In just three weeks, communities across the country will come together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), on 27 January. 

If you have planned your activity for HMD please let us know your plans by completing this short form.  

HMD 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp of the Holocaust, during which 6 million Jews were murdered. This year will also mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. We hope that HMD 2025 can be an opportunity for people to come together, learn from and about the past and take actions to make a better future for all.  

To order leaflets, badges or candles for this link and for more information on how to support our work, please click here.   

If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please email charlotte.dosremedios@hmd.org.uk.  

Exciting news: The Royal Countryside Fund ‘Supporting Rural Communities’ grant programme is now open!

We have a two-stage application process. Initially, you will need to send a short video and complete the simple ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) form on our website. These should let us know who you are, what you aim to do, why your project is needed and how it will help your community. You should also set out how your project meets our funding priorities. If we feel that the EOI is a good fit with our programme, we’ll invite you to submit a full proposal.

Further information on the application process, as well as the programme aims and eligibility, can be found here.  Please make sure you read this guidance before you apply. You can also find further guidance on making a video submission here.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is midday on Friday, 21^st February 2025.

For any queries, please fill out the online contact form on our website.

Key dates

 21^st February 2025 (midday) – Deadline for Expressions of Interest

22^nd March 2025 – Shortlisted organisations are invited to submit a full application

19^th April 2025 – Deadline for full applications.

Successful applicants will be notified in late May/early June 2025.

Our Green Match Fund aims to support charities playing a vital role in addressing pressing environmental issues. Whether that’s preserving ecosystems, protecting endangered species or promoting sustainable practices, every donation will make double the difference in the global effort to protect and preserve our planet.

We’re calling all charities working on environmental issues in the UK or overseas as part of their core mission. (By “core mission”, we mean that the environment is mentioned in the organisation’s charitable objects. This may include biodiversity & conservation, climate change, agriculture & food, sustainable communities, energy, transport, trade & finance, consumption & waste, toxics & pollution).

Charities have two different models they can choose to apply for. Charities seeking to raise:

• Up to £10,000  in public donations (to be doubled by match funds) through the 1:1 model.
• Up to £100,000 in public donations (to be doubled by match funds) through the pledge model. Charities can receive up to £50k in Champion funds.

You can watch and share this webinar to understand how the multi-model campaign works. Applications are open now and close on Friday 17th January. You can find further information on the Green Match Fund page.

Be vocal and help make a difference... Become a Co-opted Member on one of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council's Scrutiny Committees.

Scrutiny is an umbrella term covering a wide range of roles with key legislative responsibility for:

• Holding the Cabinet to account
• Policy Review and Development
• Reviewing and scrutinising the performance of the Council and help drive improvements in services.
• External scrutiny

Overview and Scrutiny Committees help ensure local public services are delivered effectively and efficiently and have wide ranging powers to investigate areas of local interest.

Scrutiny can question decision takers, call in expert witnesses or hear evidence from other local stakeholders.  Investigations are not restricted to Council run services, any area of interest to the local community may be investigated by scrutiny.

• The Council has five scrutiny committees:
• Corporate Support and Resources
• Neighbourhood Services, Countryside and Planning Scrutiny Committee
• Learning and LGES (Local Government Education Service) Scrutiny Committee
• Social Services Scrutiny Committee
• Regeneration and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee

There are currently vacancies for Voluntary Sector Co-opted representative on three Scrutiny Committees.

• Corporate Support and Resources Committee,
• Learning & Education,
• Social Services.

If you are interested in learning more about the role and responsibilities of Scrutiny Committee members, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil will be holding an online awareness session on 23^rd January 2025 at 10am at VAMT.

To book your place contact karen.vowles@vamt.net

CRT Together are hosting a FREE 'Fatigue Workshop' run by Maggie's Centre (Cardiff) at Hwb Cana, Penywaun, Aberdare, CF44 9DE. 

This workshop is for anyone affected by cancer who feels they would benefit from practical and emotional support. Join us for this empowering session where we’ll explore tools and strategies to manage fatigue and improve your daily life.

There are limited spaces, but if you are interested, please book via the link below or if you have any questions, please contact 07561857802.  

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fatigue-workshop-tickets-1143930840939?aff=oddtdtcreator