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&

Wednesday 22 Nov 2023 16:00 - 17:00 GMT  FREE

In this webinar, we will explore how to develop a curriculum that both recognises and challenges antisemitism within the framework of diversity and human rights.

Using the DARPL practical guide for school leaders in Wales to develop a curriculum that celebrates the diversity, vibrancy and richness of our Welsh-Jewish history, culture and ethos.

Antisemitism & Education: The opportunities for the Curriculum for Wales Tickets, Wed 22 Nov 2023 at 16:00 | Eventbrite

The Volunteering Wales Main Grant is now open for applications with a closing date of 22 December 2023.

An information session will be held online on 17 October 2023 at 10 am - 12 pm.

Please email volwalesgrants@wcva.cymru if you would like to attend.

Experiencing a stroke is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate assessment and urgent treatment.  

In the UK, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and the primary cause of adult disability, resulting in huge impacts on people's independence and quality of life. Here in Wales, stroke affects around 1,600 people in the South-Central Wales area each year, with 3,200 seeking hospital care for suspected strokes.  

We want to make sure that people who experience a stroke have improved outcomes and can enjoy the best life possible following a stroke. That means getting to the right stroke service quickly in the right place, and having access to effective rehabilitation and recovery support - known as the stroke pathway.   

All parts of the stroke pathway for patients in Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff and Vale are being reviewed under a new regional programme called the South-Central Wales Stroke Delivery Network.  

To ensure future services meet the needs of our population, we need your thoughts and ideas. We want to hear from patients, healthcare workers, and anyone who has a lived experience of stroke, or who cares about stroke care. So, if you or someone you care for has had a stroke, we want to hear your story by filling out this short form. Your experiences and ideas are really important. They can help us make care better for people like you.  

Learn more here