WCVA Update - 5 Nov 2018

This week's updates from WCVA

05 November 2018 Hello, and welcome to this week's newsletter. Today marks the beginning of Living Wage Week - the annual celebration of the Living Wage movement and everyone who's involved, through accreditation of their organisation, influence as a public figure or any other form of support in tackling in-work poverty. This blog from Bethan Harvey, Project and Events Administrator at Cynnal Cymru, explains what is going on in Wales throughout the week. WCVA is not only a Living Wage Employer, but also the only Living Wage Friendly Funder in Wales - you can find out more about Friendly Funders in this blog from our CEO Ruth. The members ballot for the WCVA board elections is in full swing, thanks to everyone who's already voted! It's a pretty close contest so far, so if you're a full member of WCVA and would like to help influence the direction of the organisation, please vote by clicking the link in your email from our chair, Peter Davies.  You can have a look at the nominees here, but all the information will also be on your voting link. Thanks for reading, we'll see you next week.

Volunteering I can’t be a volunteer, I don’t have time’ As a young person there may be many reasons that you feel you can't volunteer. We take a look at some of the main reasons people feel they can't and try and break down the barriers that are blocking the way. Investing in Volunteers - assessor training Do you have what it takes to be an Investing in Volunteers Assessor? WCVA is running training in the autumn for those who would like to consider undertaking this work in the future. #iwillWeek 2018 – 12 – 16th November Celebration youth social action across the UK.

WCVA general Could you be a Living Wage Friendly Funder? As part of Living Wage Week 2018, here’s WCVA CEO Ruth Marks explaining why it’s important that funders in Wales follow WCVA’s lead in becoming Living Wage Friendly Funders, so that we can all ensure the sustainability of the third sector. Wales Social Prescribing Research Network Our new Wales Social Prescribing Research Network (WSPRN) webpage has everything you need to know about the project which is developing an evidence base for social prescribing in Wales. Participatory Budgeting - Lessons from the UK & Beyond On 27th September the Open Government Cymru network held a webinar on participatory budgeting.

Third sector general Developing end-of-treatment support services Marguerite Holloway has been Head of Breast Cancer Care Cymru since January after working at the charity for four years. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, here Marguerite shares her wisdom for other charities developing end-of-treatment services. Living Wage Week – what’s on In this blog, Bethan Harvey, Projects and Events Administrator for Cynnal Cymru, outlines the importance of the Living Wage Foundation and how Cynnal will be celebrating Living Wage Week.

Funding Funding to help communities boost their local environment The second round of the Landfill Tax Communities scheme is now open for applications. Social Business Growth Fund / Community Asset Development Fund technical briefings The SBGF team will be running some technical briefings at Social Business Wales “managing risk and resilience” networking events to give people more information on the extension to SBGF as well as the new Community Asset Development Fund. Prince’s Trust Countryside Fund Grants of up to £50,000 will be available from January 2019 to organisations engaging in activity that results in a long-term positive impact on rural communities by helping the people that live and work in the countryside. The Ragdoll Foundation Open Grants This is a rolling grant scheme open to organisations working with children and young people using arts and creative media. Noel Buxton Trust Family grants Funding is available to smaller, grass roots organisations of up to £5,000 per year for work with families that have experienced domestic abuse. European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ breakfast briefing session Find out how you can access this new European funding to help young people volunteer or work in the UK and abroad.

Training and events Have your say on the future plans for the Open Government Network Tuesday 20 November | 12-1:30pm Big Moose, Cardiff, CF10 2DB Looking to the future for people with a learning disability Learning Disability Wales presents 2 days of new ways of working and looking to a better future for people with a learning disability. Introduction to Full Cost Recovery Understand and calculate the true costs of running an organisation Designing and delivering engaging presentations Make your presentations matter – learn how to design and deliver dynamic presentations with ease.

Trustees and governance What Makes a Good Charity Chair? The Association of Chairs writes about problematic and helpful chair behaviours

Policy and politics The Education Workforce Council is taking applications for membership Applications are welcomed from anyone who has a keen interest in playing a crucial part in the future of the EWC from 1 April 2019. This week’s consultations Have your say on indicators of deprivation. Fall in number of third sector workers in Wales The number of employees estimated to be working in the Welsh third sector has dropped by almost 15%. Charity tax changes and additional funding for Wales in Autumn Budget The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced his autumn budget.