News Bulletin

February 2020 Town Band Blaenavon Town Band are recruiting new Committee Members with an This month our bulletin includes news about: interest in music and youth development within the community who would be able to support the current team with running the

administrative side of the band, e.g. general administration, event Our Children in Need Funding Surgery planning, fundraising, keeping records of our equipment and helping to Garnsychan Partnership look after our small bandhall. Play applications open Mirus looking for volunteers If you would like to get involved or find out more contact Paul Miles on Age Connects Torfaen 07977 598375. CAB Torfaen, moving not leaving Park Friends Fertility UK Library sessions in Torfaen Pink Ribbon Foundation grants available Torfaen Young Carers Safer Internet Day 2020 Charities receive share of £8.6million Mello D Settled Torfaen’s Tech Coach Ffrindimi SSAFA Gwent looking for volunteers Bron Afon Helping Families If you’d like your latest event, news or poster to be featured in the next bulletin, Infoengine Drop-ins happening soon St David’s Hospice 10K Run in Pontypool please email it to myself; [email protected] Night shelter to help the homeless in Torfaen WEN reopens mentoring scheme Princes Trust Cymru Artregen Please note for the March Bulletin, articles need to be in by 21st February 2020. Wales Ambulance looking for volunteer drivers Patrick Downes Third Sector Development Officer IT Lead 01495 742476 +447713 367213 Mobile www.tvawales.org.uk [email protected] Charity Registration No. 1097079 Company No. 4603713

Garnsychan Partnership

Garnsychan Partnership are pleased to announce the appointment of four new Trus- tees: Sheree Williams, Director of Creadau Training and Consultancy; Ria Gibbs; Bron Afon Community Development Officer; Carol Watkins; Secretary of the Llanerch Me- morial Fund and Bryan Davies; Successful businessman.

The four new Trustees join as part of the charity’s plans to expand the reach of support to help more vulnerable members of the community.

Each of the new Trustees brings with them a wealth of experience in a variety of fields and represent welcome additions to the current Board of Trustees. The new appoin- tees have an innate understanding of the needs of the community, as well as pos- . sessing unparalleled connections and a laudable commitment to supporting the Garnsychan Partnership.

Garnsychan Partnership Chair Giles Davies commented: “I am delighted to welcome the new Trustees to the Board. They are all well-known and highly respected and bring

with them hugely relevant experience which will be invaluable at this crucial time in our charity’s growth. I am certain that the Trustees alongside the team will work tire- lessly to make sure the needs of our community will be met”.

TORFAEN PLAY APPLICATIONS OPEN

Torfaen Play and Short Break Service is now recruiting new Play Volunteers and Play Helpers for the Summer 2020 Play schemes in Torfaen and Monmouthshire.

By volunteering with the service you will be supported to achieve an accredited qualifica- tion as well as a Millennium Volunteers Award.

Volunteers gain a vast amount of experience working with children, young people and professionals alike and this has proven to be a hugely rewarding and life changing experi- ence for some of its past volunteers.

Some of which have gone on to be school teachers, police men and women, nurses, doc- tors, social workers and even a TV producers for the hugely popular show ‘Love Island’.

The service engages with more than 10,000 children and young people each year with sessions vary from after school clubs and holiday play schemes, to projects linked to schools and specialist projects with vulnerable groups.

In 2019, volunteers provided 48,150 hours of volunteering within community play settings, an achievement which was celebrat- ed at the recent annual Play Volunteer awards ceremony.

Executive Member for Children, Families & Communities, Cllr Mandy Owen said, ‘This is an excellent opportunity for young people here in Torfaen. Volunteering opens doors for many professions and allows young people to gain an insight into shaping their future career paths.’

You can apply to become a Play Service volunteer via the Torfaen website or via the Torfaen App. Closing date for applications is Friday 3 April 2020.

For more information about Torfaen Play Service please visit their pages on our website – www.torfaen.gov.uk or email [email protected] or call 01495 742951

Age Connects Torfaen 2020 marks Mrs Reed’s 30 years’ service with Age Connects Torfaen. She said: “Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have worked with ex- Age Connects Torfaen Chief Executive cellent board members, staff and volunteers who, together, have worked hard in Angela Reed is celebrating 30 years’ ser- delivering the organisations’ 30 years ongoing success by being ‘more than just vice. a charity’ and making our local community a better place to live. I have enjoyed the aspect of everyday challenges making a difference to the lives of older peo- Age Concern was introduced by a group of ple”. Older People led by Councillor Yvonne Warren. Through their efforts, they were With the ground breaking launch of the Dementia Centre of Excellence in Sep- able to employ a committed and inspira- tember 2019, the organisation is continuing to be a forward thinking leader by tional single employee; namely Angela developing the next generation of dementia services over the next 5/10 years. Reed in April, 1989. This passionate indi- vidual worked with the group to recognise the need of services for older people, their family and carers, living throughout Torfa- en. CITIZENS ADVICE TORFAEN – MOVING NOT LEAVING In 2004, Angela secured funding through the Big Lottery Fund to establish Widder- th From the 30 March Citizens Advice Torfaen will be moving prem- shins a unique Ageing Well Centre in Se- ises. The services you get from them will not change and they will bastopol. This provided the older people of Torfaen, with an opportunity to ac- cess companionship, lunch, activities and entertainment, enabling them to live always be available to help you find a way forward when you need life to the fullest. it. Their new premises with be: Through establishing the Widdershins Centre, we were able to deliver and de- velop recognised services for the older people of Torfaen. These services were Library and Portland Buildings, Commercial Street Pontypool, both just a few dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of older adults and to fostering inde- hundred yards from their existing offices. pendent living through the delivery of comprehensive and supportive services. See www.citizensadvicetorfaen.org.uk for up to date opening hours or just look for them 2013 bought about a fundamental and dynamic change to our organisation as on Google. we moved away from the established name of Age Concern and became part of the Age Connects Wales network. This was a forward movement enabling Remember, you can also get advice from www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales or on one of the organisation to remain independent, local and have a stronger voice to our telephone lines speak on behalf of older people and get their views heard. Since 1989 Angela, together with her Board of Trustees, has led Age Connects Torfaen to continu- Universal Credit Help to Claim 0800 0241 220. ous success, and it is now regarded as one of the leading third sector organi- sations within Gwent. Consumer Help Line 03454 04 05 06

Pensionwise 0800 138 3944

PONTYPOOL PARK FRIENDS

Pontypool Park Friends are looking for a new Chairperson and Secretary. They’re looking for people who care for the Park and its future.

It’s not necessary to be involved in working physically with the group although they wel- come all-comers whatever their experience or ability.

The roles involve:

 Arranging and attending bi-monthly meetings  coordinating Task Days,  the administration of our Facebook page  general secretarial tasks They’re a small, friendly group seeking others whose enthusiasm and love of Pontypool Park will ensure that the work there continues.

Contact them via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Pontypool-Park- Friends-120129764756004/

Torfaen Library Sessions

Torfaen Library Sessions Pink Ribbon Foundation

Up to £5,000 is available to charities working in the field of breast cancer.

The Pink Ribbon Foundation’s mission is to help breast cancer charities help their clients recover from their cancer and then live longer, healthier, happier lives. Through its grant making the Pink Ribbon Foundation funds practical projects and initiatives, which aim to help registered charities to deliver good physical and mental health to individuals with, and recovering from breast cancer.

To be considered for a grant in 2020, please submit your grant application to the Foundation by 29th of May 2020. Grants are awarded annually in late July. Find out more at https://www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk/who-we-help/#grants

Torfaen Young Carers

Young Carers at Cro- esyceiliog and Llanyra- fon Community Council Grant Presentation evening collecting the cheque for £150 for Torfaen Young Carers Service.

Julie-Anne is the chair of Torfaen’s Young Carers Forum and Eleece and Maisie both live in the Community Council area. The mon- ey will be used towards respite activities.

SAFER INTERNET DAY CHARITIES RECEIVE SHARE OF £8.6M FROM DIGITAL FUND

To support educators for Safer Internet Day 2020, the UK Safer Internet Centre - offi- The National Lottery Community cial coordinators of the day in the UK - have created a range of new educational re- Fund has awarded £8.6m to 20 charities sources focusing on a brand new theme. to fund digital improvements designed to increase their impact. Free to download and view, the brand new resources are tailor made by educational experts to be engaging and adaptable for different age groups between 3 and 18. The grants, which have been awarded There is also guidance for educators, as well as resources for parents and carers. under the second round of the grant- maker’s £15m Digital Fund, will help charities to become more In the UK, Safer Internet Day 2020 (celebrated on the 11th February) will encourage adaptive, relevant and resilient in the digital age, the NLCF said. young people to explore how they manage their identity online, and to think about how the internet shapes how they view themselves and others. It will look at whether The 20 recipients include Mental Health Innovations, which plans the internet allows young people to experiment and express themselves, or if they feel . to extend the reach of its mental health text-based support, called limited in who they can be online, and how offline stereotypes and discrimination are Shout, and has been awarded the highest amount of £500,000. challenged or reinforced online. By opening up conversations around online identity, the day aims to inspire young people to support each other in being who they want to The bereavement charity Cruse Bereavement Care has been be, to celebrate difference, and help work towards creating a truly inclusive internet. awarded just under £500,000 to redesign how its services are de- livered, while GoodGym, an online platform and community that connects people who want to exercise with physical volunteering Will Gardner OBE, Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, says: “We want all schools, youth groups and education settings to be part of the world’s biggest cam- opportunities, will receive £450,000 to increase its volunteer hours paign to make the internet a safer and happier place. To help them to do so, as official five-fold over the next two years. coordinators here in the UK, our team of teachers and youth workers have created these easy-to-use, practical and engaging resources so that all children can explore The NLCF said the 20 organisations would join nine other recipi- what their online identity means in a digital age.” . ents of Digital Fund money in a group that would collectively docu- ment and share what they learned between themselves and the In 2019, Safer Internet Day messages reached 46% of wider voluntary sector. young people in the UK. A survey of teachers conduct- Beneficiaries of the first round of grants were announced last year. ed by UK Safer Internet Centre following the day found that 97% of those who had used the Education Packs said that the day encouraged conversations Cassie Robinson, head of digital grant making at the National Lot- about the safe use of the internet with their pupils. tery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, 42% stated that the day led to disclosures of potential these organisations can increase their digital capacity to have a online safeguarding issues. greater impact in communities and support our sector to thrive in the digital age.” The Safer Internet Day resources and films can be found at www.saferinternetday.org.uk.

Stroke Association—Tea Buddy Mello D information Your role within the group is to work behind the scenes to make the group feel welcoming, comfortable and accessible by providing tea, coffee and potentially Mello D are very privileged to be able to perform for setting up the room if you wish. many different audiences throughout their years Tasks this role can include: together and will be celebrating twenty in 2021. • Making refreshments for group members Their wide repertoire enables them to sing beautiful • Helping set up and tidy up the room harmonies for all occasions from weddings, chris- tenings and anniversaries to festivals and concerts. • Handling food for the group They have been fortunate and honoured to repre- sent Torfaen in Germany and support Male Voice choirs from Oxford to Cornwall. • Welcoming members They are also regular visitors to residential homes and WI meetings. They support This might be the role for you if: many charities including SANDS, Marie Curie, Cancer Care and The Poppy Appeal and organise an Armistice Concert every year in Griffithstown the nearest Friday before • You want to give back to your community 11th November.  You want to volunteer but don't wish to offer direct practical or emotional support Should anyone like further information or to make a booking please contact them at [email protected] Want to get involved? The Salvation Army Pontypool—Community drop in Volunteers Call us on 01495 742420 The Salvation Army works with some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities including homeless people, older people, unemployed people, those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, as well as victims of human trafficking and major emergencies. With your support we can help transform lives. The description of the opportunity at Pontypool Salvation Army is:

Assist with the running of the drop in. This entails:

 Preparing food, and drinks  Serving coffee/toast etc. to members of the public who attend the drop in .  Assist the rest of the team when required

An induction will take place at the hall with the Captains Andrew & Lorraine Warriner. Want to get involved?

Call us on 01495 742420

LOCAL RUN SET TO RAISE THOUSANDS FOR HOSPICE Mrs Vorres added “With over 1,000 patients on our books at any one time, we rely on community support to raise the funding need- rd The annual Pontypool 10km Home Run is taking place on 23 February and this year looks ed to continue providing hospice set to raise a bumper amount to support local hospice patients. services free of charge. We are Now in its tenth year, the event has grown to become immensely popular and regularly extremely grateful to our sponsors, raises over £10,000 for St David’s Hospice Care. as without them events such as the Pontypool 10k Home Run would This year, thanks to the support of local businesses, the charity hopes to raise more than not be so successful. This year, we £15,000. are delighted to also be joined by Event Manager Christine Vorres said Coleg Gwent. They have told us “We have had a tremendous response that ‘Coleg Gwent is proud to from local businesses; Coleg Gwent, sponsor the Pontypool 10k Home Run, a community event that promotes health & Cwmbran based Crossfords Oil and wellbeing whilst contributing to the excellent services provided by St David’s Care Tool Supplies Ltd, and Johnsey Estates, throughout South East Wales’. “ Mamhillad, are all supporting the If you would like to take part in the 2km or 10k run, visit the website https:// charity, meaning that more of the par- stdavidshospicecare.org/event-details/pontypool-10k/ - but you will need to hurry as ticipant entry fee is going directly places sell out pretty quickly. where it is needed most” St David’s Hospice Care provides vital hospice ser- Crossfords have supported the event vices throughout south east Wales and lower Powys. since 2017 – spokesperson Mark Hur- For more information about the work of the hospice ford said “We at Crossfords are proud please visit their website stdavidshospicecare.org, or to be support and take part in the Pontypool 10k Home Run. St David’s Hospice have ring 01633 851051. helped so many friends, customers and colleagues of ours in the past and we feel it is im- portant to give something back to help continue the fantastic work they do”

Whilst Johnsey Estates Chairman Andrew Wilkinson added “We are very pleased to be a supporting sponsor of the St. Davids Hospice Care Pontypool 10k Home Run again in 2020. The care and facilities St. Davids Hospice provide are so important to our community, and sponsoring this event is the perfect way for us to honour the work they do”

Each year over approximately 500 runners line up to take part in the 10k race, which starts in the beautiful setting of Pontypool Park, and follows a route that take them out to Mamhillad and back along the Monmouthshire – Brecon canal towpath. There is also a Junior 2km Fun Run around the park itself so that all the family members can get involved.

‘Thankfully, even though the council has seen a big increase in the number of house- NIGHT SHELTER TO AID ROUGH SLEEPERS IN TORFAEN holds seeking support, the number of rough sleepers in Torfaen remains in single fig- ures.

‘Fortunately, this year has been mild, but there is still time for a cold snap, so our prepa- The number of rough sleepers in Torfaen and across Wales has been increasing steadily in rations are gearing up to provide support when it is most needed.’ recent years. The Leader of Torfaen Council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said: ‘Addressing rough sleeping Last week, Torfaen council held an extraordinary council meeting to update councillors on takes time and trust and providing support is often challenging due to the complex life- the steps being taken to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Torfaen. styles that frequently contribute to sleeping rough. Although it’s a quick fix, long term change requires more than a temporary roof over someone’s head.’ This winter the council’s response will be supported by creating a pop-up night shelter, sup- ported by a rota of volunteers from across Torfaen and Cornerstone, who deliver the coun- ‘If your housing situation is urgent due to sleeping rough or being threatened with evic- cil’s rough sleeper outreach project. tion, call 01495 742303, email [email protected] or report using the streetlink app at or visit www.streetlink.org.uk to report.’ The council are also working with new private landlords and social landlords to identify ad- ditional temporary accommodation to meet the needs of residents. A review of temporary accommodation is currently being undertaken and private land- lords with suitable properties that could be used for temporary accommodation can call During 2018/19, the Torfaen Housing Solutions Service received over 900 enquiries, work- 01495 742303 or email [email protected] for information. ing with 435 households who were at the immediate risk of homelessness and a further 410 households that were actually homeless. This support resulted in providing over 10,000 For further information on homelessness support visit: https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/ nights of temporary accommodation. Housing/Homelessness-adviceandsupport/Homelessness.aspx Last year the council also amended its adverse weather policy, offering temporary accom- modation to verified rough sleepers whenever overnight temperatures are projected to drop below zero.

Andrew Clarke from Cornerstone said: ‘If the council is notified of a rough sleeper, Corner- stone will undertake a personal welfare check, offer advice and information and provide some basic provisions to try and resolve their situation.

‘However, solutions often require a multi-agency response to wider problems of substance misuse, general health and mental wellbeing and financial issues.’

Executive Member for Housing and Adult Services, Cllr David Daniels said: ‘Rough sleeping is the very visible side of homelessness, plus there are a significant number of hidden home- less or Sofa Surfers who we are dealing with regularly through open daily surgeries and the housing solutions service.

WEN WALES RE-OPENS MENTORING SCHEME 'To see them take the leaps they were more than ready to take, getting them into the positions they deserve to be in, is such a fantastic testament to the scheme and the brilliant mentors and speakers supporting WEN Wales.'

WEN Wales is launching the third year of their mentoring scheme and are recruiting a Former mentee Mia Rees says, 'Since the scheme I have become a local cohort of 30 aspiring women and women’s groups to take part. Councillor, become a Trustee and passed my Assembly Assessment panel.

'The scheme and the women on it encouraged me to go for these opportuni- The programme is selecting women from across Wales who wish to develop ties and for that I will always be grateful.' their political and public life skills and increase their impact and influence. Applications for the 2020 Mentoring Scheme are now open! 'I enjoyed every part of the scheme and the confidence it has given me,' says Rhian Parry, a mentee from the 2019 Closing Date: 23 February 2020 23:59 programme. Women's Equality Network (WEN) Wales, is able to offer a limited number of 'I was so inspired by the camaraderie bursaries to assist women living in Wales with travel, support and/or accom- by the politicians towards each other, modation costs. The bursaries are to enable women to attend WEN mentoring events and to meet with their mentors, if they were not otherwise able to do and also by the other women on the so. scheme.'

The achievements of these women have been phenomenal, with a number of women being elected to local councils, gaining positions on public and volun- tary sector boards, and influencing political and public life through their new- found confidence.

To top it all off, a huge congratulations goes out to Sarah Atherton MP, who won her seat in Wrexham, becoming one of the first female Conservative MPs in Wales, and the first WEN Mentee elected to parliament.

Sarah Sweeney, Mentoring Officer, said, 'It's has been an absolute privilege to support these amazing women through this scheme,' says Sarah Sweeney, WEN Mentoring Officer.

WEN WALES RE-OPENS MENTORING SCHEME PONTYPOOL MUSEUM AND ARTREGEN TO HOLD OPEN AIR PAINTING COMPETITION

The Pontypool Museum and Artregen will once again hold an Open air Painting Com- petition in Pontypool Park in 2020. It will be held from 3rd to the 6th June. More infor- mation will be posted in the next few weeks. If you want more information meanwhile contact Pontypool Museum on 01495 752036. The restoration of the Pontypool Murals has been on hold for a few weeks. Initially it was for the Christmas tree and since the New Year the weather has been poor and the artist has family illness. Weather permitting, he hopes to recommence very shortly.

Cwmbran Park Bowls are looking for new members

Are you a looking to take up a sport? Do you live near Cwmbran Park? Why not pop over to Cwmbran Park Bowls! The club is looking for new members all are welcome!!! If you want to know more about the club visit Cwmbran Parks Bowls or contact the secretary Howard Rees on 01495 758769.

If you’d like your latest event, news or poster to be featured in the next bulletin, please email it to myself; [email protected]

We could also feature it on our website and across social media too, so please send away

We can use jpg or png files. Or if you've got a press release, please feel free to send over since we can also include these.

Patrick Downes Third Sector Development Officer IT Lead 01495 742476 +447713 367213 Mobile [email protected]

www.tvawales.org.uk Charity Registration No. 1097079 Company No. 4603713