Interlink RCT

We have some fantastic news to share! 🎉

Interlink and Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil have been successful in securing Short Breaks funding with Carers Trust Wales for another 2.5 years.

As part of this, we’re delighted to confirm that we will fund our existing groups again for a further six months, enabling them to continue providing vital short breaks and support for unpaid carers.

This will be followed by the launch of a brand-new scheme in the new year, which will be open for all eligible groups across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil to apply.

We’re excited about what this continued investment will mean for carers and communities across our area. More information about the new scheme and how to apply will be shared soon, so watch this space! 💙

🌟 Living Well RCT is here! 🌟

Looking for something to do, somewhere to go, support in your community or a new opportunity to get involved?

Living Well RCT brings hundreds of local opportunities together in one place, helping you find what’s happening across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

You can discover:
📍 Local activities
🎉 Community events
💬 Advice and support
💚 Volunteering opportunities
📚 Learning and skills

Whether you’re looking to try something new, meet people, find support or simply see what’s happening near you, there’s something to explore.

👉 Start exploring today: https://livingwellrct.org/

📢 Job opportunity: Project Manager – Volunteering

Interlink RCT is looking for an experienced and dynamic Project Manager – Volunteering to help develop and lead projects that support volunteering and community involvement across RCT.

The role will involve coordinating partnership projects and networks including the RCT Trailblazers programme, RCT Volunteering Network and Volunteers’ Week, developing new volunteering opportunities and line-managing the Volunteering Officer.

The successful candidate will be a confident communicator and relationship-builder, with strong project management, leadership and facilitation skills, and a commitment to person-centred practice, coproduction and equality, diversity and inclusion.

⏰ Hours: 30 or 37 hours per week
📅 Contract: 18 months (continuation subject to funding)
💷 Salary: NJC SCP 23–24, £34,434–£35,412 (pro rata for part-time hours)
📆 Closing date: 11:59pm, Friday 2 October 2026

👉 Find out more and apply: https://interlinkrct.org.uk/blog/2026/09/21/vacancy-project-manager-volunteering/

📊 Boost Your Funding Bids with Evidence

Want to strengthen your funding applications and get better at demonstrating the difference your organisation makes?

Join Interlink RCT and the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) for a practical, hands-on session exploring how evidence can help you:
🔹 Demonstrate the needs of your community
🔹 Build a stronger case for funding
🔹 Measure outcomes and demonstrate impact
🔹 Collect and use meaningful evidence from your work
🔹 Turn data, stories and insights into compelling funding applications and reports

The session will cover practical tools and approaches, including the Evidence Pie, evaluation tools, case study templates and validated measures, as well as how to analyse and use your data effectively.

Participants will also create a simple evaluation form that can be adapted for their own organisation.

📅 Tuesday 13 October 2026
⏰ 9:30am–3:30pm
📍 YMa, Pontypridd
🍽️ Light lunch provided

The session is interactive, so participants are encouraged to bring real examples from their own work and apply the learning to their organisation.

🌐 Find out more and book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boost-your-funding-bids-with-evidence-tickets-2002190373304?aff=oddtdtcreator

🏊‍♀️ Inclusive swimming for neurodiverse children

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Leisure Services is exploring how swimming experiences can be made more inclusive and supportive for neurodivergent children.

The project is looking to hear from families who:
🔹 Already access neurodiverse swimming lessons
🔹 Have considered swimming lessons but faced barriers or challenges
🔹 Have experiences and views about what could make swimming more accessible and inclusive

Families are invited to share their experiences by completing the survey. The feedback will help build a better understanding of what works well, what could be improved and the barriers families may face when accessing swimming services.

📝 Take the survey: https://makeachange.rctcbc.gov.uk/inclusive-swimming-for-neurodiverse-children

National Music Competition for 18–25 year olds

HMD Harmony is seeking emerging musicians and composers to create an original piece of music that will be performed at the UK National Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Ceremony on 27 January 2027.

Create music that matters and have the opportunity to share your music on a national stage and win £500.

Entries close at 9am on Monday 9 November 2026.

Find out more and enter: hmd.org.uk

Comic Relief Cwtch Communities funding!

Comic Relief Cwtch Communities, managed by WCVA CGGC, is offering grants of £15,000–£35,000 to Welsh voluntary organisations with an annual income of under £250,000.

The funding is available to organisations working to strengthen their support for communities in one or more of three priority areas:

❤️ Basic needs – supporting people and families facing poverty, cost-of-living pressures or difficulty accessing essential goods and services

👶 Health – early childhood development – supporting the wellbeing and development of young children and their families

🛡️ Safety – supporting people and communities affected by violence, displacement or marginalisation

The application window is now open and closes on 2 November 2026 at 5pm.

📅 Information session: 30 September, 2–3.30pm
👉 Book your place: https://luma.com/dywnryt1

Interested in applying? Find out more here: https://wcva.cymru/comic-relief-cwtch-communities/?utm_source=WCVA+Mailing+list+%7C+Rhestr+marchnata+CGGC&utm_campaign=30e6a1181c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_05_21_10_15_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8136e96a81-224405754

Funded sessions at Role Play Lane!

Role Play Lane has a range of funded and affordable activities for families coming up, including after-school sessions and Halloween activities.

🎨 Funded After School Sessions
Monday afternoons, 3:30–5:15pm
Families can enjoy play, a craft or activity and food for just £10 per family (up to 2 children).

🎃 Funded Halloween Sessions
During half term, Role Play Lane will also be running a range of Halloween-themed activities, including:

👻 Role play sessions
🎨 Halloween crafts
🧸 Baby & toddler sensory
🎵 Baby music
🧁 Halloween cookery
🎉 Halloween parties
💜 An ALN Halloween party

These sessions offer families an opportunity to enjoy fun, creative activities at an affordable price.

🌐 Book here: www.roleplaylane.uk/book-here

What commitments can our partners make to support a more sustainable community and voluntary sector in RCT?

Join Interlink RCT and our community and voluntary sector members from across Rhondda Cynon Taf for a Conference (and AGM) on collaboration and action.

📅 Wednesday 4 November 2026
⏰ 9:30am–3:30pm
📍 Heritage Park

Following feedback from the sector on ‘what matters to you’, Interlink has been working with members and key partners, including RCT County Borough Council and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, to develop a set of proposed Commitments.

The day will be an opportunity to:

🟣 Hear about the proposed Commitments and what they could mean in practice
🟣 Share your views and help shape priorities for action
🟣 Take part in training, workshops and our Design Marketplace
🟣 Explore how we can work together towards a more sustainable sector
🟣 Enjoy refreshments and a light lunch

The Commitments focus on issues including sustainable funding, volunteering, communication and engagement, equal partnerships and shared decision-making.

Your voice matters. Come along and help shape what happens next.

🌐 Book your FREE space: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-commitments-rcts-big-conversation-tickets-2000254567256

Make and taste freshly pressed apple juice at our Apple Harvest Celebration! 🍎🍏