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.

Advocacy Support Cymru has the following vacancies:-

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate

(IMCA) (FT 37 Hours) – Swansea-based 

Details, salary plus apply for this role here/yma

Closing Date This Friday 7^th Feb 5pm

Duty Administrator

(FT 37 Hours) – Cardiff or Swansea.

Details, salary plus apply for this role here/yma

Closing Date Friday 14^th February 5pm   

See also current vacancies

Training sessions are available in Welsh and English and will be delivered by Data Cymru,  who provide a range of specialist support designed to help you find and use data effectively.

The sessions are intentionally ‘basic’ in its approach and content, and are aimed at beginners. No previous knowledge of collecting and analysing data is required.

An introduction to designing and running surveys

Thursday 20 February 2025 |10 am – 12:30 pm | Online | English

Thursday 20 February 2025 |12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Online | Welsh

Book you place here:-

https://wcva.cymru/training-events/an-introduction-to-designing-and-running-surveys/?ref=newid.cymru

Getting your point across: An introduction to presenting data effectively

Thursday 20 March 2025 |10 am – 12:30 pm | Online| Welsh

Thursday 20 March 2025 |1pm – 3:30 pm | Online| English

During this course we will introduce you to some top tips, tools and resources to help you present data effectively – in tables, charts, maps and text. Our training course gives practical advice and guidance to help you present your data effectively, and to make sure that your audience understands the intended messages quickly and easily.

Book your place here:-

https://wcva.cymru/training-events/getting-your-point-across-an-introduction-to-presenting-data-effectively/?ref=newid.cymru

Information from Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association. 

Bethan Thomas, Community Development Manager is taking on a mammoth challenge to swim 22 miles in one hit, on Friday 28th February she will enter Rhydycar Swimming Pool and take on 1408 lengths, swimming the equivalent distance of the English Channel.

Most people take on a challenge spread over a month, however, Bethan has opted to take on the monumental challenge in just 24hrs. This attempt is not in vail, it’s all in aid of a local project named Fit & Fed Merthyr Tydfil.

This project supports a range of children and young people across the borough of Merthyr Tydfil during the school holidays by providing them with a safe space where they get FREE access to healthy nutritious meals, sport and physical activities and a wide range of other enriching activities. Every £6.27 donated will fund one place for a full year.

Donations can be made through our GoFundMe Page:-  https://gofund.me/5cfea248       

Click the link below to see a short video explaining all about the event:-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rPNyoTBuRzwTFEMA1FRPP5uOi_KP4Gd9/view?usp=sharing   

If you require any more information, about this event or how to donate, then please feel free to contact Trudy either by  telephone on 07867359441 or via email:- trudy.fisher@mtha.org.uk