The relationship between parents and their babies is one of the most important ways of helping babies develop in all areas of their life, especially during the First 1000 days (from conception to age 2 years).  However, there is a lack of understanding across services about why this period is so important, and how best to support families during this time. 

The Parent-Infant Foundation is supporting a Wales-wide awareness raising project to help make this information better known. We are co-producing this with parents to ensure we get it as right as possible. At this stage we are looking for examples from parents like yourself, of the little things that made the biggest difference to your confidence and how you felt as a parent/carer during this stage of family life.  It could be an act of kindness, something someone said, showed to you etc.

If you would like to contribute to this project please complete the following questionnaire via a short online survey

The survey is completely anonymous, but if you would like to be further involved with the project, you will have the option to do this at the end. 

VAMT, Interlink RCT, Cwmpas and Lloyds Bank Foundation would like to invite you to a commissioning conversation to strengthen relationships with cross sector partners, shape commissioning practice and the implementation of Wellbeing Economy principles in commissioning for the county.

Date: Friday, February 21^st

Time: 9:15am-12:30pm

Venue: Orbit Business Centre, Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL

 Who is it for?

• Third sector organisations involved in commissioning i.e. charities and social enterprises
• Public sector commissioning professionals
• Those interested in public sector procurement.

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finding-the-good-a-conversation-about-commissioning-across-wales-tickets-1225202346199

Book for free tickets now or contact ben.bostock@cwmpas.coop for more information.

HEAT provides 1-1 mentoring support and advocacy to vulnerable households in England and Wales.  Our team of Energy Mentors provide a holistic, independent, tailored advice to fuel-poor households experiencing energy crises.  

 We provide ongoing support throughout the process, helping customers understand their options and make informed decisions. This includes:  

•           Tackling energy emergencies 
•            Managing fuel debt and related issues, 
•            Advocate on your customer’s behalf. 
•            Accessing energy grants and crisis funds. (our mentors also have access to fuel and food bank vouchers) 
•            Optimising energy usage and efficiencies 

 The support that we provide will help your customers long term and is fully funded.

For more information please contact the Partnership Team at heat@thewisegroup.co.uk

From time to time we all need some help and support.

With the rising costs of living, many people in Wales need that help now.

The Welsh Government is doing everything it can to put money back into people’s pockets.

There is support available to you that could help you with some of your living costs.

If you are unsure about what support is available to you, Advicelink Cymru can help you check what you are entitled to and to claim what’s yours.

When you call Advicelink Cymru, on 0808 250 5700, you will get free and confidential advice about money you may be entitled to.

Advicelink Cymru can help you:

• apply for welfare benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment, Carers Allowance and Pension Credit
• get Welsh Government support

The Advicelink Cymru helpline can also arrange for you to get help with debt and personal finance issues.

The first round of the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant 2025-28 is now open for applications with a closing date of 2 May 2025.

This fund will enable a small number (approx. five) strategic investments to build on and learn from the new or enhanced approaches/initiatives for volunteering across Wales. It will enable the progress that has been made so far to be further explored and ‘hard wired’ into ongoing work.

Grant requests are welcome for projects up to 18 months with a value of between £50,000-£100,000. For more information please visit the WCVA website.

Ahead of submitting an application, you must speak to a named WCVA member of staff or a named member of the Third Sector Support Team at Welsh Government; the contact details are available in the scheme guidance. This will ensure that the activity is in keeping with the grant aims.

To apply please visit https://map.wcva.cymru.