The Explore programme is designed to help build young people's confidence; helping them to improve their teamwork, and to build on their problem solving and communication skills and help them feel more prepared for going back into education, or to gain steps towards employment, training, or volunteering opportunities. 

The programme will include a mixture of indoor and outdoor led activities. 

It is a FREE 4-week programme being delivered from our centre in Cardiff over three days a week. 

We will be holding a Taster Day on 13/11/2024 at our Cardiff centre.

 This is a great way for young people to meet the staff and to find out a little more about the programme. 

What’s on Autumn 24

Meet the Funder

VAMT have arranged the following sessions for you to hear directly from funders regarding their funding streams, application process and criteria

29/10/24    10am – 11:30 Online via Teams            Coalfields Regeneration Trust          

5/11/2024 10am – 11:30 Online via Teams Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Breaking Barriers Fund

Training

These sessions are designed for new committee officers and those who would like a refresher session.

7^th November The role of the Chair – online via Teams 17:30 to 19:00

12^th November The role of the Secretary – online via Teams 17:30 to 19:00

14^th November The role of the Treasurer – online via Teams 18:00 to 19:30

Trustees Week

For Trustees’ Week 2024, the focus is on trustee recruitment and retention. Further sessions offered by our partners are also available.

4^th November Trustees Cuppa and Quiz 11am at VAMT

5^th November 10am – 11:30 Online via Teams Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Breaking Barriers Fund

7th November Training - The role of the Chair – online via Teams 17:30 to 19:00

To book your place at these events contact Karen.vowles@vamt.net

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is proud to be supporting International Day of Older Persons 2024.

This year’s theme is: “The part we play”: Celebrating the integral role of older people in our communities.

Older people play an integral part in connecting our communities and neighbourhoods; as workers, carers, volunteers and advocates. However, these critical contributions are often unnoticed or limited by ageism and other social and physical boundaries.

Alongside helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve social connections, enhance our sense of purpose and self-esteem. Paid work can have a positive impact on wellbeing as well as finances. Despite this, many older people find themselves encountering barriers to getting involved in all the ways they would like to.

Merthyr Tydfil has an ageing population, with 39.6% of residents aged 50+ in 2021, up 3.6% since 2011 (ONS 2021), +13.3% increase (from 2011 to 2021) in people aged 65+ living in Merthyr Tydfil (National Survey for Wales 2021/22).

We all have a part to play in ensuring our communities and neighbourhoods are great places to age, whilst celebrating and enabling the contributions of older people. Merthyr Tydfil CBC aim to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities to support us in celebrating the integral role of older people in our communities, alongside ensuring that services available to support our ageing population are fit for purpose moving forward.

On this International Day of Older People, we are celebrating all older people and the vital part they play, and have the potential to play, in making our community a better place to be.

If you are looking for information regarding volunteering then please contact Frances Barry at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil, or if your query is around support for people aged 50+ please contact your local Community Coordinator at Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil on 01685 353900