Latest News

New A-Z Carers' Directory now available

In January 2010, the ‘Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010’ came into force and places a duty on all health boards to create a Carers’ Information and Communication Strategy that will demonstrate how they will support carers.
Joint work was undertaken by Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board (UHB) in developing their strategy, in partnership with local authorities, C3SC, VCVS and the third sector. The strategy has now been submitted to Welsh Government for approval.
The working group has maintained its structure in order to deliver key pieces of work that will offer benefits to carers. This includes a new Cardiff and Vale Carers’ Handbook, training and learning resources for staff from statutory agencies and the third sector, and the Cardiff and Vale A-Z Carers’ Directory.
This Directory offers a collated reference book of third sector and statutory services that carers can
access for support.

A launch event for the Cardiff and Vale A-Z Carers’ Directory will be announced soon. Keep an eye on the Cardiff Health and Social Care Network web page at www.c3sc.org.uk/networks/hscn for details. If you are a carer or a carer service provider and would like to contact the Cardiff and Vale Health Board, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To request copies of the Carers' Directory, please email Kevin Rahman-Daultrey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can download a PDF of the directory here.

Cardiff Community Building Grants

Voluntary-sector community organisations can apply for grants for projects that improve their community buildings and help secure or increase their use by the local community.
A maximum grant of £5,000 is available towards internal and external improvements to community buildings such as provisions of disabled facilities, security improvements, kitchen refurbishments, and energy efficiency measures.
No group is awarded 100% funding for their proposed scheme. Groups are required to fund at least 15% of the overall project costs from other sources.

Who can apply?

The Community Building Grants programme targets local community and voluntary groups. Eligible groups must be constituted or have a statement of aims for their organisation and have a bank account.
Groups who have received a Community Building Grant within the last three years are welcome to apply, but their application will be scored as a lower priority compared to other applications. Applications received for buildings which are located within Communites First Cluster Areas will be scored as a higher priority compared to other applications.

What is a community building?

Eligible community buildings include community halls, community centres and other facilities which are used by, and accessible to the whole community, and not just used by a single or restricted number of groups.
Eligible community buildings do not include ‘member-only clubs’, voluntary organisations offices or commercial businesses.

What types of projects are funded?

Projects must fall under the following categories to be eligible for funding:
• Enhancement or improvement of the structure of the building
• Upgrading of fire safety provisions, health and safety/ security provisions
• New kitchens or toilet facilities.
• Improving accessibility into and within the building
• Upgrading of Electrical, Drainage and Lighting systems
• Installation of double glazing windows and doors
• Installation of energy efficiency measures

What types of projects are not funded?

Projects not eligible for funding include the following:
• Routine maintenance and repair work
• Staffing or running costs
• Projects benefiting a limited membership such as sports clubs used only by one team, or places of worship used solely for religious purposes.
• Projects already started or work completed before grant offer received.
• Feasibility studies
• Purchase of non-fitted equipment

Timescales

The latest round closes on 22 June 2013. If you would like to be added to the database to receive information about future rounds, please contact: James Moore, Neighbourhood Regeneration, City Development, Cardiff Council, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW.
Tel: (029) 20 873162
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

New Gift Aid system starts

If you claim Gift Aid, you must take action now to prepare for the new system.

Charities Online - HMRC's new system for claiming Gift Aid - is now live. It replaces the paper form that members currently use to claim tax repayments.
The transition period for implementing the changes will end on 30 September this year. This is a tight timescale so it's important that you take steps now to ensure you have everything in place. If you don't, your claims may end up being delayed or even reduced in value.
  
What you need to do
Together with voluntary sector partners, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has produced a set of clear instructions you can follow.
  
Read the step by step guide to Charities Online (pdf 225kb)
  
It covers:

• Why the changes are important
• What the changes are
• How you can plan for them
• The three ways you can claim Gift Aid 
• Details of the new Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme

  
If you have any questions or concerns about the new system, please contact HMRC on 0845 302 0203.

Discover what we're doing in Adult Learners' Week 2013

Adult Learners’ Week 2013 will be held from 18-26 May across the UK. It's an opportunity for individuals and organisations to celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning. Whether you are looking to improving your current job prospects or to learn just for fun, or you're an organisation looking to help support adults with lifelong learning, Adult Learners’ Week is for you.

We are working with our new Communities First Team and Cardiff Council Neighbourhood learning to run a Family Learning Event in Llanedeyrn on Saturday 18 May. There will be taster sessions and fun activities for all ages. 

When? Saturday 18th May from 11.00am - 3.00pm

Where? Powerhouse Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Rowndwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 9NP

We aim to engage with people living in North Cardiff, encouraging different learning opportunities and for different learning providers to better inform the community, give flavour of their work and recruit people to enrol on different courses and training sessions.

The event is also supported by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). It will be organised in partnership with the neighbourhood learning officer based at Cardiff North, the new East Cardiff, Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn (ECLP) Communities First Cluster, managed by C3SC, and the Third Sector Learning and Enterprise Network members. Another aim is to introduce ECLP Communities First at the start of its activities within North Cardiff.

The day is a free fun event to encourage all members of the family, friends and colleagues to try their hand at learning. There will be taster sessions, information on learning opportunities and different activities for all ages.

Lots of partner agencies will be holding information stands and delivering interactive family learning activities, for example, a table tennis tournament, family craft activity, face painting, dance and DJ. There will also be interactive taster sessions on nail art, manicure, pottery, Welsh Language and culture, Skype, just to name a few.

Poster and flyers will be distributed widely via schools and Neighbourhood Learning Centre as well as partners agencies.

Find out more

• Please get in touch with Thoria by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phoning us on (029) 2048 5722 to find out more or if you can help us promote the event - or perhaps you could include a link from your website to this web page. Thank you.
• Visit www.alw.org.uk/
• Download the full programme of learning events here.