Annual Report2011 - 2012

Supporting and Developing a Vibrant Voluntary Sector

Contents

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VISIONTo support and develop a vibrant voluntary

sector in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

PRINCIPLES• To take into account the needs of smaller

groups

• To promote equal opportuni es and reach out to those individuals, groups and communi es most in need

• To promote and support volunteering

• To involve and empower communi es, service users, carers and ci zens

• To be responsive to the changing needs of the voluntary sector

• To support and develop partnership working at all levels to deliver be er local services

• To enhance and not compete with the work of member organisa ons

OUR AIMS• ENABLE - to provide high quality advice,

guidance and support.

• VOICE - to improve services through empowering ci zens, communi es and voluntary organisa ons.

• VOLUNTEERING - to promote, encourage and develop volunteering and economic ac vity.

• PROFILE - to raise the profi le of the essen al contribu on of the voluntary sector to the delivery of services.

• DELIVER - to be a proac ve eff ec ve organisa on.

Our Vision, Principles and Aims

1 Vision, Principles and Aims 2 Foreword 3 Enterprising Communi es 4 Enterprising Communi es 5 SEWCED 6 Informa on, Support and Funding 7 Volunteering 8 Young People’s Volunteering 9 Engagement Gateway 10 Health, Social Care and Wellbeing 11 Mental Health Service Development12 Mental Health Service Development13 Mental Health Service User Involvement Project14 Mental Health Service User Involvement Project15 Learn RCT 16 See CHANGE17 Suppor ng Groups Working with Families/ Young People’s Par cipa on18 Play Development Project19 Interlink Training Programme/ Compact and Codes of Prac ce 20 Execu ve Commi ee Members 21 Staff Team22- 24 Accounts25- 26 Interlink Membership

Jean Harrington Simon JamesChair, Interlink Chief Execu ve Offi cer

Foreword

It has been an even more challenging year for community and voluntary sector groups in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with a further increase in requests for help and support during these diffi cult mes. Our work has become more focused on

suppor ng groups to be more innova ve, enterprising and to generate funds to reduce their reliance on single sources of income.

Key successes during the year include:

The Compact is a partnership agreement between the Third Sector, the Local Authority and Cwm Taf Health Board, which seeks to build on our exis ng good working rela onships to improve service delivery for the benefi t of communi es in Rhondda Cynon Taf. A small working group of partner representa ves produced a dra Compact for consulta on between June and August 2011. Codes of Prac ce were developed for Partnership Working, Volunteering and Media on and Disputes Resolu on and Commissioning Third Sector Services (Commission Accomplished). The fi nal Compact document was approved by the Local Service Board on 31 October 2011 and launched at Interlink’s AGM on 1 December 2011.

Commission Accomplished, the Public Sector Code of Prac ce for Commissioning Third Sector Services was produced as a new on line guide to commissioning with the third sector produced for RCT and Merthyr, supported by a range of excellent and well a ended workshops and training for providers and commissioners.

See CHANGE ‘Empowering Ac ve Communi es in RCT’ delivered much more training than planned to work with our members to empower communi es to make a diff erence, including Community Development courses where 81 Agored Cymru accredita ons were achieved from entry level to level 2.

Engagement Gateway projects enabled Interlink to make eff ec ve use of European funding to develop a number of key employability projects such as:

• Stepping Forward - delivered with Valley and Vale Community Arts to support people to improve their mental well-being through crea vity.

• LEARN RCT - developing the confi dence and skills of people furthest away from the job market, suppor ng people into volunteering, learning and employment opportuni es.

What Next? It will again be a diffi cult me for many of our members and communi es with huge issues such as the economy, welfare reform and increasing child poverty. Key issues over the following months and years will be to s ck to our values, work together as a Sector and work in partnership to deliver be er services focussed on addressing the increasing needs of the people and communi es we work with.

Achievements and Performance April 2011 to March 2012

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Informa on, Support and FundingInforma on, Support and Funding

The Enterprising Communi es project provides prac cal support to develop enterprise with community and voluntary groups and social enterprises within Rhondda Cynon Taf. This includes developing your plans, managing projects and genera ng income. We work with individual groups or bring people together to work collec vely, for example, through workshops and events, including co-ordina ng the RCT Social Enterprise Forum. The Enterprise Communi es Projects are funded by the Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund, managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Ac on (WCVA).

Phil Barre was appointed in April 2011 and Ken Moon in July 2011 as Enterprising Communi es Development Offi cers at Interlink. The support available to individuals and groups includes assistance with business planning, organisa onal development, fi nance and funding, equal opportuni es, environmental management and legal structures.

Between the period of June 2011 and March 2012 Phil and Ken worked with 73 groups and 9 individuals providing short to more longer term in depth support on fi nancial management and income genera on, governance and business development to name some of the main areas of help and support.

Friends of Rhydyfelin Children’s Centre were supported to become cons tuted and seek grant funding.

Penrhiwceiber Ins tute received a Trustee Roles and Responsibili es half day workshop.

Monocle Community Theatre Group were involved in a Session giving the commi ee members help on the general governance of their group and understanding of governing documents.

Rhydyfelin Amateur Football Club received support on ma ers of cons tu on changes, funding applica ons and policy requirements.

Glan Road Neighbourhood Watch was supported through their management commi ee transi on.

Abercynon Social Hall fi nd grant funding.

Enterprising Communi es

Some of the Individuals and Groups we have been helping to develop:

World of Words is a new voluntary organisa on helping school children to read, was provided withguidance on the management of the organisa on and with the produc on and adop on of their cons tu on and to develop all the policies the group needed.

Be Inspired: Emma Sterverson came to Interlink seeking support to establish a trading framework for a local cra group. With Interlinks help the group explored a range of op ons and are now being supported by the Wales Co-opera ve Centre to establish a trading and marke ng coopera ve.

Treforest Residents Associa on approached Interlink to develop a legal structure which would allow them to develop a hydro scheme on the River Taff . The group was helped to secure funding and undertake in-depth work to explore a range of op ons for legal structures. The group is now in the process of establishing a Community Interest Company.

‘Since I started here at RBF in October 2010, Interlink has been very helpful with any query I have. If one par cular person I contact cannot help me, they do their utmost to fi nd someone who can. For someone, like myself not having a ‘charity’ background, I have struggled with the diff erent rules and regula ons that come with charity work and to have the support from Interlink, has made my working life much easier knowing that I can just pick up the phone and contact you.’ Chris na Ryan, Rhondda Breast Friends

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Enterprising Communi es

Trecynon Ins tute were successful in receiving funding from The Lo ery’s Awards for All Wales Programme for chairs and tables. The Ins tute were also sucessful with Interlink’s help in having grants from the Coalfi elds Regenera on Trust and the Welsh Church Act Fund for new windows throughout their building.

Local community groups linked to The Bryncynon Strategy were provided with a good governance session on the roles and responsibili es of management commi ee members.

The Team have put together a range of learning opportuni es for social enterprises as part of the Interlink training programme and developed the RCT Social Enterprise Forum with regular workshops and networking events.

The Social Enterprise Conference ‘Fit for the Future’ at Fedw Hir, near Aberdare on the 21 July was a ended by over 70 par cipants. The workshops included marke ng; genera ng an income through community energy; sources of fi nance and surviving the early years.

On the 24 November 2011 the RCT Social Enterprise Forum took place at Interlink and was a ended by 26 people from 18 diff erent organisa ons. Presenta ons included working in consor a and succession planning, asset transfer and business planning. The project team delivered a workshop to 16 people on ‘Maximising Income from Trading’ at the Interlink AGM on the 1 December 2011.

‘I have nothing but praise and admira on for the RCT Hydro Scheme and their proposals and believe this cause should be championed and given the recogni on it so highly deserves.’ Owen Smith, MP for Pontypridd and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

‘Once again – thanks for the good advice. Interlink is always our fi rst ‘port of call.’Jill Price, Daerwynno Outdoor Centre.

Working with the Charity CommissionInterlink con nued its work with the Charity Commission mee ng representa ves from the Commission’s Wales Offi ce to discuss changes and developments for the Commission, issues and problems that occur with local groups and Interlinks role in helping to resolve those issues.

Phil Jenkins at the Cwm Clydach Hydro System

During the period the Team started to work with partners to develop a strategic vision for developing community energy in RCT. They secured over £80,000 in external funding for a range of ac vi es including behaviour on how people use community buildings, suppor ng 4 community hydro schemes, undertaking 4 community energy audits and an RCT micro-hydro study which were all delivered between October 2011 and March 2012. This work has put Interlink at the forefront of suppor ng the development community energy in Wales.

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South East Wales Community Economic Development Scheme (SEWCED)

Suppor ng the South East Wales Community Economic Development Scheme Interlink were successful in winning a tender from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to deliver support for applicants applying for the European Regional Development Fund SEWCED programme in the South East Wales area un l 2015.

This project aims to build economic sustainable communi es through the grant programme and focuses on:

• increasing the economic contribu on of the third sector.

• physical improvements bringing land into use, community environmental projects and improvements to small-scale sites/premises.

• improving services for communi es where gaps can be clearly iden fi ed.

• developing local networks that engage local communi es to fi nd and implement local solu ons.

• promo ng social inclusion through cultural and heritage ac vi es.

A large number of enquiries were received working with a total of 35 organisa ons over the year including:Hirwaun YMCA; REACH; Dylan’s Den; TABS; FADS; Quantum Leap; Ferndale Skate Park; Boilerhouse Project; Abercwmboi Regenera on Partnership; Barry Sidings; Ynysybwl; Founda on 14a; Trehafod Village Hall; Llanharan Drop In Centre; Groundworks; Cleanstream Carpets; Cwmparc Community Associa on; Choices; Green Burials / Cariad; Golf Academy; Child and Parental Support; The Phoenix Centre; Rowan Tree Cancer Care;GOFAL; GTFM; CWMNi; Mineworks; Grow Enterprise Wales; Rhondda Housing Associa on;Communi es in Partnership Ltd; So Play Mardy; Pontypridd YMCA; CHAT and Spectacle Theatre.

Successful applicants supported to access funding include Cleanstream Carpets, Groundwork Merthyr and RCT, GTFM, Spectacle Theatre, Rowan Tree Cancer Care and Dylan’s Den.

Andrew Rowlands was employed from July 2011 as the Social Enterprise Development Offi cer and worked extensively with Dylan’s Den, a childcare co-opera ve based in Treorchy run on a not-for-profi t basis providing out-of-school childcare for children and families in the upper Rhondda area. They received support on wri ng their business plan, SEWCED Proposal and Applica on Grant forms and they are now delivering their project ‘Playing to our Strengths.’

The project ensures groups and individuals receive the right support depending on the nature of the enterprise, helping with governance, project planning, community engagement, community renewable energy etc, through advice, networks, workshops and conferences. It is also vital to link with other support providers such as the Wales Co-opera ve Centre, the Coalfi elds Regenera on Trust, local authority and lots of others to ensure the best service is provided for social enterprises in RCT.

Cleanstream Carpets

‘This is an absolutely excellent piece of work. Well done.’ Kathryn Williams, Director, Dylan’s Den

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Friends of Wa stown and Ynyshir Community Centre’s management commi ee were given support and advice from Joanna Markham, Interlink’s Informa on and Advice Development Offi cer over several months to resolve issues to establish a terms of use for the Centre and a structured charging system.

FADS were supported to develop a sustainable fundraising strategy .

Informa on, Support and Funding

‘Interlink have been a constant help and support. They help with funding advice and always make sure we have all relevant informa on and updated policies to help with the smooth running of our organisa on. They have been directly instrumental in the recent sourcing of three year funding from the Henry Smith Founda on through The Community Founda on in Wales. We would like to thank Interlink for their con nued support and interest in us and the excellent service they off er chari es and organisa ons throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf.’ Gail Silva, Manager, Fads A Family Service who deliver counselling services throughout RCT and issue based projects to over 1,000 children a year.

Treherbert OAP and Widows Associa on were supported in upgrading the Hall for the whole community to enjoy. They successfully applied to the Community Capital Project Fund and the Welsh Church Act Fund.

Peter Davey from Cambrian Male Voice Choir received £2,998 for a new computer system, camcorder and tripod, ohp projector and screen plus addi onal audio equipment, to work with Cwmclydach Junior School to create a DVD about the history of the Cambrian Male Voice Choir.

Gateway Community Church received £1,176.32 for various equipment and play equipment for the Mother and Toddlers Group, a TV and computer table for the youth project so that they could play games etc on it, and for the senior ci zens groups they had a kitchen set, toaster, various games, table cloths, mugs and plates.

Peter explained ‘The small grants scheme from Interlink will enable us to work with the pupils of Cwmclydach Junior School to create a DVD that can be used for genera ons to come.’

‘Thank you for all your help, I know I couldn't have completed the forms without you.’Phil Thomas (Gateway Community Church)

Community Capital Project Fund Interlink’s Community Capital Project Fund provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups in Rhondda Cynon Taf and is supported by the Welsh Government (Communi es Facili es and Ac vi es Programme).

36 voluntary groups were successful in applying to the Community Capital Project Fund and just a few of the projects supported included:

Trustees of Treforest Boys and Girls Club were supported to develop a fundraising strategy for the Club, applying for essen al works for replacement ligh ng. They also successfully applied to Awards for All Wales for building renova on to ensure the youth ac vi es con nued in the club.

MAM (Money and Advice Market)Interlink’s annual Money and Advice Market was held on Friday 24 June 2011 at Pontypridd YMCA a rac ng 54 people who were able to get advice and informa on from funders such as The Big Lo ery Fund; Environment Wales; Fundraising Standards Board; RCT County Borough Council; Coalfi elds Regenera on and WCVA.

Ynysybwl Regenera on Partnership were supported over a period of several months to make several applica ons to develop their sustainability. This included applica ons to the Community Facili es and Ac vi es programme, to purchase a building to use as a charity shop, and the Interlink’s Community Voice consor a applica on to engage local people in working with partners to improve Ynysybwl.

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Volunteering

Volunteering makes a huge impact on the people and communi es of Rhondda Cynon Taf, both in what volunteers give, and in turn, what they can receive back in terms of increasing their confi dence, skills and building rela onships. Interlink Volunteering Team recruits and places over 200 volunteers annually in local groups. For this to be successful, it means closely matching the interests and skills of the volunteer with the right opportunity. Increasingly, volunteers come to Interlink to fi nd an opportunity within the Sector as a stepping stone to gain confi dence and skills to get a job.

‘We have worked well with Interlink over the years, I have always found Interlink staff to be extremely helpful, knowledgeable and well informed. Most recently, Interlink have been instrumental in assis ng us to obtain The Inves ng in Volunteers Award, the UK quality standard for good prac ce in volunteer management, which is a pres gious achievement. For the past 3 years our volunteers have received cer fi cates of achievement, presented at the Interlink Volunteer of the Year Awards, and last year we were proud to receive second place overall for a group of our volunteers. Interlink provides an invaluable service to voluntary organisa ons and I hope they con nue for many years to come.’ Eirlys Whitney, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Cwm Cynon Women’s Aid

Inves ng in VolunteersGood volunteers start with good volunteer management. Inves ng in Volunteers is a quality standard for good prac ce in volunteer management. A aining the Standard involves establishing a posi ve and suppor ve environment for volunteers with good quality management systems. Three organisa ons in RCT were successful in achieving the Standard in 2011/12 and are now able to use the coveted Inves ng In Volunteers kite mark. Cwm Cynon Womens Aid, TooGoodToWaste and Gilfach Goch Community Associa on were supported by the RCT Volunteer Centre through Chris ne Davies, our trained IIV advisor and assessor.

Volunteers Celebra on EveningStan Stenne honoured 150 volunteers at the annual RCT Volunteer Celebra on and Awards Evening on the 15 June 2011 at Abercwmboi Rugby Club. The event let volunteers know just how much their me, skills, dedica on and commitment are appreciated. All nominated volunteers were invited to the Celebra on Evening where they were all presented with Awards before being treated to an evening of entertainment, dining and dancing.

Cwm Cynon Women’s Aid, Glyntaff Residents Associa on and Bethlehem View Residents Panel volunteers were judged to have made an outstanding contribu on to volunteering and selected to compete for the Norah Huxley Award. This involved fi lming their work, with the audience vo ng for Glyntaff Residents Associa on as the overall winner.

Our thanks and apprecia on go to our supporters who sponsored this event: Groundwork Merthyr and RCT; L’Oreal; RCT Social Care Workforce Development Partnership; Cwm Taf Health Board Community and Mental Health; Cynon Valley Crime Reduc on Services Ltd; Rhondda Housing Associa on; Cynon Taf Community Housing Group; GE Healthcare; Interlink; Cwm Taf Health Board Planning and Partnerships.

GTRA (Glyntaff Residents Associa on) were nominated by Ruth Barclay of Coleg Morgannwg for their commitment and dedica on to their community.

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Young People’s Volunteering

We are seeing more young people come through the doors, with 61 young people placed with local organisa ons. 30 young people were recruited onto the Millennium Volunteers programme and six of them clocked up over 200 hours.

Thomas Crocke gave presenta ons to young people, including Porth County, Hawthorn and Rhydywaun Schools and Coleg Morgannwg to deliver the volunteering component of their Welsh Baccalaureate schemes, developed links with various departments of the University of Glamorgan, and engaged with organisa ons as diverse as the London 2012 Olympic Games, South Wales Police, and the Na onal Eisteddfod.

The Vol FactorThe Vol Factor is a youth-led grant scheme suppor ng volunteering projects for 16-25 year olds in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Administered by Interlink and funded by GwirVol, the scheme, now into its fourth year is managed by a panel of 16-25 year olds recruited through previous schemes, who came up with the name and decided on the criteria for the grants.

30 local young heroes from Rhondda Cynon Taf were recognised at the Vol Factor celebra on evening, held at the Feelgood Factory in Abercynon in March 2012.

The event was held to celebrate the contribu ons volunteers aged 16-25 made to the seven projects which received grants from The Vol Factor, in 2011/12. Par cipants gave brief presenta ons explaining their projects, and received cer fi cates from Interlink Chief Execu ve, Simon James.

Also successful in receiving funding were Fernhill Youth Project’s Halloween Ghost Trip, and Drink Awareness and Confi dence Building projects ran by Rathbone UK in Pontypridd and Aberdare.

‘Thank you for providing the links, without the support of people like yourselves ac vi es like this would not be possible.’ Porth County Community School Welsh Baccaulareate Co-ordinator

‘I already knew about Interlink, but I didn’t have the confi dence to enquire. Then my Personal Advisor at the Job Centre suggested it, and I came along to an appointment. The Youth Volunteering Advisor accompanied me to the Barnardos Shop for my ini al mee ng, and I have been there ever since! It’s got me back into a daily rou ne (I volunteer fi ve days a week), so I’m ge ng out and about, and socializing a bit more. Volunteering has built my confi dence and got me into a more posi ve frame of mind. I have also made other links with Interlink, and I may soon be ge ng involved with a new project called Learn RCT.’ Young Volunteer

Funded by GwirVol, the Welsh Assembly partnership promo ng Youth Volunteering, the Vol Factor’s panel of four handed out a total of £4,800 to schemes as diverse as Teckno UK, a street dance project ran by Maerdy Kidz R Us, a brand new project establishing Blind and Par ally Sighted Youth Groups, co-ordinated by Cardiff Vales and Valleys/RNIB Cymru, RCT People First’s Daerwonno Project and award winning Youth Theatre sessions ran by students from Ysgol Y Pant.

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Engagement Gateway

Engagement Gateway is a European Social Fund project administered by WCVA.

Engagement Gateway Offi cer, Meriel Gough, has supported 50 Engagement Gateway projects get off the ground, provided advice and guidance in se ng up projects, recrui ng par cipants and encouraging groups to work collabora vely together. Those large numbers of Gateway Suppliers that have worked collabora vely with partners in RCT have reaped the rewards in successful par cipant recruitment and achievements of outcomes!

A big thank you to all supporters of the Gateway in RCT without you projects would not have been anywhere near as successful!

101 Gateway projects can be accessed by residents living in RCT out of 433 Wales wide projects!

The RCT Gateway will have helped over 3,000 par cipants during the last 3 years, with a poten al value of £6,325,000 worth of ac vity.

The majority of par cipants on a Gateway project will gain a posi ve outcome and a qualifi ca on. Par cipants are then referred on to an outcome that takes them closer to the job market.

Sean and Liz are taking part in Toogoodtowastes Gateway project that helps build Retail and Admin skills.

Of the Toogoodtowastes Gateway project Sean, 22 years old from Maerdy says ‘I want to be in retail to see how far I can go. My experience so far is that the Gateway course is defi nitely worthwhile – I am really interested in Retail! It is a great opportunity, I’ve recommended this project to all my friends and family, here you can get experience – the overall result is a paid job!’

Liz Jones is 31 years old from Pontypridd, of the Gateway project Liz says ‘A very posi ve experience, it gives you’re the chance to look into the future and have hope for it!’

The Engagement Gateway’s ‘Prepare to Care’ course is 10 weeks long and is provided by Merthyr and the Valleys MIND.

Vicky Wall Bank from Merthyr thoroughly enjoyed the course work, says ‘This course has confi rmed my future work choices, as a result of the course I will start a Level 2 Health and Social Care course at Merthyr College in September 2011. I’d love to be a Social Worker, I would tell anyone interested in ‘Care’ to come along to this course - it’s fabulous! My confi dence, knowledge and self-esteem have improved.’

Sean at Toogoodtowaste

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Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

The Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Forum The Forum is facilitated by Anne Morris who alsosupports a number of condi on specifi c focus groups that sit under the main forum. The forum provides a networking opportunity and a pla orm to increase knowledge and awareness of current ini a ves. This year’s themes highlighted health inequali es and healthy lifestyles including; Smoke Free Cwm Taf Strategy and the Obesity Pathway, along with the new locality working model.

New this year for the Forum was ‘Partnerships in the Park’ a joint network event with mental health and children and young people’s organisa ons on consulta on on the new RCT Compact and new Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy 2011-14.

Cancer Focus GroupThe Cancer Focus Group adopted a new way of working, Chairperson of the Cancer Focus Group, Diane Raybould, a er many years of reless service and success, stepped down and is replaced by Jimmy Browne. Instead of holding regular mee ngs the Group could be more eff ec ve as a ‘virtual’ network where a core of key people have commi ed to be involved on behalf of their organisa ons. They come together when par cular issues arise, to discuss what ac ons and outcomes are required.

Service Provider ForumThe la er part of 2011 saw the establishment of a new Third Sector Service Provider Forum. The aim of the Provider Forum is to be a two-way communica on mechanism for third sector groups to engage with each other and with statutory partners to infl uence the commissioning agenda and the provision of health and social care services.

Crystal Trophy AwardsHealth Challenge Wales Crystal Trophy Awards recognise the achievements of local groups within Cwm Taf. A large number of extremely high quality applica ons were submi ed this year making the judging process very diffi cult. Four worthy winners were selected, each winning a prize fund of £1,000. Rhondda Food Bank was the overall winner receiving the Crystal Trophy this year. The three runners up were; FADS Family Service; Tonyrefail Play Partnership and The Willows Centre in Merthyr Tydfi l.

Rhondda Food Bank was launched in November 2009 and working alongside Chris ans Against Poverty (CAP). They provide emergency food parcels free of charge to individuals and families in short term crisis. A family in need are able to have a food parcel delivered within 24 hours containing food to last them three days. The project relies heavily on volunteers to distribute and collect the food and the project has fed over 1600 people since its launch, 40% of who were children. The group has taken on their fi rst volunteer through Interlink.

Rhondda Food Bank

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Mental Health Service Development

The project employs Maria Abson to supportcommunity and voluntary groups to address mental health issues in Cwm Taf.

What is the Mental Health Forum?The Mental Health Forum allows groups to share informa on and ideas, support each other and work together. Websites, newsle ers and mail outs are used to let people know what is going on. The Mental Health Forum links to a range of ac vi es and groups with people from the Forum a ending events and mee ngs and repor ng back, keeping everyone informed.

‘Thank you for working relessly in gaining funding for the most powerful enlightening course I have ever been on. I’ve laughedand cried but most of all I’ve gained self-awareness and confi dence. I can’t thank you enough it has been a real pleasure, this project absolutely must be more than a pilot and made available to others like me.’ Stepping Forward par cipant.

New Service Development - Stepping Forward Stepping Forward was a European funded Engagement Gateway project that was managed by Interlink and delivered with Valley and Vale Community Arts. The project involved using crea vity to develop the confi dence and skills of people with low to moderate mental health issues over an 8 week period. The project was an outstanding success with 18 par cipants recruited; with 4 star ng volunteering; 1 returning to full me employment a er being on Incapacity Benefi t for 20 years; 17 gaining a City and Guilds Qualifi ca on; and 8 par cipants con nuing to meet as a peer group called New Friends.

Mental Health Work Club Development A working group of the Cwm Taf Mental Health Forum was established in July 2011 to explore how service users eff ected by the new Welfare Reforms could be supported into educa on, training and employment. As a result, three Mental Health Work Clubs with referral and support arrangements with partners were started in February 2012. Hafal have played a lead role in working with all partners to ensure the Clubs have since grown from strength to strength.

Day Service Review / Local Mental Health Grants SchemeAt the end of 2010 Cwm Taf LHB started to engage with mental health providers to advise of service changes and develop revised service specifi ca ons. In April 2011 the Mental Health Forum members aff ected were supported to work together to prepare for the service changes. A steering group was established, workshops held including legal structures and commissioning and relevant training provided. Cwm Taf LHB is now looking at how to provide new innova ve services such as Stepping Forward and Work Clubs, and to engage the Sector in an open tender process for Housing, Advice, Welfare and Informal Advocacy Services linked to Part 1 of the Mental Health Measure.

‘I’ve really valued the support and advice I’ve received and believe it will go a long way in securing a new service specifi ca on.’

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EventsA mental health awareness raising event in Merthyr in October 2011 gave members of the public the opportunity to discuss their concerns about mental health and challenge some of the stereotypes people hold. It was a great success with 230 members of the public a ending and over 60 community organisa ons holding stalls, giving advice, guidance and signpos ng people to relevant services. The event was opened by the Mayor, Paul Brown who spoke about the importance of the event and World Mental Health Day in raising public awareness. The event was described as ‘inspiring’ by a member of the public, a sen ment shared by all those present.

In RCT an organised walk raised awareness for World Mental Health Day. Service users, carers, family members and representa ves from the Council’s Mental Health Independent Living Services, Mind, Gofal, Hafal, New Horizons, a number of peer support groups and Interlink came together to enjoy a fundraising stroll through Ynysangharad Park, with more than 50 people raising money for future events.

Mental Health Support Services Directory An online Service Directory was launched at the World Mental Health Day Events in both RCT and Merthyr Tydfi l in October 2011 providing informa on, advice and contacts in Cwm Taf. The Directory has been developed and promoted in partnership with informa on cards being distributed to encourage people to visit the site at www.mentalhealthsupport.co.uk.

Social Enterprise Work commenced in November 2011 to develop future opportuni es working with the innova ve plans of Forum members such as Gofal, New Horizons and Hafal to improve their fi nancial sustainability and generate new sources of income.

Mental Health Service Development

‘What a useful resource, it’s quick and easy to use and a great source of informa on.’

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From April 2011 / March 2012, the Mental Health Service User Involvement Project has employed Rachel Wya and Helen Rees to support service users in a wide variety of involvement opportuni es including service users groups, joint working groups with service providers, awareness raising and the recruitment of mental health workers.

SURF (Service User Recovery Forum)Service users have met on a monthly basis at SURF mee ngs (Service User Recovery Forum). Mee ngs have been held in diff erent community venues across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfi l to ensure all service users have an opportunity to par cipate. SURF mee ngs are an excellent way for people to share their experiences, to respond to consulta ons as a group and for service user representa ves to collect feedback about mental health services. Here is what some of the SURF members have told us:

Guest speakers gave updates on the New Welsh Measure, the crisis service in Merthyr and Aberdare and the redesign of acute in-pa ent services at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant. Service users have been extremely proac ve in Cwm Taf Local Health Board’s consulta on on adult in-pa ent services in August 2011. As a result of concerns expressed during the consulta on process, the LHB’s proposed Op on 5 was amended to Op on 5+ to include rehabilita on beds in Thomastown House in Merthyr Tydfi l which can be accessed by service users from the Cynon and Merthyr Valleys. A SURF group representa ve has been involved in the Redesign Project, the steering group for implemen ng the move to one centralised in-pa ent mental health service at the Royal Glamorgan site.

Service User Representa vesSeven service user representa ves have been involved in various mental health planning and policy groups, including:

• Stronger In Partnership Group (Service User and Carer Involvement Group).

• The RCT and Merthyr Tydfi l Mental Health Joint Planning Group.

• The Psychology Service User and Carer Commi ee.

• Care Planning Approach (CPA) Monitoring Group.

• Mental Health Act Monitoring Group.

• The Primary Care Task and Finish Group.

• Rehabilita on Service at Ysbyty George Thomas and Pinewood House (Treorchy).

• The Redesign of In-Pa ent Services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital

In November 2011, an informa on and resource pack was developed to support service user representa ves in their role. The fi rst service user representa ves mee ng was held in March 2012 at the Muni Arts Centre Pontypridd a ended by ten representa ves from diff erent local service user groups. They agreed the need for a representa ves group to gather feedback and represent the news of diff erent groups.

‘Involvement has made all the diff erence in the world and has helped me to have a new life.’

‘It’s brought me out of myself and it’s good to hear others point of view.’

Mental Health Service User Involvement Project

Representa ves meet at the Muni Arts Centre

13

TrainingService users have par cipated in the delivery of 14 training events for home care workers, student nurses, clinical psychology students and Approved Mental Health Prac oner (AMPH) students.

The Involvement Project organised Joint Recruitment Training for Service Users, Carers and Workers which was facilitated in partnership with Cwm Taf Local Health Board, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and the University of Glamorgan.

Here is what some of the par cipants told us:

Recrui ng Mental Health WorkersService users have been involved in 18 interview panels this year, including nursing staff , clerical staff , community psychiatric nurses, psychologists, health care assistants, psychology students and nursing students.

Research in Mental HealthThe Involvement Project has worked in partnership with the University of Glamorgan and New Horizons on an online service user survey which was published in November 2011 and is available to view online at www.mentalhealthsupport.co.uk.

Key Figures 21 ac ve service users, including 7 new service users.

Mental Health Awareness RaisingIn December 2011, the Involvement Project was successful in its applica on to Wales Mental Health in Primary Care for a bursary to carry out an awareness-raising project. ‘INFORM’ will collect digital stories from service users and carers about their experiences of primary care services. The stories will feature in a training package for professionals working in the primary care sector.

‘Training allows service users to be more involved in ensuring high quality and empathe c staff . It was heartening to see service users placed at the centre of training.’

‘This training gave me a good insight into the whole recruitment process.’

Mental Health Service User Involvement Project

Stronger In PartnershipThe Stronger In Partnership group is well established and a ended by service users, carers and service providers with a shared vision for promo ng service user and carer involvement in mental health services across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfi l and has been offi cially recognised as having responsibility for gathering service user feedback on local mental health services. In February 2012, the group planned ‘LISTEN 2012’ a Listening event for service users and carers to learn more about the recent changes in adult mental health services and to discuss these changes with managers from Cwm Taf Local Health Board and the local authority.

Digital story training

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The Local Employability and Regenera on Network in RCT (LEARN RCT) Project supported economically inac ve individuals and those furthest from the labour market over the age of 16 to gain confi dence, skills and qualifi ca ons through volunteering, training and employment opportuni es with community and social enterprises.

Jenny Thomas and Sam Griffi ths were employed to provide support and training for people who are currently not in work, to help them into employment or volunteering.

Geraint is 30 years old, with no paid work history. Suff ering from tragic personal issues, Geraint began to feel lost and alone. Leaving school with few qualifi ca ons, he a empted college, which didn’t work out. This cycle of feeling depressed and alone had con nued, un l he was unable to leave the house alone, and would only visit the Job Centre for his appointments. Geraint was referred to Jenny by his advisor for support with job search and confi dence issues.

Jenny worked with Geraint to complete a CV and discussed the ways in which Geraint could improve his confi dence. Geraint decided to try the Skills for Learning and Life programme with great success. He a ended every session, and although at fi rst found it diffi cult to interact with other members of the group, soon began to fi nd it easier.

Geraint has now gone on to another Engagement Gateway project at Interlink – Stepping Forward – and has completed a City and Guilds qualifi ca on in Employability and Personal Development. Skills for Learning and Life programme

Par cipants engaged 68Par cipants gaining other posi ve outcomes 68Par cipants gaining qualifi ca ons 4Par cipants entering further learning 18Par cipants entering volunteering 9Par cipants entering mainstream programmes 3Par cipants entering employment 2

‘I feel a lot more able than before, I’m fi er as I’m walking more, I’m talking more, I’m more approachable, I have a be er outlook in life and I’m happier, my father has no ced a diff erence in me since I started volunteering.’

Myles had been out of work for around 10 years. Being out of the job market for so long had knocked his confi dence in his ability to an extremely low level. He felt incompetent to look for work and was unsure of his own ability. As a way of boos ng his skills and confi dence, Myles agreed to discuss the opportuni es available for voluntary work. A er agreeing to try it out, Myles started volunteering in a charity shop in a local hospital, where he hasn’t looked back.

Myles now feels confi dent enough to start a computer course and has started to apply for jobs, a er comple ng his CV with Jenny.

Geraint says of his experience‘I wanted to run out of the room to start, but I forced myself to stay and I’m glad.’

Learn RCT

The Learn RCT project supported par cipants by:

• Helping to iden fy their interests, future plans and training needs with support from the Learn RCT Advisor.

• Providing free training courses and volunteering opportuni es to learn new skills and provide new experiences.

• Building confi dence and self esteem.

• Providing work based experience in, for example, retail, customer service, offi ce and everyday skills.

15

See CHANGE is funded by the Big Lo ery and aims to increase the voice of local people through training. This year Kelly Daniel and Helen Green assisted over 300 individuals who have benefi ted through support and training across 26 courses in Community Development, Par cipa on and Democracy. Our learners achieved in total 81 accredita ons from entry level to level 2.

The training has enabled many of our learners to develop projects in their own communi es. For example, a group of mums from Abercwmboi Communi es First ini ally took part in a taster course in community development. They then wanted progress and undertook some accredita on in par cipa on, community research skills and community development. The group iden fi ed through the training that there was a lack of facili es for people to get together and that Abercwmboi needed a community based café. See CHANGE worked with Communi es First and the mums to establish ‘Breakfast Together.’ Every Friday the group provide a hearty breakfast for the community.

‘It’s the only hot meal I get, and it’s fabulous to be able to come here with my family’.

From July 2011 See CHANGE began taking a lead on par cipa on training delivered by young people (called Young People Say) which had been piloted by Fframwaith. Seven young people were supported to deliver engagement training to a range of organisa ons from Communi es First staff to volunteer youth workers. The young people were also given the opportunity to begin an OCN award in par cipa on.

See CHANGE was involved with developing the consor a for the Big Lo ery’s Community Voice fund. The consor um includes older people, young people, mental health, visually impaired people and disadvantaged communi es. We were successful in ge ng through to round 2 of the funding process and will fi nd out next year if we are successful.

One guest speaker from Rhondda Breast Friends told us ‘It’s great to be able to show other groups how much you can develop if you have the passion and vision to make it happen.’

One of the young people commented ‘Before I started this, I never would have thought I’d have the confi dence to speak to a room full of adults - let alone train them in how to engage with young people!’

See CHANGE

See CHANGE has also off ered a bespoke service and has supported both Bryncynon and Glyncoch with conduc ng a community survey to iden fy needs. We enabled ac ve community members to be part of this and delivered training around par cipa on, ways to consult and ac ve listening skills.

We held 2 networking events – one on sustainability and another on volunteering and fundraising. From these events, community groups andorganisa ons were able to form new partnerships and share ideas. Perthcelyn linked with Federa on of City Farms and Community Gardens and swi ly began plans for an orchard while the Glyncoch co-ordinator went on to arrange mentoring skills training with See CHANGE.

16

Young People’s Par cipa on

Suppor ng Groups Working with Families

During 2010/11, Maria Prosser was employed by the Fframwaith Partnership to ensure the full involvement of community and voluntary organisa ons in the work of the Partnership, represen ng the Sector on behalf of Interlink, providing informa on, support and training, as well as coordina ng four Children and Young People Development (CYD) Network events including:

‘Planning for the Future’ which provided an opportunity for the Sector to explore Canopi, a mul -agency approach to addressing the needs of families on an area or cluster basis; and

‘Back to Basics’ enabled the Network to refl ect on their achievements and how to embrace change for the future.

A lot of training and awareness raising has taken place, with safeguarding high on the agenda. There is plenty of evidence the message of ‘Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business’ is ge ng across through the number of Safeguarding courses that have been requested. The Local Safeguarding Children Board approved ‘Safeguarding Level 2’ course has been delivered to 13 groups including Valleys Kids, Rhondda Housing, RCT Homes, Cynon Valley Crime Preven on, Rhondda Brass Band, Cwmbach Communi es First, The Strategy and Rhondda Women’s Aid. Interlink hosted three fully booked courses including all of Interlink’s staff . This is fantas c, proving how pro-ac ve the Sector is in respect to its safeguarding commitments towards children and young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Sue Phillips is based with Interlink and employed to involve children, young people and families across the work of the Fframwaith Partnership. This covers a whole range of involvement work and in 2010/11 this included:

Live Life Right – Young people’s group for the LSCBIn January 2012 young people who had an interest in the work of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) were brought together as a young people’s group. They were given training in how the LSCB worked, along with safeguarding awareness training. They wanted their own iden ty and developed their own logo to go along with the name they came up with ‘Live Life Right’ which will be professionally produced.

Families First Consulta onFamilies First is an innova ve programme that promotes mul -agency systems and support, with a clear emphasis on preven on and early interven on for families, par cularly those living in poverty. The best way of suppor ng children, par cularly those living in poverty, is by working with the whole family. Evidence suggests early support can reduce the likelihood of families developing more complicated and costly needs. In RCT, everyone wanted to make sure we listened to the experiences of families before designing new services. The consulta on process to inform the way forward with the new Families First programme involved children, young people and families with recent relevant experience of trying to access help when things started to become diffi cult for them. Children and young people were asked separately to the adults. They were asked how easy or diffi cult they found trying to get help, their own experiences of being assessed, what they found helpful / not helpful and their ideas for future improvements. For example, many families had a large number of people working with them from diff erent agencies, but they would prefer to have one key contact so that they do not feel overwhelmed as a family.

17

• 30 Voluntary organisa ons supported by the Flying Squad during the summer holidays.

• Shediau Chwarae pilot project delivered in 3 schools. Improved play experiences for children in schools achieved by training lunch me supervisors in playwork and providing loose parts for children to play with which are stored in a shed in the playground.

• Local Safeguarding Childrens Board Safeguarding training Level 1 delivered to 12 people.

• Experen al playwork training delivered to 35 people.

• Introduc on to Playwork Level 2 delivered to 30 people.

• Supported the Families and Schools Together Project in Perthcelyn.

• Supported the Teddy Bears Picnic in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd.

• Con nued to support Chwarae Plant with their Big Lo ery funded play project.

‘I really enjoyed the training, it made me understand the role and importance that play has in children’s lives as they develop.’

Play Development Project

Shelley described the Safeguarding training as providing ‘Good, clear informa on, done in a relaxed and helpful way.’

Ma Cook is the Play Development Offi cer at Interlink and provides training for and works with community and voluntary organisa ons to develop play opportuni es in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with funding from Rhondda Cynon Taf Early Years Department.

• Development of a Scrapstore as part of RCT’s Play Resource Centre in Ferndale.

• Playworkers Forum supported. A two day residen al on the Gower, including key note speakers, workshops and networking opportuni es.

• Local Safeguarding Childrens Board Safeguarding training Level 2 delivered to 24 people.

18

Compact and Codes of Prac ce

We ran an amazing 80 courses with 695 par cipants during 2011/12, that is 27 courses and 162 par cipants more than the previous year! And you enjoyed it, with 98% of you rated our training as very good or excellent. We delivered more accredited training over the year, including Community Development courses delivered by the See CHANGE project where 81 Agored Cymru accredita ons were achieved from entry level to level 2.

We also introduced a range of new courses on Tendering and Commissioning provided through the Commission Accomplished project, including Eff ec ve Contract Management, Wri ng and Presen ng Bids and Results Based Accountability.

Shell described the Confl ict Management training as ‘A brilliant course – life changing’ and John said ‘Interlink training just gets

be er and be er…’

Zoe said of the Learn RCT project ‘I am really enjoying the course and feel posi ve about my future now.’

A range of successful training was delivered during the year aimed at employability through our Learn RCT and Stepping Forward projects funded through Engagement Gateway. ‘Skills for Learning and Life’ provided sessions such as me management, goal se ng and interview skills.

The Compact is a partnership agreement between the Third Sector, via Interlink, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Cwm Taf Health Board, which seeks to build on exis ng working rela onships and ul mately improve partnership delivery for the benefi t of communi es in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

A small working group was convened of partner representa ves and a dra Compact was produced for consulta on. Consulta on took place between June and August 2011.

To accompany the Compact document, as appendices, Codes of Prac ce were developed for Partnership Working, Volunteering and Media on and Disputes Resolu on.

The fi nal Compact document was approved by the Local Service Board on 31 October 2011. It was formally launched at Interlink’s AGM on 1 December 2011.

Visit www.interlinkrct.org.uk to see the Compact document.

Interlink Training Programme

Jeane e said the Project Management course was an ‘Excellent day – everyone felt comfortable enough to take part.’

19

Execu ve Commi ee

Execu ve Commi ee 2011 to 2012

Jean Harrington TEDS Chair

Pauline Richards Valleys Kids Vice Chair

Lynne Herbert DEWIS Treasurer

Thea Lewis Pontypridd Talking News (un l December 2011)

Vince Price Cynon Valley Crime Preven on (un l December 2011)

Michelle Lenton Johnson The Strategy

Ian Dennis Groundwork Merthyr and Cynon (un l December 2011)

Robin Cook Treforest Wholesome Foods

Rhian Dash Rowan Tree Cancer Care

Erika Helps Rhondda Taff CAB

Kate O’Sullivan Gilfach Goch Community Associa on

Wayne Carter Penrhys Partnership

Geoff Bell Brynawel House

Wendy York RCT Community Arts

Lynda Corre Rhondda 50+ Forum (from December 2011)

Steve Davis Spectacle Theatre (from December 2011)

20

Simon James Chief Execu veJune Williams-Sykes Finance and Resources ManagerAnn Philpo Opera ons ManagerKath Price Offi ce ManagerAlisa Davies Administra ve AssistantCara Jordan-Evans Administra ve AssistantLauren Baker Recep onist/Hospitality AssistantPhil Barre Development Offi cer (Organisa onal Development)Joanna Markham Development Offi cer (Informa on and Support)Andrew Rowlands Development Offi cer (Social Enterprise) (From 1 July 2011 To 16 March 2012)Ken Moon Development Offi cer (Social Enterprise) (From 1 July 2011)Chris ne Davies Volunteering Development Offi cerThomas Crocke Volunteering Development Offi cerSam Griffi ths Voluntary Sector Mapping Project Offi cerJenny Thomas Learn RCT Development Offi cerMeriel Gough Engagement Gateway Development Offi cerMa hew Cook Play Development Offi cerMaria Prosser Children and Young People Partnership Development Offi cer (Hosted by Interlink)Sue Phillips Fframwaith Par cipa on and Involvement Offi cer (Hosted by Interlink)Maria Abson Mental Health Development Offi cerHelen Rees Mental Health Service User Involvement Offi cer (Support)Rachel Wya Mental Health Service User Involvement Offi cer (Development)Minu Mandora Expert Pa ents Programme Trainer/Coordinator (Un l 31 March 2012)Anne Morris Health, Social Care and Wellbeing FacilitatorKelly Daniel See Change Coordinator and Trainer Helen Green See Change Par cipa on Offi cerSian Richards Interlink CleanerSue Shaddock Interlink VolunteerCharlo e Taylor Interlink VolunteerHannah Davies Interlink Volunteer

Staff Team

21

Accounts

2012£

Fixed AssetsTangible Fixed Assets 67,791

Current AssetsDebtors and Prepayments 100,100Cash at Bank and in hand 411,270

511,370

Liabili es: Amounts falling due within one year

8,173

Net Current Assets 503,197

Net Assets 570,988

FundsUnrestricted Funds 504,961Restricted Funds 66,027

Total Funds 570,988

Balance SheetAs at 31 March 2012

These summarised accounts may not contain suffi cient informa on to allow for a full understanding of the fi nancial aff airs of the Charity. For further informa on the full accounts, the independent auditor’s report on those accounts and the trustees’ annual report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE Telephone: 01443 846200.

To the Members of Interlink In the opinion of the independent auditors, Williams Ross Limited, the summarised accounts given in this document are consistent with the full annual accounts. The independent auditors’ report on the full accounts was unqualifi ed.

WILLIAMS ROSS LIMITED Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor, 4 Ynys Bridge Court, Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff , CF15 9SS.

22

Accounts

Notes 2012 £

Gross income from normal con nuing opera ons 970,113

Special projects 1 139,407

Total income of con nuing opera ons 1,109,520

Total expenditure of con nuing opera ons 2 1,054,500

Net income for the year 55,020

Note 1Special projects refer to the income received and expenditure paid out to member organisa ons taking part in the DWP Future Jobs Fund and the Local Energy Assessment Fund.

Note 2Analysis of resources expended

Staff Costs

Special projects

Other Deprecia on Total

£ £ £ £ £

Support Costs 627,133 124,382 281,483 15,052 1,048,050

Management and administra on expenditure (including governance)

- - 6,450 - 6,450

627,133 124,382 287,933 15,052 1,054,500

Note 1

Summary Income and Expenditure AccountYear ended 31 March 2012

Accounts

23

Accounts

Unrestricted

Restricted Total£ £ £

Incoming resources

Incoming Resources from Generated Funds:

Ac vi es for genera ng funds:

Trading income 13,231 - 13,231Bank Interest 302 - 302

Incoming Resources from Charitable Ac vi es:Grants and contracts 390,918 543,434 934,352DWP Future Jobs Fund income - 76,967 76,967Local Energy Assessment Fund - 62,440 62,440

Other incoming resources 22,228 - 22,228

Total Incoming Resources 426,679 682,841 1,109,520

Resources Expended

Charitable Ac vi es 487,661 436,007 923,668Governance Costs 6,450 - 6,450DWP Future Jobs Fund payments to providers - 69,138 69,138

Local Energy Assessment Fund - 55,244 55,244

Total Resources Expended 494,111 560,389 1,054,500

Net (expenditure)/Income for the year before Transfers (67,432) 122,452 55,020

Transfers between Funds 98,216 (98,216) -

Net movement in funds 30,784 24,236 55,020Funds transferred from unincorporated charity 474,177 41,791 515,968

Funds Carried Forward 504,961 66,027 570,988

Statement of Financial Ac vi es(Including Income and Expenditure Account)

For the year ended 31 March 2012

24

MembershipInterlink Membership to 31 March 2012

Membership

12th Pontypridd Scout Group; 1st Aberdare St Fagans Scout Group; 1st Pontygwaith Scout Group; 1st Tonyrefail Scout Group; Aberaman Amateur Boxing Club; Aberaman Bowls Club; Aberaman Newydd Tenants Associa on; Abercwmboi Community Revival Group; Abercwmboi Environment Group; Abercwmboi Village Improvement Partnership; Abercynon Ac on Team; Abercynon RFC; Abercynon Social Hall; Aberdare & District Radio Society; Aberdare Childrens Contact Centre; Aberdare Cricket Club; Aberdare Scribblers; Aberdare Trefoil Guild; Abergorki Community Hall; Aberllechau Community Associa on; Abernant Community Interests Group; Access Mondial; Accessible Caring Transport; ACT 1 Theatre Group; ACTS Community Church; ADD-LIB; ADREF LTD; Advocacy Ma ers; Age Ac on Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber; Age Concern Cymru; Age Concern Morgannwg; Alison House Youth and Play Project; All Wales Forum; An Open Door; Arosfa Senior Ci zens Guild; Arts Factory; Ategi; Barry Sidings Ac vity Group; BETH Beyond Everything Theres Hope; Bethel Place Residents Associa on; Bethlehem Bap st Church; Bipolar UK; Boys and Girls Clubs Of Wales; Breast Cancer Care Cymru; Breathe Easy Rhondda; Briars Bridleways; Britannia Street Watch; Bri sh Deaf Associa on; Bri sh Heart Founda on Cymru; Bri sh Red Cross; Bronwydd Ladies Bowling Club; Bryn Golau Caergwerlas Tenants and Residents; Brynawel House Alcohol Rehabilita on Centre; Bryncynon Community Centre; Bryncynon Li er Pick Group; Bryncynon Walking Group; Bryn rion Graveyard Fund; Bryn rion Tenant & Residents Associa on; C.A.S.S. (Calectoral & Stoma Support); Camau Bach Outdoor Ac vity Group; Cambrian Male Voice Choir; Canny Quilter's; Capel Farm Resource Centre; Capel Salem Tonteg;Capel y Tabernacl Cyf; Cardiff Vales and Valleys; Care & Repair Rhondda Cynon Taff Ltd; Cartrefi Cymru; CASE;Castle Square United Reform Church; Cefn Primary Mother & Toddler; Cemetery Road Tenants & Residents Associa on; Central Glamorgan Guides; Central Glamorgan Trefoil Guild; Churches Counselling Service in Wales; Chwarae Plant; Chwarae Teg; CIC (Cynllyn Ieuenc d Y Cymoedd); Cilfynydd Art Society; Cilfynydd Kids Club; Circles Network Wales; Cleanstream Carpets CIC; Clwb Carco; Clwb Gymdeithasol Cymraeg Cwm Cynon; Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisa on; Coalfi elds Regenera on Trust; Coed Ely Community Centre Steering Group; Colorectal & Stoma Support Group; Communi es in Partnership; Community Cancer Services; Community Development Cymru; Community Media on Services RCT; Cor Meibion Morlais; Cor Meibion Pontypridd; Cornerstone Church; Cra yways Society; Crime Reduc on Ini a ves; Crossroads Rhondda Cynon Taff ; Cruse Bereavement Care Merthyr Tydfi l/Rhondda Cynon Taff ; Cwm Clydach Development Trust; Cwm Clydach Outdoor Ac vity Group; Cwm Cynon Women's Aid; Cwm Taf Credit Union; Cwm Taff Alzheimer's Society; Cwmaman Health Group; Cwmaman Ins tute Silver Band; Cwmaman Public Hall and Ins tute; Cwmbach Choir; Cwmbach Scouts and Guides; Cwmparc Branch Na onal OAP of Wales; Cwmparc Community Associa on; Cwmparc Out of School Club; Cwmparc Treorchy & Ynyswen Community Regenera on; Cylch; Cylch Meithrin Aberdar; Cylch Meithrin Efail Isaf; Cylch Meithrin Nant Drys; Cylch Meithrin Porth; Cylch Meithrin Thomastown; Cylch Meithrin Tynewydd; Cymdeithas Rhieni y Cymer; Cynon Allotments Associa on; Cynon Culture; Cynon Taf Community Housing; Cynon Valley Area Na onal OAP's Associa on of Wales; Cynon Valley Childminding Group; Cynon Valley Ci zens Advice Bureau; Cynon Valley Crime Preven on Associa on; Cynon Valley Disabled Club; Cynon Valley First Responder Scheme; Cynon Valley Neighbourhood Watch; Cynon Valley PALS; Cynon Valley Vision; Dai Davies Community Centre; Darranlas Residents Associa on; Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Diabetes Peer Support; Diabetes UK Cymru; Diabetes UK Pontypridd & District; Disability Wales; Dragon Savers Credit union; DRIVE; Drugaid (Swapa Ltd); Dylan's Den; Dynea Neighbourhood Watch; Early Start; Ea ng Disorders Wales; Efail Isaf Village Hall; Elim Cynon Valley Church; Elite Supported Employment Agency Ltd; Ely Valley Junior Football Club; Epilepsy Wales; FADS - A Family Service; Fairbridge Cymru; Fernbank Residents Group; Ferndale & District Boys and Girls Club; Ferndale Court Residents Fund; Ferndale Home Improvement Service; Ferndale Old Age Pensioners; Ferndale Skate Park; Fernhill (Rhondda) Conserva on Group; Fernhill Associa on of Residents; Fernhill Family Flats; Fernhill Youth Project; Fforest Uchaf Horse & Pony Rehabilita on Centre and Pit Pony Sanctuary; Firebrake Wales; Forum of Older People in Cynon Valley; Friday Youth Club; Friends of Caerglas Resource Centre; Friends of Craig yr Hesg Community School; Friends of Four Seasons; Friends of Maesgwyn Special School; Friends of the Animals; Friends of The Rhondda Heritage Park; Friends of Tonypandy Primary School; Friends of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park; Friends of Ynyshir Primary School; Friends r Us; Gadlys Regenera on Ini a ve Programme; Garthwen Residents Sheltered Homes; Gatehouse; Gelli Fedi Rise Tennants Associa on; Gelligaled Bowls Club; Gilfach Goch Community Associa on; Gilfach Goch Welfare OAP Associa on; Gilfach Goch Youth Commi ee; Gingerbread; Girl Guiding Pontypridd; Glamorgan Blended Learning; Glamorgan ME Support Group; Glamorgan Mission to the Deaf; Glan Road Neighbourhood Watch; Glancynon Gardening Group; Glasbrook Recrea on Commi ee; Glyn Aman Neighbourhood Watch; Glyncoch Community Centre; Glyntaff Serenades; Glyntaff Tenants and Residents Associa on; Gofal Cymru (Rhondda Cynon Taff ); Greenhill Allotments Society; Greenmeadow Riding for the Disabled Group; Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff ; Groundwork Wales; Grow Enterprise Wales; Growing; GTFM; Gwaunruperra Residents and Community Group; Hafod Care Associa on Ltd; Hawthorn and Upper Boat Senior Ci zens; Headway Cardiff ; Heartbeat 95; Hirwaun and Penderyn Community Council; Hirwaun OAP Associa on; Hirwaun Welfare Football Social Club; Hirwaun YMCA Youth & Community Centre; Homestart RCT; Ilan Diamonds Jazz Band; Kyber Colts ABC; Laburnum Court Residents Associa on; Lan Woods Environmental Protec on Group; Learning Disability Wales; Lewis Merthyr Band; Library Close Senior Ci zens; Llanfair Uni ng Church; Llanharan Community Development Project Ltd; Llanharan OAP Associa on; Llanharan Recrea on Ground Trust; Llanharry & Tylagarw Community Associa on;

25

Membership

Interlink Membership to 31 March 2012Llantrisant ABC; Llantrisant History Society; Llantrisant ladies Choir; Llantwit Fardre Football Club; Llantwit Lions Skater Hockey Club; Llwydcoed Band; Llwydcoed Community Centre; Llwynypia Boys & Girls Club; Llys Catwg Residents Associa on; Lower Trealaw Branch OAP Maes Yr Haf; Maerdy Archives; Maerdy Community Centre; Maerdy Infants Taskforce Environment; Maerdy/Ferndale Tenants and Residents Board; Maes yr Haf Community Centre; Meadow Cra s; Mencap Cymru; Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf; Merthyr & the Valleys Mind; Mid Fach River Care Group; Mid Glamorgan Area Scout Council; Mid Glamorgan Scouts; Mid Rhondda Band; Mid Rhondda ModelingMiskin Art; Miskin Regenera on Trust; Mountain Ash Golf Club; Mountain Ash YMCA; Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin Rhondda Cynon Taf; Nant-y-Fedw Tenants & Residents; Nantgarw OAP Associa on; Na onal Childminding Associa on; Na onal Council of YMCA's in Wales; NCH Ac on for Children Penwaun Family Centre; NCH Ac on for Children Rhondda Family Project; Nebo Chapel; New Horizons; New Life Community Church; Newlink Wales; Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry; Newtown Llantwit Allotment Associa on; Newydd Housing Associa on; Nixons Welfare Ins tute and Social Club; Nurse Bowen Memorial Trust; Oasis Church; Ogwr DASH; Old Age Pensioners and Widows Assoc, Treherbert; Old Bridge Photographic Society; Old School Community Centre; Older Peoples Advisory Group; Parc & Dare Band; Parc Cra Club; Parents Associa on Llwynypia - Youth Sec on; Parents Staff Associa on of Ysgol y Cymer Rhondda; Park Lane Allotment Society; Parkinson's UK Cymru; Penderyn Senior Welfare Commi ee; Penderyn Sports Associa on; Penrhiwceiber Community Revival Strategy Group; Penrhiwceiber Ins tute and Community Society; Penrhys Partnership; Penygraig Boys & Girls Club; Penywaun Community Centre; Penywaun Enterprise Partnership; Person to Person Ci zen Advocacy; Perthcelyn Community Centre; Pla orm Arts; Pontsionnorton PTA; Pontyclun Bosom Pals; Pontyclun Football Club; Pontygwaith Community Centre; Pontypridd & District Mencap Society; Pontypridd Canal Conserva on Group; Pontypridd South Road Championship Club; Pontypridd Talking News Associa on; Pontypridd Women's Aid; Pontypridd YMCA; Porth Infants Kids Club; Posi ve Steps; Prime Cymru; Providence Bap st Church; Race Equailty Training Wales; RCT Access Group; RCT Eye to Eye Youth Counselling Service; RCT Homes; RCT Vic m Support and Witness Service; RCT Young People First; Recrea on Ground Sports Associa on; Re red Senior Volunteer Programme; Rhigos Community Sports Associa on; Rhigos Kidz n Youth Group; Rhondda 50+ Forum; Rhondda Animal Aid & Cats Protec on; Rhondda Apostolic Mission; Rhondda Breast Friends; Rhondda Calligraphy Society; Rhondda Community Credit Union Ltd; Rhondda Community Development Associa on; Rhondda Community Garden and Enterprise Scheme; Rhondda Cynon Taff Aspergers Syndrome Parent Support Group; Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Arts; Rhondda Cynon Taff District Scout Council; Rhondda Cynon Taff Parent and Carer Network; Rhondda Cynon Taff People First; Rhondda Cynon Taff Tenants and Residents Federa on; Rhondda Disabled Riding Group; Rhondda Fach Housebound Club; Rhondda Housing Associa on; Rhondda Housing; Maerdy Tenants Associa on; Rhondda Indoor Bowls Club; Rhondda Jazz; Rhondda League of Children's Marching Bands; Rhondda Listening Friends; Rhondda Radio; Rhondda Rocket Cheerleading Group; Rhondda Sea Cadets; Rhondda Taff Ci zens Advice Bureau; Rhondda Tennis Club; Rhondda Volunteer Informa on Centre; Rhondda Womens Aid; Rhydfelin Community Woodland Group; Rhydyfelin AFC; Rhydyfelin Methodist Church; RNIB Cymru; Rotary Club of Rhondda; Rowan Tree Cancer Care; Royal Bri sh Legion Ynyshir Branch; Salem English Bap st Chapel; Salva on Army TEENS Project; Save the Children Cynon Valley; Scope Cymru; Seion Bap st Chapel Maerdy; Showcase; SNAP Cymru; Soar Chapel Ladies Guild; SOVA; Speakeasy Advice Centre; Spectacle Theatre; Springfi eld Social Club; SSAFA (Aberdare); SSAFA (Mid Glam); St Barnabas Church, Penygraig; St Catherines Church, Pontypridd; St Davids Founda on; St Davids Uni ng Church; St John Ambulance; St Ma hews Church; Stanley Football Club; Sunday Funday Gang; Surf Lifesaving Associa on of Wales; Taff Ely Crime Preven on; Taff Ely Neighbourhood Watch Associa on; Taff s Well Breas eeding Support Group; Taff s Well Community Garden; Taff s Well Village Hall; Talbot Green Playgroup; Tanglewood; TEDS; Telecentre and Business School Ltd; The Ark Youth and Community Project; The Big Issue Cymru Ltd; The Boilerhouse Project Ltd; The Down's Syndrome Associa on; The Heritage Singers; The Phoenix Singers; The Prince's Trust Cymru; The Strategy; The Vibes Foundry Brass Band; The WAK Club; Time Out Group; Ton & Gelli Boys & Girls Club; Ton Pentre Recrea on Associa on; Tonteg Senior Ci zens Associa on; Tonypandy & Llwynypia OAP Group; Tonypandy Albion Football Club; Tonyrefail ABC; Tonyrefail History and Folklore Society; Tonyrefail Homing Society; Tonyrefail Informa on and Advice Scheme TIAS; Tonyrefail Ladies Choir; Tonyrefail Welfare Football Club; Too Good To Waste; Total Care Support Solu ons Community Interest Company; TraVol Community Transport; Trealaw Village Trust Ltd; Trebanog Older Peoples Group; Trecynon Ins tute; Treforest Community Voluntary Group; Treforest Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Treforest Residents Assoca on; Treforest Wholesome Food Associa on; Trehafod Community Village Hall; Treherbert Quil ng Group; Treherbert Rugby Club; Treorchy Senior Ci zens Club; Treorchy Women's Ins tute; Trerhondda Arts Factory stay and play; Trothwy Cyf.; Ty Rhiw Restora on Fund; Ty Rhondda-Young Single Homeless Project; Tylorstown Communi es First; Ul mate Stage Company; Upper Rhondda Brass Band; Urdd Gobaith Cymru; Valley of Hope; Valleys Kids; Valleys Regional Equali es Council; Valleys Womens Ethnic Minority Support Group; Village & Valleys Community Transport; Vision 21 (Cyfl e Cymru); Viva Project; Wales PPA; Welfare Hall & Ins tute; Welsh Perry and Cider Society; Womens Royal Voluntary Service; Workers' Educa onal Associa on; World of Words; Ynyshir & Wa stown Boys & Youth Club; Ynyshir Welfare Band; Ynyslwyd Allotment Society; Ynyswen Senior Ci zens Club; Ynyswen Welfare Ins tute; Ynysybwl Community Centre; Ynysybwl Ladies Choir; Ynysybwl Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Young at Heart Thursday Club; Young Ones Parent & Toddler Group; Ysgol Feithrin Pontyclun; Ysgol Feithrin Ynysybwl; Ystrad Boys & Girls Club; Ystrad Old Age Pensioners Associa on; Ystradyfodwg Art Society

26

Get In TouchFor further informa on on Interlink’s

ac vi es and membership details, visit:

www.interlinkrct.org.ukwww.facebook.com

www.twi er.com/interlinkrctwww.interlinkrct.tumblr.com

www.interlinkrctdotorg.wordpress.com

Contact us on 01443 846200Fax No. 01443 844843

E.mail: info@interlinkrct.org.uk

Interlink, 6 Melin Corrwg, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat CF37 5BE

Registered Charity No: 1141143Company Limited by Guarantee No: 07549533