Do you have a few hours to spare each week? Volunteer with us and, as a Samaritan volunteer, you’ll be there for people when it matters most.

The South Wales Valleys hub of Samaritans is based in Merthyr for phone shifts, but carry out outreach activities, aimed at raising awareness, all over the South Wales Valleys. There are lots of ways you can volunteer for Samaritans, it all depends on your strengths, the areas you’re interested in, and how much time you’ve got to give.

• Samaritans is a charity working in the UK and Ireland to reduce the number of people who die by suicide and help those struggling to cope.
• Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.
• Every day, Samaritans volunteers respond to around 10,000 calls for help.

Do something you’re proud of - Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Volunteer with us, click here to find out more and apply.

Trustees Week 6-10 November 2023 will soon be here !

A big thank you!

Charities and community groups make a huge and positive impact on society and are dedicated to an enormous variety of good causes.

This year we celebrate the individual talents, viewpoints and experiences each trustee brings to their board and their collective decision making and how diversity can help make a charity stronger.

We are organising some great sessions to celebrate Trustees Week and share good practice and experiences.

Monday 6th November 2023 2pm:

Trustees Cuppa & Catch up, an informal session to speak to other trustees and committee members about anything at all.

Wednesday 8th November 2023 at 2pm:

VAMT are hosting Suzanne Mollinson, Safeguarding Officer at Wales Council for Voluntary Action who will be giving a brief overview of the responsibilities of trustees and safeguarding.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and share your experiences too.

To book your places please contact karen.vowles@vamt.net

We are consulting on our Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-2028 and we need your input and views to shape and inform our new objectives.

Building upon our Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024, we aim to improve equal opportunities within our community and in service delivery, employment, commissioning, leadership and working in partnership.

The themes and objectives from the 2020-2024 plan are still important, and we are asking whether anything else needs to be included.

Our current themes and objectives

• Theme, Inclusive Engagement and Participation.

Objective, engage with our Citizens to participate and have their voices heard to understand and respond to the needs of our communities.

• Theme, Community Cohesion.

Objective, promote and facilitate inclusive, safe and cohesive communities.

• Theme, Inclusive and Diverse Workforce.

Objective, create an inclusive and diverse workforce, which reflects the communities in Merthyr Tydfil.

• Theme, Gender/Equal Pay.

Objective, ensure equity of pay across Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

• Theme, Accessible Services.

Objective, understand and remove the barriers people face when accessing our services.

What are we asking you to consider?

We are asking you to consider the following when answering the questions:

• What challenges are people facing within the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil?
• Do the themes and objectives adequately address these challenges?
• Should these themes and objectives continue into the 2024-2028 plan?
• Is there anything missing that we need to consider?
• What more could we do to improve?
• How can we better provide our services to meet the needs of our communities?
• What do you think needs to be included within our 2024-2028 Strategic Equality Plan?

This is not exhaustive, as we want to capture all of your views.

For more information and the easy read versions, the link to our website is below.

https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/council/equalities-and-welsh-language/consultation-for-our-strategic-equality-plan-2024-2028/?lang=en-GB&