CSG. very much and now I am always out and about They have taken a very keen interest in The project worker has run a mass wellbeing and helping others in the community!’ evaluating the services provided to visually survey with the entire school population, analysed impaired people and are promoting the group at the results and wrote a wellbeing action plan for the I firstly got involved through Weight busters. I every opportunity. Consulted with Network Rail, senior management team. Arranged for alternative stopped for a while, then I started back again; it was undertaken an evaluation of the services education provision for students who were the only time I came out of the house. Petrina said, provided, arranged for feedback to be provided struggling to meet traditional academic workloads, why don’t you come along again, I came and met to a Network Rail representative and prepared and taken those students out to experience outdoor Angela, then Pauline who has subsequently relevant notes. Group members have developed education and for students to undergo a number of become a very close friend. Pauline encouraged me new links with other groups in the Pontypridd extra training opportunities. to go on courses like Routes to Recovery and a range area via the Movers and Shakers meetings.’ of others, we went on trips to Cardiff and London. Kristian, Project Worker Neighbours - Spectacle Theatre I found this nerve wracking but I am getting more Targets the whole community initially in the confident. I found it difficult to talk with others and Create a Voice - Eye to Eye Rhondda Fach, Porth and Pontypridd Clusters. Aims mix with others, I lost my best friend. Through to empower community voice through ‘active Engaging young people, age 14-18 accessing mental going to weight busters and going to New theatre’ to reduce the instances of ‘risky behaviour’ health services to research and develop more Beginnings (depression support), I have come out on the most vulnerable members of the community. effective ways for service providers to engage with service users of self-harm and mild to moderate mental health services. ‘Without Spectacle engaging with our young people who knows what they would be up to. The worker has focused on the engagement of key Working on this DVD had benefitted these young stakeholders, ensuring their understanding of the girls a great deal and said without this to keep project, and its involvement of young people and them occupied they’d be at the bus stop drinking’ self harm. These either play a direct part in Debbie, Partnership July 2014 supporting young people who can influence or those who can identify suitable members for consultation in the second year. The Breakthrough Project - Age Connects Morgannwg Welcome to our Woods! - Learn & Grow Engaging hard to reach older people who are not Engaging the whole Community in the Rhondda part of a recognised community group. Fawr to regenerate the Cwm Saerbren woodland to improve community access, health and wellbeing The project worker has initiated very strong and economic regeneration. partnerships with 34 individuals, Third Party Sector Organisations, various departments and individuals at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and ‘We are supporting local people/community Cwm Taf Health Board. The strength of these groups with woodland community voice related partnerships can be seen with the various projects issues and relationships i.e. access to woodland, she’s become involved with and have initiated. woodland enforcement, woodland enterprises, A great example of this is the ‘Quality of Life Survey’ woodland training, bio security, tree felling, wind that she initiated with the help of Chis Davies, the farm, storm damage, woodland related green Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager of spaces.’ Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

Page 13 Connecting Communities

Communities Getting Connected Maps, Gaps, Connections and Solutions in Taf Ely, There are lots more issues and actions – a report Rhondda and Cynon will soon be available on the web and if you have a little time – just look at the fantastic graphic illustrations of people’s ideas. ‘It is extraordinary to see how many groups are in our communities doing really important work that is making such a difference to people’s lives. Event feedback has been very positive with The unsung heroes we have out there is lots of lovely people giving lovely comments amazing – we want to find ways of giving them such as; ‘What a wonderful event, everyone more recognition!’ Interlink staff member here [at our organisation] has given positive comments, with many useful connections made on a professional and personal basis. The Making the most of and joining up what we have whole event was a jovial affair yet professional in our communities in the face of austerity is more and informative.’Participant important than ever. At Connecting Communities Events during June and July in Rhondda, Cynon and Interlink would like to offer a huge thank you to all Taf Ely, voluntary groups occupied a big sports hall to the people who made these events a success and showcase their work, network with each other and also to RCT CBC Adult Services for coming up with with council, police and health staff. Joining forces to the idea AND commissioning them!!! Matt Wyatt serve communities in the best way possible was top from the NHS was an incredibly inspiring and funny of the agenda and participants built connections as facilitator and the Leisure Centres went above and well as setting an agenda for action on how services beyond to help – in each locality. can be improved in each area. Examples of emerging issues to work on:

Issue/gap: Communication - what groups and services are doing. Action:Interlink to develop an app inspired by ‘GO4IT!’ where anyone in any community can find out what is going on locally and how to get the help they need. Issue/gap: There is little peer support for families with mental health issues. Action:To develop peer support group in the / area where there is currently no provision. Issue/gap: Isolation – a growing problem. Action: Support existing plethora of brilliant groups working on isolation and also do exciting research project that involves listening to people experiencing isolation, hearing their individual stories and working out how a reconnection could develop.

We need your help Would you be an ambassador for your community helping to keep the information up to date? Would you or your group like to help with research projects to reduce isolation? If so, contact Jenny O’Hara-Jakeway on 01443 846200 or e-mail: [email protected]

Page 14 Local News

Lots going on at Rhondda Breast Friends Rhondda Breast Friends was established in 2006 Our counsellor offers one-to-one counselling as well and we have a centre based in Porth. Our aim is as group counselling and hypnotherapy. Our to support people living with and beyond cancer in therapist has completed various therapy courses Rhondda Cynon Taf and also to give support to their from full body massage to Reiki and our ladies really carers and family members. enjoy their sessions with her. During 2013/2014 we were chosen as ‘Charity of the Year’ by Sainsbury’s Pontypridd. Two members of staff were invited as guest speakers at our AGM in April and this is a small part of their speech which we would like to share with you.

‘When we got back to the store we told everyone about our visit and lots of people asked us questions like ‘Was it a depressing place?’, ‘was it sad?’, ‘Did you get upset?’ they were quite surprised when we said it was nothing like that, that it was a great place to meet likeminded people, share stories, get advice and also offload your fears and thoughts. In all it RBF members were invited by Frankie & Benny’s to hold a was a really cheerful, friendly, vibrant place.’ coffee morning at the restaurant

We hold monthly coffee mornings and evening If you require any further information on the meetings as well as computer studies, light exercise above or if you have had a diagnosis of breast classes and a craft club. More importantly we have cancer and would like to be involved with RBF a wonderful counsellor and therapist who attend the please contact us on 01443 687556 or Centre to give much needed support to our members. e-mail: [email protected]

Carers Dementia Workshops Are you looking after someone with memory problems? Would you like to find out more about dementia? Join us at our Carers Dementia Workshops and find out more about the services available to you, your legal rights, benefits that maybe available to you, the emotional aspects of caring and much more. Carers Dementia Information Course dates: Tuesday 7 October 2014 Rhondda Heritage Park Museum Tuesday 17 February 2015 , Campus All 10.00am - 3:30pm Respite and transport can be provided if needed. Call Trudy on 01685 353919 or Claire on 01443 668813 to find out more or to book your place.

Page 15

Broaden your horizons ..... with Interlink training

Safeguarding Children and Young Community Development Level 2 People 9, 16, 23 September 2014 (3 Days) 11 September 2014 9.30am - 4.00pm 9.30am - 1.00pm Why not design your own training! Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults We offer courses for individuals and groups, 11 September 2014 training fees are negotiable and we offer lots 2.00pm - 4.30pm of free options - contact us! All courses held at Interlink unless otherwise stated. For more information call 01443 846200 or visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk to view the training programme and our new outreach programme.

Mindfulness and Stress Control Courses Commencing in September Taf Ely - Mindfulness Rhondda - Stress Control Cynon Valley - Mindfulness 10 September at 2.15pm 11 September at 5.30pm 9 September at 6.30pm Llantrisant Leisure Centre Sea Cadets Hall, Abercwmboi Rugby Club 12 September at 1.30pm Mindfulness All courses run for 6 weeks Methodist Church Hall 9 September at 12.30pm For more dates visit our website Rhondda Fach Sports Centre www.interlinkrct.org.uk or e-mail: [email protected]

Mental Health First Aid Training The Citizens UK National Community Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is for Leadership Training Course comes to everyone. It allows individuals to raise their Cardiff from 19-24 October 2014! awareness and learn new skills, and helps Passionate about social justice? organisations to improve mental health in Want to learn how to create change? the workplace. Curious about community organising and MHFA is a 2 day course that improves mental Citizens Cymru Wales? health literacy and helps people to recognise This is the course for you! the signs and symptoms of someone with mental health problems. Citizens UK training is being hosted in Wales to Date: 15 and 22 September 2014 allow as many local people to attend as possible. Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm The course timings will allow you to attend on a Venue: Interlink - lunch provided non-residential basis. Cost: £40 e-mail: [email protected] To book a place call Lauren on 01443 846200 for more details

Charity No 1141143 Company No 07549533

Next Issue: December 2014