Making Information Easy to Read and Understand - Level 1
2013-05-08 | Newport, Newport
This one-day Learning Disability Wales course will help you include and inform people by making written information that is clear and easy to read and understand.
The course is designed for anyone who writes and produces written information that needs to be clearly understood, especially by people with learning disabilities.
This course is accredited by Agored Cymru and counts as one unit at level one on the Qualification and Curriculum Framework. You can have your work assessed by the tutor, successful learners will be awarded a Credit for their learning.
Download the flyer via the Learning Disability Wales website (PDF).

Recognising and Responding to Bullying Behaviours
2013-05-08 | Carmarthen, Carmarthen
A one-day Children in Wales course
Evidence and practice shows that bullying affects the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. Research has identified that:
– Over 30% of Childline callers report that they have experienced bullying – 2/3 of young carers are bullied at school – “Bullying was a common theme, with nearly every group citing this as a reason for non-attendance” (National Behaviour and Attendance Review 2009) – 18% of pupils in Year 6, falling to 11% in Year 10, admit to bullying other pupils (All Wales Survey of Bullying in Schools 2009)

Reducing bullying incidents is undoubtedly a shared objective between children, young people, professionals and practitioners alike, however, addressing issues raised by children and young people can often prove challenging and, in some instances, we may feel unable to resolve conflict.

In order to address issues around bullying it is vital that professionals and practitioners, who work with children and young people, have a shared understanding of what determines bullying behavior, and feel confident in applying consistent approaches to prevent and tackle bullying.

This one-day course will provide an overview of bullying, addressing the following areas:
– Understanding bullying and the complexity of behaviours that arise through bullying incidents – Recognising when bullying may be occurring – Responding effectively to reports of bullying – Identifying strategies to prevent bullying behaviours

Price: Members £115 Non-members £135

Understanding Hate Crime
2013-05-08 | Cardiff, Cardiff
The Diverse Cymru workshop will be of interest to, for example, anyone who works within the justice system, community development, schools, colleges, advice workers, health, social care, equality organisations and anyone whose role may enable raising awareness of hate crime or dealing with victims of it.
Find out more and book your place on the Diverse Cymru website.

Universal Credit training
2013-05-08 | Swansea, Swansea
As part of the Welfare Reform taking place, October 2013 will see the introduction of Universal Credit in Wales. This Shelter Cymru training will provide an introduction of this benefit, explaining the basics of how it will operate and what this will mean for your clients. Find out about this new benefit so that you can assist your clients through this transition.
This is a half-day training session with Lisa Hordy. The standard price for this is £86 and the concessionary rate is £50.
Shelter Cymru is also able to provide tailored in-house training for your organisation. This offers the benefit of time and convenience to you as well as being a cost effective way to meet the specific training needs of your staff.
You can work with the training team to expand or adapt an existing course or alternatively, order a bespoke course created just for your organisation.
For full details of all the courses available or to book online, please visit www.sheltercymru.org.uk
If you have any queries, please phone 01792 483020 or email training@sheltercymru.org.uk

Addressing Barriers to Volunteering - Cardiff Volunteer Co-ordinators' Network event
2013-05-08 09:30 - 14:15 (Europe/London) | The Cardiff Story, Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1BH, The Cardiff Story, Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1BH
We are pleased to invite you to the next Cardiff Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Network event on Wednesday 8th May. This is the rescheduled network which was meant to take place on 20th March.
The theme is ‘Addressing Barriers to Volunteering’ and we have a day packed full of information and networking opportunities. Guest speakers Minkesh Sood from DPIA, Amanda Parker from Mind Cymru and Hamid Hicham from Communities First, BRG Cluster will each be covering this topic discussing Mental Health, Refugee and Asylum Seekers and Opportunities and Challenges. You can download the booking form here – please return it to Jeremy at the email address below by 1 May.
Networking lunch included.

Marketing – Working with the Media
2013-05-08 10:00 - 15:00 | C3SC, Brunel House, Cardiff, C3SC, Brunel House, Cardiff
Looking at how to maximise your use of media to campaign and increase your PR, this course is an excellent starting point for those organisations wishing to develop their profile. With guidance on communicating your message, talking to the media and writing submissions, this course will help your organisation develop a robust media policy.
Ideal for: Chief Officers, Communication Officers and those organisations seeking an increased media presence.

Cardiff Health and Social Care Network meeting
2013-05-08 13:00 - 15:00
During the meeting there will be sessions on:
– The new commissioning structure for substance misuse services in Cardiff and the Vale – An update on the South Wales Programme from the University Health Board – Update on the Service Level Agreements process under the University Health Board – Q&A with Cardiff Adult Services – A third sector update from C3SC – cuts, impacts and new projects

Please confirm your attendance by emailing kevin.r@c3sc.org.uk as soon as possible.

Designing and running effective surveys
2013-05-09 | Wales Council for Voluntary Action – Baltic House, Cardiff Bay, Wales Council for Voluntary Action - Baltic House, Cardiff Bay
Planning and managing a survey can sound simple. There are so many tools freely available to help, so why do surveys go so wrong? There is more to conducting an effective survey than creating a quick on-line questionnaire. This Participation Cymru course aims to go through the process step by step to give participants the information they need to get it right.
Find out more and book your place on the WCVA website.

Refugees in Wales: How to foster diversity and access skills
2013-05-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Pembrey 1 Suite, The Dragon Hotel, 39 The Kingsway, Swansea SA1 5LS, Pembrey 1 Suite, The Dragon Hotel, 39 The Kingsway, Swansea SA1 5LS
FREE Training Workshops for Employers
Want to make the most of the workforce Wales has to offer? Attract specialist skills and experience from a range of backgrounds?
Refugees who come to Wales to seek safety from war and persecution are a diverse group of people with the right to work in the UK. Having worked in everything from finance to retail, business to academia and the trades, refugees bring myriad skill sets to Wales’ workforce. Despite this wide variety of skills and experience, refugee employment levels fall behind national averages.
Attend a free employer workshops to:
· learn how to make the most of the diverse skill pool of refugees living in Wales
· find out how promoting diversity can enhance your business or organisation
· receive clear, practical guidance on right-to-work docs and Home Office requirements
· hear firsthand from refugees working and seeking employment in Wales

A Logical Way of Being the reality of Dissociative Identity Disorder and other complex dissociative conditions
2013-05-09 18:30 - 21:30 | Woodville Christian Centre, Crwys Road, Cathays, CARDIFF CF24 4ND, Woodville Christian Centre, Crwys Road, Cathays, CARDIFF CF24 4ND
FREE evening training and networking event – DVD screening plus Q & A session
First Person Plural – the UK national survivor-led association for dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personalities) and other complex dissociative mental health problems – is organising a free evening showing in Cardiff of their international award winning training and information DVD – “A Logical Way of Being – the reality of dissociative identity disorder”. The DVD is based on and expands information in Mind booklet “Understanding Dissociative Disorders”.
A 2-hour CPD Attendance Certificate will be issued to those attending. Donations towards cost of refreshments will be requested on the evening.
A Logical Way of Being is an introductory training & information DVD in six chapters which describes the types of dissociative experience, and provides information about their origin, primary features, support and therapy needs. It features three experts-by-experience; plus an attachment – based psychotherapist; a NHS clinical psychologist running a specialised service for complex dissociative disorders; and a psychoanalytical psychotherapist who, at the time of filming, was President of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD). Between them they have many years of experience living and working with childhood-trauma-related complex dissociative conditions. Each speaks about their understanding of these and their roles in its treatment. The evening includes time for questions and discussion with a panel comprised of experts-by-experience from First Person Plural and professional psychological therapists who feature on the DVD and its director from Serious Media www.seriousmedia.com Copies of the DVD will be available to purchase on the evening for £20 (usual price £25 plus p&p from www.firstpersonplural.org.uk/dvd )Who should attend?
Anyone who cares for, works or is training to work with distressed or vulnerable adults, children or adolescents and those making policy, commissioning or education/training decisions that affect these groups. This includes those services which are traditionally considered to be about mental health and/or abuse and also those providing other support, health and care services such as homelessness; primary, secondary, further and higher education; children & young persons; fostering/adoption, sexual health, women; BME; refugee/asylum seekers; GPs and other primary health care, paramedics, acute health care, physical, sensory and learning disability, police, probation, prisons, other criminal justice etc.

Children in Wales's 20th Anniversary Party
2013-05-10 | Morgan Cole Lounge, SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff CF11 9XR, Morgan Cole Lounge, SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff CF11 9XR
Children in Wales and Brewin Dolphin request the pleasure of your company at the Children in Wales 20th Anniversary Party.
Drinks reception from 7pm, three-course meal, entertainment, Carriages at Midnight, fantastic raffle prizes.
Smart dress please.

Tickets: a contribution of £20 would be gratefully received; £190 for a table of 10.
RSVP to Louise O’Neill, Children in Wales, by 26 April.

Walking to Whitchurch for Charity 2013
2013-05-11 | Meet at Cardiff Castle Drawbridge at 10.30am., Meet at Cardiff Castle Drawbridge at 10.30am.
Join Cardiff Consortium (Charities) for this 5.4-mile sponsored charity walk. Get fit and healthy whilst also supporting a good cause.
If you raise more than £50 you will be entered into a prize draw with a very special reward.
The sponsored walk will raise raise funds for Cardiff Consortium (Charities): helping the poor within Cardiff and The Baby Care Unit – helping parents bereaved at pregnancy or birth.
To register, obtain a sponsorship form, or make a donation, email sue at Sgcardiff@hotmail.co.uk or leave your name and number on answerphone (029) 2091 1563.
£2 pre-registration fee.

Gypsy and Traveller Awareness
2013-05-13 | Newport, Newport
This Diverse Cymru course is suitable for anyone interested in ensuring that their services are inclusive and accessible for the Gypsy and Traveller community. It would be particularly useful for those who work in Planning, Housing, Equality, Health, Education and the Community.
It will assist you to:
– Ensure effective engagement with the Gypsy and Traveller community – Be confident in your interactions with people from the Gypsy and Traveller community – Provide services that address the needs of people from the Gypsy and Traveller community
Find out more and book your place on the Diverse Cymru website.

An Introduction to Equality Impact Assessments
2013-05-14
This course acts as an introduction to the Equality Impact Assessment process. It is particularly helpful for anyone who has not been involved in carrying out one before.
It aims to provide you with enough information to get you started. Embedding your learning will commence when you conduct an EIA, following the course.
Find out more and book your place on the Diverse Cymru website.

Person Centred Thinking Skills
2013-05-14 - 2013-05-15 | Cardiff, Cardiff
This Learning Disability Wales 2-day course will help you work towards delivering personalised services by using a one page profile and a person centred essential lifestyle plan as the beginning and foundations of a support plan.
The course is designed for people who provide direct support, their managers, professionals, parents and carers.
You can download a flyer on the Learning Disability Wales website (PDF).

Generations Together Cymru - Intergenerational Work in Wales, Information and Network Meeting
2013-05-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Blaenau Gwent, Blaenau Gwent
Generations Together Cymru (GTC) is hosting this free event for people interested or involved in intergenerational work to come along find out what GTC has to offer, share experiences and good practice, meet new people to network and swap information in a friendly, informal environment.
Everyone is welcome! Refreshments, including lunch, will be provided. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out more at http://www.centreforip.org.uk/news-and-events

FreshTies Open Day
2013-05-14 12:00 - 14:00 | FreshTies, 1st Floor, 20 High Street, Cardiff CF10 1PT, FreshTies, 1st Floor, 20 High Street, Cardiff CF10 1PT
Introducing our new services and training on problem-solving and mediation
– Free lunch
– Meet the team
– Find out what FreshTies does and about working together – Come and see their new office and training room for hire
– Network with other guests

Don’t worry; if you can’t make today, FreshTies is repeating the Open Day on 21st May at the same time.

'What's the Beef?' A Horsemeat Round Table Discussion
2013-05-14 | Glamorgan Building Committee Rooms, Glamorgan Building Committee Rooms
This event is organised by Cardiff University’s School of Planning and Geography
Over three months have elapsed since the practice of replacing processed beef with horsemeat was uncovered. Shortly after, it became evident the problem was not confined to the UK and Ireland, as most countries in Europe became involved.The practice of replacing processed beef with horsemeat and failing to inform consumers is unacceptable and reports indicate local farmers and butchers are experiencing an upturn in sales due to consumers leaving the supermarkets and turning to them to ensure the reliability of meat sources.
A panel of experts have been selected. Chair: Professor Terry Marsden, Director, Sustainable Places Research Institute.
Confirm your place by registering at www.cardiff.ac.uk/cplan/events

Autism A-Z: an essential guide for health professionals
2013-05-14 | Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Mill Lane, Cardiff CF10 1EZ, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Mill Lane, Cardiff CF10 1EZ
Child Health Regional Forum – Autism A-Z: an essential guide for health professionals, with the National Autistic Society FREE event
Lorraine MacAlister – help! Trainer, National Autistic SocietyLorraine MacAlister has spent the last 6 years at The National Autistic Society (NAS) developing and delivering seminars for parents of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The help! Programme offers post-diagnostic advice, information and support to groups of families on a variety of topics. These include introduction to Autism, communication, behaviour, Managing Anger, Sensory Needs, Siblings, Education, Adult Life, Teen Life and Common Toileting Difficulties.

18.00 hours Wine Reception & Professional ExhibitionOpportunity to collect new samples and literature from leading suppliers19.05 hours The Institute of Health Visiting, what can it do for your practice?
To be confirmed19.20 hours Autism A-ZLorraine MacAlister – National Autistic Society20.10 hours Complimentary Supper (Optional)The evening will finish with a hot buffet supper where you will be able to network with other professionals from your area.
To register for free, please visit the Profile Productions website with your name, job title, work address, telephone, email address and any dietary requirements.

Building Resilience in Young People
2013-05-15 | Cardiff, Cardiff
A one-day Children in Wales course Why do some young people cope with difficulties more easily than others? What factors really make a difference to how we deal with adversity? What can practitioners do to make a difference? This one-day course explores how you can develop an approach that builds on strengths to help young people deal with adversity, cope with change, survive disappointment and manage crises. It will draw upon practice, research and theory. Above all, it will enable participants to reflect upon their experience and build on their own strengths. The course will include:
– Resilience, risk and coping – what do we mean – Key resilience qualities for individuals and families – Implications of the different coping styles of young women and young men – Protective factors for individuals, families and communities – The significance of emotional intelligence, problem solving and optimism – Listening to young people and families and developing relationships of care – Supporting connectedness
Price: Members £115 Non-members £135

Introduction to Trainer Skills
2013-05-15 - 2013-05-16 | NewLink Wales, Meridian Court, North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BE, NewLink Wales, Meridian Court, North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BE
A NewLink Wales courseThe City & Guilds Introduction to Trainer Skills provides you with a sound introduction to the concepts of a systematic approach to training. It’s an intensive course, designed to be delivered over two days, and is ideal for those who train others in organisations. The course will include:· setting ground rules· use of icebreakers· the learning environment· training resources· gaining and maintaining attention· motivation
– assessment

Recent developments in money advice
2013-05-16 | Cardiff, Cardiff
This CAB course will provide a roundup of developments affecting the work of money advisers, including legislative changes, recent case law and guidance. Suitable for experienced advisers with a sound grasp of consumer credit law and practice and a good knowledge of insolvency options.

By the end of this course you will be able to:
· identify relevant guidance applicable to the credit industry
· describe changes to legislation affecting money advice
· explain the implications of recent case law on money advice practice

Book a place on it by 30th April 2013 and you will receive a 20% discount on the cost of the course. To receive your 20% discount, please quote the following promotional code on the booking form: OFFER-05MA20.
Find out more and book your place via the CAB website.

Mental Health First Aid
2013-05-16 - 2013-05-17 | Cwmbran, Cwmbran
Please visit the Diverse Cymru website to find out more and book your place.

Fire Safety/ Fire Warden Training
2013-05-16 10:00 - 12:30 | VaW Centre of Excellence, VaW Centre of Excellence
Welsh Women’s Aid will be holding fire safety and fire warden training for any delegates from member groups who would like to attend. There is room for up to 10 delegates, for a nominal charge of £25 per delegate.
If you would like to attend, please email

The Wheelchair Sports Spectacular 2013
2013-05-17 - 2013-05-18 | National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC), Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff CF23 6XD, National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC), Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff CF23 6XD
FREE ENTRY
The Wheelchair Sports Spectacular 2013 is an event open to anyone but particularly suitable for :
People with a physical disability who are able to walk
Manual wheelchair users
Powerchair users
Suitable for all ages.
People with a sensory or learning disability are also welcome to participate as well as non-disabled friends and family. A wide range of manual sports wheelchairs are available for use at the event.
There’s an opportunity to come to try over 15 sports, find about clubs in your local area plus to meet the club coaches and Disability Sports Officers and discuss opportunities.
If you work for, or know of, an organisation that may be able to promote this via their website, please contact Joanna (see below for details). Joanna can send you posters and flyers too.
Time: 10am to 4pm on 17 and 18 May.

Family Learning Day - as part of Adult Learners' Week 2013
2013-05-18 11:00 - 15:00 | Powerhouse Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 9PN, Powerhouse Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 9PN
We are working with our new Communities First Team and Cardiff Council Neighbourhood learning to run a Family Learning Event in Llanedeyrn on Saturday 18 May.
FREE event
An open door event aiming to engage with and encourage family learning activities. There will be taster sessions, information on learning opportunities and different activities for all ages.
Take a look at the full list of events taking place during Adult Learners’ Week, from 18-26 May 2013 here.

Exploring New Ways of Financing Public Services
2013-05-20 | Maldron Hotel, Cardiff, Maldron Hotel, Cardiff
Social Impact Bonds, Payment by Results, Social Investment, Invest to Save – all increasingly visible terms in the delivery of public services, but what are they and what do they mean for organisations delivering services in Wales?
The coalition government has launched a number of contracts which have included new and different financial models but Wales has not seen many come across the border at all – but this could change in future.
This one-day Cymorth Cymru event will explore the direction of travel at a UK government level, analyse why the third sector has struggled to engage with existing schemes such as the Work Programme, look at the context of payment by results in housing and support in England, explore how best third sector organisations can engage in social investment and provide examples of where models are being piloted currently across the UK.
Find out more and book your place via the Cymorth Cymru website.

Benefits overview
2013-05-21
Confused by the range of benefits available? Unsure about the planned changes to the benefits system? This Citizens Advice Bureau course gives a basic overview of the current system and the main changes from 2013, and is designed for those new to the subject or whose role requires them to signpost clients for more in-depth advice.Level: IntroductoryTutor: Jane Nelson
Visit http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/advisertraining to find out more.

Changing Lives: Tackling Poverty - The Impact of Adult Learning
2013-05-21 | Holiday Inn, Cardiff City Centre, Holiday Inn, Cardiff City Centre
A Conference for Adult Learners’ Week 2013
Adult Learners’ Week is a celebration of the impact that adult learning makes in Wales and serves as a powerful reminder of the contribution it can make in developing confident, vibrant and successful communities. The campaign also provides an opportunity to ask questions about who is participating in learning, how we are providing opportunities to develop the confidence and skills of our communities and what we could be doing differently.
In June 2012 Welsh Government launched their Tackling Poverty Action Plan with a commitment to prioritising the needs of the poorest and protecting those most at risk of poverty and exclusion; this year new Communities First Clusters will begin delivering their action plans to secure prosperous, learning and healthier communities.
NIACE Dysgu Cymru is pleased to be working in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales, Community Housing Cymru, Cooperative Membership and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to deliver this conference.
Those attending will have the opportunity to feed into the Welsh Government Tackling Poverty Action Plan, to hear about the Development Plans of Communities First Clusters, listen to the learning stories of individuals, participate in workshops and discuss ideas for new ways of working.
The Bevan Foundation is supporting this event and will have information about the Wales Education and Poverty Network, which aims to bring together people and organisations committed to breaking the influence of poverty on educational participation and achievement in Wales.

This event will be of interest if you are:
– Communities First Co-ordinators – Community learning , Further/High Education adult learning practitioners – TUC/WULF Project Managers – Third sector organisations and charities – Social housing representatives – Community Arts practitioners or working in museums, archives and libraries
Find out more at http://www.niacedc.org.uk/changing-lives-tackling-poverty-impact-adult-learning

Independence through Personalised Technology: Learning Disability Wales Conference
2013-05-21 | Nantgarw, South Wales, Nantgarw, South Wales
This one-day conference will examine how the person-centred use of Assistive Technology can support independence and safety for people with a learning disability and their families and carers. It will highlight the benefits and quality of life that can be achieved through Personalised Technology, and how this approach can be cost-effective for service providers.
You will look at the different types of Assistive Technology available, and explore how these technologies can be used to support people with a learning disability in all areas of their lives – at home, work, education and leisure.
This event offers you the opportunity to find out more about the increasing range of Personalised Technology available and discuss the issues affecting access to their use in Wales. It will place the discussion in the context of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill and the Framework for Action on Independent Living.
The day will have a variety of interactive and informative workshops. Please find attached full flier and booking form. You can access the conference flyer here (PDF).
