Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s music session with Dan from Reckrock, which was so much fun. The group played instruments, had a karaoke session, and recorded a song. These sessions are a great way to build confidence, improve wellbeing, and make new friends. Massive well done to everyone who took part – you all sounded great.
What a fantastic turnout we had for our second cookery session – funded by the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales – which was attended by 24 people! As suggested by Louise last week, we cooked chicken fajitas, which tasted amazing. Massive thanks to everyone who volunteered, and we’ll see you all next week when we’ll be making pizza, as suggested by Amelia.
Here are some of the comments we received from those attending:
Jordan – I enjoyed chopping up the peppers and eating all the biscuits. I had lots of fun.
Louise – It was really positive, and good to feel part of the community.
Amelia – I enjoyed meeting new people and learning to cook. The staff are lovely and helpful.
Adrian – I enjoyed speaking to people and learning new skills.
Audrey – I enjoyed helping to cut the food and having cups of tea. It’s an amazing group.
Mark – I liked getting out and meeting people, and trying something new to eat – I really enjoyed the food.
During yesterday’s Independent Living Skills course run by Austistic Minds we talked about coping techniques and creating a coping skills toolbox. This is a place for you to keep things that calm you down in periods of distress. The group learned about various coping techniques such as self-soothing (comforting yourself using different techniques), distraction (taking your mind off things by doing something that makes you happy), keeping a diary to express your feelings, and meditation. Next week we will be learning more about personal hygiene, including shaving.
Yesterday we enjoyed our third session with Elizabeth from the Islwyn Arts Art and Wellbeing project. The group drew and coloured animals and insects – including butterflies, hedgehogs, wasps and bees – for our nature canvas. We also painted the two canvas backgrounds which we will transfer the animals and insects onto at a later session. #communityempowerment
Great start to our Cookery project last week which has been funded by #ComicRelief Community Fund in Wales! This project will help our local community by encouraging people to eat healthier and become more independent.
We’d like to thank everyone who volunteered on the launch day of the project, particularly Natalie who suggested making leek and potato soup (eaten with a warm baguette), a perfect choice for a cold and frosty day. The food was delicious and the positive feedback from the group was great to hear.
The course continues Friday 27th January at 10.30am at Fleur-de-Lys community centre. You are welcome to book a place on 07940 474640, but hurry because the class is almost full!
We have received £3,000 from the Comic Relief Community Fund in Wales to fund a community group where adults with learning disabilities will come together and learn basic cookery skills, how to use kitchen equipment, and how to prepare a healthy meal. Many of our members have gained weight during the pandemic and want to learn how to cook healthier meals. Some members have told us that they would like to live independently in the future, and would like to learn basic cooking skills to give them to confidence to do so.
The sessions will also make a difference to the lives of our members by giving them the opportunity to socialise in a group environment and make new friends, reducing isolation and loneliness, and improving mental health. We will be holding 13 sessions in total, and they will begin on Friday 20th from 10:30am-2:30pm at Fleur-De-Lys Community Centre. They are free to attend for anyone with a learning disability, and if anyone is interested in attending they can contact Ffion on 07488 350518.
#ComicRelief
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.
Caerphilly People First would like to thank Rachel and the Team from Groundwork Wales for another great workshop. This week (week 7) we planted sweet peas, and parsley and thyme. The group finished the session by digging up some new potatoes, which they will take home and cook.
The team at Caerphilly People First recently met with the outreach team from Autistic Minds to discuss the skills courses they have on offer. Our members decided that they would like to learn more about living skills such as: cooking, shopping, cleaning, budgeting money, understanding bills, and many more. The group will be taking part in these skills workshops in the near future, and they are open to all who are interested.
Hate Crime Awareness week 2022 ran from Sunday 9th to Sunday 16th October. On Thursday 13th October we delivered hate crime training at the Fleur-de-Lys community centre. Ffion, the trainer, talked about:
We also watched some videos produced by Newport People First, showing four people with learning disabilities talking about their experience of hate crime. Ffion ended the session by handing out easy-read leaflets co-produced by Caerphilly People First, which cover many of the topics included in her presentation, and also include useful telephone numbers and website addresses.
