The member spotlight section features different WCVA members. Find out news and updates from colleagues across the sector by visiting this section.
If you would like your organisation featured, please contact Mike Richards on 029 2043 1731 or email mrichards@wcva.org.uk.
British Association of Social Workers appoints new representative in North Wales.
Emyr Owen has joined BASW in Wales as Professional Officer, to cover the North Wales area. Ian Johnston, Chief Executive of British Association of Social Workers said “ I am delighted that we now able to offer social workers in Wales a full service wherever they live. Emyr will be joining Penny Lloyd who has been covering the whole of Wales until now.”
Emyr was born in North Wales and is a first language Welsh speaker. His educational attainments, which had their foundations in local schools in Dolgellau, include a BSc(Hons) in Business Studies with Statistics and Information Technology from the University of Central Lancashire, a scholarship to the University of Connecticut to do further research and work with American companies in the development of management systems, and later a further degree, and a MA at Cambridge University. This resulted in an interest in community development work, in which he spent over ten years establishing and developing many different community based projects in Wales. During this time he gained his social work qualification (Diploma in Social Work).
Emyr said “It was during this time that I began to see the importance that professional social workers bring to the many different areas within society. It was also at this time that I joined BASW. I could clearly see the need for the values of the Association and the contribution that the association could make to the continued development and practice of social work. I have many years experience of social work practice, particularly in mental health and children services. I am currently undertaking postgraduate research work about attitudes and the ethical base within social work practice.”
“I look forward to this new an exiting role within BASW, and also to meeting with as many social workers and groups in Wales as possible. I would welcome any correspondence or contact from social workers, and invitations to support or visit social worker in North Wales.”
Notes to Editor
Emyr Owen can be contacted by phone – 07917540619 or email e.owen@basw.co.uk. , or by post Emyr Owen, Professional Officer, BASW, PO Box 66, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 9AE.
BASW’s Wales Office is
BASW, 33a Plas St Pol de Leon, Penarth Marina, Penarth, CF64 1TR
Telephone 02920 710784, or wales@basw.co.uk.
Penny Lloyd, Professional Officer, BASW, can be contacted at the Wales office or by mobile – 07771760412 or p.lloyd@basw.co.uk.
BASW
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has over 10,000 members employed in front line, management, academic and research positions in a wide range of settings across the UK and further afield. Social work is an international profession working with adults and children to analyse individual and social situations, enable individuals to change or be sustained in their lives, and to act as catalysts for social change. BASW is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).
As a professional association, we are committed to the maintenance and improvement of standards and practice in social work and the ethical pursuit of social work objectives.
We are committed to enabling and helping service users through a recognised and approved code of ethics and supporting professional social workers in the pursuit of their work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Head Office
16 Kent Street, Birmingham, B5 6RD 0121 622 3911.
Chief Executive Ian Johnston – 07775 903505
Shelter Cymru
2006 is Shelter Cymru’s 25th birthday and as part of the year’s activities we are asking as many people as possible what they think about our work, our services, our events and our campaigns.
This programme of consultation will begin with a free half day event at the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne, Carmarthen on Thursday 27 April starting at 10am.
The event will include the launch of Shelter Cymru’s Annual Review, it will showcase some innovative new projects and will include a perspective from Naomi Alleyne of the WLGA on the challenges to local authorities in responding to homelessness and poor housing. At the centre of the event we will be asking you to join a number of focus groups to provide feedback on the work of the organisation.
Your reward for helping us? Information on new ideas and projects, an insight into future challenges and a chance to explore the National Botanic Garden for free.
Please click here to download further information and a booking form.
The Wales Co-operative Centre
Specialist support for co-operative enterprises
The Wales Co-operative Centre is the leading business support agency providing guidance and advice to co-operatives in Wales. With over twenty years’ experience, our team of specialists have helped over 750 co-operatives establish and expand their businesses.
The Wales Co-operative Centre offers groups a tailored package of business support and training to help them transform a good idea into a sustainable co-operative business.
With offices across the whole of Wales, our service includes:
· Business and financial planning advice
· Guidance on legal structures and a legal registration service
· Advice on sources of funding and help with funding applications
· Training courses appropriate to the group's needs
Our dedicated development officers are experienced in the following areas:
Community Co-operatives
Putting communities in control to achieve their common goals
Worker Co-operatives
Creating better businesses through worker ownership
Employee Buy-outs
Ensuring the survival of Welsh businesses through employee ownership
Farming Co-operatives
Bringing together farmers and food producers to strengthen, diversify and expand their businesses
Enterprise Rehearsal Project
Helping people start their own businesses without losing their benefits
Training
Providing training to help develop individuals and strengthen co-operative businesses
For further information:
· Call Freephone 0808 144 3234
· Email walescoop@walescoop.com
· Visit www.walescoop.com
Fairbridge Cymru appeal...
Fairbridge Cymru, a charity working with some of the hardest to reach 13 to 25 year olds in South-East Wales is making an appeal for politicians and voluntary organisations not to forget the over 16s who are not in education, training or employment.
David Heald, Public Affairs Manager for the charity explains: “There is a lot of work being done at the moment about the problems faced by school age children and their families and we are asking people not to forget that the problems do not stop at 16. Currently 1 in 5 young people leave school in Cardiff with no qualifications – initiatives to make the school timetable more acceptable are going to come too late for them.”
Fairbridge believes that ironically this problem has increased in Cardiff as the city has become more prosperous. School leavers can now find low skill jobs in the city, even if they have not developed the skills to keep a job through being able to work with customers, colleagues or their bosses. The extension of the minimum wage to 16 and 17 year olds this October has meant that these jobs may seem more attractive than taking training or other courses.
Mr Heald adds: “We see a pattern in Cardiff of those who reach 16 with no qualifications drifting from job to job without ever finding focus or the confidence they need to play a meaningful role in the life of the city. The Fairbridge programme is deliberately targeted at building confidence and helping them to develop the skills and self-esteem to turn their lives around and plan a better future.”
Fairbridge is encouraging voluntary groups in Cardiff that work with vulnerable over 16s outside education, training and employment to contact them to find out about how the charity’s innovative confidence-building programme could help them. Those interested should call Angela Hyde, Outreach Worker, on 029 20 303 910.
Live like a millionaire for two weeks
TBI plc Chairman Stanley Thomas OBE is urging people to enter a fabulous two-week prize holiday for a party of six people aboard Mr Thomas’ luxury yacht sailing the Mediterranean or Caribbean Sea.
Raffle tickets are on sale at Cardiff International Airport at £1 each for the all-inclusive holiday valued at approximately £50,000. The proceeds will go towards the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales, a charity of which Mr Thomas is the President.
Mr Thomas explains, “The charity has made huge strides since it was founded in 1923. We are a voluntary organisation that relies on individuals in local communities to give their time to offer opportunities to young people. The money raised from the raffle tickets will go towards creating further opportunities and experience for young people in Wales.”
Cardiff International Airport Managing Director Jon Horne said, “The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales is one of our designated charities so we are delighted to be part of the raffle sale. Tickets are on sale at the airport until next April so there is plenty of time for people to buy a ticket!”
The charity is a national youth work organisation providing support, training and a full and varied sports and social programme of activities for 35,000 young people in 300 affiliated clubs throughout Wales. The draw will take place at the Hilton Hotel on Friday 1 April 2005.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales are offering a generous proportion of any funds raised by organisations willing to sell raffle tickets on their behalf. A holiday prize is also being offered to the person who sells the winning raffle ticket.
For more information contact Esther Eckley on 01446 712626 or 07711 100115. Alternatively email esther.eckley@cwl.aero.
Letter from David Farnsworth, Chief Executive, Welsh Refugee Council
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, the Welsh Refugee Council is a national, all-Wales charity, whose purpose is to work with Refugees to rebuild their lives. This involves working in partnership with refugees, host communities, agencies and representatives across the voluntary, statutory and private sectors to ensure that:
· the right to asylum from persecution, as enshrined under international law, is upheld; and
· those individuals who have been forced to leave their homes, feeling persecution, are given the support they need to rebuild their lives in Wales.
There is no doubt it is a challenging time, with both events on the international stage, and the high level of ignorance and misinformation that remain in relation to asylum matters in the UK. There is a considerable amount of work being done and a considerable amount still to do, both at the policy and the grass roots levels.
As part of our drive to develop existing and new partnerships to progress this work, I wanted to thank existing members of the Welsh Refugee Council for their continued support and to invite those of you who are not members to join. As a membership organisation our members play a crucial role in influencing policy, innovating projects, and providing support and expertise. All of our trustees are elected from and by our membership body.
I attach our membership and affiliation forms. You may join as an individual or as an organisation at any time, but if you would like to have the opportunity to participate as a voting member or may wish to stand as a trustee in our next Annual General Meeting, please return your form by Thursday 30th September.
Thank you for taking time to read this letter. I strongly believe that by working together we can have real impact in helping refugees rebuild their lives in Wales.
Kind regards,
David Farnsworth
Chief Executive
Could you become a community mediator?
Community Mediation North Wales is a registered charity based in Rhyl providing a mediation service to the people of North Wales.
Mediation is a well-established process for resolving disagreements in which an impartial third party (the mediator) helps people in dispute to find a mutually agreeable resolution.
Mediation is based on the following principles:
· Collaborative problem solving between those in dispute, reaching a win/win situation which is acceptable to all
· A future focus, with importance on rebuilding relationships rather than apportioning blame for what has previously happened
· A belief that recognising feelings as well as facts allows participants to let go of their anger and upset and move forward
Mediation is usually structured in accordance with the following approach:
· Gives those involved the chance to think about how they could put the situation right
· Enables participants to suggest their own practical solution which will benefit all sides
· Allows people to rebuild relationships by working together to find an agreement. This is different to legal processes, where hostility often still exists between parties once the case is over
Mediators also benefit from developing their mediation skills; recent research showed that trainees feel they have improved their abilities to help people solve their problems and feel that they have improved their communication skills.
Community Mediation North Wales was originally set up to deal with neighbourhood disputes but has expanded its networks to offer mediation services in the following areas:
· Homeless issues
· Family and young people
· Elderly people
· Financial issues
· Health service
· Workplace mediation
· Diversity issues
If you would be interested in volunteering to become a community mediator or would like further information, contact Community Mediation North Wales on 01745 356677 or email cmnw@btconnect.com.
All volunteers receive full training on an accredited mediation skills course.
Community Mediation North Wales is also raising funds through a recycling programme. If you or your organisation have any old mobile phones or used inkjet or laser printer cartridges, please contact Jo Roberts on 01745 356677 or email cmnw@btconnect.com.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Bereavement is probably the greatest cause of psychological distress in the lives of most people and Cruse Bereavement Care’s function is to promote the well – being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering a bereavement caused by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Even though we are the major bereavement care provider in the U.K. many people have never heard of us and so here is a brief outline of the services we provide:
· Free counselling and support delivered by trained volunteers – personal and confidential.
· Opportunities for contact with others through bereavement support groups and social groups.
· A free phone help line.
· An interactive website where young bereaved people can leave messages, which are answered by other supportive bereaved young people, or there is the provision of an e-mail service for a private and confidential reply.
· Cruse UK Training and Consultancy Services also provide bereavement awareness training and support to both public and private sectors and also to voluntary and community groups.
· Bereavement care within prisons.
· Awareness and understanding of death and bereavement provision in schools.
· A trained team for trauma work who can be called out at any time to deal with a major incident, to support, debrief and for crisis intervention.
We also have some excellent publications available including ‘Caring for Bereaved Children’, and for those working in the bereavement field: a journal called ‘Bereavement Care’.
We are currently in need of volunteers to train as counsellors and supervisors and people to deliver training and bereavement awareness programmes. Anyone wishing to help with fundraising would also be most welcome!
For any further information, please contact the Bangor office on: 08702 402758 or e-mail: nwcruse@abbeyroadcentre.com
Courses From Cruse
Cruse is running a Bereavement Counselling Course in Denbigh Community College during the summer – a pilot, in conjunction with Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, it will omit the basic counnselling components and centre on training counsellors to deal with grief and loss. The course will also look at childhood bereavement and trauma. This will be for people who have already done a course in counselling eg An Introduction to Counselling or the Certificate in Counselling Skills, and the new course we are currently running will be accredited.
If you require information please e-mail care@cruse-cbay.fsnet.co.uk or phone 08702 402758.
New Courses From Cruse
Cruse Bereavement Care will be running two sixty hour bereavement counselling courses in January 2005. One will be held in Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and the other will either be held at HM Stanley Hosptial, St. Asaph , Nightingale House, Wrexham or Ruthin College.
For more information contact 08702 402758 or e-mail nwcruse@abbeyroadcentre.com
If anyone would like to make a donation to Cruse please make cheques payable to : Cruse Bereavement Care, N. Wales area.
5/9 Abbey Rd., Bangor, LL29 7TE
Registered charity number: 208078
One World Week Newport
One World Week (OWW) is a national organisation operating at local levels advocating peace, community justice, sustainable development and cultural understanding. It is also a development education programme continually reaching out to new groups from different faiths and cultural backgrounds in the UK and beyond.
During United Nations Week in October, OWW hold an annual event throughout the UK where local groups plan events in their area designed to:
· Raise awareness about what’s going on in the world – both locally and internationally
· Take action to change the things that cause injustice, poverty and degradation
· Celebrate the good things about being part of a diverse yet interconnected world
The events take place between 17 and 24 October and this year in Newport takes place at John Frost Square. OWW Newport is looking for any voluntary organisation or community group that would like to join the event in any capacity.
In the past, a wide range of groups have got involved in the week, including: community groups, interfaith groups, samba bands, Turkish dancers, youth groups, rotary and other fundraisers.
If you would like to find out more about OWW or would like information about the OWW event in Newport, please contact Elaine Heard, OWW Newport Secretary on 01633 880656 or email elaine.heard@btopenworld.com.
Information about One World Week can also be found on the national website – www.oneworldweek.org.
Ty Hapus Family Centre
Monday 28 June sees the opening of the Ty Hapus Family Centre in Carmarthen. The celebrations begin with guests arriving at 1.30pm, the cutting of the ribbon by Bishop Carl Cooper at 2.15pm and a balloon launch with snooker star Matthew Stevens at 4.00pm.
If you would like to attend the opening or require further information, please contact Centre Manager Helen Patient on 01267 223020.
The Institute of Fundraising Cymru
The Institute of Fundraising is the professional body for fundraisers in the UK.
The Institute of Fundraising Cymru is supported by the Wales Assembly to help small voluntary organisations in Wales to develop their fundraising skills.
We produce 2 E newsletters a month and hold network session around Wales and with the help of the Wales Assembly we have translated out codes of fundraising practice into Welsh (see www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk <http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/>)
We are working with county voluntary councils to reach as many organisations as possible.
The Institute’s training programme will be rolling out in Wales in 2004.
“Getting a professional qualification in Fundraising really helped my confidence and my skills as a fundraiser” says one fundraiser in Wales
Forthcoming events include - Sustainable Funding and a portfolio of projects, 26 May Wrexham, 9 June, Narberth, West Wales, subject to be announced. The Annual Fundraisers Conference will take place on 19 November 2004.
Contact Cymru@institute-of-fundraising.org.uk <mailto:Cymru@institute-of-fundraising.org.uk> to join the e newsletter network or for membership of the Institute.
Why Mediation? (April 2004)
Where do you go, or who do you turn to for help when you fall out with your neighbour?
It started with something small enough, a disagreement over a parking space or was it the music playing a little bit too loud one night?
Recently it’s really escalated. She doesn’t say hello to me in the street; instead it’s just a cold hard stare. I just can’t understand it. All this over a little bit of music. We used to be really good friends – not any more – that’s all gone now. I used to love living here and I always felt safe. These days when I leave the house my palms get sweaty and my heart feels as though it’s going to jump right out of my chest. I just want it to go back to how it was. If only she could see my point of view.
Conflict is something that affects us all at some stage in our life. It is not easy to live with conflict. Mediation offers people experiencing conflict an opportunity to voice their differences in a calm and safe environment with the support of trained mediators. Mediation services offer an impartial, independent and confidential service. The process itself is a voluntary one, it is up to individual people if they want to take part in mediation.
A mediator will support all the parties involved equally. The mediator will give time and space for people to discuss and clarify what the main issues are in the conflict. Support is given to all the people involved to have their voice heard in a comfortable environment. Mediation is an empowering process that helps people to try and sort out their differences.
There are a number of community mediation services in Wales. For information about your nearest mediation service contact Mediation Wales on 029 20229955, or email enquiries@mediationwales.org.uk
New youth project seeks help from the sector (March 2004)
After a career inventing modifications to plant equipment, Keith Williams was looking forward to a long and peaceful retirement when he left a Cardiff steelworks for the last time in 1999.
However, five years later Keith has been awarded a UK patent and set up one of the most challenging youth projects in Wales aimed at combating social exclusion.
His motivation for the years of research it took him to be awarded a UK patent came from a near miss personal tragedy when his pet cats were poisoned by slug pellets and were lucky to survive.
After many years of research and testing, he found that plants could be protected from slugs and snails by strategically placed copper on pots and barrier systems.
After applying for a provisional patent, further research in Belgium and from Cardiff University confirmed his conclusion of copper to be an effective slug repellent and he was subsequently awarded a UK patent.
Unabated by the effort put into achieving this patent, Keith needed another new challenge - and a chance meeting with a minister in Rumney inspired him to set up a project that he hoped would help some of the most socially excluded young men in Cardiff.
'I think life is far more difficult for young people today than when I was young, so my aim was to set up a project that would help young unemployed people,’ said Keith.
‘I mentioned this to a minister in Rumney and he encouraged me to think about young people who had fallen by the wayside and found themselves excluded from normal society.'
‘Many of these youngsters had just got themselves into a rut and needed help to get themselves back on track and reintegrated into society.’
With this in mind, Keith decided to combine his two projects and set up a charity to design and manufacture house and garden terracotta items with his UK patent – and took steps to identify long term unemployed, socially excluded young men who wanted to get their life back on track.
And with the combination of the patent, the youth project and help from a group of like-minded trustees, Rainbow Charity Workshops opened its doors in December 2003.
With Keith’s own money and assistance from various grants, he has been providing employment for young persons who are trained in pottery, and will receive training in electro plating, from the full time supervisor at his Cardiff based workshop.
‘One young man who we have working with us has had a particularly trying life for many years and, as so many do, fell into the wrong circles,’ said Keith.
'When I met him for the first time, I could sense that he wanted to get his life back on track. All he needed was some help and support.
‘He’s been with us now for six months and the turnaround in his character is quite unbelievable. It’s hugely rewarding to see someone turning their life around as he has.’
In addition to the success of the youth project, the charity’s workshop is producing a wide variety of high quality home and garden items.
All of the products manufactured at the workshop are made from frost resistant terracotta and not from inferior materials such as plastic, plaster, resin or concrete.
Unique “smart pots” are made with Keith’s patented copper seal that protect plants from damage caused by slugs and snails without the need for slug pellets, which can be toxic to children, domestic pets and wildlife.
The “smart pots” have also been purchased and endorsed by gardening expert and television presenter Geoff Hodge and Una Dunnett who is the holder of the old national Hosta collection.
There are also a number of remarkably impressive free standing pots, wall pots and bespoke pots, all with unique made-to-order decorations such as: dolphins, flowers, dragons, iguanas, lions and many more.
Also manufactured are commemorative pots, which can be personally inscribed with names and dates, and a huge range of indoor and outdoor terracotta ornaments.
To enable the charity to continue its work, Keith is looking for organisations to retail the workshop items.
‘I would be delighted to hear from any organisation or individual that would like to support the charity and sell on our goods,’ he said.
‘I am prepared to be as flexible as possible and would be happy to distribute the products to organisations in the UK on a sale with commission payment or return basis and I would be pleased to help any other charity where possible.
‘We also sell our products at very reasonable prices at the workshop – so anyone in the Cardiff area is welcome to visit on any weekday. We are based next door to the mini-market on Bute Street.’
If your organisation could support Rainbow Charity Workshops by selling on their garden and household items, please contact Keith Williams on 07866 276599, email rainbowcharity@fastmail.fm or write to him at: Rainbow Charity Workshops, PO Box 3062, Cardiff CF3 3YH.