The group spent the morning volunteering at Taraggan Educational Gardens, where we did some weeding and tidied up a new plot, which is now ready grow some more vegetables and fruit. We then went back to the office and provided feedback on the work that Ffion, Natalie and Sarah are involved in with the University Of South Wales, called ‘Co-producing accessible outcomes for people with Learning Disabilities’. A massive shout out to our Tuesday group, who are all fantastic – it’s lovely to see them all become independent and confident. We’d also like to welcome Gethin, who spent his first day with the group this week, and will be joining us every Tuesday from now on.
On Tuesday 28th June the Caerphilly People First Reconnect Focus Group had another craft session with Cheryl from the Parent Network. We made fairy jars, and some members made bracelets for themselves, friends or family. Thank you Cheryl for another fantastic session.
We’d also like to welcome Sam who has started volunteering with Caerphilly People First. Here are his thoughts on his first session – “I felt that it was really good, I learnt some new skills, for example participating in the allotment project along with the craft session. I feel that my confidence and social interaction are being developed, as I can come across as a shy and quiet person who can get very nervous when meeting new people for the first time. Thank you for your help and support, it’s very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next session.”
If you would like to get involved in the work on the allotments or our craft sessions please contact us on 07488 350518, 01443 834444 or 07940 474640.
This year’s All Wales People First conference, otherwise known as Adfest, was held on 21st and 22nd June in Conwy, North Wales. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Reconnecting’, and ‘celebrating the place of people with learning disabilities in Welsh society’. This was the first in-person Adfest since 2019, and Christy and Ffion attended as representatives of Caerphilly People First.
On day 1 the keynote speech was given by Stuart Todd of the University of South Wales, who talked about the Covid impact study he has carried out. He was followed by Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First, who engaged the group in a session called Devil’s Advocacy. This involved Joe asking questions like ‘should people with learning disabilities be the first to lose their jobs during Covid?’ and inviting attendees to give their views.
Ffion and Christy attended two workshops on day 1: ‘Health and wellbeing’, hosted by Carmarthenshire People First, and ‘Holding on to your rights’, hosted by the British Institute of Human Rights. This was followed by attendees giving feedback from all the workshops being hosted.
After this, it was time to relax. Some people had a swim, some went for a walk, and some just caught up with friends they had met over Zoom during Covid. After sitting down for our meal, the evening ended with a disco hosted by DJ Gerraint, which was great.
The morning of day 2 was spent enjoying the ‘Speakers’ tents’ where various organisations – including Welsh Ambulance Service, Gig Buddies, North Wales Together, Practical Pilates, and the Through our Eyes photography project – gave presentations about the work they do. It was especially great to meet Victoria and Rachel from Gig Buddies, after having only spoken to them previously on Zoom.
Other organisations, such The Ambition Party Project, Rainbow Gogs yr Enfys, Conwy Connect, Improvement Cymru, Cheeky Pants, and Rainbow Gogs yr Enfys, had exhibition stalls where they provided information (and sometimes goodies).
Also on day 2, All Wales People First held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) where members voted on proposed changes. The conference ended with the Mirror Awards, which are presented in celebration of the great work done by self-advocates and groups over the past year. Well done to all the people and organisations who won an award!
It was a brilliant few days away in North Wales and great to be back meeting face-to-face. The Quay hotel, where the conference was held, and where most people stayed, was excellent. The staff was very helpful, the views were beautiful, and the food and the service was outstanding. We can’t wait to see you all next year in South Wales when we’ll do it all again!
As many of you know, Learning Disability Week takes place from Monday 20th June – Sunday 26th June, and this year’s theme is reconnecting with friends and family after COVID. As we will be travelling to North Wales to attend the All Wales People First annual conference next week, we will be unable to hold our Caerphilly People First Reconnect Focus Group. Because of this, members decided to bring the Learning Disability Week activity forward, and reconnected at a craft session delivered by Cheryl from The Parent Network. The group made friendship bracelets and added their own names, or the name of a friend or family member. We had a great session; it was lovely to see members old and new.
Yesterday the focus group, joined by Paul and Sam, spent another great morning volunteering at Taraggan Educational Gardens. Our plot is now full, and our potatoes, leeks and cabbages are ready to grow. If anyone would like to join us we will be back at Taraggan next Tuesday from 10.30 to 12.30.
During the afternoon the focus group popped along to Islwyn coffee shop, formerly known as Springfield day centre. The coffee was amazing and it was lovely to see some familiar faces. This week they have a plant sale on all week, so why not pop along and grab yourself a bargain. The staff looked so professional in their uniforms, and the customer service skills were incredible.
Natalie, Ffion and Sarah were recently joined by Stacey Rees and Edward Oloidi from the University of South Wales to talk about the new project we are going to be involved in – co-producing an accessible outcomes measure based on the HEF (Health Equalities Framework) and Service Development project. The Health Equality Framework is an assessment used in Wales to check on your health and life. The five areas covered in this project are: Where you live and what you do, your health, how you communicate, things that keep you healthy, and support to stay healthy. This is important because people with learning disabilities are more vulnerable to health problems. We are really pleased to be part of this focus group and looking forward to the second part.
The Caerphilly People First Reconnect Focus Group enjoyed another busy Tuesday this week. The day began with our regular visit to the Taraggan educational gardens where we planted potatoes and checked on the progress of our sprouts.
The afternoon was spent hosting the second part of our platinum Jubilee celebrations. We had a great time taking part in a quiz about the Royal Family, playing bingo, and having conversation over tea, sandwiches and scones. Thanks again to United Welsh for funding this activity.
This week the Caerphilly People Reconnect Focus Group was extremely busy. The morning was spent at the TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, where the group planted leeks in their garden plot. We’d like to thank John for helping us with the planting, and Paul and Sam for popping along and giving us a hand.
In the afternoon the group began their Jubilee celebrations with an arts and craft session. This involved sticking Union Jack flags onto a canvas, adding a picture of the Queen’s head, and decorating the canvas with sparkly gems, beads, pearls and buttons etc. We’d like to say a massive thank you to Cheryl from The Parent Network for running the session. This activity – and next week’s activity where we will be having afternoon tea and hosting a quiz about the royal family – was partly funded by United Welsh.
The Focus Group would like to say a massive thank you to staff from the Caerphilly Parent Network who joined the group for this week’s craft session. They taught the group how to make stress balls and decorate them, items which will prove very useful! Everybody had great fun and the Parent Network staff were great, very helpful and interactive. We look forward to undertaking more partnership work with the Parent Network in the future.
Ffion, Natalie and Sophie recently attended an online workshop identifying research priorities for the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre (WCEC). The three went into individual breakout rooms and talked about the general impact of the pandemic and lockdown, and the impact it had on their health. Everyone shared their stories about how they felt at the height of the pandemic, and some people became very emotional. We will be meeting the same time next week for part 2.
