The next edition of Inform, VAMT’s Newsletter will be circulated in March.  It’s an ideal opportunity to let the wider third sector and others across the borough and beyond know what you’re doing.

It’s a chance for you to share successes, new activities or just let other people know what your group is up to. 

Articles of 300-400 words are welcomed, especially if accompanied by high resolution images, plus a jpeg logo if possible. 

Inform has a wide circulation, so it's an ideal opportunity to show others what you do.    

If you would like to submit an article can you email frances.barry@vamt.net by Friday March 3^rd.

The £150 million Community Ownership Fund is for communities across the United Kingdom. It has been set up to help communities take ownership of assets at risk of closure. It will run for 4 years until 2024/25.

Voluntary and community organisations can bid for funding to support the purchase and/or renovation costs of community assets.

Proposals will need to prove the value of the asset to local people and that the asset can run sustainably for the long-term benefit of the community.

The prospectus sets out information on the:

• eligibility requirements
• assessment criteria
• funding available
• application process
• next steps after submitting your application

All the information needed can be found HERE in the prospectus. 

Key information for the full application bidding windows in 2022/23 are as follows:

• bidding window 3: 15 February to 14 April 2023
• each bidding window will close at 11:59am on its respective closing date
• the dates of future bidding windows will be announced in due course

Your full applications must be submitted by 11:59am on 14 April 2023 if you are applying in the third bidding window.

Welsh Government Small Grants Fund

Engagement with children, young people, parents, families and communities with protected characteristics

Community engagement on the revised Child Poverty Strategy for Wales 

Child poverty strategy community engagement grant | GOV.WALES

Tackling child poverty remains a priority for the Welsh Government, many of the levers for change lie with the UK Government. However, there is action to be taken in Wales to improve the day to day lives of and outcomes for children and young people living in poverty.  We want every child and young person, no matter what their family income is, to be able to realise their rights.  

We know that we need to plan how to do this for children, young people and families who face extra barriers because of discrimination related to gender, disability, ethnicity or sexuality.

Small Grants Fund

A funding opportunity has been established to ensure that the revised Child Poverty Strategy is developed with children, young people, parents, families and communities with protected characteristics, where children are living in poverty to draw in as wide a range of voices and first person perspectives as possible.  

It is available to third sector, or community groups or organisations which specialise in supporting, engaging or speaking out on behalf of children, young people, and/or parents, and /or families and/or communities who have protected characteristics (such as ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality).  

The Welsh Government will provide grants to eligible organisations of up to a maximum of £4,995 per third sector organisation or community group. The total amount available for distribution under this fund is £50,000.

• 13 February 2023: grant application window opens.
• 27 February 2023: grant application window closes.
• 6 March 2023: outcome letters issued to bidders.
• March 2023: grant award letters issued.

TacklingPovertyAndSupportingFamilies@gov.wales

FREE Webinar: Income Generation Health Checks

2 March 2023 | 2 pm – 3 pm

MS Society Cymru are offering virtual art/craft sessions, which will be held in April.  These sessions are for people with/affected by MS (partners, family members/children welcome to join too)