Gardening Project

Today volunteers Sam, Gethin, Morgan, Rhys and Adrian began working on a second gardening plot we have obtained at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, which we will use to grow fruit. John showed us how to transplant the blackberries and blueberries from pots into the ground, and how to look after them. The other plot (the vegetable plot) is looking good after a bit of weeding, and so far we have planted broad beans, onions, potatoes, carrots, beetroot, blackberries, and blueberries. Well done everyone – you are doing a fantastic job.

Cookery

Homemade Cottage Pie topped with cheddar was Amy Jones’s chosen dish at last week’s cookery session, and it tasted amazing. We used 5% fat lean mince, Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree, garlic, beef stock, and dried mixed herbs. We added onions, carrots, and peas to the mince and topped it off with creamy mash and cheddar. We then popped it in the oven for twenty minutes to finish cooking. We also made a Quorn version that tasted just as nice, for members who don’t eat meat.

We served the cottage pie with cauliflower, green beans carrots peas and gravy. Our members prepared carrots and onions, dicing them into small pieces to add to the mince, then peeled the potatoes for the mash.

Ffion and Amy hosted a quiz and bingo while lunch was cooking – well done ladies for keeping everyone entertained. Thanks so much to everyone who volunteered – you all worked so hard, as usual.

There is no class next week so we will see you all on Friday May 5th when Tracy Tregaskis has chosen to make chicken stir fry.

Professor Ruth Northway

On Wednesday 19th we attended an event celebrating the career and retirement of Professor Ruth Northway. Happy retirement Ruth, the difference you have made to people’s lives throughout your career is immeasurable, and thank you for always supporting People First. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, we’re sure you will be as busy as ever.

Best wishes from Caerphilly People First volunteers, members, and staff.

Gardening

At our most recent gardening session volunteers planted carrots, onions, and potatoes. Thank you, John, for all your advice and for teaching us how to plant the seeds and potatoes correctly. Our volunteers always look forward to working on our plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, and next week we will be planting green beans and zucchini in the greenhouse.

Working outdoors is great for your well-being and mental health. If you would like to volunteer with us, we visit the gardens every Tuesday from 10.30 until 12.30.

Cookery Session

Toad in the hole was Paula’s choice in cookery last week, the perfect meal for a cold rainy day. Toad in the hole is traditionally served with onion gravy, but we avoided the onions in ours, as Paula’s not a fan.

Volunteers and members spent the morning preparing green beans, carrots, broccoli, and potatoes for the creamy mash. During the day some members showed us photos of the meals they have recreated at home, and they looked delicious. It’s great to see that people are more confident in the kitchen at home, and are cooking more often since coming to cookery class. What a brilliant achievement, well done to you all.

We ended the afternoon with a quiz, cake, and lots of giggles as always. It’s great to see everyone smiling and having fun with their friends whilst learning new skills. Thanks again to all our volunteers, and we’ll see you next week when Amy has chosen to make cottage pie with vegetables.

Parent Network Easter Event

On 6th April, Ffion, Natalie, and Louise attended the Caerphilly Parent Network Easter event at Nelson RFC. We had our own stall from which we handed out leaflets, newsletters, and wellbeing bags (which include tissues, colouring books, colouring pens, the health profile, and other goodies). The Parent Network also arranged an Easter egg hunt, which was great fun. It was an amazing day and it was great to meet up and chat with other organisations.

Relationship Course

Yesterday, Ffion Poole – supported by Christy Taylor – visited the Newport People First offices to deliver the second workshop of her relationship course. She spoke about relationships, how to meet people, and what makes a good or bad boyfriend/girlfriend. She also gave the group scenarios and asked if they pointed towards a healthy or unhealthy relationship. Ffion is looking forward to providing the third part of the course to the group.

Mindful Walking

Yesterday saw the final mindfulness session with Dr Andrew Lewis at Libanus Lifestyle. Over the past six sessions, we have practised how to calm the body and mind, the body scan, living in the moment, mindful eating, and for our final session, mindful walking.

Mindful walking is the practice of becoming aware of your surroundings and how your body and mind feel while moving. How do you practice mindfulness when walking? Walk at a natural pace. With each step, pay attention to the lifting and falling of your foot. Notice movement in your legs and the rest of your body. Whatever else captures your attention, come back to the sensation of walking.  Members and volunteers have enjoyed every session – especially mindful eating with chocolate – and are practising mindfulness often. Thank you Dr Andrew Lewis for everything.

Gardening

Finally, after weeks of rain, this week we had the perfect weather to work on our plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. Volunteers Sam Evans and Gethin Chamberlain planted mixed beetroot, which will grow into a mixture of colours – red, white gold, and the unusual pink ringed chioggia, giving a variety of flavours for salads.

Caerphilly People First Volunteers are at TARAGGAN every Tuesday morning from 10.30 until 12.30. Working outdoors is great for your well-being and mental health, so if you would like to join our gardening team, please get in touch.

Cookery

Lisa’s choice of chicken curry at last week’s cookery session was enjoyed by everyone. Luke, Richard, and Jordan did a fantastic job making the curries, and congratulations to the quiz and raffle winners – it was lovely to see everyone having fun. We’d like to thank all our volunteers, who always do an amazing job.

As it’s good Friday next week, there will be no class, so we will see you all on April 14th when Paula has chosen to make toad in the hole, mash and veg. See you all then, and have a great Easter.