We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Level 2 & 3 Wellbeing in Nature qualifications, now open for booking at wellbeinginnature.org.uk. 

Developed in collaboration with expert outdoor training providers, these pioneering courses combine decades of experience in outdoor learning and wellbeing, offering you a unique opportunity to transform your passion for nature into a powerful tool for promoting health and wellbeing.

Who is this qualification for?

Whether you work in health, education, local government, the charity sector, or community support, Wellbeing in Nature equips you with the tools, knowledge, and skills to lead impactful, nature-based wellbeing programmes. These qualifications are ideal for anyone passionate about helping others experience the transformative benefits of nature.

Why choose Wellbeing in Nature?

Spending time in nature has been proven to improve mental and physical health—and with our Level 2 & 3 qualifications, you can help others tap into these benefits. Whether you’re looking to enhance your own knowledge or lead wellbeing programmes in your community, these courses provide you with the confidence and expertise to make a real difference.

Ready to take the next step? You can find more details about the courses in our brochure on the website. Wellbeing in Nature - Wellbeing in Nature

Are you interested in being a Voluntary Sector representative at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Councils Scrutiny Committees?

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.

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

• Sustainable Merthyr Tydfil Scrutiny
• Aspirational Merthyr Tydfil Scrutiny
• Healthier Merthyr Tydfil Scrutiny

For further information regarding the role of each scrutiny committee or wish to join the online event on 14^th August at 10am to discuss further please contact karen.vowles@vamt.net

Over the coming months, we have two Dementia Friendly activities scheduled at our museums:

Paper coastal landscapes: National Museum Cardiff, 7 August at 1:30 - 4pm

Harvest: St Fagan's National Museum of History, 11^th September at 1 – 4pm

These sessions are open to both those living with dementia and those supporting people living with dementia.

Booking is essential. To book a space, please register using our events pages here: Paper coastal landscapes | Harvest, or by using the contact details below.

Should travel be a barrier to you participating, support is available and can be discussed.

You can find these and other events related to Wellbeing on our events page, here: Wellbeing Events. This list is updated as activities are arranged.

For more information, or to discuss any concerns you may have about joining us, please get in touch by email mims@museumwales.ac.uk or phone 029 2057 3418

The new UK Civil Society Covenant was officially launched on 17th July marking an opportunity to reset relationships between government and civil society.  This follows the call from the Prime Minister last year for a ‘fundamental reset’ in how civil society and government work together.

This was a commitment echoed at the time by WCVA CEO Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, who welcomed the opportunity to build a more open, collaborative and respectful partnership across all nations of the UK. From the outset, WCVA has welcomed the chance to help shape this conversation and ensure the Welsh context is learned from and respected.

THE COVENANT AND WALES

For us in Wales, the Covenant represents a step forward in how we engage with UK Government on matters that are not devolved to Welsh Government. The Covenant does not replace or override any of the strong frameworks already in place within Wales.

Our own Third Sector Scheme, established in law and jointly owned by Welsh Government and the sector, remains the gold standard. It continues to guide how we work together across all policy areas devolved to Wales, from health and education to climate action and volunteering.

That partnership is built into the structures of government here, with the Third Sector Partnership Council and regular engagement through ministerial portfolios. The Covenant must complement these structures. It also offers a chance for other parts of the UK Government to learn from how partnership working is already embedded in Wales through Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW).

More information is available at :- 

https://wcva.cymru/the-new-uk-civil-society-covenant/