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! 🎨💖
Today’s Reconnect Through Music session was another brilliant get-together! 🌟 The room was filled with singing and friendship as our talented members performed an amazing 25 songs. Everyone showed confidence, enthusiasm, and joy — it was a day to remember. 🎶💫 Every performer gave it their all, and the support from the audience made it even more special. 👏🎤✨
Our members gave some incredible performances that had everyone smiling and clapping along:
🎙️ Natalie sang Why by Annie Lennox — such emotion and power! 🌈 Matilda brought energy and confidence with Naughty from Matilda the Musical. ❤️ Mandy gave a beautiful version of If You Don’t Know Me by Now by Simply Red. 💰 Adrian had us all moving with Money, Money, Money by ABBA. 🔥 Theresa performed Eternal Flame by The Bangles. 💞 Anthony sang What About Us by Champaign and wowed everyone. ☀️ Ellysia lifted the room with Mr. Blue Sky by ELO.
A big thank you to Christy, Cheryl, and Helen for preparing the delicious sandwiches and sausage rolls. 🥪🌭 We received some lovely feedback from those who attended:
🎧 Jason said he loved the music and singing. 💬 Vicky shared that she enjoyed mixing with people. 🤝 Rebecca said she loved meeting up with everyone again. 🗣️ Rachel enjoyed talking with new friends. 🌟 Anthony said it was an excellent day. 💪 Judith said the session helped build her confidence.
It was wonderful to see how much these sessions mean to everyone — not just for the music, but for the chance to connect, make friends, and feel part of something special. 💞🎶Today reminded us why these sessions matter so much — music brings people together, builds confidence, and fills the room with joy. 💖 A huge well done to everyone who took part, helped out, and made the day unforgettable. 🥰
On Friday we cooked up an amazing feast! 😋 Our members made sausage bake, tuna bake, and ham & cheese – all served with warm garlic bread 🥖🧄 and a lovely fresh salad 🥗 prepared by our fantastic team. We had tomatoes 🍅, lettuce 🥬, cucumber 🥒, red onion 🧅 and spring onions – absolutely delicious!
A huge thank you to Mark, Rees, Nat, and everyone who worked hard in the kitchen 👏 Big shoutout to Sarah for doing the quiz and helping to serve lunch 🧠🍽️ and Ffion for sorting the register ✅ We all had a brilliant day eating, chatting, and socialising together 💛 See you all Wednesday for Reconnect Through Music 🎶💃🕺
Last week we had an online TRAC meeting with Stacey Rees and friends from Cwm Taff People First. It was lovely to see everyone. 💻❤️
What we talked about:
Training and research. 📚🔍Some members will be trained and paid to become researchers. 💷🧑🔬 TRAC members will teach Year 1, 2 and 3 students. 👩⚕️👨⚕️🎓 Teaching will happen in the simulation suite at USW. 🏥➡️🎓 Students will practise real life situations. This gives them hands-on experience. 🤝🩺 Why this matters: It helps students learn from real lived experience. 🗣️❤️ It makes learning more realistic and safe. ✅ LD nurses are very important. They keep people safe teaching them helps them to learn how to give the right care. 👩⚕️🧑⚕️💙 People with lived experience teach students things you can’t read in a book. 📘❌➡️✅
Big thanks to members who joined the meeting. Well done! 👏🎉
Today at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens we planted garlic 🧄 and onions 🧅! It was lovely to see Kyle and Sam, and a big thank you for teaching us and sharing your knowledge. 💚
Gardening has so many benefits – it helps us learn new skills, enjoy the fresh air, keep active, and connect with nature 🌿☀️. Most of all, it brings people together and makes us feel part of something special. 🌸 Thanks again to Kyle and Sam – we can’t wait to watch everything grow! 🌱👩🌾👨🌾
On Friday, our members came together to make a delicious pasta bake.
🧅 They carefully prepared the onions 🥗 Added a fresh salad on the side 👨🍳 And everyone worked together to create a meal full of flavour and teamwork!
After the cooking, members enjoyed a fun quiz 🏆 which brought lots of laughter and learning.
💖 Thanks to Our volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you! Your support makes these sessions smooth and enjoyable. 🙌
📢 Our next cookery session will be held on 📅 Friday, 26th September, so bring your energy, smiles, and enthusiasm! ✨ We look forward to seeing you all then!
Amy Jones – supported by Ffion Poole – recently attended the All Wales People First National Council meeting at The Grand Hotel in Swansea. After introductions, the first agenda item was to go through the minutes of the last meeting. Next came the Chief Executive’s Report during which, in Joe Powell’s absence, Kurtis gave an update on LD Mag.
National Council reps then spoke about national actions, during which Amy provided feedback we have received from our members. Amy said that our members would like longer GP appointments, easy read letters from their doctors, and more annual health checks for people with learning disabilities. She also shared that our members said there needs to be more support in mental health services for adults with mental health issues, as well as people with learning disabilities.
Kelly then gave a communication update and said All Wales People First are in the process of making updates to how Talkback is distributed to members. We also spoke about the WhatsApp group for National Council reps, and came up with some rules the reps had to agree on.
After lunch Tracey shared the draft manifesto that All Wales People First has been putting together, and members shared their experiences with Direct Payments, and answered some questions from a consultation document about Direct Payments. It was a really interesting meeting and it was lovely to see everyone!
Last week we enjoyed a lovely walk around Pen y Fan Pond and spotted lots of fish and wildlife 🦆🦋. Afterwards, we visited a gorgeous little hidden gem right opposite – Fferm Gelli Camping Site 🏕✨. We got to feed the friendly alpaca 🦙 (Jack) and Gethin made friends with the horses 🐴… well, one loved him so much it gave him a little nibble 😅💛. This beautiful spot is home to ducks 🦆, chickens 🐓, rabbits 🐇, and many other adorable animals 🐾. 🌟 Such a lovely day filled with nature, fresh air, and furry friends!
On Friday we kept it fresh and tasty! Our amazing members prepared a colourful salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, spring onions, radish, and lettuce 🥒🍅🧅🥬— then made their own wraps with cheese, ham, chicken, or a bit of everything! 😋🌯 👏 A huge thank you to our fantastic volunteers for all your help, to Ffion for the brilliant quiz 🧠🎉, and to Pete the caretaker for setting everything up — you’re a legend! ⭐🛠️ A big welcome to our new member Rachael — it was lovely to have you join us today, and we can’t wait to see you again! 😊💚 🎶 We’ll see everyone on Wednesday for Reconnect Through Music — get ready to sing, dance, and have a great time! 🎤💃🕺
