Action on Disability - The Right to Independent Living

Welsh Government are currently consulting on proposals to develop and improve access to help, advice and services for disabled people in Wales. Consultation documents can be accessed here Online Consultation

Charity Commission consultation outcome - charitable status and CAM therapies

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has this morning published the outcome of their review into charitable status and the use and promotion of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.

As a result of this review, the Commission is updating its approach to assessing the charitable status of such organisations. Guidance is now clearer that CAM organisations applying to register as charities will need to provide evidence that matches the claims that they make in order to demonstrate that they provide public benefit.

Organisations that claim to treat or cure a disease or condition will need to provide appropriate scientific evidence for their claims. CAM organisations that instead claim to provide comfort and relief to patients may be able to rely on other types of evidence, such as reports by patients, or observational studies based on patient responses, to demonstrate their public benefit.

This development reduces the risk of CAM organisations that cannot evidence the claims they make benefiting from charitable status.

A  report has been published setting out the outcome of this review, which can be found online at the following address: Consultation on complementary and alternative medicines

OPTHALMOLOGY SURVEY - SATH

SATH are looking to engage with people who have used their ophthalmology  services to complete an online  Ophthalmology Survey Hard copies of the survey can be obtained by contacting.

The Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Stretton House

Mytton Oak Road

Shrewsbury

SY3 8XQ

Tel: 01743 492390

Mobile: 07526 173807

Email: kate.ballinger@nhs.net

Home Office Grant Funding - EU Settlement Scheme

Home Office Grant Funding - EU Settlement Scheme

The Home Office is pleased to announce the launch of up to £9 million of grant funding, available to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations to help vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens needing additional support when applying for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Ensuring that vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens and their families are supported to obtain a status is a critical objective in the delivery of the EUSS and the grant funding. The Home Office will set out to create a network of funded organisations to ensure that a range of services are mobilised across the UK, so that support and assistance to apply for the EUSS is available to meet those who require the most support.

Extensive engagement with VCS organisations has also helped to shape the development of the grant funding. Following insight gained during the market engagement, there will be two levels of award:

· Level one – to fund grant projects from £5,000 up to £39,999; and

· Level two – to fund grant projects from £40,000 up to £750,000.

Organisations are invited to submit proposals as to how they can support the diversity of needs of a diverse EU citizen population to make their EUSS applications. The application period for bids will close at 12pm on 1 February 2019. 

For more information, and to take part in the grant funding opportunity, please follow this link Home Office Grant Funding

Participation Worker Mid and West Wales

10 hours per week

£21,074 (pro rata)

Appointment at beginning of scale

TGP Cymru is looking for an experienced Participation Worker for its Mid and West Wales service.

This exciting post offers the opportunity to work with young people to promote safeguarding through the facilitation of local and regional Junior Safeguarding Children’s Boards.

The post holder will also work closely with looked after children and young people in Powys to produce a quarterly newsletter.

For more details and an informal discussion, please contact Mari Jefferis on 01545 571865.

CLOSING DATE for receipt of completed application forms: 16.01.19 12:00hrs

INTERVIEW DATE: tbc

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability or racial origin. Tros Gynnal Plant welcomes applications from Welsh speakers.

Application pack from www.trosgynnal.org.uk,

email: hr.admin(at)trosgynnalplant.org.uk  or telephone 029 2039 6974.

Small Health Grants are live.

Please see below for further information.  Application forms have to be requested by e-mailing grants@pavo.org.uk or phoning the main phone number.

The Small Grant Scheme to Promote Health and Wellbeing is funded by Powys Local Health Board. The scheme is administered by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations on behalf of the funders.

The aim of the Small Grant Scheme to Promote Health and Wellbeing is to encourage community groups and communities of interest to undertake activities that support the strategic priorities of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 in relation to: Well-being https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2014/4/section/2

Examples of possible activities:

• Prevention / health promotion
• Promoting and maintaining independence

The Small Grant Scheme to Promote Health and Wellbeing will provide funds to enable voluntary sector groups, communities and communities of interest to buy equipment and / or to set up / extend or sustain small scale innovative activities that address the specific objectives in relation to health and well-being as identified above.

Awards of £200 up to £1,500 are available for organisations that meet the eligibility and grant criteria.

Eligibility

Organisations applying for the grant must:

1. Be members of PAVO*
2. Have a governing document
3. Have a bank account
4. Demonstrate an ability to manage a grant
5. Demonstrate that they have in place the relevant polices and insurances
6. Enable them to fulfil aims including health and safety,
7. Address one or more of the funding priorities and have evidence of need

*If your organisation is not currently a member of PAVO, but feel that you are eligible to apply, please follow the link: http://www.pavo.org.uk/about-pavo/join-pavo.html

or contact the PAVO office on 01597 822191 to receive a membership form.

All organisations applying will be offered the support of a PAVO Development Officer to support them with their application. 

Grant criteria

Funding will be available for two strands of activity.  Organisations may submit separate applications for both priorities but should identify the primary priority (prevention / health promotion or promoting and maintaining independence) on each application form.

Prevention / Health Promotion

Funding is available for activities that address one or more of the following objectives:

1.1      Improve access to leisure and recreation for older people

1.2      Work in partnership with other agencies and communities to increase the options for physical activity in the community

1.3      Promote healthy lifestyles for all ages through activities to address one or more of the following:

• increase physical activity,
• raise awareness of risks of smoking and provision of support to stop
• reduction of excessive use of alcohol
• promotion of healthy eating   
• mental health wellbeing

Promoting and Maintaining Independence

Funding is available for activities that address one or more of the following objectives under promoting and maintaining independence:

2.1       Activities to support for carers

2.2       Informal support in communities for people with lower level care needs such as befriending, good neighbour schemes, prescription collection

            Examples of how the funds might be used:

• To enable existing voluntary groups to extend their range of activities through the purchase of new equipment, funding members to develop new skills to pass on, or to undertake events / activities to extend membership.
• To provide pump priming money for new groups that aim to meet one or other of these objectives e.g. to purchase equipment, leaflets, Insurance, training.

Priority will be given to applications that meet the above criteria and that demonstrate the following attributes:

1. Address gaps in service provision
2. Develop new activities
3. Include plans for long term sustainability
4. Develop activities that encourage inclusivity and value diversity
5. Demonstrate the active involvement  of the people who are part of the community / community of interest who will benefit from the grant in the development of the proposals

To receive a copy of the application form please email: grants@pavo.org.uk or phone 01597 822191

DEADLINE IS 31ST JANUARY 2018 FOR FIRST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS

Living with Sight Loss Free Courses

RNIB Living with Sight Loss course

Newtown - Tuesday 19 and 26 February 2019, 10.30am to 3.30pm at Plas Dolerw, Milford Road, Newtown, Powys SY16 2EH.

Llandrindod Wells - Wednesday 6 and 13 March 2019, 10.30am to 3.30pm at Centre CELF, Tremont Road, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5EB.

Brecon - Tuesday 18 and 25 June 2019, 10.30am to 3.30pm at The Guildhall Brecon LD3 7AL.

· Have you or a family member been diagnosed with sight loss?

· Would you like to share experiences with other people in similar situations?

· Are you interested in finding out about services available to you?

Our free, informal, community-based courses and phone groups provide information, advice, support and practical solutions for people adjusting to sight loss and those close to them.

We aim to help you adjust to your sight condition, increase your independence and boost your confidence. You’ll get the chance to meet and share experiences with others in similar situations.

Sessions include:

· Welfare rights
· Getting out and about
· Tips and gadgets for everyday living
· Assistive technology – computers, tablets, phones
· Eye health
· Wellbeing
· Leisure, hobbies and interests

Plus, you’ll hear about a range of organisations and local groups about services out there to help yo


You are welcome to bring along a family member or friend with you.

Book your free place today! 

· Call us on 0300 123 3933
· Email us at lwslenquiries@rnib.org.uk
· Visit our website www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss