Bridges into Work is an exciting project for economically inactive and unemployed people in South East Wales, with a £10million grant from the European Social Fund.

The project provides a boost to individuals and companies, providing opportunities for retraining or improving skills in subjects that are in demand by employers. The aim is to help over 5,000 people into sustainable employment by January 2015.

Where is it available?

Six Local Authority regions; Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff have joined together to strategically develop and run Bridges into Work.

The main contacts for the six local authorities are available at the bottom of the page.

Who is it for?

It is available to all residents of the Bridges into Work region who are:

• Not in full time education and
• Either not working or working for less than 16 hours per week

  but who wish to move closer to the job market with the ultimate aim of becoming employed.

What can it offer?

• Free career guidance, advice and information as well as support with job searches, CV writing and personal presentation skills to help people succeed at interviews
• Free generic vocational courses such as food hygiene, first aid, health and safety skills training in generic transferable skills such as literacy and numeracy skills, confidence building, IT courses, formal qualifications
• Additional support for people facing barriers to working such as work limiting health conditions, childcare needs and transport barriers

Why is the scheme important?

The current economic situation in the UK is making finding sustainable employment much tougher. Bridges into Work is working with some of the most deprived areas in Wales where unemployment and incapacity are already high. Helping people move from economic inactivity to work can be a long and expensive process with many interventions required for each person.

The project partners are planning to use this last round of European money to help make a real difference for people in the region.

Main contacts for the six Local Authorities

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Melanie Sacre – Bridges into Work Learners’ Mentor
Tel: 01495 309951
Email: melanie.sacre@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Bridgend County Borough Council
Catherine Powell – Bridges into Work Outreach Co-ordinator
Tel: 01656 642619
Email: catherine.powell@bridgend.gov.uk

Caerphilly County Borough Council
Catherine Brewer – Bridges Into Work Co-ordinator
Tel: 01443 833445
Email: bridgesintowork@caerphilly.gov.uk

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Enquiries Tel: 01685 727099
Email: nlc.enquiries@merthyr.gov.uk

Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council
Ceri-Ann Boyce
Tel: 01443 743968
Email: bridgesintowork@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk

Torfaen County Borough Council
Croesyceiliog CEC, Cwmbran
Tel: 01633 647740/647742
Email: bridgesintowork@torfaen.gov.uk

Consultation with the community has identified the following priorities in this neighbourhood.

Priority

Dog Fouling – Along the Canal, Between Thistle Way – Moriah Hill

Parking Problems – Thistle Way, Close To Elm Drive.

Speeding – Speeding, Elm Drive Near To Ty-sign Primary School.

Issued 21 August, 2014

Hi all hope u have enjoyed the holidays!! September and back to school are looming but here’s something to look forward to – ty sign tots will be starting again on Monday 8th September 9.30 – 11.30, hope to see you there!!

Barnardo’s Caerphilly & Newport Young Carers Service offices are based in Risca and Newport. We deal with young carers between age 7 and 25 years in the Caerphilly and Newport Boroughs.

Our aims are:

• to provide you with a break from your caring role
• to support you when you feel frustrated and angry
• to get you the right help so that you are able to get some time to yourself
• to help you access the information you need to be a young carer
• to work with other people so that you are able to continue your education.

Do you help your parents to do the shopping, washing, ironing? Do you look help to look after your brother or sister? Do any of your parents suffer from mental health problems? Do your parents misuse drugs or alcohol? Do you struggle with your school/college because of your caring responsibilities? Do you have any health problems yourself?

Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, we are at

Caerservices@barnardos.org.uk

After that time we have an answer phone. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you.

Our office in Newport is based at

Newport Young Carers
114 Lower dock Street
Newport
NP20 2AF

Phone
01633 251192

If you are experiencing any of these things, our service can help. Being a young carer is a very important job and this service is just for people like you.

12th July Tredegar Park, Risca

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Iraq illustrates the serious way in which freedom of religion or belief is being denied to so many. Surely every MP in the House of Commons should take a serious interest in this?

This is why we are pleased to see that Christians on the Left, a group affiliated to the Labour Party, are hosting an event with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief specifically to engage with and inspire Labour MPs about freedom of religion or belief.

“International Religious Freedom – the next human rights frontier?” will be held on 8 July at 5pm in Committee Room 20, Parliament, and is a brilliant opportunity for Labour MPs to get involved in the discussion.

Reported cases of slavery in Wales are the “tip of the iceberg” a government expert has said.

The Welsh government’s anti-slavery co-ordinator Stephen Chapman told BBC Wales they just “don’t know how big that iceberg is”.

Mr Chapman appealed to communities to reported suspected cases of slavery.

In total, CISWO now runs 15 clubs in former South Wales coalfield areas, which give members a chance to socialise with other women whose loved ones worked underground, as well as providing support, advice on a variety of issues and regular excursions

If you, your wife, husband or partner worked in any department of the coal industry, or if you are a dependent child of a former coal mining employee and would like more information about CISWO’s services or social groups, visit www.minerswelfare.org or contact Phil Williams on 01443 485233 or phil.williams@ciswo.org.uk..