the volunteer - Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council

THE VOLUNTEER DENBIGHSHIRE VOLUNTARY SERVICES COUNCIL September 2015

Denbighshire Volunteer Services Council

Volunteers Week 2015 In June 2015, Denbighshire Volunteer Centre Staff organised and hosted a celebration of National Volunteers Week at Rhuddlan Community Centre on Friday 5th June 2015 More on Page 6!

“DV SC promotes,

supports, develops and gives voice to the Voluntary Sector which encourages community involvement enhancing the quality of people’s lives.

Entertainment by “Musical Meatballs in MIND”

Following an excellent buffet lunch, which was provided by Maureen Tomkins and committee members of Rhuddlan Community Centre the entertainment was provided by “Musical Meatballs in MIND” who were conducted by Leslie Churchill-Ward

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In This Issue 

Celebrate Volunteers Week 2015



Do you care for a family member or friend



DVSC AGM



74 year old Inspiring lady, climbs Snowdon

Naylor Leyland Centre—Home of DVSC

Contact Details Naylor Leyland Centre, Well Street, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1AF Tel: 01824 702441 Fax: 01824 705412

E.mail: [email protected]

Company Limited by Guarantee 3132487 Registered Charity 1054322 OPENING HOURS MON-THURS 8.30am – 4.30pm FRI 8.30am – 4.00pm

WHO’S WHO AT DVSC? John Watkin Chief Executive Officer Steve Vollmer Finance Officer Gareth Mawby Finance Manager Lisa Williams HSC&WB Dev Officer Nicola Davies Administration AssistantOffice and Finance

JoAnne Williamson Partnership Training and Funding Development Officer

Jackie Evans Volunteer Centre

Administration

TBC Senior Development Officer

Gerry Frobisher MBE Youth Volunteer Advisor—GwirVol

Vera Jones Cleaner/Caretaker

Jeff Brimble Caretaker Kath Hughes Sustainable Livelihoods Officer ——————————————————— Bronwen Isaac Office Supervisor

Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum 01824 707246 Alan Benbow Co-ordinator

Isobel Smith Outreach Additional Support Need Advisor

Jackie Evans Admin Assistant

Retirement of Gareth Mawby Gareth Mawby, Deputy Chief Executive / Finance Manager retired on 31 July 2015 after nearly 20 years of loyal service. He came to DVSC after many years of working in the banking industry, bringing his vast experience to work in the Third Sector. There is no doubt he will be missed by the network of small voluntary groups, and some of the bigger ones, who he’s worked with and supported over the years. Gareth has seen many internal and external changes to the Third Sector in Denbighshire and has been involved in a number of internal organisational changes, but this has never prevented him from giving the voluntary groups 110% of his time and experience. Gareth has been a steady rock to three Chief Executive Officers and numerous DVSC Trustees and Chair’s over his 20 year span,

Gareth has always been a listening ear to all, joined in with all staff socials and he will be very much missed. We all wish him all the very best for a long, happy and well deserved retirement. Good Luck in the Premiership, we think Newcastle are going to need it!!! Diolch yn fawr Gareth.

Welcome to Steve Vollmer Beginning of June, I joined DVSC as the new part time Finance Officer, taking over from Gareth Mawby. “Challenging times lay ahead” this is a phrase heard (too) often these days, and I will admit following Gareth in my role as Finance Officer for DVSC, will be an extremely challenging one! Due to monetary cuts across the board, resources and therefore hours are limited, raising the need to be more efficient in the “back office” while minimising any impact on all the good work our staff and volunteers do every day in the projects running across Denbighshire. Some very challenging times ahead, with limited resources, but, continuing to keep DVSC’s reputation is paramount. I am looking forward to being a part of this new, challenging era and strive for consistent quality. Denbighshire is a beautiful county, and I feel very fortunate to have moved here from mainland Europe, where I have spent most of my working career. My family moved to Europe back in 1972 and at an early age I was lucky enough to experience other cultures and learn foreign languages. I love to travel to other Countries, meeting people and sharing experiences. I have found where ever you go, people can be kind and open, whatever their domestic difficulties maybe, as long as you are willing and able to embrace their way of life. I feel even more fortunate being able to work for DVSC, working to benefit local communities and people, a massive, yet positive change to my last position, where shareholders were the most common beneficiaries. Gareth, is the beneficiary of a well-earned retirement, I am the beneficiary of carrying forward all his good work. We can all benefit in challenging times!

Steve

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Denbighshire Volunteer Centre Celebrate National Volunteers Week 2015 Staff of the Denbighshire Volunteer Centre, Jackie Evans, Isobel Smith and Gerry Frobisher MBE, organised and hosted a celebration of National Volunteers Week at Rhuddlan Community Centre on Friday the 5th of June. The event was opened by DVSC Trustee Mrs Nerys Biddulph MBE. Special guests included Ann Jones AM, the Chair of Denbighshire County Council Cllr Gwyneth Kensler and President of DVSC Mrs Eurwen Edwards OBE BEM who is also the Vice Chair of WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action). Voluntary organisations from all areas of Denbighshire received Volunteer Week Certificates sponsored by WCVA, Volunteering Wales and the Welsh Government to acknowledge the “outstanding contribution they have made to their community”, and signed by The First Minister the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM. Cllr Kensler Chair of the County Council presented the certificates to G2G Communities CIC – LEGO; Creatasmile; Positive Actions for Strokes; Shopping Buddies; North Wales Young Dragons/Dreigiau Ifanc Gogledd Cymru; 1 st Meliden Guides; Rhyl Cosy Club; Wireless in Wales; Denbigh Film Club; Vale of Clwyd MIND; Gofal Befriending Services; British Red Cross; North Wales Women’s Centre; NEWSA; Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum; Age Connects North Wales Central; Denbighshire Homestart; Denbighshire Citizens Advice Bureau; Ruthin and District Poppy Appeal Rhuddlan Environment Group; Denbigh and District MS Society; Dial a Ride; PRIME Cymru; Musical Meatballs Mind; Glan Clwyd Hospital League of Friends; RVS Glan Clwyd Hospital; Vision Support and Denbigh Youth Project. The local results of the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2015 sponsored by WCVA were announced. Individual Highly Commended Certificates went to Joyce North of Age Connects North Wales Central in Denbigh, Sue England of St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph, Harriet Frobisher for her volunteering with 1st Meliden Guides, Shopping Buddies and North Wales Young Dragons/Dreigiau Ifanc Gogledd Cymru; and Evan Logan of Rhuddlan Environment Group. A group Highly Commended Certificate was presented to the Rhuddlan Environment Group for their outstanding commitment to the community of Rhuddlan. Denbighshire also boasted an individual Volunteer of the Year 2015 Winner in the Green Category. Warren Davies of Friends of the Earth in Llangollen has been committed to The Llangollen Community Garden, the Bee Cause and concerns about fracking. In 2013, under Warren’s leadership, Llangollen Friends of the Earth won the coveted “National Friends of the Earth Earthmovers Award”. Mrs Eurwen Edwards OBE BEM completed the afternoon with a vote of thanks.

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Celebration of Volunteering Awards Ruthin, Rhyl and Prestatyn As part of National Volunteers Week 2015, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council hosted THREE Celebrations of Youth Volunteering throughout the County. The events in Ruthin, Rhyl and Prestatyn organized and introduced by the Denbighshire Volunteer Centre’s Youth Volunteering Advisor for GwirVol, Gerry Frobisher MBE, saw almost 140 young volunteers received a share of 458 certificates between them. The Civic dignitaries taking part in the three celebration events who presented the young volunteers with their certificates included the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Mr. Henry Featherstonehaugh OBE, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Mr. Lloyd Fitzhugh, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Colonel Philip Eyton-Jones, the High Sheriff of Clwyd Mrs. Janet Evans, the Chair of Denbighshire County Council Cllr Gwyneth Kensler, the Vice-Chair of Denbighshire County Council Cllr Ann Davies, the Mayor of Denbigh Cllr Ray Bartley, the Mayor of Rhyl Cllr Barry Mellor, the Deputy Mayor of Ruthin Cllr Geraint Woolford, Mrs. Eurwen Edwards OBE BEM President DVSC and Vice Chair of WCVA, and the 1st Vice-President of Prestatyn and Rhyl Lions Mr. Allan Pennington.

In addition to the young volunteers receiving certificates there was over 200 people in the three audiences made up of family, friends, teachers and uniformed youth group leaders. The celebration events were a great success which honoured local volunteers with local and National Awards for their commitment to numerous groups in their community.

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About Volunteering Wales website Opportunties added this month include: Cruse Bereavement Care—Bereavement Support Volunteer - We need more bereavement volunteers across North Wales. Could you help fill the gap? We provide support to adults, children and young persons who are having difficulty coping with the loss, through death of a significant person in their lives. Bodelwyddan Castle Trust - Caffi Assistant - To take orders, including handling and recording payment transactions. Preparation and serving of drinks and counter snacks, and serving of kitchen orders. To assist with the delivery of buffets for catered events. Marie Curie—Local fundraising groups are dedicated to raising funds so that Marie Curie can continue to care for people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and in our hospices . With other group members, you will organize collections, fundraising events and encourage support for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Tros Gynnal Plant - Independent Visitor To promote and safeguard the rights of children and yound people ‘looked after’ or ‘in need’ and to enable this group of children and young people to have a voice in decisions, which affect their lives.

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The website will give you information and advice about getting involved in volunteering. You may be thinking about volunteering for the first time, you might have volunteered before and be looking to broaden your experiences or perhaps you work for an organisation that is involving volunteers. You can search online for volunteering opportunities in your geographical area or we can put you in touch with your local volunteer centre whose friendly team will give you support and advice. http://www.volunteeringwales.net/

GwirVol Led Youth Grants 2015/16 Denbighshire YouthGrants has £2,400.00 up for grabs. If your youth group is after some money (up to £500) to carry out a small project. Please contact Gerry Frobisher on :[email protected] for an application form.

First come first serve.

Lions International Community Awards Seven young volunteers have been recognised for their outstanding community work. Lions International Silver and Gold Awards were presented to them for their volunteering by the 1st Vice President of Prestatyn & Rhyl Lions Mr Alan Pennington at a ceremony in Prestatyn.

Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum Forum News: In July, Alan met with Aled Roberts AM, to discuss various issues relating to Learning Disabilities, including Hate Crime, parking on pavements causing obstruction to people and the high cost of training courses for the Learning Disability sector. Forum hosted a taster therapy event on the 8th August at Trefnant Village Hall, information about this will be included in the next issue of the Volunteer newsletter. Our Forum Is:

Forum has been involved in evaluating tenders with Denbighshire County Council for two community living tender projects and interviewing potential providers. Forum held its July meeting at the Bike Hub café at Kinmel Bay. The café provides supported employment via Co-options for people with a Learning Disability. Members enjoyed a bacon bap, tea or coffee at the start of the meeting. At the end of the meeting, they viewed and tried out the adapted bikes on site. The café was busy and it was good to see two support workers and someone with a Learning Disability checking out the bikes. Long standing Forum member Shaun Roberts and Lisa Roberts were recently married at the Beaches Hotel in Prestatyn. Forum sends their congratulations to both for a long and happy marriage.

Friendly Organised Respected Useful Membership-Led

Membership is: FREE Will give you a voice Keeps you informed Puts you in contact with other parents and carers For more information, please contact: Alan or Jackie Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum 01824 702441/709315

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[email protected]

74 years old’s inspiring climb raises money for Home-Start Denbighshire 1 July 2015 On Saturday 27 June a group of seven supporters of Home-Start Denbighshire, as well as a dog and their mascot, did a sponsored climb up Mount Snowdon. They scaled the highest point in England and Wales to raise money to support the charity’s life-changing work. Across the UK supporters of Home-Start UK, and local Home-Starts, are dedicating time and effort to raise money to transform the lives of families and children. If you want to find out how you can get involved and to do your own fundraising, click here Marc Kendrick, from Home-Start Denbighshire, said “We started our walk at 10.15am on what was looking like a sunny day. An hour into the journey this soon changed as the mist descended and we all became colder and wetter with every step we took. We finally reached the summit as a team at around 2.00pm, but we let Freda reach the peak first. As she stood at the top of the mountain Freda decided to remove all her warm jumpers and fleeces to proudly show off the Home-Start T-shirt she was wearing.” As they met their colleagues who were welcoming them off the mountain, they were told that other walkers said how amazed they were to see Freda at the top of the mountain proudly showing off her Home-Start T-shirt. So far, the team has raised £400 to support their work and are still collecting and hope to raise a lot more. Marc added, “Freda has been a volunteer with Home-Start Denbighshire for the last seven years and did her preparation course with her husband Trevor. When I first met them they were volunteering together and the family they supported were so full of praise for the paid of them. Sadly Trevor passed away in 2013 and has been missed by all who knew him. Freda carried on volunteering and always brings a smile to every room she enters.” After her successful walk Freda said “It was the hardest day’s work I have done in a long time but it was worth every step to help Home-Start and the families we support” We congratulate all seven members of the Home-Start Denbighshire team who completed the walk. It you have been inspired to do your own fundraising challenge, our new fundraising guide has lots of tips and advice to get started.

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My experience with DVSC I began the year 2015 with a new year’s resolution to pursue a career change, my decision was to become an academic librarian. I had worked during my University days as a student library assistant, which helped pay my bills. However after a number of years working for my local youth service, I had become accustomed to signposting young people to projects such as the Young Dragons. I felt I needed signposting to services to help me. After searching the internet I found DVSC and my first contact with DVSC was over the telephone with Isobel Smith. In our discussion I explained what I hoped to achieve, this was to volunteer within an academic Library to give me the confidence and up to date skills required to working in a modern library environment. My goal was to find work and to train myself in this sector. Isobel kept in regular contact with me explaining which Libraries she had in mind. Within a short time IsobeI arranged an opportunity at Llandrillo College Rhyl and met me at the College for my first introduction to the Head Librarian, Dan Huws. My role was explained and I was offered one day a week volunteering opportunity. I was very excited and pleased that DVSC had helped me realise my first piece of the jigsaw. My confidence began to build with each passing week, as a consequence I was soon applying for Librarian Jobs. Supported by Isobel, she informed me of a job opening at a local Catholic High School (Blessed Edwards Jones in Rhyl). I prepared my CV for scrutiny, and was initially surprised to be shortlisted for interview. During the interview I drew a lot of attention to the fact that DVSC had helped me find my placement at Llandrillo College, Rhyl. My up to date experience within an academic Library

environment, proved to be appealing to the interviewers, as was my understanding of the support DVSC could offer young people. DVSC and in particular Isobel Smith have proven to be a constant support to me, and I now consider to have built a trusting and working relationship with Isobel, who has continued to support me in my role as School Library, for example: in my quest to find Library Book ends, my first thought was to contact Isobel Smith. I am confident that DVSC and Isobel Smith will be able to assist me whenever I need support. James Simpson

Volunteering with SHACK

(Saturday & Holiday Activity Club for Kids) Tracy has been a volunteer with SHACK for a few months now and she fits in with the Club’s needs perfectly. The children really like her and she runs cookery and gardening sessions with the young people, as well as organising games with them. Having Tracy on board as a volunteer has allowed the Club to provide a wider variety of activities. Tracy has grown in confidence and has completed her food hygiene training so that she can run cookery sessions with the young people, as well as helping out in the kitchen when needed. “Tracy seems to love being around the young people and enjoys her time at the Club. Tracy said “I love my volunteering and I enjoy helping others who need help. It’s fun and has helped build my confidence up. It’s better because I know I’ve got something to do, and I’m hoping it will help me to get a job working with children”. It has helped me gain many skills and I’ve learned a lot from the project manager, volunteers and young people, all which will help build my CV. 12

WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER The Welsh Language Commissioner have a new service for third sector and private sector organizations. The home of our service is the Hybu micro-site: www.welshlanguagecommissioner.org/hybu here is a summary of our work: 1. To present charities and businesses with the advantages of working in Welsh and English. This is demonstrated through our research and video clips. 2. To provide practical support for organizations through our various guidance documents, our proof reading service and our practical training courses 3. To present the Welsh Language Progress Plan – an opportunity to assess your current provision through a questionnaire and produce and implementation plan 4. The micro-site is a portal for wider support from the Commissioner’s officers. From now on the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Promotion and Facilitation team will be transferring third sector organizations from implementing Welsh language schemes to the Welsh Language Progress plan system. The new system builds on the foundation of your language schemes by helping you to set clear, practical and measurable targets that work towards results. Many of you will have already been implementing Welsh language schemes, others have not fully completed the process. This is an invitation to meet with myself or a member of the Promotion and Facilitation Team in order to guide you through the process of committing to a Welsh Language Progress Plan. Why should you do this? 

On the basis of our research with a range of third sector organizations assessing their experiences of implementing Welsh language schemes, the Progress Plan system is more practical and purposeful system that should lead towards results.

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The system was prepared with the principles and requirements of the new Welsh language Standards in mind.

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As the Standards come into force, the expectations on the organizations that fund you will change. This is a way for you to prepare for the changes that may affect you.

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PQASSO for Wales which was launched on 10 June in order to strengthen quality in the third sector in Wales includes clear statements in relation to the need to consider the Welsh language and prepare a Welsh Language Progress plan in order to do this effectively.

I shall look forward to hearing from you in order to arrange a meeting to advise you on committing to a Welsh Language Progress Plan. In the meantime please take a look at our website.

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Dear colleagues As you may already be aware the Health Board has launched a widespread programme to seek out the views of the people of North Wales on health and health services in the region. We are developing a range of events to support this, which started with a series of open ‘drop-in’ sessions at locations across North Wales, and will continue with events through the summer and autumn.

We are setting up a number of other ways in which people can let us have their views, including a brief questionnaire which will be available in printed format or which can be completed through a website, a dedicated email account and freepost address that people can write in to. We would also welcome the opportunity for health board colleagues to come out and meet with members of community and representative groups and charitable organisations in North Wales to hear their views directly. If you would like us to arrange for someone from the Health Board to meet with you can I ask you to either reply by email to [email protected] or to freephone 0800 169 3142. We recognise that the summer holiday period is approaching so we will be looking to arrange meetings from September onwards. Yours faithfully Mr Andrew Scotson Communications Manager www.pbc.wales.nhs.uk neu / or www.bcu.wales.nhs.uk

facebook.com/bcuhealthboard

The Volunteer in Denbighshire

DVSC AGM on Friday 27th November 2015 at

Eirianfa Community Centre, Denbigh Registration at 9.45 am

Guest Speaker: Peter Davies Chairman WCVA

Light Refreshments provided To book your place please email :[email protected]

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20 Everard Road,

Centric have been asked by clients who are prepared to let properties within their portfolio rent and rates free to organization's, rather than leaving them empty.

Colwyn Bay, LL28 4EY.

16 Wellington Road,

We currently have some lovely space in four buildings based in Rhyl And Colwyn Bay. You can potentially use this facility for ·

meetings

·

Shop Premises

·

conferences

·

admin office

·

workshops

·

Rhyl, LL18 1BG

10 Bodfor Street, Rhyl, LL18 1AU.

8A Bodfor Street, Rhyl,

training your staff, alternately you could also use it for storage.

LL18 1AU.

You will not have to pay any rent, rates or utility bills as the service we provide is free of charge.

We have viewings available so if you would like me to book you in to go and see the building please confirm.

If you know anyone around this area, please forward them this email. They will have to be either a charity or a non-profit organization.

This is on a Tenancy At Will with no end date and a 14 days’ notice period,

A photo of the premises are available on our website.

If you are interested please let me know and I will book you in for a viewing. This will allow you to examine the facility to see if it’s suitable for the activites you wish to carry out.

Please email me Hannah Brown [email protected] or call me on 01908 667750

LL18 Colwyn Bay, 16

The University of the Third Age (U3A) comes to Ruthin! Ruthin and District U3A was launched in March this year. The U3A is a National and International Charity for people who are no longer in work or looking for full time work. There is no lower age limit. People who are no longer working have years of experience, skill and expertise behind them and the U3A is a fantastic way of sharing these experiences with others. By July of this year there were more than 180 members and 24 active interest groups. Members pay just £15 a year to join. For this they get access to as many interest groups as they care to join, a meeting with a talk on a different topic every month, a monthly Newsletter and occasional special events. It's also a great way to meet other people and develop new interests. We make good tea too! The interest groups which are running at the moment are Scrabble, sugar craft, hill walking, iPads for beginners, birdwatching for fun, whist, crown green bowls, knockabout tennis, playing in a ceilidh band, recorders, forensic psychology, geology, cycling, backyard chickens, shorter walking, fun with canines, disco exercise, science, history, French life and language, Welsh conversation, C20th classical music, away days and a reading / book club. Speakers planned for the next 3 months are on the following topics, '400 years on the fiddle, the story of the violin', 'Ruthin's Community First Responders', and 'the adventures of Great Uncle Ernest in the Great War'. Our full meetings are held in Ruthin Rugby Club on the last Tuesday morning every month. The interest groups are held in different locations throughout the area and sometimes in members own homes. If you would like to join the U3A or would just like some more information please contact the Chairperson, Rose Hislop on [email protected] or by phone on 01824 705331. Alternatively you can look at our website U3Asites.org.uk/ ruthin or our Facebook page Ruthin and District U3A

Do you care for a family member or friend? In recognition of the knowledge and experience unpaid carers can offer in helping improve and shape the way health services are delivered Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is seeking carers to become involved in a North Wales Carers Reference Group. The aim of the group will be to offer advice and feedback to the Health Board on the impact of services on carers and help create a culture of carer involvement at all levels within the Health Board. The group will meet at least twice a year at locations across North Wales. The Health Board will reimburse reasonable travel costs, respite, child care or other expenses incurred by Carers through attending the meetings. If you would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity, or to request an application form to be part of the reference group, please contact: Jane Berry, Carers Measure Project Manager on (01745 ) 448740 Ext 2492 or email: [email protected]

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What is the

There’s never

NORTH WALES

been a better time to get

CITIZEN PANEL?

It’s a forum for sharing ideas and opinions on the future Do you have ideas and

development and improvement of

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

opinions on how health and care services could

Don’t just sit there!

GET INVOLVED NOW: Here is your chance to have a say, and really make a difference!

CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE:

WE ARE

T: 01492 534 091

LISTENING 18

DVSC Call: 01824 702441 Email: [email protected]

Naylor Leyland Centre Well Street, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1AF

The Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin—Home of DVSC

Room Hire Available! Up To 60 People

Fully Accessible Venue

Training Events



Car Parking Facilities



Conferences

Lift Integral Loop System

Substantial Reductions for Member Organisations!

Kitchen Facilities

For your convenience we can pre arrange:

 Translation facilities  Audio-Visual Facilities

 Buffets

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