Author Archives: admin

Annual General Meeting

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Yesterday Caerphilly People First held our AGM (Annual General Meeting) for 2023. At the meeting we went through a summary of the annual trustees’ report for 2021-2022, which details all the activities we took part in during that financial year, as well as looking at a summary of the financial report for the same period, explaining what we have spent our money on, and who has funded us.

Also at the AGM we elected a new Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Treasurer. After each nominee gave a speech on why they thought they should be given the roles, the nominees left the room and the rest of the group voted for who they thought should be elected. The result was that Sophie Morgan was elected Chairperson, Natalie King was elected Vice Chairperson, and Ffion Poole was elected Treasurer. The ladies will be in post for three years and we’d like to wish them all the best in their new roles – we know they’ll do an excellent job.

Cookery

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At Friday’s cookery session, Gareth chose to make lasagne – sheets of pasta floating in a lean beef bolognaise and cheese sauce, served with vegetables and garlic bread as side dishes. Our members and volunteers helped prep the vegetables, bolognaise and lasagne ready for cooking, and the end results tasted amazing – well done everyone.

Thanks to Amy Jones and Ffion Poole who ran the quiz whilst we waited for the lasagne to cook, and thanks to Tracy Tregaskis, Sam Evans, and Cheryl Smith for volunteering in the kitchen – you all worked so hard. Next week, Lisa has chosen to make chicken curry and rice.

Mindfulness

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Thank you, Dr Andrew Lewis, for our mindfulness session this week, where we learned about mindful eating. Chocolate meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation where a piece of chocolate is used as a focal point for all the senses. You hear the wrapper and smell, feel, see, and taste the chocolate as part of the practice. Mindfulness meditation trains the mind to focus and stay in the present. Of course, we all enjoyed the chocolate! In two weeks’ time, we are looking forward to a walking mindfulness session.

Warm Spaces – Reconnect through Breakfast

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Thank you to Sophie Morgan and Tracy Tregaskis, for volunteering at last week’s Reconnect through Breakfast session at Rhymney Community Centre. This is an initiative funded by Bute Energy and Cwtsh which aims to provide a warm space and free breakfast for people. The ladies did a fantastic job serving crumpets, toast, croissants, and teas and coffees.  We will be back at the centre on Thursday 23rd March from 9:30 – 11:30am, so join us if you can.

Cookery Session

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At last Friday’s cookery session Caerphilly People First members made tuna pasta bake and prepared a fresh salad. Thanks to Sam Evans for the suggestion – it was definitely a thumbs up and tasted delicious. It was great to see everyone coming together, preparing a healthy meal, socialising and, most of all, having fun. Jordan did a great job taking photos and captured some great shots. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, you were amazing as always. Gareth has chosen to make lasagne, veg and garlic bread next week.  See you all then!

Mindfulness

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Thank you, Andrew, for our fourth mindfulness session this week.  Once again we learned how deal with anxious feelings, and how to relax.  We talked about how animals and children live in the moment – the key to this is to pay attention to what is occurring in the present moment by observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise.  Next week, we will be practising mindful eating with Andrew.  Please contact Caerphilly People First if you would like to join the session.

Cookery

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This week the members made sausage casserole and mashed potatoes, as suggested by Wayne.  The group did a great job preparing the mushrooms, peppers, onions, and potatoes.  It’s wonderful seeing everyone learning new skills and becoming more confident in the kitchen.  Thank you to all our volunteers – you’re amazing.  Next week Sam Evans has chosen to make tuna pasta bake.

Relationships and Sexuality Course

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Caerphilly People First recently held the first session in our Relationships and Sexuality course.  This was run by Ffion and Lisa from Innovate Trust.  During the session the group discussed what is sex, keeping yourself and others safe, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, consent, and different types of contraception.  Even though this can be a very sensitive topic, everyone joined in, and there was much laughter from the group.  If anyone would like Ffion to provide a relationship course, please get in touch with her on 07488350518 or ffion@caerphillypeoplefirst.org