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New project from The Wallich

The Wallich is a charity in Wales with over fifty projects supporting homeless and vulnerable people.

In Cardiff they have recently launched a new project called 'Streets Ahead':

'Streets Ahead' supports socially excluded, vulnerable adults who may have a history of drug or alcohol use to access learning, training and education. This enables them to access opportunities within the labour market and increase their life-skills in order to sustain future tenancies, gain independence and become part of the community in which they live.

People are welcome at The Wallich, Streets Ahead Project at the Learning Centre, 3 Pendyris Street, Cardiff CF11 6RJ.

This friendly, locally based project can help people build their confidence for work, life, volunteering and further study and training.

Sessions include:

• Cooking on a budget
• Life-skills
• E-Learning
• Confidence building
• CV writing
• Mock interviews
• Job search
• and more...

Learning new skills can help people into further training, volunteering or work.

To find out more, call (029) 2022 9922.

Recruit more widely for trustees, regulator encourages would-be charities

Survey research by the Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has revealed that charity register applicants tend to rely on informal networks to recruit much-needed trustees and develop their organisations. The report, Birth of a charity: Governance of organisations seeking registered charitable status provides an insight into the experiences and perceptions of those applying to register as a charity, and their work with trustees. The online survey ran from August 2011 to August 2012, a period during which over 6,000 new register applications were submitted. 667 applicants completed the questionnaire.

Read the rest of this article on the Charity Commission website.

Hafan Cymru is searching for retail partners

Hafan Cymru is looking for support from 100 local retail businesses who wish to partner with them to donate their 5p bag charge proceed to and stand with them to say “NO to Domestic Abuse”.

Hafan Cymru has offices across Wales focused on preventing abuse and promoting independence for women, men and children escaping domestic violence and educating the youth in Wales about abuse and its consequences.

The organisation supported over 3,000 people in 2011-12 and runs over 40 projects throughout Wales, including refuges, safe houses and temporary housing with support. In addition it provides much needed support to people in their own homes through their floating support.

Michelle Beer, Marketing Manager, says: “When the time comes to choose a charity this year, let Hafan Cymru be your chosen choice. By working together we can continue to support and educate on an issue that society at large likes to sweep under the carpet and pretend is not a problem. Let’s work together to get the message across that abuse is no excuse.”

Interested retailers can contact Sioned Evans on 01267 22 55 70 to register their interest.

Consultation meeting on the Welsh Government’s Framework for Action on Independent Living

There's a consultation meeting on the Welsh Government’s Framework for Action on Independent Living, for representatives of Centres for Independent Living and Organisations that are Led and Controlled by Deaf & Disabled People on 21 November, with registration from 10.30am for an 11am start.

The venue is Dewis Centre for Independent Living, Amber House, Upper Boat Business Park, Upper Boat, Pontypridd CF37 5BP. Dewis CIL’s website is http://www.dewiscil.org.uk/

The meeting will consider what needs to be done to develop stronger disabled people’s networks and organisations which can help deliver the Welsh Government’s vision for creating an enabling society in which Independent Living is a practical reality.

The agenda responds to two of the key questions in the Framework consultation paper:

-      What are the best and most practicable ways of supporting the growth and effectiveness of Disabled People’s Organisations across Wales?

-      What can be done to promote the establishment of more Centres for Independent Living across Wales?

An excellent line-up of speakers will stimulate discussion on these questions, including representatives of the Wales Cooperative Centre, Social Firms Wales, Dewis CIL and Disability Wales. The UK Government’s Disabled People’s User Led Organisations (DPULO) Ambassador for Wales will also provide an outline of the programme and her role.

The Welsh Government and Disability Wales are working co-productively to organise this meeting as part of a wider consultation of the Framework for Action on Independent Living: http://www.bit.ly/WGILiving

There is no charge to attend the event. Lunch will be provided and a budget is available for travel and accommodation expenses for disabled people. BSL Interpreters have been booked.

There is a half hourly train service to the nearest station at Trefforest Estate. Advance booking of taxis from the station to Dewis is recommended (further information will be provided in the confirmation email).

For a booking form, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it