Cardiff News July 2009

How well do you know your University?

These plaques can be found on the wall of 42 Park Place. They mark the one-time home of John Viriamu Jones, the first Principal of University College Cardiff, and his wife Katharine.

Well done if you were able to name the location, one of the many fine points of interest to be found all around campus. We’ll be featuring another one in the next edition of Cardiff News.

Have you noticed an overlooked feature of the University campus? Please send suggestions or photographs for future issues to newsletter@cardiff.ac.uk .

In this edition:

• The Class of '09
• On display in DC
• Funding first for brain diseases team
• Asian cultural insight
• From Velázquez to Youtube

Web news items in this issue

Browse full web news items of the articles covered in Cardiff News July 2009

• Backing for “huge reputation” in fighting brain disease
• Thousands of genes linked to schizophrenia
• Graduation 2009
• Honorary Fellows
• A new Gateway for our research
• Supporting teenage mothers
• Swine Flu Update
• £1M boost for University spin-out
• Martha stands up for fungi
• A greener University by far
• Leading Public Health in Wales
• Wales in Washington
• Prestigious music award

Supporting local causes

In 2003 the Social and Community Action Network (SCAN) was established by a group of University staff to increase social interaction, to provide a central focus for charity action and to build links with our local community. Initially the network supported the charity Tenovus, donating more than £15,000 to the charity during the years they collaborated.

Last year it was decided to take the opportunity to work with a new charity, and after canvassing the opinions of the staff network, the SCAN Committee choose to support the Cardiff and Vale branch of the Alzheimer’s Society from 2009.

Fifty percent of the money raised by SCAN will now be donated to this new adopted charity helping the branch in their work educating about the symptoms and effects of the disease, giving practical assistance to sufferers and their families, including day care and respite care.

The remaining fifty percent of money raised is donated to other local community projects. Each year, the SCAN committee invites bids from local community groups for the award of grants from £50-£300. In 2008, SCAN awarded grants to the Friends of the Archdeacon John Lewis Church in Wales Primary School, the Heath Hospital Lourdes Group, The Hub Youth Club, Lisvane Cricket Club, Plasnewydd Out of School Club, and the 2nd/4th Barry Scout Group.

SCAN is once again inviting bids from staff who are involved with local community groups; if you would like to apply for funds please email SCAN@cardiff.ac.uk.

Further information about the network and how staff can contribute can be found online at http://www.cf.ac.uk/about/community/goodcauses/scan/index.html