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Summer 2004 Newsletter

1st Jun 2004

Launch of Communities First in Powys Website

Cyril Evans CF Bro Ddyfi, Sally Fawcett of PAVO, Tom Addey CF Ystradgynlais, and David Thorpe of Cyberium.

Mick Bates AM launching the Communities First Website at the Royal Welsh Show with PAVO members and staff.

Tuesday July 20th 2004 saw the official launch of the Communities First in Powys Website by Mick Bates AM at the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd.

Funding for the development of the website has been provided by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) and local Bro Ddyfi company Cyberium had been appointed to design and develop the website for the Communities First in Powys programme.

The website has information pages on the programme in Powys as a whole, as well as the three Communities First areas, Oldford, Ystradgynlais and Bro Ddyfi.

For more information including Newsletters, useful links, on-line questionnaire, and news of on-going projects, click on to www.commfirstpowys.org.uk

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Communities First and Machynlleth and District Local Forum Joint Action Planning Meetings

The Communities First process in Dyfi Valley has entered a new phase. All the suggestions and ideas concerning the future of the area have been gathered, and together with ideas and suggestions received through Local Community Forum events, have been sorted into a number of themes and now need to be turned into a draft Action Plan that should be written by late September/ early October.

The first four joint action planning meetings on Education and Training, Economy and Employment, Countryside and Environment and Transport and Communication have been held during July, with members of the community prioritising which suggestions should be looked at in the short, medium and long term and by whom they should be addressed.

You are most welcome to attend and participate at any or all of the following meetings:

Monday 6th September 7.30pm - Llanbrynmair Community Hall - 'COMMUNITY ACTIVTIES'

Monday 13th September 7.30pm - Machynlleth Care Centre - 'HEALTH and COMMUNITY WELL BEING' (Including Language and Culture and Community Safety)

Monday 20th September 7.30pm - Cwmllinau Village Hall - 'HOUSING' with guest speakers TBA

For further information contact Cyril Evans on 01654 700315, e-mail cyril@powys.gov.uk or Andy Rowland on 01654 703965, e-mail andy.rowland@ecodyfi.org.uk

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COMMUNITY FUN DAY

A community 'Celebration Day' is being organised jointly by Communities First and the Inequalities in Health Programme (Powys Health Promotion), on the 16th October 2004.

The purpose of the day is to raise the awareness and profile of the two programmes in the Dyfi Valley, to look forward to the future, to encourage community participation and to provide information about other services in the area.

The event will be held at the Plas Grounds, Celtica from 12-4pm and will be a fun day, with activities such as Face Painting, Circus Skills, Crafts, Skateboarding Demonstration, a Bouncy Castle and a Barbeque (t.b.c.) taking place.

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Housing and Transport Needs Analysis

The completed questionnaires from the Transport Needs analysis commissioned by Communities First in collaboration with Ecodyfi, CAMAD, Powys County Council and Glantwymyn Community Council, and with the support of Llanbrynmair and Cadfarch Community Councils and Machynlleth Town Council, have now been returned and analysed by Transport for Quality of Life.

They have produced a detailed report based on the information received.

Copies of the report are available at the Communities First, CAMAD and Ecodyfi offices or via e-mail. If you wish to see a copy, contact the Communities First Office on 01654 700315 or e-mail cyril@powys.gov.uk

The results of the Housing Needs Assessment are being analysed and should be available shortly.

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Translation Equipment

Communities First Bro Ddyfi now has Translation Equipment available for use. Community groups can use the equipment free of charge for meetings, events and so forth, subject to agreeing to our terms and conditions, and the use of an approved translator (list available at Communities First Office).

A free Simultaneous Translation training course will be available in the Bro Ddyfi area during the winter, which will include the use and care of the equipment. Anyone successfully completing this course will then be able to register an interest with us for inclusion on our list of approved translators.

Should you wish to undertake the training or indeed use the translation equipment at any time (subject to availability) please contact the Communities First Office.

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Free Childcare Training

We are looking for individuals in the Dyfi Valley to train as Crèche Leaders/Assistants, to work on an ad hoc basis, to help look after children in an organised crèche where there is a course or event being held.

All work will be paid on an hourly basis and will take place around the Machynlleth area.

The training includes one two-hour session every week for six weeks (with free crèche and buffet) in Celtica.

The course will include an Introduction to Play, Basic First Aid and Welsh for Families (if applicable). Individuals will also have to be willing to complete an Enhanced Criminal Record Check.

You can however, undertake training even if you don't want to work on an ad hoc basis, but want to further your qualifications.

Training is free, and if you require more information on the training and course dates, phone Cerys Humphreys, Health Promotion Officer 07815 736912 or Helen Jones, Sure Start 01654 703077.

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WDA SHOWS AND EVENTS FUND - FUNDING SCHEME OF THE QUARTER

The aim of the fund is to support rural recovery by supporting shows and other activities that will proVide valuable local marketing and trading opportunities.

Applications can be received from public, private or voluntary organisations and activities which can receive funding under the scheme are new shows and events, existing shows and events that clearly demonstrate additional/new activity or joint marketing activity that will result in added value and greater trading opportunities.

The maximum amount of sponsorship available is £5,000, with applicants expected to contribute at least 20% to the cost from their own or other sources.

The fund will run from 1st July 2004 - March 2005.

For further information contact Catrin Roberts of the Welsh Development Agency on 01970 613210, e-mail catrin.roberts@wda.co.uk

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Good luck to Beverly and Arfon

Finally this quarter, both the Partnership and Facilitator would like to sincerely thank the administrator Beverly Thorndyke for all the hard work she has done over the last 11 months on behalf of Communities First Bro Ddyfi, and whilst sorry to receive her resignation, would like to wish her every success in her new post with National Westminster Bank.

We would also like to thank the Chair Arfon Hughes of Menter Maldwyn for his valuable input to the Bro Ddyfi Communities First process, especially with regard to issues concerning the Welsh Language and Culture.

Arfon is shortly to take up a new position with Tai Eryri, and is therefore unable to continue as a statutory representative on the Partnership due to his new position being outside the area.

Again both the Partnership and facilitator would like to wish Arfon every success in his new post.

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The Partnership and new members

There will be more in the local press and next Newsletter regarding the progression from a Partnership to a more formal Bro Ddyfi Communities First Partnership, as well as news of new members.

The next three Partnership meetings will be held on:

  • Wednesday September 15th at CAMAD Training Room at 1.00pm
  • Monday October 11th at Derwenlas School at 6.00pm
  • Wednesday November 10th at Aberhosan Village Hall at 1.00pm.

**Note: Anyone is more than welcome to come along and observe Partnership meetings**

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