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July Net News Wales TUC Cymru Learning Services
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Wales TUC CymruY Rhwydwaith Rhagoriaeth Network of Excellence
No.10 July 2014 Gorffennaf
Net NewsDiolch, thanks to all who have contributed to this edition of Net News. Please do cut and paste
relevant items for your own workplace newsletters.
Mental health in the workplace seminars.These seminars are open to ALL REPS; ULRs, Health & Safety Reps, Union Reps, Green Reps and Equality Reps.
Using a combination of workshops and presentations, experts in the field of mental health will cover topics such as:
Removing the stigma of mental health Setting up an effective workplace policy Supporting the family Mental Health First Aid
In order that as many reps as possible can attend the seminar will run twice; once in North Wales and once in South Wales. Dates and times are as follows:
NORTH WALES: Thursday 25th September 2014: 9:30am – 4pmVillage Urban Resort Chester St David's, Ewloe, Nr Chester, Flintshire, CH5 3YB
SOUTH WALES: Tuesday 30th September 2014: 9:30am – 4pmCardiff City Football Stadium, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF11 8AZ
To apply to attend please complete the registration form here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WTUCMentalHealth
We would be very grateful if you did not register to attend until you are sure you are able to secure the necessary time off. Please feel free to forward this invitation to your union rep networks.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Linsey Imms Learning Services Project Worker Wales TUC 07766 250827
Skill up! Summer and Autumn Schedule - out now!Subsidised courses from £25. The course on 7 November is free for NUJ members.
18-19 Sept: Build Your Own Website, 2-day workshop, Wrexham
1 Oct: How to Run a Successful Social Media Campaign, Cardiff
2 Oct: Shoot and Edit High Quality Video on an iPhone/iPad, Cardiff
21 Oct: Law Refresher: the 'right to be forgotten'; the Defamation Act and more North Wales: venue TBC
23 Oct: Law Refresher: The 'right to be forgotten'; the Defamation Act and more Cardiff
6 Nov: Polish up your Skills for PR, Cardiff
7 Nov: Unleash your Writing Potential, Cardiff (free to NUJ members)
Click on course for full details, trainer profile and booking information.
NB: If you're based in North Wales and are interested in the Law course, please email [email protected] with your location.
NUJ Training Wales is funded by the Welsh Government until March 31, 2016
Video highlights work of ULRs in midlife career reviewsA video featuring personal accounts from union learning reps (ULRs) about how they delivered activities, utilised resources and engaged colleagues to discuss their career has been launched. The Supporting Midlife Development video has been produced by unionlearn.
The video is one of the supporting learner's suite of resources and contains footage of ULRs discussing their experience of the Mid-life Career Review pilot project.
One participant said: "The Mid-life Career Reviews make you look at yourself. What you know, what you would like to know and what you do know but you don’t realise you know. It changes your perception."
To access the video, click the link below.http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/news/2014/03/19/video-highlights-work-ulrs-mid-life-career-reviews
There is also a new Supporting Midlife Development learning theme on the unionlearn climbing frame https://www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk Here you will find lots of information and resources to help you support learners in your workplace and communities.
If you know of young people who might be thinking of University in the future you might want to have a look at this:
Views of Higher Education on qualifications reform
Value My Skills cards (transferable skills card game)A new interactive card game to help you and your colleagues identify your transferable skills. If you are interested in a new job, a course, a promotion or some voluntary work, use these cards to help you and your colleagues to think the skills you’ve already developed.
You can use the cards to start a discussion, plan for the future or provide the right words to describe your skills in a CV, application form or covering letter. The cards can be used by individuals or in a group, where everyone helps each other to think about their skills.
To order your pack of cards email Jane Warwick at [email protected]
Packs of cards were available at the recent June Network meetings – feedback was very positive and requests for more packs were received after the meetings. Order your packs and let us know what you think.
Building Essential Skills through Union Led LearningThe current round of funding through the European Social Fund (ESF), which underpins the Essential Skills in the Workplace (ESiW), is due to come to an end in March 2015.
The Welsh Government continues to be committed to supporting individuals to improve their Essential Skills and plans for a successor ESiW programme are well developed and are due to be announced soon. There will be no gap in provision. The following deadlines will apply to the current programme:
New starts are permitted up to and including 30th September 2014, but only where these can be completed and claimed by 31st December 2014.
All activity must be completed and claimed for by 31st December 2014.
If you have any queries relating to links to ESiW and your WULF project then please contact your Essential Skills project worker who will work with you.
Mid and North Wales: Angela [email protected] 07717 307265
South Wales: Anne [email protected] 07827 321725
WTUC Education Service course booklet Is now available, giving details of courses available for all union reps from this September up to July 2015.
As well as courses, the booklet also provides details of Wales TUC networks, events, resources and other relevant services - making it essential reading for reps in Wales.The booklet is available to download here, alternatively you can request a hard copy by mailing [email protected]
IT SecurityWEA Cymru is delivering a short course in IT Security during the summer period.
The course is accredited and learners will receive a BCS ITQ Unit in IT Security Windows 7 which is a stand-alone unit, and can also be used towards an ITQ Award or Certificate at a later date. The cost of the course is £18, the learning takes place online, at a time and place to suit you, with testing days being held in Cardiff CF10 5NB, on 5 th August between 9am and 12pm, and 13th August between 9am and 12pm and 2pm and 4pm. Tests take approx. 1 hour.
This course has the following learning outcomes:Know how to protect your personal data on the web the risk of online communities and social networking about the different types of malware how to prevent viruses entering your computer via email how to avoid online fraud how to keep your network secure how to back up data
Applications for interest in the course will need to be made by Monday 30th June 2014, either by emailing [email protected] or ringing 01495 369869. Payment will need to be made prior to the test, either by cheque or cash (receipt provided). If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me. Sue Leslie
Qualifications becoming essential to find any job, not just well-paid ones, says TUCCommenting on new figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which found that the unemployment rate for men (12.9 per cent) and women (10.8 per cent) with no qualifications was more than twice that of people with at least one qualification (5.2 per cent for men, 4.3 per cent for women)
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Qualifications have always been an important way to raise your income. Now they’re becoming essential to find any type of work.
“Millions of people today have few or no qualifications – including many who missed out on school and have never been given a second chance. Everyone should have the opportunity to gain meaningful qualifications.
The ONS report found that fewer than half (48.5 per cent) of those with no qualifications were in employment, compared with 8 in 10 (80.7 per cent) of those with at least one qualification.- The ONS report is available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/qualifications-and-labour-market-participation-in-england-and-wales/rpt---qualifications-and-labour-market-participation-in-england-and-wales.html
Excelsior PlusThe Excelsior Plus NVQ Initiative provides NVQs free of charge through the European Social Fund. The NVQs are delivered in the workplace by our experienced team of NVQ Assessors from Engage Training-Bridgend College. We’ve helped over 400 people achieve their qualifications so far and we’ve just received notice to extend our provision into early 2015. So now is the time to enrol.
Excelsior Plus Job-Related NVQs Available:
IT User (Computer Skills in the Workplace qualification) Business and Administration Customer Service Management Team Leading Warehousing and Storage Performing Manufacturing Operations
No attendance at Bridgend College is required; your allocated Bridgend College NVQ Assessor will come to your workplace to help candidates put together a portfolio of evidence relevant to their job roles.
The Excelsior Plus NVQ Initiative is planning for future short training courses to support local businesses. If you would like to receive training, please let us know your training requirements so that we can plan to support training that will meet your needs.
To register your training requirements or arrange an appointment to receive enrolment information please use the contact details below.Kind regardsLiz Elizabeth Plenty Excelsior Plus – Project ManagerTel: 01656 763235 Mobile: 07850 722099Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.bridgend.ac.uk/excelsiorplus/
Excelsior Plus is funded by the European Social Fund until March 2015 as part of a wider strategic project entitled “Working Skills for Adults” covering the ESF Convergence areas of South East Wales.
DEHOV Digital Economy Heads of the ValleysLearn how to use Microsoft Office Suite to its full capacity on 1 of our courses
Book your place now
Combined Office Applications or Spreadsheet Development - Advanced Excel9.30am - 4.30pm @ The Innovation Centre, Ebbw Vale
Class Dates - Tuesday July, 22nd, 29th, Aug 5thOther courses available: - Graphics & DTP, Databases, Web Development, Computerised Financial Accounting - Sage 50 Accounts 2013, Social Media, Online Marketing
Contact us to discuss your requirements - 01495 356760
Free OU eBooks and iBooks for Tablet or SmartphoneDo you use a tablet or smartphone using the android operating system? If you do then the Open University offers over 80 free OU eBooks for you to download. Topics range from Dyslexia to Project Management and from Information Security to Psychology. Go to the GooglePlay store and download your free eBooks –
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/The_Open_University_Nutrition_Vitamins_and_mineral?id=y7NtAgAAQBAJ - Scroll to the bottom of the page for the other books available
If you use an Apple iPad, iPod or iPhone you aren't left out - you can download free OU iBooks from the iTunesU app. Go to the App Store and download the free iTunesU app and then search in it for the Open University.
Finally if you have a Microsoft or Nokia tablet or smartphone using the mobile Windows operating system we have brand new OpenLearn app. This can be downloaded from the GooglePlay store.
Prepare to Teach in the Lifelong Learning SectorWEA Cymru Workplace Learning is running the PTLLS City & Guild level 3 teaching certificate course.
It covers: Planning & delivering teaching sessions, teaching strategies, inclusive learning, assessing learning, giving feedback, teaching resources, class management.
Start date: Weds 11th September 2014 (15 sessions) plus microteach sessions. Time: 6pm – 9pm Venue: WEA Cymru Cardiff Office Curran Rd. Coopers Yard, Cardiff CF10 5NB Fees for the course are £300.
Contact: [email protected] 01495 369869If your workplace is covered by a Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) project there may be help available for you to cover course fees.
August Summer School - Half Day Courses WEA Cymru Workplace Learning 2014 August Summer School – Venue: WEA Cymru Cardiff Office Curran Rd. Coopers Yard, Cardiff CF10 5NBTimes:9 am -12noon Cost: £18 per person per course.
Basic Car Maintenance: Mon 11th August - keeping your car on the road, tyres, oil & water, lights, car check list
Social Media: Thurs 14th August –getting connected, staying safe at work and home.
iPad Training: Tues 12th August features & functions, Apps, messaging & emailing at home and in work
Contact: [email protected] 01495 369869If your workplace is covered by a Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) project there may be help available for you to cover course fees
FutureLearnOur university partners have added 13 free online courses to FutureLearn.com. Why not forward this to your friends to see if there is a course that they would enjoy?New courses
Digital Marketing: Challenges and Insights, Uni of Southampton, 13 October Shipwrecks and Submerged Worlds: Maritime Archaeology, Southampton, 6 Oct How to Succeed at: Writing Applications, The University of Sheffield, 6 October How to Succeed at: Interviews, The University of Sheffield, 3 November Basic Science: Understanding Numbers, The Open University, 18 August Liver Disease: Looking after your Liver, University of Birmingham, 27 October Shakespeare and his World, The University of Warwick, 29 September The Secret Power of Brands, University of East Anglia, 20 October The Shocking Shallowness of Human Psychology, Uni of Warwick, 13 October Exploring the Lost Harbour of Ancient Rome, Uni of Southampton, early 2015 Innovation and Enterprise, Loughborough University, 20 October Preparing for Uni, University of East Anglia, 13 October Discover Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, 13 October
Back by popular demand Exploring our Oceans, University of Southampton, 27 October How the Web is Changing the World , University of Southampton, 6 October Corpus Linguistics: Method, Analysis, Interpretation, Lancaster, 29 September Begin Programming: Build your First Mobile Game, Uni of Reading, 20 October Getting a Grip on Mathematical Symbolism, Loughborough Uni, 15 September
FutureLearners worldwide are sharing their experiences on Facebook and Twitter, why not come and join in the conversation. We are trying to spread the word about FutureLearn so every ‘like’ really does matter! You can find us on Facebook and on Twitter @FutureLearn.
Finally, we are excited to let you know that you are part of a community of nearly 400,000 FutureLearners from virtually every country around the world. Please keep sending us your stories from wherever you are to [email protected].
Happy learning, Lily
Prifysgol De Cymru University of South WalesOnline Marketing Tuesday 5th Aug Tuesday 2nd Sep 9.30am – 4.30pm Cartrefi Cymru, Bridgend 5 sessions
Social Media Thursday 7th Aug Thursday 4th Sep 9.30am – 4.30pm Crownford House, Merthyr 5 sessions
Contact:Claire Davies – [email protected] RCT and Bridgend areas
https://www.facebook.com/WLWYUH Wales Learn with your union hub
September – Tidy Wales WeekThis September we are calling on the people of Wales to take part in a week- long, nationwide, cleanup of littered black spots in towns, villages and the countryside.
Tidy Wales Week will take place between 15 - 21 September and we are hoping that people living in every corner of the country will show how much they care for their local area by getting involved in hands-on, problem-solving action.
Get involved! Tidy Wales Week is for everyone from a group of neighbours to schools and local businesses...this is your opportunity to get involved and make a difference in your local community!Register your clean up event today [email protected]
Need help? Our project officers can offer assistance in organising clean-ups so make sure you get in touch with your local officer!
Will you be a Tidy Winner? Registration opens for Tidy Wales Awards Keep Wales Tidy is once again calling on volunteer groups, schools and organisations across Wales to put their names forward for the Tidy Wales Awards. The Tidy Wales Awards recognises groups throughout Wales who work tirelessly to improve their local environment. Could this be the year you are a category winner and get your hands on a £250 cash prize?
Does your group deserve recognition for their hours of volunteering and environmental work? For your chance to win, download an application form from www.keepwalestidy.org or e-mail [email protected]
£1m EU Boost For Marine Centre WalesAn EU scheme pioneering collaborative research projects in marine science between business and universities has been given a £1m EU boost, Finance Minister Jane Hutt has announced.
Bangor University’s £23.6m SEACAMS project, delivered in partnership with Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities, is helping to develop the coastal marine economy in Wales. It has already worked with more than 60 companies on R&D projects ranging from developing new products to studying marine life to determining management strategies for rising sea levels.
The additional funding will enable the project to expand its work to map and collect data in the Anglesey Demonstration Zone which has been established by the Crown Estate to explore opportunities for offshore renewables in Wales to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Soft Fruit Growing and preserving, CowbridgeSunday July 27 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm £5. (Yes, only £5) ctrl& click title to follow link.
Meet the star of BBC TV’s 'The Hill Farm' at the Royal Welsh Show Our first visit to the Royal Welsh Show is next week, and you can join us for a series of events ‘In Conversation’ with leading figures from food, drink and farming.
Our first session exploring ‘healthy leadership’ features Gareth Wyn Jones, star of BBC TV’s 'The Hill Farm', and takes place on Monday July 21st.
Gareth is a very entertaining speaker and much in demand for his views on the future of farming in Wales, food provenance and a host of other topics. His family has been farming the slopes of the Carneddau mountain range for 350 years, since records began, but he is keen to look to the future and sees the media as key to communicating with the public.
“We need to do more of this, we need to open our farm gates, we need to educate the public about where food comes from and how we manage the countryside while caring for wildlife and we need to bridge that gap between town and country," he says.
Our second ‘healthy leadership‘ session on Tuesday July 22nd, features Gwyndaf Pritchard, general manager at Bodnant Welsh Food Centre. His remit is to develop the business as a centre of excellence for Wales and Welsh food and to front the company nationally and internationally, working with a team of 70 employees to stabilise and develop the business.
Attendance is free, but attendees will have had to pay admission to the show. Places are limited, and should be booked in advance via www.lmw.org.uk/events/ or by phoning 029 2087 6560.
The LMW masterclasses will take place daily at 3pm: Monday 21 July: In Conversation with Gareth Wyn Jones, TV’s The Hill Farm; Tuesday 22 July: In Conversation with Gwyndaf Pritchard of Bodnant Welsh
Food; Wednesday 23 July: Panel discussion with leaders from the food, drink and
farming sectors - Kevin Thomas of Lantra, Sian Hindle of La Crème Patisserie and Mark Roberts of Wrexham Lager;
Thursday 24 July: In Conversation with Brian Jones of Castell Howell Foods.
Awards for All WalesProviding voluntary and community groups with a simple way to get small Lottery grants £500 - £5000We will fund projects which support community activity, extend access and participation, increase skill and creativity or generally improve the quality of life of people in their area. http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/wales/awards-for-all-wales
Sign up for information and contacts on our Face Book pagehttps://www.facebook.com/WLWYUH Wales Learn with your union hub
Usdaw’s vibrant Arena wins at TUC communications awardsArena, the journal for members of Usdaw has won best journal/magazine at the TUC’s annual Trade Union Communications Awards which took place in London last week.
This year’s judges described Arena as outstanding in every respect – packed with information and regular features focusing on members’ working lives. They found it ‘newsy’ in style with many items responding to members’ queries.
Photographs featured strongly this year. In the best use of a photo or illustration category, the FBU won with a member’s simple yet powerful image of firefighters amidst a sea of heat and flame.
The best one-off publication category always attracts entries in a huge range of formats and never makes the judges’ job easy. This year Usdaw’s booklet on maternity and parental rights came top with its well-laid out and user-friendly style.
An engaging home page with easily accessible tabs and navigation helped UCATT win the best website category. Equity’s stylish matching of website and journal saw it highly commended, whilst the RMT was commended for its interactive site.
TUC Assistant General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “With continued pressure on wages and working conditions, there are a wide range of issues for unions to cover in their campaigns and their publications. The flair and enthusiasm with which communication professionals in unions continue to tackle the key issues is a vital contribution to our movement.
2014 judge Keith Ames – whose journal won the top prize last year – said: “Union communication teams have demonstrated the skill and the hard work with which they approach their job. This year’s entries demonstrated a good balance between work for the benefit of the union’s activists and that which appeals to the wider membership.”
The full 2014 award winners are:Best journal/magazine – Usdaw Arena (winner), Nautilus International Telegraph and Equity
Equity magazine (both highly commended), CSP Frontline (commended).Best feature – POA (winner), Usdaw and Unite (highly commended), ATL (commended).Best use of a photo or illustration – FBU (winner), Prospect (highly commended), EIS and
Equity (commended).Best one-off publication – Usdaw (winner), NASUWT and Prospect (highly commended),
Napo and UNISON (commended).Best campaign – Unite (winner), Prospect and RMT (highly commended), UNISON
(commended).Best website – UCATT (winner), Equity (highly commended), RMT (commended).Best use of electronic communication – UNISON (winner), Napo and Usdaw (highly
commended), BALPA and CWU (commended).
- All 54 unions affiliated to the TUC are eligible to submit entries to the annual TUC Trade Union Communications Awards, which are sponsored by Warners Group Publications.
Need help looking for funding? Welcome to Wales' Third Sector Funding Portal, the one-stop shop for funding advice and opportunities. http://www.wcva.org.uk/funding
People’s Postcode Trust - Small Grants ProgrammeOur Small Grants Programme exists to try to make the world a better place through short-term, project specific funding.
We are now open for funding and will be accepting applications until August 22nd.
Through this programme, we provide funding for projects of up to twelve months in length, ranging from £500 up to £20,000 (£5,000 for projects of up to six months in Wales) to registered charities, community and voluntary groups, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations.
We will accept applications that meet the following funding theme: Advancement of citizenship or community development
We are looking for projects that engage local communities and leave a positive long term impact beyond the duration of funding. We especially welcome applications for projects that are focused on improving life for disadvantaged groups and encouraging their inclusion within society.http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/small-grants.aspx
B&Q Waste DonationsWe donate unsaleable products and waste materials for re-use by recognised community groups, eg schools, charities, The Scout Association. We can donate items such as slightly damaged tins of paint, off-cuts of timber, and broken tiles for mosaic projects.
Items available for donation will vary from store to store and there is no guarantee that items will be available for donation when an enquiry is made. Find out more here: http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/corporate/content/environment_ethics/ethics/community/waste_donation.jsp ____________________________________________________________________________
£2.8million Lottery grant success for Hedd Wyn’s home Born Ellis Humphrey Evans, he is better known by his Welsh bard name, Hedd Wyn Much of Hedd Wyn’s poetry focuses on the effects of the First World War on the local community of Trawsfynydd and rural WalesHis poem Rhyfel (The War) is one of the most famous descriptions of war written in the Welsh language
Find out more about Hedd Wyn.
Go to this page and watch the youtube clip.http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/HeddWynYrYsgwrn.aspx#.U8UKJ8NwYhk
Two-Tier’ Support for Workforce IntroducedLesley Griffiths Minister for Local Government and Government Business has introduced a new code of practice to protect public service staff.
The Workforce Code aims to ensure where public services are outsourced to a third party, current staff will retain their Terms and Conditions, while new recruits to the service provider undertaking work on the contract would be employed on Terms and Conditions no less favourable than transferred staff.
The new code is based closely on the existing models, but now seeks to clarify certain aspects. It also reflects the changed legislative position on pensions, particularly auto-enrolment introduced by the Pensions Act 2008 and the revised Fair Deal.
Date Set For New T1 Bus ServiceThe new T1 bus service between Carmarthen, Lampeter and Aberystwyth will start on Sunday August 3rd, Transport Minister Edwina Hart announced.
Funded by the Welsh Government as part of the longer distance TrawsCymru network, the service will be operated by First Cymru on an hourly basis from Monday to Saturday, four times a day on a Sunday and with an improved evening service as a result of passenger feedback.
The timetable has been specially designed to integrate with the Bwcabus scheme in the Teifi Valley and Lampeter areas and to offer good connections with rail services at Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.
Low floor buses will ensure ease of access, while coach style seating; and free WiFi on all buses will provide for a comfortable journey.
Are you interested in teaching and developing the Welsh Language in Patagonia? Are you looking for a new challenge and worthwhile experiences? We are looking for qualified and experienced teachers to teach children and adults as well as organising activities for language socialization on behalf of Menter Patagonia between March and December 2015. Contact us by email or telephone 029 209 2435 for an application form
Are you ready for an adventure in Africa?! The Lesotho Teacher Placement Programme supports 6 teachers in Wales (newly qualified or experienced) to teach for 5 months in schools in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, southern Africa. Next placements start in January 2015. Deadline for applications is 22 August 2014.
Newly unemployed five week wait for benefit cashMost people who lose their jobs will soon have to wait five weeks before they get any cash help, according to small print in the Universal Credit rules uncovered by the TUC as it launches a new campaign, Saving Our Safety Net.
Currently most newly unemployed people have to wait two weeks until they get their first benefit payment. But under new Universal Credit rules people will not be eligible for any help for a week and must then wait a further month for their benefits to be paid in arrears. Other than the few who receive emergency help, any new claimants will have to wait at least five weeks for any cash.
In a new published report Universal Credit: the problem of delay in benefit payments, the TUC says that this new and deliberate delay to payments means that worries about money are likely to distract new claimants from looking for work, drive them into the hands of payday loan lenders and increase demand on food banks.
The new five-week wait will apply to anyone making a fresh claim for social security benefits, regardless of how long they have held their job or how much they have paid in National Insurance contributions.
Saving Our Safety Net launches with a petition against the five-week wait. The campaign will highlight how government welfare reforms are undermining safety net protection for working people.
A TUC commissioned YouGov poll finds that the five-week wait is opposed by almost four to one. Seven out of ten people (70 per cent) say that they would be worried when asked to imagine losing their job and not being entitled to receive any JSA for five weeks. Of those who said they would be worried, the top concerns were meeting rent or mortgage payments (69 per cent), buying food (52 per cent), and paying energy bills (23 per cent).
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “While it is right to deal with people who abuse the system, the government is now undermining the welfare safety net that any of us might need. Making people who have contributed all their lives – but who are simply unlucky enough to lose their jobs – wait five weeks before receiving any help is both cruel and vindictive.
“People who lose their jobs need to be concentrating on looking for a new one, not worrying about whether they have enough money to pay the mortgage, keep up with their rent or feed their children.
“The five-week wait is yet another ill-thought out idea and should be enough to send the whole policy back to the drawing board. It’s a policy designed to benefit Wonga, not the British people.NOTES The TUC report Universal Credit: the problem of delay in benefit payments can be found at https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/BenefitsDelayed2014.pdf- Full details of the polling commissioned by the TUC can be found at https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/FiveWeekWaitPoll2014.pdf - The Saving Our Safety Net campaign website and five-week wait petition has been launched today (Wednesday) at www.savingoursafetynet.org.uk
TUC welcomes governments’ call for retailers to pay into Rana Plaza fundThe TUC has welcomed a statement signed by international development minister Alan Duncan, along with ministers from six other European countries, urging retailers to donate to the Rana Plaza fund – set up for victims of the fatal factory collapse in Bangladesh last April.
The concern is that some companies either haven’t contributed at all or haven’t given enough to the fund.
More than one year on from the Rana Plaza collapse, just £11m has been raised for the fund – less than half the £24m needed to pay compensation to the victims. Many of the UK high street stores who sold clothes made at the factory still haven’t contributed.
The TUC believes it’s the responsibility of every company sourcing high-street fashion from Bangladesh to donate an appropriate sum so that the surviving workers and the families of those who died can start to rebuild their lives.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “More than 12 months on from the tragedy it’s disgraceful that stores who sourced clothes from the factory still haven’t paid a penny into the fund, while others have donated only a minimal amount.
“It’s encouraging to see governments from across Europe joining unions and other campaigners to put pressure on those companies who still seem reluctant to contribute to the Rana Plaza fund.”
Notes:- One year ago almost 1,200 workers, most of them young women, lost their lives when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in the Savar district of Bangladesh.- The Rana Plaza Trust Fund is a no-fault fund administered by the International Labour Organisation. Any company can contribute to the fund, whether or not they sourced clothes from Rana Plaza.- The ministers’ statement is available at http://oeso.nlvertegenwoordiging.org/nieuws/2014/juni-2014/final-statement-on-compensation-rana-plaza-victims.html It has been signed by international development ministers from the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.- The TUC has given £16,000 to the Rana Plaza Trust Fund through its development arm TUC Aid. A full list of donors is available at www.ranaplaza-arrangement.org/fund/donors
Animation: A minimum income standard for the UK in 2014 How much money do you need for an 'adequate' standard of living? Watch this video to find out.
Edible mushroom growing, CardiffSaturday August 9 @ 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Cost: £45.00
Job VacanciesThe following job vacancies have been published to the TUC web site.
Local Fighting Fund Organiser - UNISONSalary/Hours: Full time (12 month fixed term contract)Location: Neath / Port Talbot / SwanseaClosing date: 28 Jul 2014 16:00
Read the full job at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/node/120463 ------------------------------------------------------------------------Local Fighting Fund Organisers x3 - UNISONSalary/Hours: Full time (12 month fixed term contract) Location: WalesClosing date: 28 Jul 2014 16:00
Read the full job at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/node/120464 ------------------------------------------------------------------------Area Fighting Fund Organiser - UNISONSalary/Hours: Full time (12 month fixed term contract)Location: CardiffClosing date: 28 Jul 2014 16:00
Read the full job at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/node/120465
FCFCG Communications Worker, Cardiff (preferred)Contract: Fixed term until 30 September 2015 (extension subject to further funding)Salary: £21,734 rising to £23,945 pro rata tbcHours: 30 hours (4 days) per week, to include Tuesdays. Flexible working hours are available.Location: Cardiff preferred, but FCFCG Offices in Narberth or Llanberis can be considered (depending on location of successful candidates)Closing date: 12pm, Thursday 17 JulyInterviews: Wednesday 23 July, Cardiff
FCFCG Wales Manager, CardiffContract: Fixed term until 30 September 2015 (extension subject to further funding)Salary: £31,160 rising to £33,998 pro rata tbcHours: 26.25 hours (3.5 days) per weekClosing date: 12pm, Thursday 24th JulyInterview date: Thursday 31st July, CardiffFor a job pack and application form for either of these roles, please go to www.farmgarden.org.uk/about-us/jobs
Beekeeping Weekend, New QuaySat & Sun July 19 - 20 £150 http://www.tyfupobl.org.uk/event/beekeeping-weekend-new-quay/
The Bangor Forest Garden SkillshareSunday 13 July 11am - 4pmPlease join us for a gathering with a difference! You’re welcome to drop in for a short time or stay all afternoon. It will be an informal friendly gathering where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Forest Gardening, Crowdfunding, learn the principles of rocket stoves and how to make one, cook your own pizza in the cob oven and make willow hearts, stars, fish and streamers. We’ll provide information about the beautiful walks nearby if you want to explore the area, and maps of the garden for self-guided tours. For more information and to book your place go to the FCFCG website.
Be part of Wales's first city-wide food networkSWANSEA residents are being asked to take part in a Wales-first survey about food and cooking.The move is part of a ground-breaking plan by Swansea Council to set up a city-wide network of people sharing tips and ideas about low-cost healthy cooking and food which is open to everyone.It will also help the Council shape how it uses its own resources and forges better links with projects across the city which are helping people grow or access healthy food, or helping them save money on their food shop. For more information go to the Swansea Council website.
The Snowdrop CampaignTo help celebrate their 150th anniversary year, Sight Cymru are hoping to recruit 150 volunteers to each plant around 150 snowdrops with service users. The aim is to provide a lasting legacy of our work and at the same time highlight what the charity has done over the past 150 years, and what we would like to do in the next.
Essentially the volunteer is someone who is kind and empathetic, able to help service users select a spot for the snowdrop bulbs to be planted and undertake that work. The time required is flexible and some training will be given.If you are interested in this interesting opportunity please contact [email protected] http://www.sightsupport.org.uk/
Blog: The “mustn’t grumble” British pensioner has been consigned to history Today’s older generation is refusing to accept traditional self-denying attitudes, says Abigail Davis.
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Same details when you need to unsubscribe. Diolch yn fawr, thankyou.Bernice WaughSwyddog Prosiect/Project OfficerY Rhwydwaith Rhagoriaeth Network of ExcellenceFfon/phone 07917 415601e-bost/email [email protected]
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