THE MERGER

Following a decision by the Management Committees of the Ynys Môn Volunteer Bureau and Ynys Môn Voluntary Services a Shadow Committee has been established to oversee the proposed merger. The Shadow Committee members are Ann Jones, Richard Griffiths and David Lewis Roberts from the Bureau and Tony Pritchard, Di Bushell and John Clifford Jones from YMVS.

The committee have discussed the Memorandum and Articles for the new organisation and also to consider re-locating both organisations in one office.

The merger was warmly received by funders and from members of the voluntary sector.
We hope to see the new organisation operational by 1 April 2001 and if you have any suggestion of a name contact Cadi on or John on .

OBJECTIVE 1

A meeting was held to update the sector on Objective 1 developments and it was reported that 3 local voluntary groups, Agoriad, Sylfaen and Taran had been supported by the Local Partnership group to further submit their plans. Objective 1 is a 6 year programme so there is sufficient time to develop plans.

A decision was taken on naming 6 alternatives to represent the voluntary sector on the Ynys Môn Partnership Board: Di Bushell CAB Ynys Môn, Cadi Evanson Ynys Môn Volunteer Bureau, Carol Owen Voluntary Arts Wales, Jane Jones Tudur Ward Partnership, John Morgan Jones Boston Centre Stage and Mari Jones Ynys Môn Voluntary Services.

An application was supported to draw funds for Ynys Môn from the Local Regeneration Fund to enable organisations to develop ideas and prepare plans.
It is intended to hold regular meetings to update the sector and if you require more information contact Ynys Môn Voluntary Services office on or the Isle of Anglesey County Council European Section.

Jigso

The Jigso scheme is aimed at helping community groups in the process of securing a sustainable future as set out by Local Agenda 21.
Grants of up to £1000 are awarded for activities that promote participation within a community. Importance is attached to an inclusive approach, and appraisals that give English and Welsh speakers the chance to participate on an equal basis.

Applications can be submitted at any time, for more information about Jigso, call , or email

Grant scheme for a greener Wales

A £15m match-funding scheme is set to dramatically increase the quality and quantity of playing fields and green spaces in communities throughout Wales.

As a result of a £7.5m lottery grant from the New Opportunities Fund, WCVA will spearhead a joint programme aimed at supporting at least 15,000 volunteers to help improve their communities.

The scheme will be run by a partnership between WCVA, Environment Agency Wales, Prince’s Trust Cymru and Environment Wales, Its aim will be to:

• provide or improve green spaces for play and recreation, including children’s play and playing fields;
• green ‘grey’ areas for community use in rural, urban and urban fringe environments; community gardens and improve parks;
• promote the understanding, use and enjoyment of green spaces, including green routes and safer routes to urban and rural green spaces;
• support community-based projects contributing to sustainable development including waste projects, composting schemes, sustainable transport schemes and energy efficiency schemes.

Three types of grants will be available to ensure the scheme is flexible enough to meet the needs both of those with no more than an idea and those with a large project on the starting blocks ready to go.

For more information contact Sue Spurrier on .

New Member of Staff

Linda Jones has been appointed as part-time Administrative Assistant at Ynys Môn Voluntary Services starting from October 2000. Linda will be assisting with Dan Do amongst other responsibilities.
Linda can be contacted on

T R A I N I N G

Recruitment and Supporting Volunteers

In this day and age there is a great deal of competition between organisations to recruit and keep voluntary workers. It is very important therefore that we adopt proper systems and policies that help us to appoint the most appropriate person to a particular job, and to maintain, support and evaluate our existing voluntary work-force.

The course covers methods of attracting voluntary workers, proper selection procedures, work descriptions, equal opportunities policies, legal aspects of recruitment and providing on-going support and guidance.

This course will be held on:

• Tuesday 5th December 2000 in Lecture Room, Oriel Ynys Môn, between 10.00am – 4.00pm

The course is accredited, lunch will be provided, and the cost will be £12.50.

Other Training dates for your diary for 2001

We will be including detailed information on all our future Training events in Dan Do Môn, as well as other useful seminars for voluntary groups.
If you have any suggestions on future Training needs/Information Seminars please contact us at

Health, Safety and Emergency First Aid

This is a two-day programme which as well as providing a credit on the National Open College Network also offers the opportunity to acquire The St.John’s Ambulance Emergency First Aid Certificate .

Aspects of Health and Safety covered include a general look at those things which apply to voluntary organisations, such as: Risk assessment, working off site, using equipment, manual handling, stress accidents and fire safety.

The Emergency First Aid covers all aspects that are required for participants to obtain the NOCN certificate and the St John’s Ambulance Certificate. The St.John’s Ambulance Certificate is optional and will cost £15.00.

This course will be held over two days on:

• Tuesday 16th January, and Tuesday 23rd January, 2001 in Committee Room 2, Ynys Môn County Council Offices.

Both days of the course are accredited, lunch will be provided, and the cost will be £27.50. (inclusive of the £15.00. St John’s Ambulance Certificate).

Contact Derlwyn or Wendy on if you’d like to attend.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair YMVS

Following the AGM on 13/9/00 Tony Pritchard (Access Ynys Môn) was appointed Chair and Ann Jones (Volunteer Bureau) as Vice-Chair. Best wishes to both in their new posts.
Di Bushell was thanked for her support as Chair and will continue to be a member of the Management Committee of YMVS.

• Fund volunteering/community service projects
• Award grants of up to £250 (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Consider all applications received

1. by encouraging and enabling groups and individuals to motivate and empower themselves and to develop progressively their potential for the benefit of themselves and others, and
2. by encouraging a culture which affirms and celebrates both achievement and responsible practice in industry and commerce.

• Identify purpose, focusing clearly on the desired result.
• Decide criteria for the successful achievement of that result.
• Generate alternative ways of achieving that result.
• Select the most promising course of action which will satisfy the criteria.
• Put the chosen plan into action.
• Monitor and control the process of reaching the desired outcome against the criteria.
• Review purpose, criteria and progress continually.
• Review the results.

• Age Concern Gwynedd/Môn £10,000
• Anglesey Foster Care Association £2,000
• Cwmni’r Fran Wen £3,600
• Holyhead Opportunities Trust £3,000