Greendayz Saturday 21st May 2011

Greendayz Event on Saturday 21st May 2011 10am to 4pm at the Fedw Hir Eco Centre, near Aberdare. Crafts include:
Greenwood turning
basket making
card making
hand made jewellery
wood carving
local artist - prints and portraits
bag making
wooden toys
pyrography
falconry display

and much much more!

Most activities are also free although there will be a small charge for some. For more information please call Rebecca Lewis/ Richard Phipps on 01685 883880

Compost Bins for Sale

Merthyr Council is offering 330L Compost Bins for only £5.00 between the 1st May - 13th May including delivery as part of Compost awareness week. For more information, please phone 01685 725138.

Expert Patients Programme - Free Self Help Courses

Expert Patients Programme is a FREE self-help course for anyone living with any long term health condition or for carers - designed to improve quality of life - in just 2 1/2 hours per week for 6 weeks you can learn to deal with pain, fatigue, tense muscles, difficult emotions, stress/anxiety and depression. Please book a place by contacting Caroline Jones on 01685 353911 or email caroline.jones@vamt.net or Minu Mandora on 01443 846200

Course will be held at the following venues:

Feel Good Factory Bryncynon Tuesday 10.30 - 1pm starting on 10th May

Hiwaun Tuesday 10.30 - 1pm starting on 21st June

The Willows Troedyrhiw Tuesdays 1-.30 - 1pm starting on 21st June

All Saints Church Dowlais Mondays 10.30 - 1pm starting on 5th September

Aberdare Museum Saturday 10am - 12.30pm starting 15th october

Please note that dates are subject to change so please book early.

Housing Benefit is Changing

Housing Benefit is changing from the 1st April 2011.

What will the changes mean?
- It is possible that the amount of housing benefit you get to pay your rent could go down
- If your housing benefit is paid directly to your landlord, the amount your landlord gets for your rent could go down

If you are getting or thinking of claiming housing beneit, you need to consider these changes before you renew or make a new tenancy agreement with a private landlord.

Who will the changes affect?
These changes could affect you if:
- you are claiming housing benefit, or are going to make a new claim under the Local Housing Allowance Scheme (LHA)
- you receive more housing benefit (up to £15) than you pay for your rent

The changes may affect you sonner than your anniversary date if:
- you are getting housing benefit and are planning to move home
- your household is changing such as someone leaving or coming to live with you

If you are claiming or intending to claim housing benefit you need to be aware of the changes and when you will be affected before negotiating or entering into a new tenancy agreement with a private landlord.

Your can get more information at:

www.direct.gov.uk
www.merthyr.gov.uk
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
www.shelter.org.uk