Tag Archives: Self advocacy

Community | Friends | Happy

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Massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped our Reconnect through Cookery session go ahead on Friday while some of us were busy filming! We made it back just in time to enjoy the delicious food.

Our amazing members prepared a healthy salad to go with a yummy sausage pasta bake, topped with cheddar cheese . We also had a fun quiz & bingo session! We welcomed a few new faces and dished up 64 portions – WOW!

A week Friday, we’ll be making pizza, chosen by our lovely member Kirsty – we can’t wait!
See you all Wednesday for music!

Making the Police Crime & Justice Plan More Accessible

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This morning, we worked with Rhian, Communication & Engagement Officer, and her colleague from Gwent OPCC, to review the Gwent Police Crime & Justice Plan (Easy Read version).

We identified difficult words and replaced them with easier ones, and we suggested adding lots of photo symbols to make it clearer. Next week, we’ll help choose the best symbols.

It’s great to be involved in making important information more accessible for everyone!

Day Two of the National Council

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Amy started the morning with a fascinating tour of the Senedd, which she really enjoyed. Next, we had an update from Geraint and the research staff from Cardiff University about a project that will employ adults with learning disabilities to become researchers. We also discussed how we would like to be consulted, with most people preferring face-to-face meetings but also open to using Teams or Zoom.

In the afternoon, we focused on communication with members. We explored ways to improve All Wales People First’s social media and make Talk Back more cost-effective, as printing and posting it is expensive. We also talked about campaigning against the proposed benefit cuts, how they would affect everyone, and what we want to include in our position statement. Members discussed writing to local MPs to voice their concerns.

It’s been an amazing two days – great discussions and lovely to see members from other People First groups! The hotel and food were fantastic, and a big thank you to Jess for organising train tickets and transfers. Also, a huge thanks to all the staff for making the meeting engaging and easy to understand.

Final Session of Relationship Training!

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This morning, we wrapped up the final part of our friendship & relationship training with our amazing friends from Torfaen People First! Ffion led the session, covering contraception, identifying body parts, and discussing pregnancy tests and the different types available. We also practiced how to put on a condom and had some great discussions about sex, sex toys, and consent.

It’s been fantastic working with you all over the last few weeks! A huge congratulations to everyone who completed the training and earned their certificates!

What an incredible Reconnect Through Music session!

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Today our amazing members belted out 23 different songs, filling the room with laughter, dancing, and pure joy! We welcomed lots of new faces and enjoyed a delicious buffet – the atmosphere was absolutely buzzing!

A HUGE THANK YOU to:

Peter the caretaker for all your help
Stu & Nat for hosting an epic karaoke session
Helen & Sharon for doing the register and helping clear up
Cheryl & Zoe for preparing the delicious buffet

See you all in a fortnight – let’s do it all again!

Exciting Visit from Transport for Wales!

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Yesterday, our focus group had a fantastic visit from Clare, who works for Transport for Wales. She introduced us to the Orange Wallet Scheme, a brilliant tool designed to help people who may need extra support while using public transport. The Orange Wallet contains cards where users can write down their specific needs, making it easier to communicate with railway staff and ensure a smoother journey.

We also had a great discussion about the new trains, who we can ask for passenger assistance at the station, and how to navigate train travel with confidence. To put our learning into action, we’re planning a group trip to Barry when the weather improves! This will be a great opportunity to practice purchasing tickets, boarding, and traveling together while enjoying a fun day out. A huge thank you to Clare for such an informative session!

Human Rights & Relationships

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We’ve had another fantastic morning with our friends at Torfaen People First for Week 3 of Relationship Training! Today, Ffion covered an important topic: Human Rights in Relationships & LGBTQI+ Rights.

Human Rights in Relationships:

You have the right to choose who you want to be friends with or in a relationship with.
You deserve respect – no one should hurt, control, or pressure you.
You have the right to say yes or no – no one can force you to do things you don’t want to.
Everyone has the right to love who they want – safely & happily!

What Does LGBTQI+ Mean?

L – Lesbian (women who love women)
G – Gay (men who love men)
B – Bisexual (people who love both men & women)
T – Transgender (people whose gender is different from birth)
Q – Queer or Questioning (people exploring their identity)
I – Intersex (born with a mix of male & female traits) + – Includes non-binary, pansexual & more

LGBTQI+ Rights Matter!

Everyone has the right to be themselves & love who they want.
No one should be treated badly because of who they love or how they identify.
Love is love, and the law protects LGBTQI+ people from discrimination.
Let’s celebrate love, respect, and being our true selves! If you ever feel unsafe or treated unfairly, talk to someone you trust – you are never alone!

Another Amazing Morning at Reconnect Through Music!

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Yesterday’s morning session was a full house once again – new faces, incredible singing, and plenty of dancing! And, of course, we all enjoyed some delicious chip butties to keep us going!

A huge thank you to Belle – it’s been wonderful working with you over the past few weeks! Next week, our members will be running the karaoke session, so get ready for another morning of music, laughter, and friendship. We can’t wait to see you all there – same time, same place, more fun!

Crafty Creations & Bingo Fun!

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Yesterday, our members got creative, making wooden plaques for their bedroom doors and beautiful spring wreaths to brighten up their homes. We also had a blast playing bingo with the Multiply group at Bargoed YMCA — lots of laughs, friendly competition, and maybe even a few lucky winners!

That wraps up our craft sessions for now, but don’t worry, we’re back next week at 10:30am to chat about travel training on the train! If you fancy joining in, feel free to pop along. See you there!

Reconnect Through Cookery – 62 Strong!

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Wow, what a fantastic cookery session we had on Friday! We had 62 of our amazing members join us for a delicious feast of curry and chips with a side of garlic bread – all prepped by our wonderful members, who chopped up onions, peppers, and mushrooms like pros.

A massive THANK YOU to all our volunteers and support staff for running the bingo and quiz, for keeping the energy high, and making sure everything ran smoothly. And a special shoutout to Anthony and Delyth for clearing up – we appreciate you!

We also welcomed a new member, Dan, who had a brilliant time and can’t wait to come back next week. Next week, it’s chicken burgers, fries, and a fresh, healthy salad – all prepped by our amazing members.

Community groups like Reconnect Through Cookery are more than just about food – they help reduce isolation, build friendships, boost confidence, and create opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to learn new skills in a fun and supportive space. See you all next week!