We had such a lovely morning together! 🥰 Everyone enjoyed a warm breakfast 🥐☕ and then got stuck into some gorgeous Christmas crafts 🎄🎅🎁 There was plenty of chatting, laughing, and learning something new 💬✨ The crafts looked amazing and the room was full of festive cheer! Groups like this make such a difference ❤️ They help people:
⭐ Feel less isolated ⭐ Build friendships ⭐ Learn new skills ⭐ Boost confidence ⭐ Have fun together
Thank you to everyone who joined us — you made the morning special 🤗 Can’t wait for the next one! 🎨💖
Yesterday we visited the University of South Wales for another brilliant session with the TRAC team.
🎭 Hannah took on the role of Geraldine, who is non-verbal, has a learning disability and Williams syndrome. 🧡 Christy played the role of Geraldine’s support staff. 💥 Nat played a patient who had a fit and knocked herself out, bruising and cutting her head.
The students were amazing! 👏 They asked thoughtful questions about the best ways to communicate with someone who is non-verbal and explored what medical checks and support Geraldine would need for her constipation. They also worked brilliantly as a team supporting Nat’s scenario. The feedback was fantastic — it’s wonderful that TRAC students get the chance to teach, share real-life experiences, and help future nurses learn in such a meaningful way. 🌟 Well done everyone! 🌟
Friday’s session was all about midwifery 👩⚕️💛 Ffion played the role of someone who was 9 weeks pregnant and did a fantastic job in her role. Christy played her mam, and the student nurses interacted brilliantly — speaking directly to Ffion, explaining everything clearly, and taking their time.
We also had a Learning Disability Nurse on hand 👩⚕️💙 who clarified things with Ffion and offered easy-read information, making sure she understood everything in a way that suited her needs. LD nurses are so important, especially when someone with a learning disability is pregnant. All fields of nursing should practice the same approach — clear communication, patience, and respect. It makes a huge difference. ❤️
Meanwhile, Gethin and Nat had just come home from the hospital with their new baby 👶🍼 And yes… believe it or not… they didn’t bicker for a change! 🤣 They were absolutely hilarious and kept everyone laughing.
A huge well done to everyone — our TRAC members and the students. ⭐ We’re already looking forward to the next session and working with you all again soon! 🙌💛
Today’s Reconnect Through Music session was full of energy, joy, and festive spirit! With 22 fantastic performances, members showcased a brilliant range of songs — from heartfelt ballads to upbeat Christmas classics. The hall looked magical thanks to the Christmas decorations 🎄✨, creating the perfect atmosphere for a fun and welcoming afternoon.
A few highlights from today’s performers:
Matilda sang “Wild Heart” by The Vamps 💙 Mandy gave a powerful performance of “The Power of Love” by Jennifer Rush 🌟 Theresa performed “If I Never See You Again” by Wet Wet Wet 🎶 Anthony sang “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen 👀💗 Ffion performed “Nice To Meet You” by Myles Smith 🎵
Christmas Songs 🎅🎄
Susan sang “Mistletoe and Wine” Ellysia performed “All I Want for Christmas Is You” 🎁💖 Sean shared a lovely version of “Away in a Manger” Adrian treated us to “Blue Christmas” 💙🎄
All performers brought enthusiasm, confidence, and festive spirit to the stage. Well done, everyone! 👏✨ In addition everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet of hot dogs prepared by Christy, Cheryl, Zoe, and Helen 🌭😋. A big thank you to the team for their hard work!
We received some wonderful feedback from participants:
Sean said he enjoyed singing, chatting, meeting people, and the food! 🎤🗣️🤝🍽️ Ellie and Becky loved dancing 💃🎶 Anthony shared that he loves everyone who attends! ❤️🥰
Today’s Reconnect Through Music session was joyful, festive, and full of talent; the event was a huge success. Thank you to all performers, volunteers, and supporters who make these sessions so special. It’s clear that these sessions help people feel connected, confident, and part of a supportive community.
Yesterday our members enjoyed another brilliant Christmas craft session with Louise and the team from Multiply! 🎅🧶 They made the cutest Christmas gonks out of wool, and everyone did an amazing job. ❤️
We all enjoyed a lovely cuppa ☕ and some tasty pastries 🥐 while chatting and socialising together. It was a warm, festive morning filled with fun and creativity! ⭐💬 Don’t forget — our last craft session is next Tuesday! 🎁✨
Today’s Reconnect Through Music session was an absolute hit! The room was packed with energy, smiles, and incredible talent. 😄🙌 The atmosphere was buzzing from start to finish, with everyone joining in, singing along, and enjoying the chance to reconnect through the power of music. 🎶💛
A total of 27 songs were performed today! 🌟 Here are some of the great performances we enjoyed:
Matilda delivered a stunning version of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman 🎪✨ Ffion & Amy brought the fun with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 💃🎉 Anthony gave a heartfelt performance of Perfect by Ed Sheeran ❤️🎸 Natalie lit up the room with Murder on the Dancefloor 💃🔊 Ben, our new member, wowed everyone with Cold Heart by Dua Lipa 🎧💙 Theresa got everyone singing along to Wonderwall 🎸🎶 Adrian rocked the classic Return to Sender 📬🎤 Susan charmed the room with Take Me Home, Country Roads 🌄🛣️ Sean brought festive cheer with Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens 🎄🎅🎵
The group enjoyed delicious pizza prepared by Christy and Cheryl — thank you both! 🍕❤️ It added to the warm and friendly atmosphere that everyone felt.
Feedback was glowing! ✨
Helen said it was a happy atmosphere and that everyone interacted so well. 😊🤝 Moira shared that she really enjoyed everything. 💛 Vicky especially loved the dancing and socialising. 💃🕺🎉
It’s clear that today’s session brought people together in the best possible way. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and made today so special. Your energy, positivity, and talent created a wonderful day for all. 🌟💖 Also a big thanks to the Moondance Foundation for funding these sessions – they make a huge difference to our members. Here’s to many more sessions filled with music, laughter, and connection! 🎵😊✨
Yesterday our members enjoyed another fantastic craft session with Deb and Louise from Multiply. They had a brilliant time designing their own Christmas trees and making festive decorations. 🎨🎅✨ Everyone got creative, learned something new, and made beautiful pieces to take home. We love seeing the confidence and smiles these sessions bring! 💚😊 Great work everyone — your Christmas crafts looked amazing! 🎁🌟
🌟 A massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who covered Friday’s Reconnect Through Cookery session! 🌟 The food looked absolutely amazing 😋
Our members prepared peppers, onions, and mushrooms to add to a tasty Mayflower chicken curry 🍛 served with fluffy rice 🍚. We also enjoyed a fun game of bingo 🎉 and a quiz ❓—the room was full of happiness, laughter, and very full tummies! 😄💛
Also, during the session Paula received her certificate and delicious dairy- and gluten-free cake from the learning disability liaison nurses as a thank you for taking part in the annual health check video.
These sessions make such a huge difference to our members, especially on dark winter days ❄️✨. They bring warmth, connection, and a reason to smile. Thank you everyone for making today so special! 💛 We’ll see you all on Wednesday for music 🎶💃🕺
On Friday our members cooked up a delicious cottage pie 😋🥔 and prepared fresh leeks, broccoli, and cauliflower 🥦🥬🌿. Everyone worked together brilliantly and the kitchen smelled amazing!
A HUGE thank you to all our lovely volunteers for helping in the kitchen ❤️, and to our fantastic support staff for running the quiz and bingo 🎉🧩. And a special shout-out to Peter for setting everything up — we appreciate you! 🙌 It was definitely a session to remember 💛
See you all tomorrow for Reconnect Through Music 🎶 and Friday for our Silent Disco Christmas Party 🎧🎄
On Friday we had the most wonderful time celebrating together at our Christmas party 💃🕺 We enjoyed a silent disco, with our lovely Daren keeping the party going with a disco in between 🎶🎧
🎅 We were thrilled to have a visit from Santa, and of course the naughty Grinch who tried to steal everyone’s selection boxes 😆🎁 There was lots of dancing, laughter, and fun, yummy buffet food, Christmas crackers pulled, and everyone looked amazing in their fancy dress and Christmas jumpers 🎄🤶 🎟️ We also had some fantastic raffle prizes – well done to all our winners! 👏
It truly was a day full of Christmas joy, smiles, and togetherness ❤️ A huge thank you from us all at Caerphilly People First to our amazing volunteers 🌟 We couldn’t do what we do without your continued support. Special thanks to Peter, the caretaker, for all his help and support at Fleur-de-lis Community Centre throughout the year 🙏
🎄❤️ We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, filled with love, joy, and happiness. We’ll see you all again in January – take care and thank you for being part of our People First family ❤️✨
