Yesterday we began our 5 week art course with Elizabeth from Islwyn Arts. The team decided to produce one big artwork which everyone will contribute to rather than individual pieces of art. The group wanted the theme of the art to be nature, and we all drew things associated with nature (birds, flowers, butterflies), which Elizabeth will scan and use for the final artwork. We all really enjoyed expressing ourselves and can’t wait for the other sessions.
Also yesterday we were joined by Victoria and Jo from Autistic Minds who delivered Independent Living Skills (ILS) training to the group. We spoke about confidence, and were asked to point out things we are confident and not confident about, and need assistance with. This is a six week course and we’re really excited to learn more.
This week we made our final visit of the year to TARAGGAN (Tenants and Residents Association Green Gym and Nursery) Educational Gardens & Nursery in Gilfach. We’d like to thank John for all his help and for teaching us so many new skills; we really appreciate it. The project restarts in February 2023, and if anyone would like to join us then, please email enquiries@caerphillypeoplefirst.org
Thank you to Cheryl Smith from The Parent Network Community Forum for a great afternoon of Christmas Crafts this week. It was lovely to see some new members joining us, as well as our usual group. Our Craft workshops are a great way to learn new skills, reduce isolation and loneliness, and make new friends. Please follow Caerphilly People First on Facebook if you’d like to learn about future events and workshops.
Over the last couple of years Caerphilly Council has been asking residents which council services are most important to them, and which areas they feel the council should prioritise. This week Caerphilly People First members joined the conversation when they gave their views on what is important to them. You can have your say by completing the online survey at:
At the beginning of December, Ffion, Nat, Hannah and Amy – supported by Christy – attended the ‘Showing Resilience Through the COVID 19 Pandemic’ conference at the University Of South Wales. Jenny from Cwm Taff People First opened the conference by sharing the agenda for the day. She was followed by Edward Oloidi from the University of South Wales who talked about the COVID research he did during the pandemic.
Caerphilly People First members Ffion, Amy, Nat and Hannah spoke individually about their experiences of COVID, including vaccines, lockdown and coming out of lockdown. They were followed by student nurses Laurie Wood and Jade Savage who talked about working in a vaccine centre. Attendees then took part in workshops titled ‘Living with COVID’ and ‘Loss & Bereavement’ (the latter was facilitated by Caerphilly People First). We then headed back into the main conference area where Cwm Taff People First talked about their work on the Health Champions project. Attendeed then took part in another workshop, where they talked about ‘What is good health care? What can I expect from health services? and How can I keep myself healthy?’
After lunch we headed back into the main conference area where Cwm Taff People First showed their ‘My Day My Way’ film and Ffion talked about the Caerphilly People First Reconnect Focus Group which we run every Tuesday. The last workshop of the day was called ‘Hopes & Dreams for the Future’. The event closed with Martin and Sarah from the University Of Wales talking about the project they have recently been involved in with TRAC members. It was an amazing day and we were glad to be part of it.
On Thursday 24th November 2022, Ffion, Christy and Sam attended the launch of the Through Our Eyes project at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Through Our Eyes shares the stories of people with learning disabilities in Wales through photographs and videos which challenge perceptions and stereotypes by highlighting the valued roles and activities of people with learning disabilities in our communities.
The welcome address and keynote speech was given by First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS. Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First, then talked about the importance of the exhibition, and Lucy Hinksman, the project worker and project photographer gave a speech on her experiences of going out to different groups to take photos. This exhibition will be in the Senedd until February 4th 2023, and is open to the public Monday to Friday 9.30-4.30, Saturday & Bank hols 10.30-4.30, and closed on Sundays. We feel it’s important for people to visit this brilliant exhibition to see the many activities being undertaken by people with learning disabilities.
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.
