Monmouthshire
Money Advice Service
Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
A free and impartial service, set up by the government to help people make the most of their money. They give money advice to everyone across the UK – online, on webchat, over the phone, in printed guides and face to face.
Turn2us
Web: www.turn2us.org.uk
Turn2us is a free service that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations. The Benefits Search is a free and easy to use calculator to help you check what benefits you might be entitled to and information on different benefits. Also has a grants search with information on grants from over 3000 organisations.
Money Made Clear Wales
Web: www.moneymadeclearwales.org
Website giving easy to read information on savings, loans and debts. It’s a Welsh Assembly initiative so you know it’s completely independent and not trying to sell you anything.
Student Finance Wales
Web: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
This is where you apply for grants and student loans if you’re thinking of doing a university course. It has lots of information regarding student finances and has a calculator which will show you how much you would be entitled to.
University of South Wales
Web: www.southwales.ac.uk/about
Tel: 01633 432 432
The University is based on five campuses spread around South Wales. The cities of Cardiff and Newport have campuses, plus there are 3 more rural campuses in Pontypridd and Caerleon. The campuses are student communities with a great atmosphere. On campus, you’ll find everything you need in one place – your classes, the library, places to eat and drink, and friends to spend time with.
The university has financial advisors who can help you work out how you would be able to finance your university studies.
Coleg Gwent
Tel: 01633 466000 (Newport)
Tel: 01495 333456 (Crosskeys)
Web: www.coleggwent.ac.uk
Offers full and part time, recreational and higher education courses. They can also offer free training to people working less than 16 hours per week. Childcare can be funded for some full time courses – speak to the college for further details.
Before you Start Education
Remember – if you want to enrol on a college or university could you will need to check out how you can arrange childcare and transport – there is help for some courses and there are grants available so it’s worth asking. Also worth checking that the course you want to do doesn’t affect your benefits – speak to the Lone Parent Advisors at the Job Centre or Careers Wales who will be able to give you clear advice for your personal circumstances.
Careers Wales
Tel: 0800 028 4844
From a Mobile: 02920 906800 (They will call you back for free)
Web: www.careerswales.com
Careers Wales provide the all age, independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance service for Wales. The overall focus for the service is to help people make effective decisions and become independent in managing their careers.
GAVO – Youth Volunteering in Newport and Monmouthshire
Tel: 01633 241554
Web: www.gavowales.org.uk
GAVO’s Newport Volunteer Centre offers up-to-date information, advice and guidance to anyone looking for volunteering opportunities. They have a range of volunteering opportunities and we will try to match your skills and interests with a suitable vacancy. You can volunteer with many different organisations and people in your area and most organisations offer some kind of training and pay out-of-pocket expenses.
You may also be able to join The Millennium Volunteer Programme. This aims to encourage young people to take part in volunteering opportunities that can offer them the chance to give 200 hours of their time to a project of their choice. Certificates awarded to recognise 50 and 100 hours of volunteering as stepping stones towards the 200 Hours Award of Excellence certificate, which is signed by the First Minister of Wales. Completion Guide and Start Form.
You can look at what opportunities are currently available for volunteering at:
Change4Life
Web: www.change4lifewales.org.uk
With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, we don’t move about as much, or eat as well as we used to. Would you or your family like to be healthier and happier? Would you like loads of ideas, recipes and games to help you do this? Then join the thousands of other people in Wales and sign up today. Change4Life also have some great Apps available for free including the ‘Fun Generator’ – a good tool for finding fun games to play with your children. Just search ‘Change 4 Life’ in your favourite mobile App store.
