Tag Archives: Learning Disability

Gardening

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Finally, after weeks of rain, this week we had the perfect weather to work on our plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. Volunteers Sam Evans and Gethin Chamberlain planted mixed beetroot, which will grow into a mixture of colours – red, white gold, and the unusual pink ringed chioggia, giving a variety of flavours for salads.

Caerphilly People First Volunteers are at TARAGGAN every Tuesday morning from 10.30 until 12.30. Working outdoors is great for your well-being and mental health, so if you would like to join our gardening team, please get in touch.

Cookery

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Lisa’s choice of chicken curry at last week’s cookery session was enjoyed by everyone. Luke, Richard, and Jordan did a fantastic job making the curries, and congratulations to the quiz and raffle winners – it was lovely to see everyone having fun. We’d like to thank all our volunteers, who always do an amazing job.

As it’s good Friday next week, there will be no class, so we will see you all on April 14th when Paula has chosen to make toad in the hole, mash and veg. See you all then, and have a great Easter.

Annual General Meeting

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Yesterday Caerphilly People First held our AGM (Annual General Meeting) for 2023. At the meeting we went through a summary of the annual trustees’ report for 2021-2022, which details all the activities we took part in during that financial year, as well as looking at a summary of the financial report for the same period, explaining what we have spent our money on, and who has funded us.

Also at the AGM we elected a new Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Treasurer. After each nominee gave a speech on why they thought they should be given the roles, the nominees left the room and the rest of the group voted for who they thought should be elected. The result was that Sophie Morgan was elected Chairperson, Natalie King was elected Vice Chairperson, and Ffion Poole was elected Treasurer. The ladies will be in post for three years and we’d like to wish them all the best in their new roles – we know they’ll do an excellent job.

Cookery

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At Friday’s cookery session, Gareth chose to make lasagne – sheets of pasta floating in a lean beef bolognaise and cheese sauce, served with vegetables and garlic bread as side dishes. Our members and volunteers helped prep the vegetables, bolognaise and lasagne ready for cooking, and the end results tasted amazing – well done everyone.

Thanks to Amy Jones and Ffion Poole who ran the quiz whilst we waited for the lasagne to cook, and thanks to Tracy Tregaskis, Sam Evans, and Cheryl Smith for volunteering in the kitchen – you all worked so hard. Next week, Lisa has chosen to make chicken curry and rice.

Mindfulness

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Thank you, Dr Andrew Lewis, for our mindfulness session this week, where we learned about mindful eating. Chocolate meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation where a piece of chocolate is used as a focal point for all the senses. You hear the wrapper and smell, feel, see, and taste the chocolate as part of the practice. Mindfulness meditation trains the mind to focus and stay in the present. Of course, we all enjoyed the chocolate! In two weeks’ time, we are looking forward to a walking mindfulness session.

Warm Spaces – Reconnect through Breakfast

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Thank you to Sophie Morgan and Tracy Tregaskis, for volunteering at last week’s Reconnect through Breakfast session at Rhymney Community Centre. This is an initiative funded by Bute Energy and Cwtsh which aims to provide a warm space and free breakfast for people. The ladies did a fantastic job serving crumpets, toast, croissants, and teas and coffees.  We will be back at the centre on Thursday 23rd March from 9:30 – 11:30am, so join us if you can.

Cookery Session

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At last Friday’s cookery session Caerphilly People First members made tuna pasta bake and prepared a fresh salad. Thanks to Sam Evans for the suggestion – it was definitely a thumbs up and tasted delicious. It was great to see everyone coming together, preparing a healthy meal, socialising and, most of all, having fun. Jordan did a great job taking photos and captured some great shots. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, you were amazing as always. Gareth has chosen to make lasagne, veg and garlic bread next week.  See you all then!

Mindfulness

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Thank you, Andrew, for our fourth mindfulness session this week.  Once again we learned how deal with anxious feelings, and how to relax.  We talked about how animals and children live in the moment – the key to this is to pay attention to what is occurring in the present moment by observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise.  Next week, we will be practising mindful eating with Andrew.  Please contact Caerphilly People First if you would like to join the session.