We recently attended TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery in Bargoed, where it was lovely to catch up with John and continue working on our plot at the allotment. Everything we planted was ready to be harvested so we were very busy digging up cabbage, beetroot and leeks. Leeks are fairly frost tolerant so you can delay harvest until after the first few frosts. Over the next few weeks we will be turning over our plot to make it ready for when we restart our project next February.
Sam and Natalie from Caerphilly People First have been working in partnership with RCT People First to deliver an online question and answer session to student nurses and other professionals from Cardiff University. Our members shared their experiences of using healthcare services, specifically what is positive and what could be improved. Members suggested eliminating jargon, and said all information be produced in an easy read format. They also said more support should be provided for adults with a learning disability who wish to access mental health services. One positive is that most doctors offer annual health checks to people with a learning disability, and anyone aged 14 or over who is on the doctors’ learning disability register can have a free annual health check. You can ask to go on the register if you have a learning disability, and you can check with your local practice to see if you or the person you care for is on the register.
We recently started making our Christmas crafts with Cheryl from The Parent Network Community Forum, when we produced baubles and snowman decorations to hang on our Christmas trees. Our next Christmas craft session will be held on Tuesday 6th December.
We recently visited the University of South Wales to take part in filming scenarios based on patient experiences and consent. Our volunteer Natalie loved being filmed, and we would like to thank Martin and the team for giving us the opportunity to be involved.
Caerphilly People First would like to thank Amanda Jones and the team from The Parent Network for a lovely afternoon celebrating the launch of the fantastic new Petra book, Slap Happy Monsters (Angenfilod Anghyfrifol in Welsh). On March 21st 2022, it became illegal to physically punish children in Wales. The story in the book raises the issue of physical force in a way that allows for questions and discussion. Well done to all the staff and volunteers who worked on the book – it really is amazing and thought-provoking.
Caerphilly People First would like to thank Rachel and the Team from Groundwork Wales for another great workshop. This week (week 7) we planted sweet peas, and parsley and thyme. The group finished the session by digging up some new potatoes, which they will take home and cook.
Members recently enjoyed a great Halloween event at Fleur de Lys Community Centre in Blackwood. The event was organised by our volunteers, who did a fantastic job while looking amazing in their costumes. The team also did a great job of carving their pumpkins. Thanks to everyone who took part – it was great to see everyone having fun together.
Last week members visited Pencoed Fach Organic Farm where we had a great time looking at the stalls, pumpkins, and farm animals, including chickens, pigs, and cows. Don’t forget when you dispose your pumpkins to think of our wildlife. Lots of different animals can eat pumpkins and it’s a great idea to pop them outside after they’ve had their Halloween use. Squirrels, birds, foxes and even badgers can eat pumpkins.
The most recent gardening workshop with Rachel and the team from Groundwork Wales was another great success. We transplanted raspberries and grapes from cuttings. Transplanting raspberries is really easy to do. The best time of year to transplant red raspberry plants is in early spring (before the leaves start to sprout) or late autumn (after the leaves have fallen), when the plants are dormant. We look forward to the remaining two weeks of this eight-week course.
The team at Caerphilly People First recently met with the outreach team from Autistic Minds to discuss the skills courses they have on offer. Our members decided that they would like to learn more about living skills such as: cooking, shopping, cleaning, budgeting money, understanding bills, and many more. The group will be taking part in these skills workshops in the near future, and they are open to all who are interested.
