Information On How To Apply For Volunteering Awards

CARL SARGEANT AM HIGHLIGHTS VOLUNTEERING IN WALES AWARDS

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is calling on local voluntary groups to apply for a Volunteering in Wales Award.

Mr Sargeant said: "The fund, administered by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, is intended to help voluntary organisations recruit new volunteers and provide support and training so that they are able to make a positive impact for the benefit of their communities.

"The fund seeks to support Welsh projects whose aims are mainly achieved by volunteer effort and support, and to support not-for-profit organisations whose primary purpose in seeking grant support is to recruit, train and place volunteers. It seeks to encourage good standards and practice in volunteering, and to support those people at risk of social exclusion through the medium of volunteering.

"Grants of up to £25,000 are available in the first year, and there is the opportunity to apply for second and third year funding of up £12,500 and £6,250 respectively. I know that there are many voluntary organisations in Alyn and Deeside doing absolutely wonderful work, and who would really benefit by this chance to train and expand their base of volunteers."

Any constituted voluntary organisation working or planning to work in Wales is eligible to apply. Interested organisations are invited to seek an application form and guidelines from WCVA's Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or email help@wcva.org.uk.
Applications have a closing date of 28 September 2007.

AM Welcomes Offsetters Code

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES OFFSETTERS CODE

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is welcoming the news that a new 'Code of Practice' for the carbon offsetting industry is to be created, after the idea won support from companies and green NGOs.

The voluntary guidelines will enable offsetting providers to gain accreditation, which will give customers the opportunity to choose between companies in confidence.

Mr Sargeant said: "Whilst avoiding or reducing our emissions as much as possible has to be the first priority in fighting climate change, we have to be realistic about how much people will do - and that's where offsetting has an important role to play.

"Offsetting has the potential to become very big business. For example, this summer many people are thinking about offsetting the flights for their holidays for the very first time. For offsetting to work and really take off, people need to have one hundred percent confidence that when they buy an offsetting product the emissions reductions are actually taking place. This is why I am delighted that the Code is being developed, and that it will be accompanied by a quality mark for accredited products."
Suggestions for the development of the code included a strong backing for the use of Kyoto Protocol-certified credits, along with 'high quality' Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VERs) from the non-regulated market. The final version expected to be developed before the end of the year.

Have A Splashing Time

“SPLASH OUT THIS SUMMER,” SAYS CARL SARGEANT AM

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is reminding children in Alyn and Deeside that they can once again swim for free at their local pool this summer holiday.
Mr Sargeant said: “The Assembly’s free swimming initiative is the first of its kind in Europe. It is aimed at increasing participation in physical activity and improving the health and well-being of the nation by removing barriers and improving access to local authority leisure services. So far it has been a tremendous success.“Under 16s can swim for free throughout the summer break, which is great news for Mums and Dads who are looking to keep their children active and entertained. With the dreary weather we have been having so far this summer, I can’t imagine a better place than the local pool for children to have fun. The pools are supervised with lifeguards on hand, so there is that vital peace of mind for parents too.“To avoid disappointment I would recommend calling ahead to check on session times”Buckley Leisure Centre: 01244 544469Connah's Quay Swimming Pool: 01244 819561

Climate Challenge House

“VISIT THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE HOUSE,” SAYS CARL SARGEANT AM

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is highlighting a new Assembly initiative – the online Climate Challenge House.
Visitors to the Assembly Government website (http://new.wales.gov.uk/) can scroll over a virtual house in order to get advice and inspiration on saving energy in the home and garden.
Mr Sargeant said: “Exploring the online Climate Challenge House is a great way to learn about simple ways in which we can all reduce our personal domestic energy consumption. The online house is an entertaining and colourful way for children to learn about reducing energy consumption, but the comprehensive advice will also interest adults too.
“CD players, MP3s, mobile phones, kettles, batteries, hose pipes, bicycles, sinks, showers, windows, and much more are all subject to scrutiny in the Climate Challenge House, where there are tips aplenty for living more environmentally friendly lives. I would definitely recommend exploring the Climate Challenge House.”

AM Calls On Minister To Take Action

AM CALLS ON NEW MINISTER TO TAKE ACTION ON A494

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is calling on new Minister for Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones to take immediate action on the A494 Road Improvement Scheme.
Mr Sargeant said: “I am calling on Ieuan Wyn Jones to halt the A494 Road Improvement Scheme now. The whole scheme is a nonsense. I don’t want it, and it is abundantly clear that the other local residents don’t want it either.
“I am making it clear to Ieuan Wyn Jones from the start that the local people in Alyn and Deeside are expecting him to take action on this scheme. The strength of feeling locally is enormous.
“This is an opportunity for Ieuan Wyn Jones to prove that he is going to be a Minister who listens to local people, and who takes action in the best interests of residents. I hope that he responds positively to the call.”

AM Support For Active Workplace Challenge Fund

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES £2 MILLION CASH INJECTION INTO THE HEALTH OF THE WELSH WORKFORCE

Extended business breakfasts and long hours spent lifting little more than a telephone handset are threatening to impede the nation’s quest to achieve a healthier lifestyle and strong economy.In its ongoing attempt to buckle the growing desk potato trend, the Sports Council for Wales is this year set to invest an unprecedented £2m of funding into creating the opportunities for Welsh businesses to cultivate an all round healthier workforce.Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, explains: “This £2m Active Workplace Challenge Fund is set to revolutionise workplaces across the length and breadth of Wales, and will demonstrate just how easy it can be to foster a working environment that incorporates regular physical activity.“Funding is now available to support active travel plans, to fund physical activity instructors and coordinators, as well as for the purchasing of equipment such as bikes, badminton posts, basketball hoops and pedometers designed to help make the place of work a breeding ground of physical activity. “If your office doesn’t cut it as a sports stadium, there’s always scope for renovation. An unused stationary cupboard could hold a shower for workers to use after a lunchtime run, an old meeting room could be transformed into a fitness suite, and a patch of waste ground outside would look so much better as a games area for football, tennis or netball. Whatever the idea, the Active Workplace Challenge Fund can help businesses from both the private and public sector to implement the changes.“The Challenge Fund is set to make up to £10,000 available to organisations with up to 250 employees and up to £100,000 for businesses with a 250+ strong workforce. Businesses interested in improving the health and productivity of their workforce through this scheme should call the Sports Council for Wales’ North Wales office on 0845 045 0908.”

AM Support For RNID Campaign

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS RNID CAMPAIGN

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeisde is welcoming the launch of “Like it Loud?” – a new campaign report from the RNID. RNID Cymru represents over 480,000 deaf and hard of hearing people living and working in Wales.The report, published as part of the RNID’s Don't Lose the Music campaign, shows that 70 per cent of clubbers, 68 per cent of gig-goers and 44 per cent of people who go to bars experience the symptoms of hearing damage after their night out, such as dullness of hearing or tinnitus – ringing in the ears.Mr Sargeant said: “According to the latest RNID research, 90 per cent of young people experience the signs of hearing damage after a night out and yet do nothing to prevent it. Music lovers are facing a hearing loss timebomb.“More than half of respondents to the RNID’s research visited a bar where they had to shout to be heard at least once a week, and the same proportion went clubbing at least once a month. Yet worryingly, just a quarter of young people surveyed thought the music in these venues was too loud and just a third thought hearing loss would affect their lives.“The fact is that most young people have experienced the first signs of permanent hearing damage after a night out but don’t necessarily realise the seriousness of the situation. It is only too easy to clock up noise doses that could damage a person’s hearing forever.“The charity is urging music lovers to take the simple action of investing in a pair of reusable earplugs – which reduce the volume but not the quality of the music – to protect their ears from damaging decibels. It also advises people to stand away from loud speakers and spend time in quieter areas to give their ears a rest.”