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Communities for Work Plus/ Cymunedau am Waith a Mwy

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Communities for Work Plus/ Cymunedau am Waith a Mwy

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What is Communities for Work Plus?

Communities for Work Plus provides specialist employment advisory support and intensive mentoring for people with the legal right to live and work in the UK. You must be aged 20 years old or over, living in Wales and not in education, employment, or training, and have a complex barrier to employment.

Communities for Work Plus can provide support to help to build your confidence, gain some work experience, learn new skills or re-write your CV. Communities for Work Plus will help you as an individual and will meet with you in your local community.

What are the benefits of Communities for Work Plus?

Communities for Work Plus is a voluntary programme, offering help, support, guidance and training in relation to finding employment, through 1-2-1 advice from a team of dedicated mentors.

How does it work?

You will have your own mentor who will meet you at a convenient venue, local to you. They will find out what help you need when they meet with you and will agree next steps. There is no obligation to join Communities for Work Plus, it's entirely up to you and you can decide whether Communities for Work Plus is for you following your meeting with your mentor. If you decide to join Communities for Work Plus, your mentor will arrange to meet or contact you on a regular basis to ensure you are getting all the help you need to enable you to start work.

I'm interested in Communities for Work Plus. What do I need to do?

Contact a Working Wales adviser who will discuss your needs with you.

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Mental Health Helpline for Wales/ Llinell Gymorth lechyd Meddwl ar gyfer Cymru

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Mental Health Helpline for Wales/ Llinell Gymorth lechyd Meddwl ar gyfer Cymru

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Try our new self assessment tool

looking after your mental wellbeing

We are living through a difficult time and it is more important than ever to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Are you a young person looking for advice? Take a look at our page for children and young people.

Community Advice & Listening Line

Offers emotional support and information/literature on Mental Health and related matters to the people of Wales.

Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service.

Mind Cymru is here to support you, whether you're living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is.

Visit our website for information on mental health conditions, treatment and where to get help: MIND Services

Contact our legal line for general advice on mental health related law: Legal Line

Join the Elefriends community for online peer support: Elefriends

Be part of Time to Change Wales, to end metal health stigma: TTCW

You can also order up to 3 free Mental Health related leaflets from a wide selection available.

Are you having debt, housing or financial problems?

The Mental Health Helpline service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.

Our admin office is available during office hours only (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Supporting Those Living With Dementia And Their Carers

The helpline offers emotional support to anyone, of any age, who is caring for someone with Dementia as well as other family members or friends.

The service will also help and support those who have been diagnosed with Dementia.

Get information sent to your mobile phone

C.A.L.L. Helpline has launched a Mental Health text messaging service allowing people to access support and information via a text message from their mobile phone.

The Staying Safe website is a potentially life-saving resource developed by 4 Mental Health, with invaluable with invaluable input from our Expert Reference Group of international academics, people with lived experience (including of surviving a suicide attempt, self-harm, supporting a friend or family member or bereavement by suicide), suicide prevention experts, mental health practitioners, general practitioners, policy makers, public health experts, sector experts, educationalists and concerned citizens.

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C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline For Wales

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Try our new self assessment tool looking after your mental wellbeing We are living through a difficult time and it is more important than ever to look after your mental health and wellbeing. Are you a young person looking for advice? Take a look at our page for children and young people.

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Kickstart Your Finances | Level Up | HSBC UK

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For further information on the Coronavirus and how to access support and advice please Click Here

Latest Blog

Happy New Year! Hope that the start to the year has been a good one you're all well and looking forward to this new decade. Time has flown by and...

About Us

Voices From Care Cymru brings young people together throughout Wales, who are, or have been looked after. We aim to provide opportunities, to improve the conditions of being in care, to promote the view of young people and to protect the interests of young people in care.

About Us

Membership

Any young person, who is or has been looked after in Wales, is welcome to become a member of Voices From Care Cymru. As a member you can be as actively involved as you like. We aim to make sure that young people are heard by the decision makers in Wales.

Membership

Influencing

Voices From Care Cymru aims to keep right up to date on the issues that face care experienced young people. We do this by undertaking our own research but also by feeding the views of our members into other organisations research and responding to consultations.

Influencing

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vfcc.org.uk - "Run by people who have been looked after - for all young people who are or have been looked after in Wales"

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For further information on the Coronavirus and how to access support and advice please Click Here Happy New Year! Hope that the start to the year has been a good one you're all well and looking forward to this new decade. Time has flown by and...

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Who is the project aimed at?

Care experienced young people who are transitioning from care to independent living.

Project description

The Getting Ready project complements the current Welsh Government When I am Ready scheme, providing a more intensive intervention which seeks to echo the support and guidance that non-looked after young people receive within a family setting. The project delivered by Voices from Care Cymru with Children in Wales, is supported by funding through the Welsh Government 'Suitable Provision and Support Innovation Fund - Homelessness Prevention Grant'.

What is the project trying to achieve?

The project aims are to:

Provide support for young people to safely transition from care (including considerations around delaying leaving care and reducing the risk of homelessness and housing instability)

Facilitate wraparound community support, which is more sustainable in the long-term and does not rely on future funding to deliver positive results

Empower young people by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care

Build the capacity of young people to advocate for change

Build resilience and mechanisms which keep young people safe from homelessness and related risk, enhancing their overall wellbeing

Contribute to the fund's aim of preventing homelessness and achieving housing stability amongst care leavers

Involve young people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the project

A key aspect of the project has been the creation and provision of a suite of resources to enhance care experienced young people's knowledge and understanding of their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care. Along with the delivery of accompanying workshops to young people, these resources have been be used by young people and professionals to provide support for young people to safely transition from care, reducing the risk of homelessness and achieving housing stability amongst care leavers.

The resources specifically focus on building young people's financial capability, in line with the core themes outlined in the Welsh Government's Financial Inclusion Strategy document:

Access to affordable credit and financial services;

Access to financial information, including debt advice; and

Building financial understanding and capability.

Project update at March 2021

We have developed key financial capability resources for three local authority areas- Anglesey, Carmarthenshire and Caerphilly.

Following feedback from young people we have developed a Housing resource through padlet

We have developed a set of mini resources providing key bitesize information to care experienced young people

Financial capability workshops have been delivered to care experienced young people across Wales covering key topics such as budgeting; benefits & entitlements; food shopping tips and savvy shopping

Intensive workshops have been delivered to young people on a one-to-one basis when required to support them with specific needs relating to topics such as attending university and understanding their housing rights

Useful links

Project resources for Anglesey
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/angleseyresources
Project resources for Caerphilly
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/caerphillyresources
Project resources for Carmarthenshire
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/carmarthenshire
Resources related to housing
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/housing

Further Resources

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Getting Ready Project | Children in Wales

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Care experienced young people who are transitioning from care to independent living. The Getting Ready project complements the current Welsh Government When I am Ready scheme, providing a more intensive intervention which seeks to echo the support and guidance that non-looked after young people receive within a family setting.

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Budd-daliadau a Phethau i'w Hawlio - Rhieni Ifanc

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Budd-daliadau a Phethau i'w Hawlio - Rhieni Ifanc

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Llamau: I am worried about a young person

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Llamau: I am worried about a young person

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It is important that any young person who is sleeping rough approaches their local council for help. If you have seen someone sleeping rough, you can contact StreetLink via their website or app. Street Link will ask you for some details about the person, including where they are sleeping, so that they can connect with local services such as day centres, outreach teams or night shelters.

If you are comfortable talking to the young person, you can also ask them if they have approached their local council for support. Many young people simply don't realise that there is support available for them, and often don't know how to access it.

If you are comfortable doing so, you could support them to approach their local council, ensuring that they are able to make a homelessness application and that an assessment of their needs and situation is completed.

If you have seen a young person sleeping rough and it is outside of office opening hours, you can call Llamau's Youth Homeless Helpline, run in partnership with Shelter Cymru, free of charge, on 08000 495 495. Highly trained colleagues and volunteers will help you to access safe temporary accommodation and provide advice on how to keep yourself safe.

If you are worried that the young person is in immediate danger, you should call the emergency services on 999.

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Our mission is to end homelessness for young people and women. Across Wales we prevent homelessness, provide safe accommodation and support to leave homelessness behind.

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Caerphilly Youth Forum/ Fforwm Ieuenctid Caerffili 

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Caerphilly Youth Forum/ Fforwm Ieuenctid Caerffili 

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Opening times

Borough Wide Meetings will be held at Penallta House, 5pm to 8pm on
the following dates:

*Thursday 26th of September 2024

*Thursday 21st of November 2024*

*You need to complete the link above and complete the handbook before coming to the Borough wide meetings.

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Opening times Borough Wide Meetings will be held at Penallta House, 5pm to 8pm on the following dates: *Thursday 26th of September 2024 *Thursday 21st of November 2024* *You need to complete the link above and complete the handbook before coming to the Borough wide meetings.

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Platform Skills and Employment/ Sgiliau a chyflogaeth

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Platform Skills and Employment/ Sgiliau a chyflogaeth

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Click this page to find out about Caerphilly's pathway to employment and the Perfect Fit project, a project that offers free clothing for job interviews, volunteering, work and specific occasions.

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Our employment teams can work with you on both your employment goals and your wellbeing. Together, you'll find ways that you can build your confidence, improve your mental health, and access training and opportunities.

Cardiff - Vale of Glamorgan - Rhondda Cynon Taf - Merthyr

Peer Mentoring Programme
One-to-one support on your way back into work
The Out of Work Peer Mentoring service offers one-to-one support as you find your way back into work, delivered by peer mentors who understand the challenges you're facing. They can work with you to find the volunteering, training or employment opportunities you need.

We'll talk with you about your goals, and work with you on a plan to achieve them. We'll meet you in your community and provide information, advice and guidance in confidence to support you on your way back into work.

Is this for me? It's for people who have experienced mental health challenges - like anxiety or depression - or who are in recovery from alcohol or substance use.
It's available if:

Over 25: You've been unemployed for more than 12 months, or are receiving ESA or Universal Credit

16 - 24: You're not in education, employment or training.

If you're not sure, get in touch with us to check.

Take the next step. Talk to us to get started:
Supported by the European Social Fund through Welsh Government
Caerphilly Borough

Platfform Academi
Build your confidence, identify your strengths, and figure out what's next
If you've been out of work due to mental health challenges, or feel that those challenges are affecting your confidence, we can work with you to figure out your next step.

Platfform Academi focuses on your goals, strengths and abilities, and provides training and inspiration to overcome the challenges you face, learn the skills you need, and build the confidence you want.

Ready to move on? If you're over 25 and economically inactive or long-term unemployed, Platfform Academi can work with you to create an individually-tailored programme. This will help you access volunteering, training and employment opportunities.

Talk to us:
Funded by the WCVA Active Inclusion Fund and supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

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Our employment teams can work with you on both your employment goals and your wellbeing. Together, you'll find ways that you can build your confidence, improve your mental health, and access training and opportunities.

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Jobs Growth Wales+ is for anyone between the age of 16 to 18, living in Wales, who isn't in full-time education, training, or employment.

The programme is part of the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee - to help young people in Wales to reach their full potential. So, whether you've just left school or college, you're not quite feeling ready to get into the world of work, or you just need a helping hand getting started or finding a job, Jobs Growth Wales+ can help.

To access the support all you need to do is get in touch with Working Wales. This can be done online, over the phone, or in person.

Search Jobs Growth Wales+ online or call Working Wales on 0800 028 4844 for more information.

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Jobs Growth Wales+ is for anyone between the age of 16 to 18, living in Wales, who isn't in full-time education, training, or employment. The programme is part of the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee - to help young people in Wales to reach their full potential.

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Employment Support Team/ Tîm Cymorth Cyflogaeth

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Employment Support Team/ Tîm Cymorth Cyflogaeth

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Our team offers a one stop shop for employment support. If you are looking for work now or in the future, or looking to change your current job, find more work, retrain or gain qualifications - we are here to help!

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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Youth engagement and Progression / Ymgysylltu a Datblygu Ieuenctid

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Youth engagement and Progression / Ymgysylltu a Datblygu Ieuenctid

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There are six objectives linked to youth engagement and progression:

Early identification - to identify young people as early as possible who may require support.

Brokerage - to provide lead workers to young people who may find it difficult to move into further training or employment.

Tracking - to work with other organisations to track the achievements of young people.

Provision - to compile information on opportunities available for young people, to work with organisations and employers who may provide traineeships and to implement the Welsh Governments Youth Guarantee which will help ensure that every young person has access to a suitable destinations.

Employment - to work with various Council departments and Businesses to enhance young people’s employment prospects.

Accountability- to assess and evaluate progress on the project plan that enables the Council to demonstrate progress on delivering the Welsh Government guidance.

Mae chwe amcan sy’n gysylltiedig ag ymgysylltu a datblygu ieuenctid:

Adnabod yn gynnar – adnabod pobl ifanc cyn gynted â phosib a allai fod angen cefnogaeth.

Broceriaeth – darparu gweithwyr arweiniol i bobl ifanc a allai ei chael hi’n anodd symud i hyfforddiant pellach neu gyflogaeth.

Olrhain – gweithio gyda sefydliadau eraill i olrhain cyflawniadau pobl ifanc.

Darpariaeth – casglu gwybodaeth am gyfleoedd sydd ar gael i bobl ifanc, gweithio gyda sefydliadau a chyflogwyr a allai ddarparu cynlluniau hyfforddeion a gweithredu Gwarant Ieuenctid Llywodraeth Cymru a fydd yn helpu i sicrhau bob gan bob person ifanc fynediad i gyfleoedd addas.

Cyflogaeth – gweithio gydag amrywiol adrannau’r Cyngor a Busnesau i wella rhagolygon cyflogaeth pobl ifanc.

Atebolrwydd – asesu a gwerthuso cynnydd ar gynllun y prosiect sy’n galluogi i’r Cyngor arddangos cynnydd ar gyflawni canllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru.

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Careers Wales can help you to plan your career, prepare to get a job, and find and apply for the right apprenticeships, courses and training.

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Find Careers Centres across Wales, listed by Local Authority.

We also work from outreach centres including Job Centres across Wales. Find a venue near you on the venues map. For information about our outreach centres and venues please contact us on 0800 028 4844.

Centre opening days and times:

Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844or use our webchat service to book an appointment.

Centre opening days and times:

Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Monday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Monday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Open Tuesday and Wednesdays for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844 or use our webchat service to book an appointment.

Open Thursdays for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844 or use our webchat service to book an appointment.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Open Tuesdays for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844 or use our webchat service to book an appointment.

Open Thursday for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844 or use our webchat service to book an appointment.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for pre-booked appointments only. Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment.

Centre opening days and times:

Monday 9:00 to 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

Centre opening days and times:

Please phone 0800 028 4844 to book an appointment or visit us during opening hours.

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Find Careers Centres across Wales, listed by Local Authority.

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Caerphilly Borough Mind/ Bwrdeistref Caerffili

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Caerphilly Borough Mind/ Bwrdeistref Caerffili

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How can Caerphilly Borough Mind help you? We are your local mental health charity providing a range of services to support those of us living with mental health conditions here in Caerphilly borough. By clicking the links below you can find out lots more information about our different services, including how to refer yourself or your client. You can also find some useful links for self-help resources, including information, coping mechanisms and online courses.

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Supporting People - support with housing, homelessness, debt, benefits, arrears and employment/ Cefnogi Pobl – Cymorth gyda thai, digartrefedd, dyled, budd-daliadau, ôl-ddyledion a chyflogaeth

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Supporting People - support with housing, homelessness, debt, benefits, arrears and employment/ Cefnogi Pobl – Cymorth gyda thai, digartrefedd, dyled, budd-daliadau, ôl-ddyledion a chyflogaeth

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The vision is "A Wales where nobody is homeless and everyone has a safe home where they can flourish and live a fulfilled, active and independent life".

If you live in the Caerphilly county borough area, are over 16 years of age and struggling to keep your home, at risk of losing your job, need to move or need help with your finances or any type of debt, the Supporting People Team could offer you support. Whether you're a home owner, contract holder (council, housing association or private), sleeping rough, or sofa surfing the Supporting People Team are here to help.

Anything that could result in you losing your home we can help you such as:

Help to set up and maintain a home - such as finding best value utilities and setting up direct debit accounts with energy suppliers, registering people with health services, such as GP and dentists.

Help to prevent evictions, rent arrears, bedroom tax/council tax arrears, TV licence fines - arranging repayment plans for debts and searching Turn to Us website for grants.

Help to access services, support and social networks - onward referrals / travel training to attend groups

Help to access education, volunteering, training and employment opportunities - referrals and access to return to work programmes, discussions with job coaches regarding barriers to work (e.g. work boots/clothes) and getting funding to cover this

Help to claim benefits, maximise income, benefit appeals and grant applications - Turn to Us website for benefit check and completing benefit forms.

Help with budgeting, managing money and debt management - income and expenditure check and budgeting, searching for cheaper alternatives for things such as utilities and repayment plans.

Help to read letters and form filling - long term letter reading e.g. Mencap services where no family are present / benefit forms application

Help to increase independence - encouraging various things relating to social life, such as cooking independently or going out independently including travel training. Support to understand your Occupation Contract and being independent at keeping property maintained to a good standard.

Help to prevent homelessness - home starter pack, grants, mortgage rescue and working with Shelter Cymru

Not a care service - Supporting People are not a care service. We do not provide support with domestic duties, such as cleaning, cooking or advocacy.

How to access the service

To access housing related support services from the Supporting People Team you will need to complete a referral form. This form is used to collect information to help us provide you with the support you need.
Please note, this form will not work from within Internet Explorer. Please use a more modern browser such as Edge, Chrome or Safari
Alternatively, you can text HOUSUPPORT to 81400 and a member of the Supporting People team will contact you.

Related council services offering support

Useful websites offering support

Related strategies

Information for providers

The following information is for service providers only.
Supported Accommodation Referral

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 aims to ensure young people do not leave care until they are ready and prepared to do so. Once young people have left care, personal support is available until the age of 21 or 24 if in higher education.

The Act states that young people should:

have a personal adviser.

have an active Pathway Plan.

receive appropriate financial support based on need.

Our 16 Plus service for young people leaving care provides support and advice to help young people live independently in the community after leaving the care of Caerphilly County Borough Council. Young people are therefore supported in their transition to adulthood by providing opportunities to develop practical and self-care skills to achieve independence.

For young people leaving care the 16 Plus Team will:

Help young people keep in touch with people who have previously cared for them.

Help to set, review and achieve goals by encouraging young people to be fully involved in assessments, plans and reviews.

Provide relevant information that will support informed decision making when considering options and choices for the future.

Work with careers, education and training providers to support gaining employment and/or extra skills.

Maintain and develop existing support networks.

Assist with finances and accommodation matters.

Who is eligible for support?

The 16 Plus team will support care leavers who are;

Eligible. Aged 16-17 and are currently in care and have been Looked After for a period of at least 13 weeks (or periods adding up to 13 weeks) since the 14th birthday. This will not normally include respite care.

Relevant. Aged 16-17 and have already left care but have previously met the criteria for an 'Eligible' young person.

Former relevant. Aged 18-21 and were previously a 'Relevant' or 'Eligible' young person.

Some young people may not fit into these categories but have been Looked After. In this instance, the 16 Plus Team could still offer advice and support.

How does the process work?

At around 15 ½ a referral is made to the 16 Plus Team for a 16 Plus social worker to attend a Looked After Review to introduce 16 Plus services. Soon after, a personal adviser begins to work with the young person to help with preparations for leaving care. The personal advisor will explain the support the 16 Plus Team provides and the services available and complete My Pathway Plan with the young person to gain their wishes and feelings for leaving care.

A 16 Plus Team social worker will then undertake a Preparation for Independence assessment, which will consider the following:

Education, training and employment

Family and social relationships

Independent living skills and financial needs

Health and development

Accommodation

Finance

Within 28 days of completing the assessment, the 16 Plus social worker will complete a Pathway Plan. This plan will help to navigate a way forward and look at what support may be needed and what to expect. The Pathway Plan is then reviewed on a 6 monthly basis unless there is a need otherwise.

Should 16 Plus leaving care services be declined by the young person, written confirmation of this decision will be needed as confirmation of the final decision.

The 16 Plus Leaving Care Team also encourages young people to engage in a range of support to assist in their transition to independence that includes;

Monthly 'Shout Out' group

Sexual Health groups

Young Parents group

Tenancy management classes

Activity days

National Care Leavers Week events

Government guidance and Legislation
Children (Leaving Care) (Wales) Regulations 2001 Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
Reconnecting to Care

Reconnecting to Care is a change to the Children Act 1989 which enables young people between 21-25 years old who were formally looked after by the local authority to access further support from 16 Plus leaving care services. This support is designed to help young people fulfill their education, training or work objectives.

A young person reconnecting to Caerphilly has the right to an assessment to decide whether support would be appropriate for them. If the assessment decides support is appropriate, the young person will be helped to meet their education, training or work objectives. The young person will also have a Pathway Plan developed and have access to a personal adviser.

When I am Ready Scheme

The 'When I am Ready' scheme allows a young person who is already in an approved and registered foster care placement to continue living in that stable and nurturing family environment after they turn 18. Your foster carer will be known as a 'When I am Ready' Provider if you remain with them following your 18th Birthday.

For more information on the When I am Ready scheme, please contact the 16 Plus team or view our leaflet (currently unavailable)

Further information

For further information and advice about leaving care, please contact the 16 Plus / Leaving Care Team

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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Health and Wellbeing/ Iechyd Meddwl a'th Lesiant Meddwl

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Health and Wellbeing/ Iechyd Meddwl a'th Lesiant Meddwl

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You are not alone!/ Dydych chi ddim ar eich pen eich hun

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You are not alone!/ Dydych chi ddim ar eich pen eich hun

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C hrissy Teigen, 31, is many things: a Sports Illustrated cover girl, a New York Times best-selling cookbook author, a host of the Emmy-nominated TV series Lip Sync Battle and the soon-to-be designer of a fashion line with Revolve. But she's best known for what her husband, John Legend, calls her: "smart mouth." She opines on everything from politics to stretch marks, 140 characters a time on Twitter. And her commentary is often so "you took the words out of my mouth!" that all you have to do is hit RT and add the word "PREACH."
What women love about Teigen is that she is, as she admits, "an open book." She will show off a perfect seared duck breast-and tell you she accidentally sliced off her fingertip on a mandoline. Ask her about the wildest place she's had sex? She'll answer. (An airplane.) She approaches any topic with that same raw, real candor.
But there's one thing she hasn't shared yet: After giving birth to her daughter, Luna, last April, Teigen developed postpartum depression, a condition affecting one in nine women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this exclusive essay for Glamour, she talks about her experience, why she kept it private, and how she's doing now. And she is as raw and real as ever. Over to you, Chrissy.

When Glamour first told me I was going to be on the cover, I was freaking thrilled. Seriously. As a longtime reader, I couldn't believe it. I'd always assumed that wearing swimsuits (or half a swimsuit) or having the occasional nip slip (or bit slip) wouldn't make me the go-to choice for a women's magazine I not only love but respect.

Yet here I am! Next they asked me to write an essay. I was super into it, but then cringed every time I opened my laptop. Topics? I quickly realized I have truly talked about everything possible. I guess that's the dilemma one faces when they...well...can't shut up. I've been a chronic oversharer since birth. So I decided I'd talk about something no one really knows about me, mainly because I just learned about it myself. What is it? I'll get there.

Let me start here: To a lot of you, I think, I seem like the happiest person on the planet. I have an incredible husband-John and I have been together for over 10 years. He has seen my successes and failures; I've seen his. He has seen me at my worst, but I will say I don't think I have ever seen him at his. He's exactly as compassionate, patient, loving, and understanding as he seems. And I hate it. OK, I don't hate it. But it can certainly drive you nuts sometimes when you're as cynical as I am. If I weren't me, I would politely excuse myself to make the most epic eye roll of all time if a woman talked to me about her significant other the way I just did to you.

When John and I got together, I found my love for cooking. On one of our earliest dates, I took him to Daniel ( four dollar signs on Yelp, ahhh!). I drank a $40 margarita, ate salmon rillettes (fancy salmon spread), and prayed my card wouldn't be declined. I couldn't afford to take him out to more dinners like that, so I started cooking more and more at home for us. I started with my own version of that salmon spread, then roasted whole branzino, osso buco, chipotle BBQ chicken. When my first cookbook came out, I finally felt proud of my work. I feel that same pride in Lip Sync Battle, where I get to work with LL Cool J and watch Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan go head-to-head as Beyoncé and motherf-cking Paula Abdul. My job, essentially, is to have the best time humanly possible.

And a year ago, in April, John and I started our family together. We had our daughter, Luna, who is perfect. She is somehow exactly me, exactly John, and exactly herself. I adore her.

I had everything I needed to be happy. And yet, for much of the last year, I felt unhappy. What basically everyone around me- but me-knew up until December was this: I have postpartum depression. How can I feel this way when everything is so great? I've had a hard time coming to terms with that, and I hesitated to even talk about this, as everything becomes such a "thing." During pregnancy, what I thought were casual comments about IVF turned into headlines about me choosing the sex of my daughter. And I can already envision what will be said about me after this admission. But it's such a major part of my life and so, so many other women's lives. It would feel wrong to write anything else. So here goes.

I had such a wonderful, energetic pregnancy. Luna sat inside me like a little cross-legged Buddha facing toward my back for nine months. I never saw her face in a sonogram, just her butt or the back of her feet. Every time we kinnnnd of saw a nose, she would quickly dodge, and I was left guessing again. John, my mom, and my sister were all in the delivery room. John was DJ-ing. Luna, fittingly, popped out to the song "Superfly." The first lyric is "Darkest of night. With the moon shining bright." I immediately put her on my chest. And she had a face! I was so happy. And exhausted.

After I had Luna, our home was under construction, so we lived in a rental home, then a hotel, and I blamed whatever stress or detachment or sadness I was feeling at that time on the fact that there were so many odd circumstances. I remember thinking: "Maybe I'll feel better when we have a home."

I went back to work on Lip Sync Battle in August, when Luna was four months. The show treated me incredibly well-they put a nursery in my dressing room and blew up photos of Luna and John and my family for my wall. When Luna was on set, they lowered the noise levels. They turned down the air so she wouldn't be cold. Only the most gentle knocking on the door. Pump breaks. I mean, there was no better place to get to go back to work to.

But I was different than before. Getting out of bed to get to set on time was painful. My lower back throbbed; my shoulders-even my wrists-hurt. I didn't have an appetite. I would go two days without a bite of food, and you know how big of a deal food is for me. One thing that really got me was just how short I was with people.

I would be in my dressing room, sitting in a robe, getting hair and makeup done, and a crew member would knock on the door and ask: "Chrissy, do you know the lyrics to this song?" And I would lose it. Or "Chrissy, do you like these cat ears, or these panda hands?" And I'd be like: "Whatever you want. I don't care." They would leave. My eyes would well up and I would burst into tears. My makeup artist would pat them dry and give me a few minutes.

I couldn't figure out why I was so unhappy. I blamed it on being tired and possibly growing out of the role: "Maybe I'm just not a goofy person anymore. Maybe I'm just supposed to be a mom."

When I wasn't in the studio, I never left the house. I mean, never. Not even a tiptoe outside. I'd ask people who came inside why they were wet. Was it raining? How would I know-I had every shade closed. Most days were spent on the exact same spot on the couch and rarely would I muster up the energy to make it upstairs for bed. John would sleep on the couch with me, sometimes four nights in a row. I started keeping robes and comfy clothes in the pantry so I wouldn't have to go upstairs when John went to work. There was a lot of spontaneous crying.

Anytime I was seen out, it was because I had already had work or a work event that day. Meaning I wouldn't have to muster up the energy to take a shower, because it was already done. It became the same story every day: Unless I had work, John knew there was not a chance in hell we were going on a date, going to the store, going anywhere. I didn't have the energy.

Before, when I entered a room I had a presence: head high, shoulders back, big smile. Suddenly I had become this person whose shoulders would cower underneath her chin. I would keep my hands on my belly and try to make myself as small as possible.

During that time my bones hurt to the core. I had to go to the hospital; the back pain was so overwhelming. I felt like I was in an episode of Grey's Anatomy: These kids were around me, asking questions. Maybe it was a kidney infection? No one could figure it out. I saw rheumatoid doctors for the wrist pain; we thought it might be rheumatoid arthritis. I felt nauseated all the time, so I saw a GI doctor. I wondered: Am I making this all up? Is this pain even real anymore?

By December I had started my second cookbook. With the first, I was in the kitchen the whole time. I stirred every pot, tasted everything. Had genuine excitement for Every. Single. Recipe. This one came at the height of my losing my appetite, and the idea of having to test and taste recipes actually made me vomit. I was still on the couch a lot.

Before the holidays I went to my GP for a physical. John sat next to me. I looked at my doctor, and my eyes welled up because I was so tired of being in pain. Of sleeping on the couch. Of waking up throughout the night. Of throwing up. Of taking things out on the wrong people. Of not enjoying life. Of not seeing my friends. Of not having the energy to take my baby for a stroll. My doctor pulled out a book and started listing symptoms. And I was like, "Yep, yep, yep." I got my diagnosis: postpartum depression and anxiety. (The anxiety explains some of my physical symptoms.)

I remember being so exhausted but happy to know that we could finally get on the path of getting better. John had that same excitement. I started taking an antidepressant, which helped. And I started sharing the news with friends and family-I felt like everyone deserved an explanation, and I didn't know how else to say it other than the only way I know: just saying it. It got easier and easier to say it aloud every time. (I still don't really like to say, "I have postpartum depression," because the word depression scares a lot of people. I often just call it "postpartum." Maybe I should say it, though. Maybe it will lessen the stigma a bit.)

I wanted to write an open letter to friends and employers to explain why I had been so unhappy. The mental pain of knowing I let so many people down at once was worse than the physical pain. To have people that you respect, who are the best in the business, witness you at your worst is tough. Even though this was something I shouldn't have to apologize for, I did want to apologize. Because on a set, people depend on you. A lot of people are coming together and all you have to do, Christine, is put on a unicorn head and shoot a money gun. Editors are wondering what the f-ck happened to the girl they gave a book deal to. This shit was flying through my head and I felt horrible.

I actually did write my executive producer on Lip Sync Battle, Casey Patterson. She is one of the most amazing women in this universe and I never doubted she would understand. She told me she had noticed and was always here for me. I had to postpone my second cookbook, but my editor, Francis Lam, and publisher couldn't have been more understanding. To go from discussing layouts and recipes and shoot days to a complete "off" switch was, I'm sure, not a great thing to hear. But, again, I cannot overstate how lucky I am to work with these people.

Before this, I had never, ever-in my whole entire life-had one person say to me: "I have postpartum depression." Growing up in the nineties, I associated postpartum depression with Susan Smith [a woman now serving life in prison for killing her two sons; her lawyer argued that she suffered from a long history of depression], with people who didn't like their babies or felt like they had to harm their children. I didn't have anything remotely close to those feelings. I looked at Luna every day, amazed by her. So I didn't think I had it.

I also just didn't think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need: John, my mother (who lives with us), a nanny. But postpartum does not discriminate. I couldn't control it. And that's part of the reason it took me so long to speak up: I felt selfish, icky, and weird saying aloud that I'm struggling. Sometimes I still do.

I know I might sound like a whiny, entitled girl. Plenty of people around the world in my situation have no help, no family, no access to medical care. I can't imagine not being able to go to the doctors that I need. It's hurtful to me to know that we have a president who wants to rip health care away from women. I look around every day and I don't know how people do it. I've never had more respect for mothers, especially mothers with postpartum depression.

I'm speaking up now because I want people to know it can happen to anybody and I don't want people who have it to feel embarrassed or to feel alone. I also don't want to pretend like I know everything about postpartum depression, because it can be different for everybody. But one thing I do know is that-for me-just merely being open about it helps. This has become my open letter.

As I'm writing this, in February, I am a much different human than I was even just in December. I'm over a month into taking my antidepressant, and I just got the name of a therapist who I am planning to start seeing. Let's be honest though-I probably needed therapy way before Luna!

Like anyone, with PPD or without, I have really good days and bad days. I will say, though, right now, all of the really bad days-the days that used to be all my days-are gone.

There are weeks when I still don't leave the house for days; then I'm randomly at the Super Bowl or Grammys. (This is cringeworthily unrelatable, and I am very aware of that-it's giving me anxiety.) Physically, I still don't have energy for a lot of things, but a lot of new moms deal with this. Just crawling around with Luna can be hard. My back pain has gotten better, but my hands and wrists still hurt. And it can still be tough for me to stomach food some days. But I'm dealing.

I'm grateful for the people around me. John has been incredible over the last nine months, bringing me my medicine and watching horrible reality TV with me. He is not the goofiest guy, but he has gone out of his way to indulge my sense of humor. When I was having a good day, he would go to Medieval Times with me and put on the crazy period hat! He sees how much my eyes light up when he does that stuff, and he knows that's what I need. I know he must look over at times and think: My God, get it together. But he has never made me feel that way. He wants me to be happy, silly, and energetic again, but he's not making me feel bad when I'm not in that place. I love John and Luna more than I can imagine loving anything, and John and I still hope to give Luna a few siblings. Postpartum hasn't changed that.

More than anything, I always want to have enough energy for Luna-to run up the stairs with her, to have tea parties with her. As she gets older, she's becoming more and more fun. Her eyes are getting so wide, and I want to be there for those wide eyes. And I will be.

Phew! I've hated hiding this from you.
XX, Chrissy
Postpartum depression is a common medical condition and, as Chrissy notes, symptoms can vary. Click here for information on diagnosis and treatment. To read more stories from women who have struggled with postpartum depression, click here.
Photographs by: Miguel Reveriego
Fashion Editor: Jillian Davison

For more personal stories, celeb content, and news about women who inspire us, subscribe to Glamour for just $5.

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Chrissy Teigen Opens Up About Her Postpartum Depression

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C hrissy Teigen, 31, is many things: a Sports Illustrated cover girl, a New York Times best-selling cookbook author, a host of the Emmy-nominated TV series Lip Sync Battle and the soon-to-be designer of a fashion line with Revolve. But she's best known for what her husband, John Legend, calls her: "smart mouth."

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Find a route on the National Cycle Network (NCS)

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Find a route on the National Cycle Network (NCS)

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We're updating the signage on the National Cycle Network

When you're out on the Network, please be aware that the signage you see may not reflect recent changes to our online mapping.

We're working hard with our volunteers and partners to update these signs.

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Find a route on the National Cycle Network

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Browse the hundreds of routes on the National Cycle Network and find the perfect walking and cycling route for you.

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If you have submitted an application in May 2020, due to restrictions implemented relating to the Covid-19 virus, we ask you to to please bear with us during these challenging times. As a small team, we are working hard to request and receive relevant references and supporting information for the Trustees, and to purchase and organise deliveries where grants have been agreed and goods can be ordered. If we have not yet contacted you please be assured we will do so as quickly as we can, given the current situation.
The Capstone Foster Care group, has historically made donations to charities that work to assist disadvantaged young people to help them get started in adult life. The creation of The Capstone Care Leavers Trust has enabled young people who have been in local authority care to benefit from financial support not available elsewhere.

Many young people who have been in 'Care', either in Local Authority foster care placements or in children's homes, are expected to live independently from as young as 16 years old. They do not have access to the same financial and family support systems that most young people experience, when able to continue living in the parental home as young adults. So many care leavers begin their adult lives with no family support at all, no-one to rely on, and minimal financial resources.

Typically, we would consider awarding grants for:-

It is not however, the intention, or responsibility of the CCLT to replace grants, funding or any other types of financial support and services available to care leavers from statutory, or voluntary organisations. These areas of support must have been thoroughly explored before we are able to consider an application for a grant.

All information that you provide to us will be treated confidentially and will only be shared with third parties relevant to the decision making process. We will monitor outcomes of grants we make, in order to help us evaluate our effectiveness and improve our service for care leavers in the future.
Please Note: The Capstone Care Leavers Trust (CCLT) is a charity in England and Wales. As such its Trustees are free to make, or refuse grants within its officially registered areas of operation. A refusal is usually made with regret and often with explanation and/or advice. We are prepared to listen if you have got evidence that we have got something wrong. However, the Trustees' decisions, usually communicated through the Manager, are final.

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If you have submitted an application in May 2020, due to restrictions implemented relating to the Covid-19 virus, we ask you to to please bear with us during these challenging times. As a small team, we are working hard to request and receive relevant references and supporting information for the Trustees, and to purchase and organise deliveries where grants have been agreed and goods can be ordered.

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Here at NYAS, we've launched a new fund to support young people aged 16-25 who have left local authority care in England or Wales.

Open to young people who have previously received support from NYAS, it is our hope that the Knapman Fund will go a long way towards enhancing the future life chances of children leaving care.

A staggering 40% of care-leavers are not in employment, education or training, yet children in care are expected to live independently from as young as 16. Often these children don't have access to the same financial and family support systems as many others their age.

This is why we've created the Knapman Fund in memory of Trisha Knapman. Our first employee in 1985, she continued to work for NYAS for 35 years, during which time she made a key contribution to our development. Trisha passionately supported the work of NYAS until she passed away in 2021.

The fund provides grants of up to £500 for young care-leavers. The grant will allow care-leavers to put money towards initiatives or goods that will enable them to access education, find employment, or support their independence.

Trisha's family said, "Trisha would be delighted that a legacy in her name has been established to support the young people that she cared for throughout her career in helping them make a significant step out of supported living as they move on with their lives as young adults. As a mothering gift towards useful items and development to further individuals, this fund epitomises Trisha's caring nature."

Whilst not intended to replace grants, funding or any other types of financial support and services available to care leavers from statutory or voluntary organisations, we hope the Knapman Fund will help to fill a gap in support for care-leavers. If you are a young care-leaver already receiving financial support, you are still eligible for the fund if you find yourself with less money than you need.

Rita Waters, Group CEO of NYAS said, "NYAS believes that every young person who leaves care should have the same 'life chances' as their peers who are supported and living with their birth parents. This is why we've created the Knapman Fund in memory of Trisha Knapman, to provide funds to applicants where such provision is likely to contribute to individuals' continued personal development and improve their quality of life in ways which are important to them."

The Knapman Fund is now open for applications. For further information and to make an application, click here.

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The Knapman Fund: a brand-new fund for young people leaving care

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The Knapman Fund: a brand-new fund for young people leaving care

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Benefits of exercise/ Manteision ymarfer corff

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Benefits of exercise/ Manteision ymarfer corff

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What happens inside your body when you exercise?

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Save money by applying for mytravelpass to get discounted travel for all 16-21 year olds across Wales. Receive 1/3 off your travel with mytravelpass.

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If you need emergency food, want to make a food donation or are interested in volunteering, find your nearest Trussell Trust food bank using our map.

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What is Healthy Start?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow's milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

If you live in Scotland

You can get help from Best Start Foods (opens in a new tab) instead.

Advice on healthy eating

For more advice on healthy eating, visit:

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If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

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Apply for free school meals/ Gwneud Cais am Brydau Ysgol am Ddim

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Apply for free school meals/ Gwneud Cais am Brydau Ysgol am Ddim

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Who can claim?

Free school meals are available to eligible pupils who attend school full-time. This includes:

Younger children who attend nursery for full days

Sixth form school pupils

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Guarantee element of Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

to 31 March 2019, Universal Credit - This was done as a temporary measure, pending the development of new eligibility criteria

from 1 April 2019, Universal Credit - provided your household has an annualised net earned income (Net earned income is defined as household income after taxes and deductions. It does not include income from Universal Credit or other benefits) of no more than £7,400 ( as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)

If your children receive Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in their own right, they could also be able to receive free school meals.

For children/young people to be eligible to receive free school meals:

you, as a parent, or your child, must receive the relevant benefit or support payment

you should have submitted an application for free school meals to the local authority (or an application should have been submitted on your behalf)

the application should have been approved by the local authority, or documents should have been seen by the local authority which strongly indicate your child is eligible.

Nursery - aged children

Nursery aged children who attend before and after lunch sessions at a local authority nursery school or nursery class may be eligible for free school meals.

How to claim

The quickest and easiest way is to apply online.
Due to a large increase in the number of forms that we are currently receiving, applications are taking longer to process currently. Apply for free school meals Please note, this form will not work from within Internet Explorer. Please use a more modern browser such as Edge, Chrome or Safari
This link will direct you to Caerphilly Connect. Register now or log in to report, apply and pay for services. If you do not wish to create an account click 'Continue without registering'. Please check your spam/junk mail folder for account activation and notification emails that we send you!

You can also apply by post using a printable application form. These forms are available from your school.

You will be notified in writing of the outcome of your claim within 10 working days.

If you are eligible for free school meals, the school will be notified that your child can have free school meals. Schools will ensure that this information is treated with the strictest confidence and handled sensitively.

What if my circumstances change?

You must tell us if:

You start work and come off benefits

Your benefit changes

If you do not tell us of any changes to your benefit this may mean you have to pay for any meals provided whilst you were not eligible.

You must complete a new application form if:

You change address

You have another child starting school for the first time

Report a change in circumstances
Do I need to re-apply every year?

If you are already claiming free school meals for your child you do not need to re-apply every year.

Even if your child moves to another school in the borough, the new school will be advised of your entitlement as soon as admission to the new school has been accepted.

The School Essentials Grant (Replaces PDG Access Grant) 2023/2024

This grant provides £125 (except for year 7 which is £200) to buy school uniform, equipment, sports kit, and kit for activities outside of school for your child.

The scheme for the 2023/24 academic year will begin on 1 July 2023 and end on 31 May 2024.

This grant applies to all eligible pupils of compulsory year groups (Reception - Year 11), Looked After Children, and those who are classed as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

This funding is for pupils currently eligible for free school meals and does not extend to pupils who receive free school meals under the transitional protection or universal primary free school meal scheme.

If you believe you are eligible for Free Schools Meals and have not already submitted an application, then please complete our online Free School Meal application form above.

If you have any queries relating to this 2023/24 grant please e-mail schoolessentialsgrant@caerphilly.gov.uk or call our Catering Support Team on 01443 864055

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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We work with families in Caerphilly County Borough who are experiencing challenges with their mental health. It may be a child is having a tough time, or a parent is facing difficulties. We offer simple, straightforward wellbeing support for the entire family.

Platfform for families - wellbeing project

A safe space for families to meet and get support for their wellbeing. You will be able to share your experiences with other families facing similar challenges, develop strategies to build resilience, and access a network of support.

Who we work with:

We work with families in Caerphilly County Borough who are experiencing challenges with their mental health. It may be a child is having a tough time, or a parent is facing difficulties. We offer simple, straightforward wellbeing support for the entire family.

What we offer:

We can work with you to explore what might help, including strategies to improve your wellbeing or support others in your family who may be experiencing a difficult time.

Parents, carers, children and young people can access individual support for their wellbeing, before moving on to a 6-week wellbeing course or further individual sessions if needed.

Support will be available in the form of group-based support, one-to-one support and online support. This will be according to your and your family's needs.

What sort of topics will the wellbeing course cover?

Mindfulness

Self-care

Finding your Voice

Goals and Ambitions

Managing Emotions

Get in touch

For families:

Professionals, for referrals, contact:

families@platfform.org | 01495 245802.

The SPACE Wellbeing Panel

Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA) for Children's Social Services | 0808 100 1727

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Platfform for families: Caerphilly - Platfform

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We work with families in Caerphilly County Borough who are experiencing challenges with their mental health. It may be a child is having a tough time, or a parent is facing difficulties. We offer simple, straightforward wellbeing support for the entire family.

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A Health and Well-being Wales Partner

Last updated: 25/06/2024

What we do

One to one and community based sessions support
young mums, dads and couples to overcome barriers
and tackle challenges they face in developing as
young people and as parents. The sessions introduce
parents to a range of services, information and advice,
as well as providing a variety of activities that will
build confidence, help young parents learn new skills
in fun and creative ways, and experience learning with
their babies and young children.

Who do we support

The Young Parents project supports younger parents
up to the age of 25 who would benefit from meeting
other parents their own age, making new friends and
receiving support for a range of needs.

Is there a charge to use this service?

Can anyone use this service?

Yes - JAFF referral form (Joint Assessment Family Framework) available on the website Parents and young people can self refer but will need to contact the project lead to discuss.

Service details for this family support services

Language: Bilingual in other languages

Can provide specialist support for families of children with disabilities / additional needs
Please contact to discuss your child(s) needs further. We are happy to adapt our programme to support children with disabilities

Relevant staff have a valid current DBS? Yes

Opening times

Monday to Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm
Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Where do we provide our service?

Find more well-being information at www.dewis.wales

We will take reasonable steps to ensure the information within the website is as accurate as possible. We cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information. The contributors themselves maintain their own information and they welcome feedback about the accuracy of the information they provide. Those accessing it are advised to take reasonable steps to consider its content before acting upon it. This could include seeking professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information within our website.

Please note that the results found when searching in English or Welsh on the English and Welsh sides of the website ( www.dewis.wales or www.dewis.cymru) will sometimes differ. Providers can (subject to rules around language standards that apply to some provision) choose to enter their information in English only, in Welsh only, or bilingually. Whilst we try to use the technology within the site to limit the impact of their choice, both terminology and the structure of the languages mean that differences in the results produced is sometimes inevitable.

We assume no responsibility for the content of websites linked on our site. Such links are provided for your information only and should not be interpreted as endorsement by us of those linked websites. We have no control over the contents of those sites or resources. We reserve the right to reject or remove links to any website if we find the site content inappropriate.

For more information please refer to the full terms and conditions.

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A Health and Well-being Wales Partner Last updated: 25/06/2024 One to one and community based sessions support young mums, dads and couples to overcome barriers and tackle challenges they face in developing as young people and as parents.

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Flying Start Childcare /Gofal Plant Dechrau’n Deg

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Flying Start Childcare /Gofal Plant Dechrau’n Deg

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All children living in a Flying Start area are entitled to a funded childcare place from the term following their second birthday up until the end of the term that they turn three and are eligible for an Early Years Education place.

Regular part-time attendance at high quality childcare has shown to significantly improve outcomes for children. If you live in a Flying Start area, we encourage you to take up your childcare place.

Children are entitled to a 2.5 hour session per day, 5 days a week, term time only. There may be circumstances, such as working families, who wish to use 2 sessions per day to support their work pattern. You can discuss this with your chosen Flying Start childcare provider.

To accompany this page, we have prepared a series of frequently asked questions you may find useful.

Step 1: Check your child's eligibility

1 in 2 households in the Caerphilly county borough are now eligible for Flying Start childcare.

To be eligible your child must be living in a Flying Start postcode.

This must be:

the child's main home address,

the address to which their Child Benefit is paid, and

the address registered with the child's health visitor.

The address used cannot be:

that of another relative, such as a grandparent

a childminder or other care provider.

When you apply, you will need to provide documents that show where the child lives.

Use the postcode checker to find out if your child is eligible.

Step 2: Check when you should apply
To help you apply at the right time, please check your child's date of birth in the table below.
We recommend you apply for Flying Start childcare during the preferred applications periods shown. You can apply after that time; however, spaces do fill up quickly and applying late may mean you missing out on your preferred childcare provider.

01/04/2021 to 31/08/2021

From 24/04/2023 To 12/05/2023

01/09/2023 to 19/07/2024

Within 10 working days of application

01/09/2021 to 31/12/2021

From 25/09/2023 To 13/10/2023

08/01/2024 to 20/12/2024

Within 10 working days of application

01/01/2022 to 31/03/2022

From 08/01/2024 To 26/01/20243

08/04/2024 to 11/04/2025

Within 10 working days of application

We are currently taking applications for children with a date of birth between 01/04/2022 to 31/08/2022

Where possible please apply between 22/04/2024 and 10/05/2024

02/09/2024 to 21/07/2025

Week commencing 10/06/2024

It is too soon to apply for children with a date of birth between 01/09/2022 to 31/12/2022

Applications will be requested between 23/09/2024 and 11/10/2024

06/01/2025 to December 2025

Week commencing 11/11/2024

It is too soon to apply for children with a date of birth between 01/01/2023 to 31/03/2023

Applications will be requested between 20/01/2025 and 07/02/2025

28/04/2025 to Easter 2026

Week commencing 10/03/2025

It is too soon to apply for children with a date of birth between 01/04/2023 to 31/08/2023

Applications will be requested between 28/04/2025 and 12/05/2025

Sep 2025 to July 2026

Week commencing 09/06/2025

Step 3: Apply for Flying Start childcare

If your child has the correct date of birth and you live in a Flying Start postcode, you will need to complete the Flying Start Childcare Application Form. You will need to include proof of child's age and address.

Step 4: Eligibility approval

You will receive an email to notify you of the outcome of your application. (Refer to the table above for details of the date you will be notified)

The email only confirms your child's eligibility and with include your child's eligibility code, funding start date and funding end date. You then need to find a Flying Start childcare provider.

Step 5: Choose a Flying Start childcare provider

Once you have received your approval email, you now need to arrange your placement with your preferred Flying Start approved childcare setting. You will need to do this yourself, but support is available from your Early Years Worker (if you have one) or the Early Years Hub.

The funded childcare is only available at approved childcare settings who have met the required quality criteria and are contracted to provide Flying Start childcare. These include both Welsh and English medium childcare settings.

Note: It is important to note that the number of vacancies at any Flying Start childcare setting is forever changing. This means that your preferred provider may not be able to offer your child a place. You will also need to ensure that any specific needs that your child has can be met at the setting.

For information and guidance about what to look for when choosing a childcare service please visit our Finding Childcare page.

Step 6: Your childcare provider must complete an Individual Child Placement form

Before funding can start, your chosen childcare provider will need to complete an online Individual Child Placement (ICP) Form. They will know where to access this form.

The form is used to notify us of the childcare arrangements and to request the funding.

This form will need to include your child's eligibility code, funding start date and funding end date. These are included in your approval email.

It is important that your childcare provider completes this form with you present so both parties are clear what is being requested.

Step 7: Wait for funding approval

The funded childcare cannot start until the ICP has been approved.

Both you and your childcare provider will receive an email to confirm this. This email will include the funding Start Date, End Date and Funded Hours agreed.

This will take up to 20 working days, possibly longer during busy periods. If the form is incomplete this may also delay the process.

Making changes to your funded hours

If you wish to make a change to your funded hours (this cannot exceed 5 sessions of 2.5 hours) or end a placement early, you will need to discuss this with your childcare provider and a new ICP Form will need to be submitted.

Note: The contractual agreement to provide childcare is between the parents/guardians and the childcare provider and should be legally enforced through the signing of a setting contract between parents/guardians and their chosen childcare provider.

Further information

If you have any queries or need support, please contact the Early Years Hub.

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Flying Start funded childcare - Caerphilly Early Years

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Flying Start childcare All children living in a Flying Start area are entitled to a funded childcare place from the term following their second birthday up until the end of […]

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Families First Project/ Prosiectau Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf

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Families First Project/ Prosiectau Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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We work alongside families with children 0-7 years to have the best outcomes for their babies and children, from pregnancy though to starting school and onwards.
Through parenting positively and building meaningful relationships, parents can help raise healthy children, develop a calmer and more peaceful household, with fewer arguments and conflicts. We will work with you to achieve 'What Matters' to you and your family, and where appropriate, link with our partner agencies to ensure a holistic approach.

We provide 1:1 bespoke support to families as well as group programmes. We work in partnership with families to enhance positive parenting skills, strengthen relationships and nurture well-being and resilience. We can also boost understanding of child development.

These pages may answer some of your questions as your child grows and develops. If they do not, or you need support, please contact us.

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We work alongside families with children 0-7 years to have the best outcomes for their babies and children, from pregnancy though to starting school and onwards. Through parenting positively and building meaningful relationships, parents can help raise healthy children, develop a calmer and more peaceful household, with fewer arguments and conflicts.

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Education Maintenance Allowance/ Lwfans Cynhaliaeth Addysg

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Education Maintenance Allowance/ Lwfans Cynhaliaeth Addysg

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Education Maintenance Allowance, funding for Further Education | Student Finance Wales

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If your circumstances change during the academic year, you'll need to update your application. Changing your application may affect how much student finance you can get.

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Welsh Government Learning Grant, funding for Further Education/ Grant Dysgu Llywodraeth Cymru, cyllid ar gyfer Addysg Bellach

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Welsh Government Learning Grant, funding for Further Education/ Grant Dysgu Llywodraeth Cymru, cyllid ar gyfer Addysg Bellach

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How and when to apply for Welsh Government Learning Grant, Further Education | Student Finance Wales

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If you're new to the Welsh Government Learning Grant Further Education (WGLG FE) for academic year 2024 to 2025, you'll need to fill in the application form. There are guidance notes to help you fill in the form.

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Get funding to train and learn | Development Awards

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Our grants for 16- to 30-year-olds remove the financial barriers preventing you from taking your next steps into work, education or training.

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If you are a student either in care, or who has left care, you may be eligible for our Care Leavers Bursary.

Eligibility

To be eligible students must meet all of the following criteria:

a full-time undergraduate

under 25 when you started your course

eligible for funding as a 'home' student

be a care leaver.

A care leaver is a young person who has been in the care of, or has been given accommodation by, their local authority (LA) for a period of at least 13 weeks after the age of 14. They must also not have reconciled with their parents between leaving care and starting their course. Students who have been adopted will not be eligible for the bursary.

Amount awarded

Up to £3,000. This payment may be paid in addition to the Cardiff University Bursary.

How to apply

If you have specified on your UCAS application that you are a care leaver, we will invite you to apply for this bursary if you meet the terms and conditions. Alternatively, you may download and complete an application form from the student intranet after enrolment.

Find out more

For more details about this award, please contact the Bursaries and Scholarships team.

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If you are a student either in care, or who has left care, you may be eligible for our Care Leavers Bursary. To be eligible students must meet all of the following criteria: a full-time undergraduate under 25 when you started your course eligible for funding as a 'home' student be a care leaver.

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Cardiff University Support for Care Leavers at University

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Cardiff University Support for Care Leavers at University

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We offer a variety of support to care experienced students. We are committed to helping more care experienced people and care leavers go to university.

To demonstrate our commitment we are a member of the Care Leavers Activities and Student Support (CLASS) Cymru and the National Network of the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) networks. This network shares best practice, resources and training to improve the student experience for care experienced and care leavers in Wales.

Is this support for you

We define a care experienced student as someone who has spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children's home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends, either officially (e.g. a special guardianship order) or informally without local authority support.

The term 'care leaver' means that you are care experienced and that you will have been in the care of your local authority for at least 13 weeks at any time since the age of 14 (the 13 weeks does not need to have been all one go). This care will have finished on, or after, your 16th birthday.

Applying for a course

When you book to attend an Open Day, you will have the opportunity to disclose that you are Care Experienced. If you do this, you will be invited to meet our dedicated contact and widening participation team who can answer any questions you have about support here.

When you apply to university through UCAS you will have an opportunity to disclose you are Care Experienced. We would encourage you to tick yes for this question so we can contact you as early as possible about the support available to you.

We have implemented a contextual admissions model to better inform Admissions Tutors' understanding of applicants' social backgrounds, allowing Admissions Tutors to assess applicants' potential to succeed with us in the context of barriers they may have encountered. Applicants who have spent time in care and indicated this on their UCAS form (using the specified question) will be eligible for additional consideration. This could include a guaranteed offer, guaranteed interview, an offer at a lower level or additional consideration in the summer exam results period.

If you are not yet ready for a degree the Continuing Professional Education Department team offers a wide range of part-time courses, at levels and times to suit you. Many of these courses have no entry requirements - all you need is an interest in the subject and a willingness to explore it in the company of others. The pathways programme is an alternative to A-level and access qualifications as it is taught and assessed in similar ways to first year undergraduate courses.

Contact learn@cardiff.ac.uk or call 02920 870000 to find out more.

Funding

For information on our Care Leavers Bursary please see our dedicated Care Leaver Bursary page.

Transitions support

It is important to us that your transition to university is made easier by you being able to have information and guidance in regards to any questions you have before you start and after.

Our Outreach Team offer information, advice and guidance to help you prepare for university. Explore their get involved pages to see what projects you can get involved with.

If you have ticked the box at UCAS our dedicated contact Lena Smith will be in touch to answer any questions you may have before starting the course and can signpost you to services at the university you may need.

Support while you are studying

We aim to foster an excellent and supportive student experience. This includes to nurture and encourage confident and successful futures for all. We offer dedicated support on top of general student life support on offer to all students.

Lena Smith is the dedicated contact for care experienced students at Cardiff University and offers the following support throughout your studies:

support with applying for student funding and alternative grants and bursaries

support with academic-related issues, including liaising with your academic department and making students aware of how to apply for extenuating circumstances if needed

assist with any housing issues

sign posting towards other University services such as Student Disability Service, Counselling and Wellbeing or academic study skills

hosting events and activities and being their to talk to if needed

accommodation is available in Halls over the summer so you do not have to worry about signing up to another contract if in between contracts. When you move into private accommodation in your second year the University can also act as a guarantor if you need us to

dedicated career and employability support is available to care experienced students through our Career Confident scheme.

Get in touch

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Support for care leavers and care experienced students

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We offer dedicated support to care leavers who have been in the care of their local authority and care experienced students who have spent time in care.

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University of South Wales Virtual Experience | Pontypridd Campus Life

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Coleg y Cymoedd will support you throughout the process of applying to attend the College:

Receive information about grants and travel etc in the January before the start of term

A member of staff will attend any relevant school reviews

Liaise with 16+ social services team where appropriate

Offer to attend advice days in March before start of term- to let you see the campus, meet key staff etc

Opportunity to visit College again during June

Receive 'what to expect' information and key contact information for when you start

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Support for Learners/ Cymorth i Ddysgwyr

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Support for Learners/ Cymorth i Ddysgwyr

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Coleg y Cymoedd offers a wide range of Full and Part Time courses from Entry to Degree Level together with specialist Apprenticeship and Work Based Learning training. Our facilities are second to none. You will be studying your chosen course in one of our four campuses, each equipped with specialised equipment and training facilities specifically designed to help you prepare for your chosen career. We also provide a range of café's, restaurants, fitness and wellbeing studios, hair and beauty salons to enhance your college experience.

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Coleg y Cymoedd - Study local, go further

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Coleg y Cymoedd offers a wide range of Full and Part Time courses from Entry to Degree Level together with specialist Apprenticeship and Work Based Learning training. Our facilities are second to none. You will be studying your chosen course in one of our four campuses, each equipped with specialised equipment and training facilities specifically designed to help you prepare for your chosen career.

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The point of contact for care experienced young people in Coleg y Cymoedd is Jackie Harris

Jacqueline.Harris@cymoedd.ac.uk

01443 810010

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Education benefits and grants/ Grantiau a budd-daliadau addysg

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Education benefits and grants/ Grantiau a budd-daliadau addysg

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to.

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Advicelink Cymru is a Welsh Government funded Citizens Advice service designed to help people who are most in need of advice services, particularly those who would not usually seek advice.

In 2020, Advicelink Cymru helped almost 62,000 people with over 264,000 problems. In total, more than 9 in 10 clients reported that the service helped them find a way forward and more than 9 in 10 would recommend the service to other people.

Advicelink Cymru offers quality assured advice on welfare benefits, debt, employment, education, housing, immigration and discrimination.The service aims to help people access the right advice, at the right time and make it easier for them to access services again if they need further help-whether that's about the same issue or something new.

reach out to clients proactively, often through partners, to get advice service interventions to those most in need of them before they are in crisis

work seamlessly so the client's journey is as simple as possible

provide regionally based services with national consistency

deliver quality-assured advice with wraparound support for clients from partners. Partner support could be practical, emotional, clinical or social

People in Wales can access the service Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm through our Advicelink Cymru number: 0800 702 2020.

Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 08082 505 720.

You can contact our Specialist Employment and Discrimination helpline if you have a problem at work and/or think you are experiencing unfair treatment or discrimination and are worried about your rights and what you can do on 0808 278 7921. Calls are free and lines are open 9am - 5pm excluding bank holidays

For advice if you have rent arrears and are a private rented sector tenant

You can contact our Private Rented Sector Debt Helpline for advice on maximising income, managing debt and receive support to help you negotiate with your landlord on freephone 0808 278 7920. Lines are open 9am - 5pm excluding bank holidays

Partnership approach

Advicelink Cymru is managed by Citizens Advice Cymru. Funding is sub-granted to individual local Citizens Advice offices and a broad range of local and national partners, who deliver advice services.

As well as advice partners our access partners are experts in engaging specific groups and communities across Wales. They help us reach the people who need our services most and provide wraparound emotional, clinical and social support services.

Find out more about our partners' work here:

Further information

With our network of advice partners, we'll try out new ways to reach people who haven't accessed advice before or have specific advice needs, and we'll learn as we go. We're gradually engaging new partners over time and we'll update this page as new organisations come on board.

Find out more about the service by downloading the impact we're having in Wales report.

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A new service in Wales helping people access the right advice when they need it. Find out more about how we are delivering this service.

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Warm Home Discount/ Cynllun Gostyngiad Cartrefi Cynnes

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Warm Home Discount/ Cynllun Gostyngiad Cartrefi Cynnes

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Skip to main content

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You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it's a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

You'll usually get the discount automatically if you're eligible. You only need to apply if you're on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

If you might be eligible, you'll get a letter by early January 2024.

If you do not get a letter and you think you're eligible, you must contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 29 February 2024.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you're eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligibility

There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.

If you live in England and Wales

You qualify if you either:

If you live in Scotland

You qualify if you either:

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters

You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you'll get the discount if you're eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

Park (mobile) homes

You apply a different way if you live in a park home.

Apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

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The Warm Home Discount Scheme could take £150 off your winter electricity bill - eligibility, how to get your discount, deadlines.

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Cold Weather Payment/ Taliad Twydd Oer: Trosolwg

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Cold Weather Payment/ Taliad Twydd Oer: Trosolwg

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Cold Weather Payment - what you'll get, eligibility and how to find out if your area is due a payment

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Welsh Water Customer Assistance Fund/ Cronfa Cymorth Cwsmeriad Dwr Cymru

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Welsh Water Customer Assistance Fund/ Cronfa Cymorth Cwsmeriad Dwr Cymru

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How does it work?

If you're successful in your application, we'll set up a monthly, fortnightly or weekly payment plan for your current year's charges.

Once you have made payments for 6 months, we will pay off 50% of your previous arrears.

If you make payments for a further 6 months, we will then pay off the rest of your previous arrears.

Example of instalments

This is just an example - customers may have different instalments to the below.

Based on £550 of debt, and a £400 bill for the current year:

Your weekly instalments would be £7.69 (£400 bill ÷ 52 weeks)

We pay the first 50% (£275) of your debt after 26 weeks.

We pay the second 50% (£275) of your debt after 52 weeks.

If you keep up with payments, over the year you would have paid your bill and we would have cleared your debt.
This is a one-off opportunity. If you fall into arrears again, the Customer Assistance Fund Debt Support scheme would not be offered.
Are you eligible?

You may be eligible if:

Your water account is for a domestic property where you currently live.

You owe more than £150.

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Customer Assistance Fund Debt Support scheme | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

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If you're successful in your application, we'll set up a monthly, fortnightly or weekly payment plan for your current year's charges. Once you have made payments for 6 months, we will pay off 50% of your previous arrears. If you make payments for a further 6 months, we will then pay off the rest of your previous arrears.

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Discounts and exemptions/ ostyngiadau ac eithriadau

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Discounts and exemptions/ ostyngiadau ac eithriadau

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The place to find services and information provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council and its partners.

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Money Manager for Universal Credit/ Rheolwr Arian i hawlwyr Credyd Cynhwysol

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Money Manager for Universal Credit/ Rheolwr Arian i hawlwyr Credyd Cynhwysol

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MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free,
impartial help for all your money and pension choices.
Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website Do not show this message again for The Pensions Advisory Service

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Money Manager for Universal Credit claimants

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MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper. Continue to website Do not show this message again for The Pensions Advisory Service

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Every local Citizens Advice is now closed - you can't get face to face advice.

You can still get help by calling our national phone line or by talking to an adviser online.

Our Help to Claim service

Our Help to Claim service can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first payment.

Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It's free, independent, confidential and impartial. Our trained advisers can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment.

You can read our online advice on Universal Credit at any time.

Call our national phone line

You can contact an adviser through our free national Help to Claim phone service:

England: 0800 144 8 444

England textphone: 18001 0800 144 8 444

Wales: 08000 241 220

Wales textphone: 18001 08000 241 220

Scotland: 0800 023 2581

Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Call the Wales number if you'd like to speak to an Welsh language adviser.

Ask for a translator if you need to get advice in a different language. An adviser can use a translation service to speak to you in your chosen language.

If you need a British Sign Language interpreter, call the textphone number. An adviser can arrange for an interpreter to translate for you over a video call.

Talk to us online

Chat lets you talk to a trained adviser online about your Universal Credit application process. Chat is usually available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It's not available on public holidays. If no advisers are available we'll remove the chat button from this page.

If you want to chat to an adviser about any other issue, you can talk to us on our main chat page.

To connect you to the right adviser, we'll ask you for a few details, including your postcode. Read our privacy policy to find out how we store and use your personal information.

Some 'ad blocker' software can stop chat working. If you use an ad blocker, make sure to add 'citizensadvice.org.uk' as a trusted site.

Find your nearest Citizens Advice

Enter your postcode or town to get contact details and opening hours for your nearest Citizens Advice.

Complain about the Help to Claim service

You can use our complaints procedure if you want to complain about our Help to Claim service.

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Every local Citizens Advice is now closed - you can't get face to face advice. You can still get help by calling our national phone line or by talking to an adviser online. Our Help to Claim service can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first payment.

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My Neighbourhood

Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more.

Find facilities in my area

Cardiff Council

www.cardiff.gov.uk

My Neighbourhood

Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more.

​​​Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people who are of working age and on a low income, and is administered by the Department of Work and Pension. In Cardiff, from February 2018 it combines and replaces the following benefits and tax credits for most working-age people who need to make new claim for:

Housing Benefit

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Income Support

Child Tax Credits

Universal Credit will not replace Child Benefit. Find out more about Child Benefit on the central government website.

If any of the following applies, you will be unable to make a claim for Universal Credit.

You and your partner are pension age

You're staying in a refuge, hostel or some types of supported or temporary housing

When will Universal Credit affect you?

Universal Credit is being introduced gradually, starting with those who need to make a new claims, but eventually everyone in receipt of these benefits will have to claim Universal Credit.

If you are already claiming one or more of these benefits, you will not be affected until the Department of Work and Pensions contacts you.

However, if you are claiming them and your partner moves in with you and she/he is claiming Universal Credit, you will have to claim Universal Credit together.

How to claim Universal Credit

Where can you go for help?

If you don't have access to a computer or the internet you will be able to access a computer at your local Job Centre Plus or your local Hub.

You can also contact the Universal Credit Helpline for more information and advice on:

Welsh language: 0800 012 1888

If you are already in receipt of Universal Credit, but are still struggling to cover your housing costs, you may be able to claim Discretionary Housing Payments.

For help getting back to work and getting online, you can visit the Into Work Service​ page. ​​

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Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more. Find facilities in my area www.cardiff.gov.uk Use your postcode to find local councillors, facilities, school catchment areas and more. ​​​Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people who are of working age and on a low income, and is administered by the Department of Work and Pension.

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Other savings ideas:

Have a ''no spend day''

Meal Prep

Shop Mid-week (in the evenings) - Stores try to get rid of food before sell-buy date so you can freeze them.

Turn everything off before leaving the house (WIFI, lights, kettle etc)

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AER - Annual Equivalent Rate which is a type of interest rate for savings account (a charge to your savings account).

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Chip is a savings app you connect to your current account via 'Open Banking'. It then uses an algorithm to work out how much you can afford to save, and automatically puts that aside for you - great for those without the self-discipline needed.

Autosave with Chip and get 0.7% interest. Normally autosave apps pay little interest. But Chip* has partnered with Allica Bank to offer a 0.7% AER variable interest easy-access account - which beats the top normal savings account - though Chip charges a £1.50 fee every four weeks, which would outweigh the interest gain for most.

Yet if you're new to Chip we've a code to get £20 cashback, which covers the fee for over a year. Sign up to Chip's app* and select the 'ChipAI' plan, and it'll set up a Chip Savings Account. Once you've registered, enter code CHIPMSE07 in 'Earn and track rewards' on the app's 'Profile' tab. Save at least £1 with Chip by 11.59pm on Tuesday 12 October and the £20 is paid on Saturday 13 November - just keep £1+ there until it's paid. You can then withdraw it to your linked current account to cover the fees, which are charged to your debit card. The cashback is only for new Chip customers.

How to get the 0.7% interest: The standard Chip Savings Account doesn't pay interest, so head to the 'Accounts' tab and open the Allica Bank account (min deposit £1, max £30,000; interest paid daily). Make sure you go into your 'Autosave settings' to ensure that's where your autosaves are going. If you reach the max £30,000, autosaves will automatically stop.

Want the 0.7% interest without autosaving? Follow the same process as above to register with Chip and set up the Allica account. Then pause autosaving by going to your profile in the app, then 'Autosave settings' then 'Skip autosaves' and choose a date - it allows this for up to three months at a time so you'll need to remember to keep doing it. Note that the maximum you can deposit in a single transaction is £5,000 - if you want to save the full £30,000 you'll need to do it in six lots of £5,000.

Which current account providers does it work with? Chip connects to most (but not all) major current account providers. It will work with Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Danske, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Revolut, Santander, Starling, TSB and Ulster Bank.

Are my savings safe? The money you put in is held by Allica Bank, which has the usual £85,000 per person protection under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If you have any money in the Chip Savings Account, that's covered by ClearBank's protection.

How long do I have to keep the account? You can withdraw your money whenever you want - but you'll need to keep £1+ there until at least Saturday 13 November if you want the cashback. If after that point you want to save elsewhere, you're free to do so.

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Chip is a savings app you connect to your current account via 'Open Banking'. It then uses an algorithm to work out how much you can afford to save, and automatically puts that aside for you - great for those without the self-discipline needed. Autosave with Chip and get 0.7% interest.

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How does it work?

The HelpU tariff helps the lowest income households in our region. If you qualify, we will cap your water bill so you won't pay over a certain amount for the year.
The annual HelpU charge is £291.30 (£124.01 for water, £167.29 for sewerage). The tariff is open from 1st August 2020.
Are you eligible?

To qualify for the tariff:

the water supply to the household must be for domestic use only

someone in the household must receive at least one means-tested benefit

the combined annual household income must be on or under the threshold for the household size as shown in the table below.

It's important to let us know the total number of occupants (including children) in your household and to include all the income your household receives from occupiers who live at your property who are aged 16 years and over.
Here's a list of types of the means-tested benefits which someone in the household must be receiving at least one of:

Universal Credit

Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Income Support

Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)

Working Tax Credit

Housing Benefit

Council Tax Reduction (based on income, not just a Single Persons Discount)

Special Note: We exclude some types of income from the combined annual household income calculation:

Housing Benefit or Housing Element of Universal Credit

Council Tax Reduction / Support

Support Group, Work Related Activity Group & Disability/Carer Premiums on ESA

Disability Premiums on Child / Working Tax Credits

Disability / Carer Premiums on Pension Credit, JSA & Income Support

Disabled Child & Limited Capability For Working Elements of Universal Credit

Attendance Allowance

Disability Living Allowance

Personal Independent Payment

Carers Allowance or Carers Element of Universal Credit

You would also need to reapply for the tariff before the end of every 12-month period (you may reapply up to a month before expiry).

For more information please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

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The HelpU tariff helps low-income households on a means tested benefit by putting a cap on the amount you pay for your water.

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Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)/ Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol (DAF)

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Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)/ Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol (DAF)

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The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you don’t need to pay back.

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Budget planner | Money management | The Prince's Trust

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Use this budget planner from the Money Advice Service to make sure you're in control of where your money is going.

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MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help. MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.

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Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper

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MoneyHelper: free and impartial help with money and pensions. Formerly Money Advice Service, The Pension Advisory Service and Pension Wise.

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Information for young people who are either in care thinking about leaving care, or who have recently left care./ Gwybodaeth i bobl ifanc sydd nail ai mewn gofal ac yn meddwl am adael gofal, neu sydd wedi gadael gofal yn ddiweddar.

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Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe

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Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe

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12. Caerphilly Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe (1)

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Benefits and Entitlements - Young Parents

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Benefits and Entitlements - Young Parents

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8. Caerphilly Benefits and Entitlements- Parents

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7. Benefits and Entitlements Education Caerphilly

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5. Employment- What I need to know Caerphilly

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4. Caerphilly Money- putting money aside (3)

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CYM Money- putting money Caerphillyaside (2)

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Cadw fy hun, fy arian a'r eiddo sydd gen i yn ddiogel

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Cadw fy hun, fy arian a'r eiddo sydd gen i yn ddiogel

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12 CYM Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe

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A guide for young people/ Canllaw i bobl ifanc

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A guide for young people/ Canllaw i bobl ifanc

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Helping Young People with Budgeting/ Helpu Pobl Ifanc gyda Chyllidebu

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Helping Young People with Budgeting/ Helpu Pobl Ifanc gyda Chyllidebu

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Money Saving Tips/ Awgrymiadau Arbed Arian

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Money Saving Tips/ Awgrymiadau Arbed Arian

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Gaming and Gambling/ Chwarae Gemau a Gamblo

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Gaming and Gambling/ Chwarae Gemau a Gamblo

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Who is the project aimed at?

Care experienced young people who are transitioning from care to independent living.

Project description

The Getting Ready project complements the current Welsh Government When I am Ready scheme, providing a more intensive intervention which seeks to echo the support and guidance that non-looked after young people receive within a family setting. The project delivered by Voices from Care Cymru with Children in Wales, is supported by funding through the Welsh Government 'Suitable Provision and Support Innovation Fund - Homelessness Prevention Grant'.

What is the project trying to achieve?

The project aims are to:

Provide support for young people to safely transition from care (including considerations around delaying leaving care and reducing the risk of homelessness and housing instability)

Facilitate wraparound community support, which is more sustainable in the long-term and does not rely on future funding to deliver positive results

Empower young people by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care

Build the capacity of young people to advocate for change

Build resilience and mechanisms which keep young people safe from homelessness and related risk, enhancing their overall wellbeing

Contribute to the fund's aim of preventing homelessness and achieving housing stability amongst care leavers

Involve young people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the project

A key aspect of the project has been the creation and provision of a suite of resources to enhance care experienced young people's knowledge and understanding of their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care. Along with the delivery of accompanying workshops to young people, these resources have been be used by young people and professionals to provide support for young people to safely transition from care, reducing the risk of homelessness and achieving housing stability amongst care leavers.

The resources specifically focus on building young people's financial capability, in line with the core themes outlined in the Welsh Government's Financial Inclusion Strategy document:

Access to affordable credit and financial services;

Access to financial information, including debt advice; and

Building financial understanding and capability.

Project update at March 2021

We have developed key financial capability resources for three local authority areas- Anglesey, Carmarthenshire and Caerphilly.

Following feedback from young people we have developed a Housing resource through padlet

We have developed a set of mini resources providing key bitesize information to care experienced young people

Financial capability workshops have been delivered to care experienced young people across Wales covering key topics such as budgeting; benefits & entitlements; food shopping tips and savvy shopping

Intensive workshops have been delivered to young people on a one-to-one basis when required to support them with specific needs relating to topics such as attending university and understanding their housing rights

Useful links

Project resources for Anglesey
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/angleseyresources
Project resources for Caerphilly
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/caerphillyresources
Project resources for Carmarthenshire
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/carmarthenshire
Resources related to housing
https://padlet.com/CinWGettingReady/housing

Further Resources

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Getting Ready Project | Children in Wales

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Care experienced young people who are transitioning from care to independent living. The Getting Ready project complements the current Welsh Government When I am Ready scheme, providing a more intensive intervention which seeks to echo the support and guidance that non-looked after young people receive within a family setting.

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We can run workshops for young people on any of the topic areas covered in our resources.

In the one-to-one workshops we are able to go into more depth on an issue, providing guidance based on the individual's needs.

For more information contact Bethan Wilson, Development Officer, Children in Wales. bethan.wilson@childreninwales.org.uk

Gallwn ni gynnal gweithdai i bobl ifanc ar unrhyw rai o’r meysydd pwnc sy’n cael sylw yn ein hadnoddau.

Yn y gweithdai un-i-un byddwn ni’n gallu edrych yn fanylach ar rywbeth, a rhoi arweiniad ar sail anghenion yr unigolyn.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Bethan Wilson, Swyddog Datblygu, Plant yng Nghymru. bethan.wilson@childreninwales.org.uk