www.mantellgwynedd.com

NEWSLETTER FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN

Issue 43 December 2008 CONTENTS News 2 Getting to know your community better! A warm thank you to Mantell about how to record oral history ‘We are very pleased that young Grants 4 Gwynedd for its part in today and how to recognise people are part of the project and contributing to the success of our archaeological features using aerial extremely grateful to Gwynedd Communities Heritage Lottery Fund Project, photographs. Council for its ready support’. First 5 Adnabod Ardudwy – Knowing Our website was launched in July Our priority for the next few Ardudwy. When the Merioneth this year by Lord Dafydd Elis- months is the collection and Health, Social Historical and Record Society Thomas at Theatre Harlech. It recording of field names which are Care and Well- 5 prepared its bid for a grant to includes interactive Ordnance still in the local memory in the being enable it to manage an innovative Survey and 1840 Tithe maps and parishes of Llanfrothen and project, it turned to Mantell aerial photographs. You can Nantmor, Ffestiniog, Maentwrog and Training and Gwynedd for support and advice. discover the name of the field and Llanelltyd. If you think you can help Events 6 The Grant Officer gave invaluable, the history of any historical us to fill in some of these gaps or if practical help which contributed to monuments by visiting - you have photographs of ruined our success. Children & Young www.adnabodardudwy.org.uk cottages or old maps and can let us People 7 The project is now in its second A number of local school pupils scan and record them, please year and we have already organised have been very busy walking their contact us. You can do this through a number of interesting sessions the website or by writing to the Gwynedd parish paths and enjoying learning e.g. Guided walks, several more about their areas. Many pupils project leader: Volunteering 8 workshops were held in the visited the archives at to Rhian Parry, Tŷtandderwen, Centre Meirionnydd Archives, we learned learn how to research for Pencefn, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, how to read a series of documents information and to study old maps. LL40 2ER. in Latin, we were also able to learn

Registered Head Office: 24-26 High Street THE CHEST IS OPEN FOR GWYNEDD’S COMMUNITY GROUPS LL55 1RH Tel: 01286 672626 Community and voluntary groups voluntary groups support to develop Y Ffôr Community Centre, Menter Fax: 01286 678430 throughout Gwynedd have and realise wonderful projects which Chwarae Manod and Y Felin Sgwrsio Registered Area Office: benefited from financial support to bring significant benefit to local in Felinheli which is an innovative The Old Police Station Lombard St. develop initiatives which benefit their communities across the county. new project aimed at Welsh DOLGELLAU local area, thanks to the Gwynedd Funds available to groups in learners. LL40 1SB Community Chest (Cist Gwynedd). Tel: 01341 422575 Gwynedd If you have an idea for a new Fax: 01341 422147 From creating a new square in the Within Cist Gwynedd there are two project, or want to develop existing E-mail: middle of a village to upgrading funds – the Rural Fund II and the activities, please get in touch with [email protected] community playing fields, up to Voluntary Development Fund (next Mantell Gwynedd or Heather Website: £234,863 has been earmarked to closing date December 31, 2008) Williams on 01286 679153, or email: www.mantellgwynedd.com groups all over Gwynedd. Within Mantell Gwynedd there is the [email protected]. Registered Charity: 1068851 Company Ltd by G’ntee: 3420271 Councillor Dewi Lewis, Gwynedd Go for It Fund and Galluogi Registered in Wales Council’s Senior Portfolio Leader for Gwynedd fund (see page 4 for MANTELL is published by Mantell Development who leads on details) Gwynedd. The opinions expressed Economy and Regeneration said: Groups who have recently ensured in Mantell are not necessarily those of Mantell Gwynedd. “The Cist Gwynedd package of Cist Gwynedd support include We reserve the right to edit before grants give our community and Clynnog and Llanelltyd Village Halls, publication. News December 2008

A note from the Chief Officer

Welcome to the last edition of Mantell for Sgwâr in Dolgellau, the welcome was consultation. The 2008. The end of another year which really warm and children and young people from Compact is the seems to have flown by before it even local schools entertained the crowds. And agreement between started. all this to celebrate volunteering. Cyngor Gwynedd and the Third Sector in the county. It is an I spent an extremely rewarding morning At the end of October we also held our extremely important document for the last month at Tŷ Siamas in Dolgellau in a Annual General Meeting at Gwersyll Glan- future collaboration between both ‘Make a Difference Day’ event organised llyn, Y Bala. As a child I spent almost all of sectors. At a time when the Local by Mantell Gwynedd’s Volunteer Centre. my school holidays at Glan-llyn and many Authority are facing vast cuts and weekends too. Not because I was an avid Make a Difference Day is a nationally commissioning and procurement is Urdd follower but because my cousin John recognised day now to celebrate becoming a reality, it is vitally important Eric Williams was head of Glan-llyn at that volunteering. Several voluntary and we get this relationship right and the time before moving on to become community groups in Gwynedd came to compact is a key stone to doing just that. Director of the Urdd movement in Wales. Tŷ Siamas with their stalls to recruit more We need a robust, open and constructive There is no doubt in my mind that the volunteers and thank existing volunteers. relationship between both sectors and I Urdd is the most important Third Sector The highlight of the morning to me was therefore ask you to respond as fully and organisation in Wales for children and listening to Bethan Gwanas talking about as honestly as possible on the contents of young people today. Its role in how volunteering abroad, after she the compact and I will ensure that your safeguarding and culture is finished her academic studies, changed her responses are all given proper beyond measure of course and the vast life forever. I have heard her tale many consideration. difference it has made to the lives of times before of course, having known her people in Wales likewise. Glan-llyn today is And there we are, the end of another for many years. But she still mesmerizes a completely different animal to what it year. An opportunity for me to thank my me with her tales of overseas volunteering was in the days when I half lived there as team of dedicated staff here at Mantell and how it changed her life forever and a child, it has evolved and matured and Gwynedd and to my Board of Directors made her the person she is today. Its survived and grown in the face of all the for their support and hard work enough to make you hand in your notice throughout the year. It leaves me to wish challenges it has faced, and it has faced at work, pack your bags and take off! all of you well over the festive period and some real challenges over the years. Its There is no doubt that volunteering I hope you all enjoy a peaceful Christmas survival thanks to a team of totally changed her forever and judging by the and prosperous New Year. dedicated staff and thousands of faces of avid listeners in Tŷ Siamas that volunteers with a vision. It is quite a With Best Wishes. morning there is a real danger her habits remarkable organisation and it was a might become catching. And what an Bethan privilege to be there celebrating out AGM audience she had – dozens of children and this year. young people from schools in Dolgellau as well as many passers by. It was a really Now a plea… enclosed with this edition memorable morning, the sun shone on the of Mantell is the Compact for

New website provides planning information

Planning Aid Wales has an exciting new website need for their campaign. An extensive glossary full of information about the planning system in explains the meaning of specialist planning terms Wales. The website explains the main features of using clear language. And in case you still can't the land use planning system in plain language find what you need to know, contact details for and gives tips on how the public can get Planning Aid Wales and other support involved in planning issues. organisations are at hand. A range of guidance leaflets and booklets can The new website, available at be downloaded for more detailed information www.planningaidwales.org.uk, will keep growing about specific areas of planning. There are links over the coming months and years. to sources of further online information to help community activists find all the information they

2 Mantell Gwynedd December 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 Disability Wales HELP THE AGED Karen Jones from Disability Wales recently travelled from Caerphilly “Nothing decided about us, without us” up to meet officers from Mantell Gwynedd. Speaking Up for Our Age is a unique information led to recommended changes programme run by Help the Aged that for the guidance used by the Welsh works with older people, to give them a Assembly when considering food supply collective voice to campaign on the issues and service in the Welsh NHS. that affect them. Speaking Up for Our Age In June 2008, the Speaking Up for Our Age provides practical assistance for older Wales programme organised an event to people who want to set up a forum in make older people in aware order to use it as a platform to take a of the impact that they can have on their more prominent role in their communities local authorities’ budgeting through a by campaigning and voicing their concerns pioneering system from Brazil called on the matters that they want to tackle. Participatory Budgeting. The Speaking Up for Our Age Wales For more information on the programme also encourages forum Speaking Up for Our Age members to develop and hone their programme, to order any campaigning skills by producing publications or for details on forums publications, running hands-on workshops, in your area please contact: Disability Wales exists to promote providing advice and information and start- rights, equality and choice for all up and development grants. Liz Stephenson - Speaking Up for disabled people and also Our Age Programme Assistant Older people at a nutrition workshop run represent Disability organisations by the programme recently, were invited to Tel: 029 2034 6550 in Wales. speak up about their personal experiences [email protected] She is keen to hear from you of food service in hospitals. This about the gaps there are in terms of training available to disabled individuals and groups. New Face for Help the Aged in North Do you feel you need training and information on subjects Wales like… l What does disability equality NORTH Programme in Wales and the mean? WALES’ over Community Support Programme. l 50s can now What are my rights as a As a Regional Development Officer, disabled person? look forward to Glenys can also provide information and l How can we set up a local the support of a advice leaflets and other materials from locally- based group to campaign for our Help the Aged to the general public, and rights in the local area? Help the Aged development worker, is a fountain of knowledge about Help l Where can I go to meet other Glenys Hughes-Jones. the Aged in Wales campaigns. disabled people and join a Glenys is the charity’s Regional For more information, please contact local group? Development Officer for North Wales – Glenys Hughes-Jones on 01824 790 672 a role that sees her working to improve or email Glenys.hughes- CONTACT: the lives of older people in their own [email protected], or you can [email protected], communities. Glenys provides these contact Help the Aged in Wales on 029 phone: 029 20887325. Disability services by delivering two programmes 2034 6550, or at Wales, Bridge House, Caerphilly run by Help the Aged in Wales, namely [email protected] Business Park, Van Road, the Speaking Up for Our Age Caerffili, CF83 3GW.

The deadline for information or articles to be included in the next edition of Mantell is 16 January, 2009. Please send or email any information to Beryl Norgrove in Dolgellau: [email protected] l Tel: 01341 422575

Mantell Gwynedd 3 Grants December 2008

‘Go For It’ The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales makes grants to small and medium Fund sized charities whose work is to help those at greatest disadvantage play a fuller role in Remember about the Pilot society. Grants are for revenue costs, and grant Fund ‘Go For It’. The can include core costs.

fund is aimed only towards the LLOYDS TSB non-sporting voluntary sector FOUNDATIONS For more information on the Foundation’s groups across Gwynedd who funding prioritise please go to do not have direct www.lloydstsbfoundation.org.uk where involvement with sports and you can also undergo a quick (5 minute) eligibility check. keeping fit. The fund is aimed For more information please contact Cerys Thomas, Part at encouraging additional, Time Grants Manager for North Wales on new physical activities within [email protected] or 07500 787749. communities to help promote and improve fitness and better health. Funding available until the end of March 2009 so ‘Go Trusthouse Charitable Foundation For It’! The Trusthouse Charitable or national charities or not-for-profit Foundation has issued new organisations within two main guidelines for applicants. The new themes: rural areas with guidelines result from a thorough populations of less than 10,000; Galluogi overhaul of the Foundation’s urban areas with populations priorities and focus on rural issues above 10,000 and within the most Gwynedd and urban deprivation throughout deprived 20 per cent of areas as the UK through projects involving: defined by government Indices of 2008-2011 community support; disability and Multiple Deprivation. healthcare; arts, education and For more information please call Ever since we launched the heritage. Judith Leigh, Grants Manager on new Galluogi Gwynedd fund Applications are invited from local 020 7264 4990. in April this year it has proved very popular. Voluntary and www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk community groups across Gwynedd are invited to submit an application for capital funding up to a THE TUDOR TRUST maximum of £10,000.00 towards creating, renovating The Tudor Trust supports charities social, emotional and financial or refurbishing community and community groups working needs of people at the margins of buildings/facilities/assets. across the UK. Tudor does not society, and is interested in how The next closing date for 2008 focus its funding on specific themes organisations tackle these needs is 31st December, 2008 before or programmes but instead wants and their root causes. 5.00pm. to support a wide range of people For more information please and organisations working to The next closing date after go to www.tudortrust.org.uk achieve lasting change in their or call 020 7727 8522 December will be Tuesday, communities. Tudor aims to 31st March, 2009 before support work which addresses the 5.00pm.

For further information on any of the above articles, please conrtact: Delyth Vaughan on 01286 672 626 or [email protected]

4 Mantell Gwynedd December 2008 Communities First

Community First Support Cynllun Ieuenctid Network - Communities First Credit Union and the Welsh Language Pwllheli Have you heard about Credit Unions, one of the most flexible Following changes in the ways of saving and getting a loan and Communities First programme the much better than illegal money Community First Support Network lenders? will come to an end in December 2008. This will also see the close of With Christmas approaching it can the Community First Support be a difficult time for families Network web site. especially in the current financial climate. Remember that Credit To ensure that all documents Do you live in the Pwllheli area. Unions have sites collecting deposits produced by Menter a Busnes Would you be willing to in Community First areas and it’s a regarding bilingualism are available to volunteer for a project in your good way of saving for any partnerships they have produced a area? Cynllun Ieuenctid eventuality such as Christmas or CD which can be downloaded and is Pwllheli (CIP) has gone from holidays. available with all the resources strength to strength with nearly It’s a good idea to start saving regarding developing a bilingual 140 young people from the strategy. You can obtain a copy by area attending activities at the regularly however small an amount. contacting Llŷr ap Gruffydd at centre in Road. If you For more information about a Menter a Busnes, Siambar Tudur, can help contact Eric Price at location near you contact: Llechen Chester St., Mold, Flint CH7 1EG CIP. Tel: 01758 614004 or Credit Union Ltd., 41 Pool Street, Tel: 01352 707830 e-mail: [email protected]. Caernarfon, , LL55 2AE. Tel: 01248 678686

Health, Social Care and Well-being

New Service by DATES FOR YOUR DIARY! ‘Cruse’ Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Parkinson's Bereavement Care Network Event The next Network event will be held on Cruse Bereavement Care will Disease Society Friday January 23 2009 at 10am at the be holding drop-ins at the Glaslyn Leisure Centre, Porthmadog The Parkinson's Disease Abbey Road Centre, Abbey (please note the date has been moved Society (PDS) has recently Road, Bangor every 3rd from the 5th of December). appointed Marian Jones as Wednesday in the month Jo Charles, Project Director of the the ‘Information & Support between 10.15am - 12.15pm. Gwynedd Community Services will be Worker’ covering all of giving a brief update on how this project The next three sessions will be has developed so far. The rest of the North West Wales. as follows: November 19, session will concentrate on sharing The purpose of the post is to December 17, January 21. information and organisations will have an Please come along and talk to opportunity to inform each other of the offer information, advice & Trish if you are bereaved or if services provided by their organisation. support (non-medical) to you are concerned about An excellent opportunity for interactive people with Parkinson’s, networking! For more information please anyone else who is grieving. contact Sioned at Mantell Gwynedd on  their carers, & families. For further information on these 01286 672626 or For more information on the sessions or other services [email protected] offered by Cruse please call: service offered, please Carers Right Day – December 5 2008  0844 617 856 contact Marian Jones on For information on events in your own 0844 2253787. or email [email protected] local area please contact the Carers Outreach Service on: 01248 370797 or: 01341421167.

Mantell Gwynedd 5 Training and Events December 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 and voluntary groups, DECEMBER 2008 delivered through a partnership between County Voluntary Councils (CVC’s), Roles of Officers volunteer centres and the WCVA 1 December 2008 7:00 - 9:00p.m. - Capel y Drindod, Pwllheli Date Location Contact CVC Duration Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Free to Giving and public funding members of groups or individuals from Community First areas. 11 December 08 Mold FLVC 1 day Preparing a sustainable fundraising strategy Role of Trustees and Directors 07 January 09 Ruthin DVSC 1 day 4 December 2008 Buildings - rent, lease or buy? 5.00 - 9.00p.m. - Capel y Rhos, Llanrug 09 January 09 Wrexham AWOW 1 day Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Free to Working with the media members of groups or individuals from Community First areas. 14 January 09 Wrexham AWOW ½ day Employment Law Company Secretary Training 15 January 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day 8 December 2008 Organising your work 9.30a.m. - 1.00p.m. - Centre for Lifelong Learning, Blaenau Ffestiniog 17 January 09 Wrexham AWOW 1 day Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Free to Producing an annual report members of groups or individuals from Community First areas. 22 January 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day Running a community building JANUARY 2009 27 January 09 Llangefni Medrwn Môn 1 day Business and strategic planning Creating a Website (The planning process) 06 February 09 Mold FLVC 1 day 14 January 2009 10.00a.m. - 4.30p.m. - Mantell Gwynedd Meeting Room, Caernarfon Look after your organisation Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members 08 February 09 Wrexham AVOW ½ day Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Grants - fit for funding 10 February 09 Mold FLVC 1 day Business and Strategic Planning (organised by WCVA) Recruitment and selection 20 January 2009 9.30a.m. - 400p.m. - Y Galeri, Caernarfon 10 February 09 Llangefni Medrwn Môn 1 day Cost: - £10 for voluntary and community organisations Running a community building operating in Wales. 12 February 09 Ruthin DVSC 1 day Developing and writing a communications strategy FEBRUARY 2009 16 February 09 Mold FLVC ½ day Creating publicity and marketing materials Grants - Fit for Funding 11 February 2009 18 February 09 Wrexham AVOW ½ day 10.00a.m. - 4.30p.m. - Sarn Memorial Hall, Llŷn Preparing a Sustainable Fundraising Strategy Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members 19 February 09 Colwyn Bay CVSC 1 diwrnod Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Free to Writing effective press releases members of groups or individuals from Community First areas. 24 February 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day MARCH 2009 Creating a website - making the most of your website and the internet 26 February 09 Mold FLVC ½ day Preparing a Fundraising Strategy Planning ahead 26 March 200 03 March 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day 10.00a.m. - 4.00p.m. - Dragon Theatre, Barmouth Monitoring and evaluating your organisation’s work Cost: - £10 Mantell Gwynedd members • £15 Non members Voluntary sector • £40 Private & Statutory sector. Free to 06 March 09 Wrexham AVOW ½ day members of groups or individuals from Community First areas. Managing grievance and disciplinary situations 06 March 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day If you would like to discuss the training needs of Working with the media your organisation or wish to find out more 10 March 09 Llangefni Medrwn Môn ½ day about the training that Mantell Gwynedd offer, Writing effective press releases please contact: Mantell Gwynedd, The Old 10 March 09 Llangefni Medrwn Môn ½ day Police Station, Lombard Street, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 1SB. Tel: 01341 422575 or [email protected] Loan Finance and asset based development 11 March 09 Ruthin DVSC 1 day Managing absence 12 March 09 Ruthin DVSC ½ day LOTTERY FUNDING IN GWYNEDD Business and strategic planning What gets funded in Gwynedd? How to apply? 19 March 09 Colwyn Bay CVSC 1 day Come to the Arts Centre, Porthmadog on 6th February 2009 to find out more. For general enquiries on the Courses for l 11.00-12.15 - Presentations by distributers and question and answer session l 12.15-3.00 - Drop in session Communities Cymru programme, please contact the If you would like to attend or for more information ring Louise Spierling WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888329 or on 02920 678206 [email protected]

6 Mantell Gwynedd December 2008 Children and Young People

Young Volunteers achievements Information and Training to Third In this issue of Mantell we congratulate five with the WRVS as well as in Pendalar Sector organisations girls for their successes on the Millennium School is Catrin Thomas, from Volunteers Scheme; these five are:- Caernarfon. She is also a member of the working with Children l Siân Lloyd Roberts received her ‘Award Gwynedd Youth Led Grant Panel. She and Young People of Excellence’ for volunteering for 200 has contributed 100 hrs of her time to hrs. Siân is a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn volunteer, and has achieved a certificate. As the Children and Young People Nantlle and has been volunteering in the l Ffion Eluned Owen, from Ysgol Dyffryn Facilitator for Gwynedd, I have school, in the Oxfam Shop in Nantlle, is the fifth committed young recognised the need to start putting Porthmadog as well as with the Urdd. volunteer. Ffion is a very busy girl – together a short programme of relevant training and information sessions. The l Ffion Elisabeth Jones from Talysarn has newly appointed as the head girl of her aim is to offer a varied programme in contributed 100 hrs of her time to school and she volunteers with many terms of subject matter and qualification, volunteer with the Witness Service. organisations locally -in the school, with ‘Lleu’ (the local community paper), with with the optimum intention of producing l Catrin Davies also received a certificate the Young Farmers in Dyffryn Nantlle further sessions in future, depending on for volunteering for 100 hrs in the café and she is also a member of the the needs and the resources available! and shop of the WRVS in Ysbyty Gwynedd Youth Led Grant Panel. We hope to offer training sessions free Gwynedd. Congratulations to all five. of charge or at a very reduced rate. If l Another girl who’s been volunteering you have needs that have not been met, then please get in touch! INFORMATION Conference for the Welsh Baccalaureate students As Mantell Gwynedd works closely with The Gwynedd Children and Families The aim of the Welsh Baccalaureate is discussed during the day. One aspect Forum, it is likely that the majority of to offer broader experiences to of the BAC syllabus requires a student information sessions will form part of learners, and to help the young people to complete 30 hours of ‘community the Forum’s network meetings unless develop the diverse skills and participation’. In co-operation with the need arises to organise something a knowledge that is valued by employers Cynnal, the Gwynedd Volunteer and Universities. On the 3rd of Centre contacted voluntary little different! September, an induction day was held organisations to invite them to share TRAINING / COURSES at Bangor University for all the Welsh information with the students about We have already identified some areas Baccalaureate (BAC) students from the work that they do, and the role of of interest following feedback from the sixth form schools in Gwynedd volunteers. individual organisations and as a result and Môn. About 500 students, from There were 30 organisations present. we are in the process of arranging nine schools across Gwynedd and Many thanks to all those who training and running the sessions before Môn, attended the event. contributed to the day’s success. the end of March 2009. On offer will be Many elements of the BAC were (further details and dates to follow): l What Every Volunteer Youth Worker Should Know - 3 day Gwynedd Youth Led Grant course. Certificate only. l Working with Children, Young Following the recommendations of the on which schemes are worthy of People & The Community - 4 day Russell Commission, the Gwynedd support. The group of young accredited course. Volunteer Centre received volunteers came together on the 8th of l The Context and Policy £4,000 to distribute to organisations in October to score the applications, and Framework for Safeguarding order that they develop volunteering to allocate the grant. Between the two Children and Young People – One opportunities for young people. The rounds, ten organisations have day course. Certificate only. successfully applied for money, and the closing date for receiving applications If you would like to express an interest in £4000 has been earmarked for projects. for the second round of the grant was any of the above courses or contribute 26th of September, and five applications It’s expected that the grant will also be to future training programmes, please were received. available next year – look out for contact me. Ann Vaughan Jones on One of the conditions of the grant is more information about closing 01286 672626 or that a panel of young people is set up dates in 2009! [email protected]. to consider the applications, and decide

Mantell Gwynedd 7 Gwynedd Volunteering Centre December 2008

Make a Difference Day

Were you aware that the last Saturday in organisations present, the event Pupils from Ysgol y Gader were next to October is known as ‘Make a celebrated volunteering and the entertain the audience, and they were Difference Day? It began way back in contribution made by voluntary followed by Lona Wyn Williams from 1995, and has since gone from strength organisations in Gwynedd. Coleg Meirion Dwyfor playing the harp. to strength. The aim is to highlight the Light refreshments were available - Linda Morgan (Dolgellau’s mayor) opened amazing impact volunteers can make just thanks to a group of catering students the event at 10.00am, and extended a by giving the simple gifts of time, skills or from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and their warm welcome to Dolgellau. Children muscle power! The Gwynedd Volunteer teacher. Also, a raffle was drawn and 5 from Dolgellau Primary school provided Centre organised a special event in Tŷ good prizes were kindly donated by entertainment, and were followed by Siamas, Dolgellau to mark ‘Make a local businesses. Bethan Gwanas – who spoke about her Difference Day’ on Friday, 24th experiences of volunteering, and of how Thank you to all who contributed to the October. With over 20 voluntary she had benefited from taking part. day’s success.

Information days for older people With the oncoming of autumn each year, it Volunteer Centre it is seen as a shop the flu vaccination was on offer). is, once again, the time for the series of window to raise awareness of volunteering, l 30th October - Barmouth information days for older people in south the services that we provide as well as an l 6th November – Bala Gwynedd. Each day has a different aspect - opportunity for networking, meeting the l depending on which organisations attend, public and creating new contacts. 11th November - Blaenau Ffestiniog the venue and also what additional element The timetable for this year’s meetings: If you have been unable to attend this year, has been arranged for the day. However bear it in mind for next year, and if you have l one thing is guaranteed and that is that they 29th September - Tywyn any suggestions of what you would like to are days providing valuable information to l 10th October - Penrhyndeudraeth see in these events next year just let us all those who attend. For the Gwynedd l 17th October – Dolgellau (where know

8 Mantell Gwynedd