Please note that we have now moved. Trefechan has now merged with Town and Park and Cyfarthfa Ward Communities First Programmes to form the Communities First Mid Cluster.

For more information please contact the Communities First Mid Cluster at The Gellideg Foundation Group, Flat 2, Winchfawr House, Gellideg Estate, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1HA. Tel : 01685 383929. Website: www.gellideg.net

Communities First is changing!

As residents of Trefechan will be aware, the Communities First Programme in Trefechan is going through a process of change. Trefechan will now form part of a mid cluster group joining with Town and Park Communities First and Cyfarthfa Communities First.

Please note that over the coming weeks there will be changes to contact details and delivery as the programme moves into the next stage. Please watch this space for further information in the future

Benefit Advice for Merthyr Valley Homes Tenants

Merthyr Valley Homes are holding a drop in information and advice session on 14th January 2012 between 9am to 1pm at the Trefechan Communities First Office.

Food Bank Vouchers

Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK.

 

In 2011-12 foodbanks fed 128,687 people nationwide, 100% more than the previous year. Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to foodbanks for help.

 

If you are a local family or person  in crisis, the Merthyr Cynon Foodbank can help. Residents from Trefechan are encouraged to come into the Communities First Office @ the Green should they wish more information on the food bank or to check eligibility for vouchers.

Groups needed to carry out volunteer tasks!

Groups are needed to carry out volunteer tasks for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales on Taf Fechan Nature reserve. Community groups, schools, clubs, volunteer groups, team building etc.

A variety of guided tasks are available, and can be tailored to the groups abilities.
Examples of activities are
Scrub clearance
Felling small tress
vegetation clearance
Making habitat piles
Path maintenance
Maintaining and creating drainage ditches
Cross cutting logs and brash, digging
Litter Picks
Wildlife surveys etc

For more information or to book a date contact Carys Soloman on c.solman@welshwildlife.org or telephone 07896 798371

　

Trefechan Job Club

Trefechan Job Club is starting on the 17th October. It will run every Wednesday afertnoon from 1pm to 3pm in Trefechan Cafe. Come along for support and advice on job searching, interview skills, access to free training opportunities , as well as free access to computers and news papers.

Bargain Bags of Fruit and Veg

You can order bargain bags of fruit and veg from the Trefechan Cafe. (Bags to be order by wednesday for collection or delivery on Friday).

Fruit, Veg and Salad
Large Bags £2.80 each
Small Bags £1.70 each

Potatoes
Salad Potatoes Small (1kg) 75p
Salad Potatoes Large (2kg) £1.50
Jacket Potatoes Small (3) 75p
Jacket Potatoes Large (6) £1.50
General Use Potatoes Small (1kg) 65p
General Use Potatoes Large (2kg) £1.30

Free Range Eggs
Half dozen (6) 90p
Dozen (12) £1.80

Gift Wrapped Baskets - delivery fridays
Fruit, Veg or Salad Baskets £10
Mixed Fruit/Veg/Salad Basket £15
Christmas Special Mixed (Dec) £17.50

World Mental Health Competition

What does mental health and emotional wellbeing mean to you? Express your understanding of and how we can look after our mental health and emotional wellbeing through prose, poetry, photography or art. There are four categories:
11-14 yrs
15-18yrs
19-25 yrs
Adult

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category on Wednesday 10th October. Closing date 25th September 2012. Send your entries to Sarah Bowen, Ty Keir Hardie, Riverside Court, Avenue De Clichy, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8XF. Please mark your entry world mental health day competition and include your name, category and contact details on the back. By submitting your entry, you will be consenting to your work possibly being displayed at the wolrd mental health day event.

Swalec Drop in Advice Session Wednesday 12th September 10am

Swalec is holding a drop in advice session at 10am on Wednesday 12th September at Trefechan Communities First Office, The Green, Trefechan. Please come along if you would like help or advice on free white goods scheme, £130 rebate off bills, bill queries, meter readings, tariff information, energy efficiency, energy savings devices etc. If you would like advice but are unable to attend drop in please contact Alun Stevens directly on 07825 014098

Are you losing out?

Did you know you could be entitled to housing benefits and council tax benefits

Citizens Advice can also help with:
- other benefits
- debt / difficulty paying bills
- housing issues

For more information and help contact Kayleigh Nor-Val at Merthyr Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: 01685 382188 or email maxbenefit@merthyrtydfil.cabnet.org.uk

Trefechan Work Club

The next work club in Trefechan will take place on the 21st August 2012 from 10am to 12noon in the Trefechan Cafe. Please come along if you would like help with CVs, looking for work, accessing training etc

Look after yourself events

Looking after your skin - Come along and have a go at making your own low cost body scrubs on Thursday 26th July 1.30pm to 3pm at Trefechan Community Centre

Looking after your health - Come along and have a go at indian head massage and learn to relax on Friday 3rd August 1pm to 2pm at Trefechan Community Centre

Looking after your feet - Come along and learn how to give yourself a pedicure on Monday 6th August 2pm to 3.30pm at Trefechan Community Centre.

Please let us know if you will be attending by contacting the Communities First Team on 01685 383758 or email sally at sally.mcintyre@vamt.net, or call into the Communities First Office on the green Trefechan.

Please note that there is no charge for these activities.

Sorry due to the ingredients we will be using, these sessions are for over 16s only. Please note that there is an open access playscheme for 5 to 14 yrs olds on these dates from 1pm to 3pm from the Trefechan OAP Hall.

Summer Playschemes In Trefechan

Come and join the Trefechan Playscheme over the summer Holidays. Runs from Monday 30th July to Friday 24th August between 1pm and 2.55pm from the Trefechan OAP Hall on the Birchway.
Tri County Play are running open access schemes for 5-11 year olds.

They will be putting on lots of free outdoor activities like messy play,  den building, water slides and arts and crafts to name a few! All activities are free of charge. For more information please contact Sarah Williams on 07921 991075.

Cookery Session
We are running a free cookery session on Wednesday 8th August 2pm - 3.30pm at the Senior Citizens Hall, Trefechan.
There will be cookery demonstartions on healthy cooking, cooking on a budget and advice on healthy eating.
Spaces are limited so if you would like to attend please call Louise at the Communities First Office on 01685 383758 to book your place.

Want To Stop Smoking?
A smoking cessation support group will start in Trefechan Community Centre on Thursday 26th July 2.30 - 3.30pm.
The group will be run by Stop Smoking Wales and will provide advice and support on successfully  stoping smoking.  You will also receive advice and access to free replacement nicotene therapy.
On average if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day you will save £46.00 a week, your health will improve and research has shown you are more likely to successfully quit when you are part of a smoking cessation support group,

so, if you would like to stop smoking please come along, the group is free and open to all to attend.

Preserving Merthyr's Heritage Community Consultation and Research Day

There is a community consultation and research day being held at Soar Chapel Merthyr Tydfil on the 10th August 10am to 4pm on preserving Merthyr's Heritage. Local residents are being asked to help create an archive of photographs and memories about Western Merthyr. Bring along your photographs and find out what is being doing to preserve our local heritage. For more information contact either Julian Devereux or Richard Phipps on 01685 883880.

Business Start Up Surgery

Business Start Up Surgery

Working for yourself could be a reality...

Come to this surgery to discuss your business idea, find out more about self-employment, learn about relevant courses to further your development, and ask any question you’d like to in a friendly, informal atmosphere.

Call or drop in now to book your FREE appointment!

 Wednesday July 18th from 1pm to 4pm

@ Glamorgan Gates

Crownford House, Swan Street, Merthyr – opposite the police station 01685 726140

Cantorion Cyfarthfa Choir 11th July 2012 7.30pm

Cantorion Cyfarthfa Choir with support guest artists present

An evening of traditional and popular music

11th July 2012 7.30pm at Christ Church Cyfarthfa (near cyfarthfa retail park- CF48 1DR)

Tickets
Adult £5.00 - Concession £4.00 or pay at the door

All proceeds raised will be donated to Merthyr Cynon Food Bank
Doors open at 7pm for refreshments

Free Computer classes in Vaynor

Looking to learn more about computers? There are a number of free sessions available in Vaynor

Mondays 10 to 12noon Cefn Coed Community centre Digital Drop-in - drop in session where you can get help with any digitial technology ie laptops, internet, digital cameras, mobile phones etc

Wednesday 13.30 to 15.30pm Beginners Computers

SWALEC -

Do you have an enquiry or would like information on the following:
- billing query
- tarrifs and charges
- saving money and energy
- loyalty products

Alun Stevens from Swalec is our local rep and can provide more information and advice. If you would like to make an appointment to see him or would like a chat over the phone, please contact him on 07825 014098 or call into the CF office and we will arrange an appointment.