Latest News from PAVO

Police and Crime Commissioners – a short survey

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:29:00 +0000

Safer Communities Wales are trying to find out more about whether third sector groups involved in criminal justice or community safety activities know about the arrival of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). They would also like to know more about what groups think about the potential to influence the new PCCs and what the barriers to engagement might be. This will help to shape the structures and services that we create across Wales to help you to get involved with this agenda if you want to.

Please help by clicking on the link to complete a very short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/saferfuturecommunitieswales

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this – it will help us to help you!

Vetting & Barring Scheme and Criminal Records Regime Review recommendations Newsletter

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:50:00 +0000

The home office have produced a new series of e-newsletters to help you keep informed on the progress of the Protection of Freedoms Bill, and in particular news on how the recommendations from the Vetting & Barring Scheme Review and Criminal Records Regime Review are to be implemented. The ISA Home Office website can be accessed here : http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/ If you wish to sign up to receive these emails please follow the link: http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=299

Pupil Voice Wales - feedback

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:37:00 +0000

The Pupil Voice Wales web-site aims to support professionals and pupils in developing effective pupil voice. The Welsh Government wants to know what you think of the site, and how it can be improved. Please take a few moments to complete this questionnaire by 29 February 2012. Your opinions will help to make the site even better!

Developing an Advice and Information Strategy

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:53:00 +0000

Powys County Council Adult Social Services are developing an Advice and information Strategy and are working with Powys Local Health Board and Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations to engage as many people from across Powys as they can. Please help us by telling us what you think. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3ZD5DM6

Health & Social Care Volunteers

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:58:00 +0000

If you are seeking Volunteers have you thought about how Health & Social Care students from Coleg Powys could help you? They are keen to find Volunteering Opportunities, in addition to their work placements. What have Health & Social Care Students got to offer: There are 35 First Years and 20 Second Years studying for the National Diploma in Health & Social Care + the Welsh Baccalaureate (equivalent to 4 'A'levels). They are:

16 years+
All have Enhanced CRB Checks
Have completed Emergency First Aid and Food Safety Courses
Already carried out work placements arranged by the college.

They have availability for ongoing, regular Volunteering now as well as group or project tasks, and will have more time from June 2011. The types of Volunteering they may be interested in includes: befriending; childcare; children's play; youth work; elderly; mental health; first aid; people with special needs and disabilities. Students live in: Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Llanfair Caereinion; Rhayader; Builth Wells. Contact Sarah Eskins at Coleg Powys on sarah.eskins@coleg-powys.ac.uk Telephone: 0845 4086 298 Don't forget to place all your Volunteering Opportunities for free on the Volunteering Wales website.Contact Helen Mantle at PAVO on 01686 626 220 email: helen.mantle@pavo.org.uk for a form

Mid Powys Mind - New Counselling Service Launched.

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Mid Powys Mind has launched a new free of charge counselling service in Llandrindod Wells. What is Counselling For? Anyone can suffer emotional distress at some point in their lives. It can take courage to face up to this and approach someone for help. Most people feel they benefit from talking treatments and find that sometimes it's good just to get something off their chest. Many people have found that counselling has helped them to change their lives for the better. Counselling At Mid Powys Mind The service is provided by trainee counsellors who are members of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and work within their code of ethics. The style is currently available on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you are interested in finding out more or wish to book an initial appointment, please contact April on 01597 82411 or email: info@midpowysmind.org.uk

CAB & Ofgem: Help is at Hand For Those Struggling with Winter Fuel Costs

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:03:00 +0000

Households facing energy price hikes could benefit from the free Energy Best Deal service offered by Citizens Advice in conjunction with Ofgem. As consumers are hit hard by rising costs resulting from the recent freezing weather the Energy Best Deal campaign has been stepped up. The campaign, run by national charity Citizens advice with support from energy regulator Ofgem and some leading utility companies, offers a package of energy related advice for vulnerable consumers in Powys who really need it. Staff from Powys Citizens Advice Bureau have been trained to deliver advice that will help people make their homes energy efficient, ensure they are claiming the right benefits and are on the best energy tariff for them. In 2010, the Energy Best Deal campaign saw 370 energy advice sessions delivered across England and Wales By CAB and other agencies (such as housing associations and independent advice agencies,) selected from the membership of the regional financial capability forums. At least Presentations are aimed at consumers and frontline advisers who are likely to be in contact with those most at risk of falling into fuel poverty, such as pensioners and those on low incomes. To date almost 1,360 frontline advisers have been trained and it is expected that over 44,000 consumers will have benefited from the Energy Best Deal training sessions this year alone. An independent evaluation in 2010 showed that 98 per cent of consumers who received Energy Best Deal information found the sessions useful and more than a third went on to look into getting a better deal on their energy. The campaign continues this year due to funding from energy suppliers EDF and E.on. For CAB/Forum lead contacts in Powys and for information on timings and locations of sessions contact: Jayne Wynn tel: 01686 628 963 or email: powyscab@btconnect.com For further information about the campaign please go to: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/_.../fsfl_projects_energybestdeal.htm

Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre - Minister Visit

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre recently received a visit from Carl Sargeant AM, the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government and Joyce Watson AM. The ministers were imprested at the 30 years accomplishments of the Centre and also the forward planning and thinking for the team. The First Minister Carwyn Jones commented that Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre is a model agency. After 30 years service Jackie Richardson the Chief Executive and Managing Director, said 'We have achieved so much in the field of domestic violence, pioneering so much of the work now done by many.' She added 'The most wonderful thing this year is that Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre won the Powys Business Awards for Charity/ Social Enterprise. We are all so proud at the recognition of the work of the staff and Centre. It is my 20th year here at Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre, I began my career as an Outreach Worker and O now am privileged to work within the lead agency for domestic violence. May I give a huge thank you to all who have been there both at present and in the past, most of all my team/ Directors who deliver this remarkable service.'

PowysMental Health Alliance Trustee Recruitment

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:42:00 +0000

Powys Mental Health Alliance (PMHA) acts as an informal network of groups and individuals in Powys who have an interest on mental health issues. It draws its membership from the voluntary sector, people with lived experience of mental distress and those that support them. The main current areas of work include:

Participation and developing the Stronger in Partnership Network in Powys
Lead agency on the DIY Futures Project (4 year national lottery funded project - recovery, taking control and changing the way we work together)
Powys Mental Health Alliance Magazine

PMHA will elect it's board of trustees at it's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 7th 2010 and is inviting nominations from any interested individual whos skills, knowledge and experience will enhance the governance of the organisation. Trustees are not remunerated but all related expenses are reimbursed. For more information about this opportunity and a recruitment pack, or to find out more about the AGM, please contact Laura Gallagher on 01686 628 300 or email: laura.gallagher@pavo.org.uk

WCVA Trustee Conference 2010

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:43:00 +0000

11th November 2010 Cardiff Holiday Inn.

This conference is for trustees and staff who work with trustee boards. It offers:

Legal and policy updates
Breakout sessions on a wide range of governance and leadership topics
Lively panel debate and discussion
Networking opportunities, and stimulating and informative plenary sessions

To book your place, contact WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or email: eventsadmin@wcva.org.uk or visit www.wcva.org.uk