Trish Buchan – the new Independent Board Member (Third Sector) for Powys teaching Health Board.

Trish Buchan - PAVO’s Health and Social Care Facilitator has been appointed as an independent board member to the health board for the next three years.  

Independent board members are appointed by the Minister for Health and Social Services with the Welsh Government and play an important role in the governance of the Health Board.

Trish will bring skills and experience of the third sector to benefit the health board and will continue to work for PAVO as Third Sector Health & Social Care Facilitator ensuring an integrated approach to third sector relationships with PtHB.

Service Users Wanted - Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan Workshop

Do you or someone you care for have a neurological condition?
If so, would you like to be involved in the way Powys Teaching Health Board develops their services they offer in your community.

A workshop is being held to hear your views on:

Tuesday, 13th May 2014  at 10.00am-12.30pm at Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) office, Unit 30, Ddole Road Industrial Estate, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6DF

If you would like to attend , please confirm your attendance with Bertha/Kath on 01874 712652 or via email Pa.dothsandwod.POW@wales.nhs.uk by Wednesday 30th April 2014.

Physical Disability and Sensory Loss User Engagement Forum

To view minutes of the last meeting visit PAVO website: 
http://www.pavo.org.uk/policy-and-partnerships/partnerships/health-social-care-and-wellbeing/voice-of-patients-carers-and-stakeholders/pdsl.html

Everyone's got a story, what's yours?

Have you used any of the Welsh Ambulance Services or NHS Services or NHS Direct Wales?
Your story can help to improve services.  Visit www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk
Email:  the Partners in Healthcare Team at ppi.team@wales.nhs.uk
Write:  Welsh Ambulance Service/NHS direct Wales, FREEPOST NAT6805 Swansea SA7 9ZZ
Phone:  Partners in Healthcare Team 01792 311773

NEW ! Powys Volunteer Involvers Network

4th June 10.00 - 3.00 at 30 Ddole Road Industrial Estate / Ystâd Ddiwydiannol Heol Ddole, Llandrindod Wells.

The Network has been formed to give Volunteer Involving Organisations across the county the chance to meet up, share information, listen to key note speakers and share practices.

Powys Volunteer Centre would like to work with the network to identify the support we could provide to meet your needs. We will also provide regular opportunities to share tips and experiences with other people who have responsibility for recruiting and managing volunteers.

We have been lucky enough to get Phil Fiander the new Acting Chair of WCVA to come along and speak about the future challenges of volunteering in Wales

Contact info@pavo.org.uk or telephone 0845 009 3288     Download agenda here

Volunteer Pain Peer Mentors

During 2014/2015 Powys teaching Health Board will be piloting a project designed to support people living with pain, delivered by volunteer peer mentors who also live with pain.   PtHB are looking for volunteers to be part of the Pain Peer Mentor Project. The role will involve;
· Some informal social support
· Supporting participants to set commitments designed to help them manage their pain and improve their quality of life
· Monitor progress and follow up with solutions .

Operational support and supervision will be available. The peer mentors will work with a variable caseload size with an average placement length of 4-6 sessions. Full training, will be provided. Anticipated commitment one day a week for an initial 12 month pilot period.  It is anticipated that 4 days of training will take place during May 2014.  To apply or for an informal chat please contact:

Sarah Cronin, Development Manager, Long Term Conditions, Powys teaching Health Board, Pain & Fatigue Management Centre, Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Brecon LD3 0LU
Tel: 01874 712507 Mobile: 07920 528387 Email: sarah.cronin@wales.nhs.uk

Review of the NHS Complaints Procedure in Wales

Brecknock and Radnor / Montgomeryshire Community Health Councils, the independent watchdogs for Powys, are seeking patients experiences on the way the NHS complaints procedure works in Wales.

Please see press release from Montgomeryshire CHC and Brecknock and Radnor CHC regarding patients’ experiences of the way the NHS complaints procedure works in Wales.

The press release contains a link to an on-line survey. A paper copy of the survey can be obtained by contacting the CHC office in Newtown on 01686 627632, or people can convey their experiences in complete confidence vie their email address: myexperience@montchc.org.uk

Please note that this review does only relate to complaints about NHS care in Wales. The closing date for completion of the survey or for comments to be received is 21st April 2014.

There is still time to nominate your communities unsung Heroes!

Powys Volunteer Centre is organising the 5th Volunteer of the Year Awards to honour exceptional volunteers in Powys.

“We all know incredible people — everyday heroes — who give of their time and talents to make our community a better place, many sports, leisure, social and community facilities are dependent on volunteers and without them, many crucial services in Powys would not exist” said Michele Muireasgha Head of Third Sector Development at PAVO

The awards evening will be held on Thursday 11th September at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells and all shortlisted nominees will receive special recognition at the event and the winners will be presented with an award.   So, nominate!

If you know of someone who has given up his or her time to help others then why not nominate them for a Powys Volunteer of the Year Award? There are five categories of awards this year: Volunteer up to the age of 25, Volunteer between the age of 25 – 59, Volunteer age 60 upwards, Group and Outstanding contribution. For a nomination form you can contact PAVO on 01597 822191 email: info@pavo.org.uk or download from www.pavo.org.uk. The deadline for nominations is May 5 2014.

PAVO Outreach Surgery in Newtown

Do you need some funding support? Have you got an issue around governance? Would you like to discuss potential project ideas? Would your organisation like a health check?

Come along at meet with PAVO Development Officers on Tuesday 15th April 2014
10am – 3pm at Plas Dolerw, Milford Road, Newtown

New partnership to maintain dedicated eating disorder support service in Wales

Beat and Welsh mental health and wellbeing charity Gofal are working in partnership to enable Beat Cymru to continue to deliver and develop support services for people with eating disorders and their families in Wales.  Follow the below links for more information on:

Their Work in Wales
Group Facilitators Wanted in Wales
Information leaflet about Beat
Beat 25th Aniversary

April is World Autism Month

April is world autism month aiming to raise awareness about individuals with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. 

What can you do to support WAAD? - Visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day to learn more.

Should you wish to discuss ASD work being undertaken in Powys including the ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales and the Powys ASD Action Plan, please contact:
Mrs Rebecca James, ASD Co-ordinator - POWYS, Women & Children's Services
Email - rebecca.james@wales.nhs.uk  Tel -  01874 615670

Job vacancy - Ashfield Community Enterprise

Ashfield Community Enterprise is seeking someone with horticultural experience to take the lead on growing at Ashfield . 26 week contract for 2014 and a similar contract for 2015 for 12-15 hours a week . Contact the office and Ellie for an information pack.

Tel: 01597 829689 Mailto: office@ashfieldce.org.uk www.ashfieldce.org.uk

The closing date for expressions of interest is Monday April 21st with interviews on Thursday 24th April.

Powys teaching Health Board to recruit new Chair Person

Following the announcement that Mel Evans, Chair of Powys teaching Health Board is to step down from the role in August 2014, the Welsh Government are currently seeking applicants for this important post.  

The role of Chair is usually appointed for up to four years.  
For more information or to apply go to www.wales.gov.uk/publicappointments or for queries contact hr-helpdesk@wales.gsi.gov.uk or: 029 2082 5454.

11,000 babies a year affected by smoking during pregnancy in Wales

ASH WALES - Wales has the highest rate of smoking during pregnancy in the UK which is putting thousands of babies’ lives at risk.  To raise awareness of the issue in the run-up to Mothers’ Day  ASH Wales revealed that 33% of mums-to-be in Wales smoke at some point during their pregnancy - considerably higher than the UK average of 26% - exposing 11,864 unborn babies to harm from tobacco each year.
As part of our Quit for Wales campaign they are calling for every midwife and health visitor in Wales to be trained in advising women about quitting smoking as part of their pre-registration training.

• Read their full news release here

Public Health Annual Report 2014-2015

Profiles health and wellbeing across Powys 

  Public Health Annual Report 2014 - 2015

Mid Wales Health Care Study - Call for Evidence

Letter from Marcus Longley -Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care ( WIHSC )

The Terms of Reference for this study have now been issued, and can be accessed here.

WIHSC is launching an open ‘call for evidence’ against the Terms of Reference  as part of the substantive phase of the study .

You can send material which you think may be relevant to the successful completion of the study, which will report back to the Welsh Government by the end of September.

In addition WIHSC will be engaging with stakeholders over the coming months across Mid Wales – again, should you wish to meet up with to discuss the study and how you would wish to see the Terms of Reference answered, please get in touch.

If you want to send evidence, or more generally make contact with the research team, please reply in one of the following ways:

By e-mail: marcus.longley@southwales.ac.uk

By post to:

Mid Wales Healthcare Study, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care

University of South Wales, Lower Glyntaf Campus, Pontypridd  CF37 1DL

By telephone: 01443 483070

MANGO urgently needs a secretary and treasurer

MANGO urgently needs a secretary and a treasurer to help us oversee an exciting project which helps people with neurological conditions influence service provision in Powys.

More information at: www.mangomontgomeryshire.org.uk

Jan Russell enquiries@wames.org.uk
Secretary / Ysgrifennydd, Welsh Association of ME & CFS Support, Cymdeithas Cefnogi ME a CFS Cymru 

www.wames.org.uk 01970 636515

Recent Changes to Benefits that affect Carers

Your Benefits - Your Voice

Are you a Carer?

Do you want to know how recent Benefit Changes

 may affect you?  

For further information visit PAVO website