✨ What a fantastic afternoon at our Stretch, Connect and Belong yoga session yesterday! ✨🧘♂️ A huge thank you to Lisa for another fun-filled session! 💜 We enjoyed plenty of giggles 😄, gentle stretching 🤸♀️, and used yoga cards to practise different breathing exercises 🌬️ and yoga poses 🧘.
Everyone joined in brilliantly and did an amazing job! 🌟 It was wonderful to see everyone relaxing, connecting, and having fun together. 💕😊 Of course, we finished the session with a lovely cuppa ☕ and a chat 🗣️, which is always a great way to end the afternoon. Well done everyone – we can’t wait to do it all again next week! 🎉💜
Ffion and Amy recently delivered lived experience training down at the University of South Wales 🎓✨ They did an amazing job sharing their personal experiences and helping students understand the importance of listening, communication, and treating people with respect and dignity 💙
Amy spoke about her experience with paramedics and going into hospital with a chest infection, while Ffion shared her experience following her knee accident and having Bell’s Palsy. The ladies also shared the experience of our volunteer Gethin and his annual health check 🩺 These real-life stories make such a difference and help future professionals learn directly from people with lived experience 🙌 Well done Ffion and Amy, you represented Caerphilly People First brilliantly 👏😊 Thank you to everyone at USW for having us — we always enjoy working together!
✨ This morning we were joined by Clair, Leah and John from the Primary Care Learning Disability Health Team for the official launch of the Annual Health Check video we’ve been working on together! 🎥💙
We talked about what an Annual Health Check is — a free check-up offered every year to people with a learning disability to help them stay healthy, spot any concerns early, and make sure they get the right support from their GP 👍🩺
The new video will now be used to train doctors, helping them understand how to make health checks easier, clearer and more accessible for everyone 👏
A huge thank you to the team for the delicious pastries and juice 🥐🧃 Everyone who took part received a voucher and certificate for the fantastic job they did featuring in the promotional video 🎉🎖️ We’re proud of everyone involved and we’re already looking forward to working together again in the future 🤝✨
Yesterday we visited the University of South Wales for another brilliant session with the TRAC team.
🎭 Hannah took on the role of Geraldine, who is non-verbal, has a learning disability and Williams syndrome. 🧡 Christy played the role of Geraldine’s support staff. 💥 Nat played a patient who had a fit and knocked herself out, bruising and cutting her head.
The students were amazing! 👏 They asked thoughtful questions about the best ways to communicate with someone who is non-verbal and explored what medical checks and support Geraldine would need for her constipation. They also worked brilliantly as a team supporting Nat’s scenario. The feedback was fantastic — it’s wonderful that TRAC students get the chance to teach, share real-life experiences, and help future nurses learn in such a meaningful way. 🌟 Well done everyone! 🌟
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! 🎨💖
Friday’s session was all about midwifery 👩⚕️💛 Ffion played the role of someone who was 9 weeks pregnant and did a fantastic job in her role. Christy played her mam, and the student nurses interacted brilliantly — speaking directly to Ffion, explaining everything clearly, and taking their time.
We also had a Learning Disability Nurse on hand 👩⚕️💙 who clarified things with Ffion and offered easy-read information, making sure she understood everything in a way that suited her needs. LD nurses are so important, especially when someone with a learning disability is pregnant. All fields of nursing should practice the same approach — clear communication, patience, and respect. It makes a huge difference. ❤️
Meanwhile, Gethin and Nat had just come home from the hospital with their new baby 👶🍼 And yes… believe it or not… they didn’t bicker for a change! 🤣 They were absolutely hilarious and kept everyone laughing.
A huge well done to everyone — our TRAC members and the students. ⭐ We’re already looking forward to the next session and working with you all again soon! 🙌💛
Today’s Reconnect Through Music session was an absolute hit! The room was packed with energy, smiles, and incredible talent. 😄🙌 The atmosphere was buzzing from start to finish, with everyone joining in, singing along, and enjoying the chance to reconnect through the power of music. 🎶💛
A total of 27 songs were performed today! 🌟 Here are some of the great performances we enjoyed:
Matilda delivered a stunning version of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman 🎪✨ Ffion & Amy brought the fun with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 💃🎉 Anthony gave a heartfelt performance of Perfect by Ed Sheeran ❤️🎸 Natalie lit up the room with Murder on the Dancefloor 💃🔊 Ben, our new member, wowed everyone with Cold Heart by Dua Lipa 🎧💙 Theresa got everyone singing along to Wonderwall 🎸🎶 Adrian rocked the classic Return to Sender 📬🎤 Susan charmed the room with Take Me Home, Country Roads 🌄🛣️ Sean brought festive cheer with Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens 🎄🎅🎵
The group enjoyed delicious pizza prepared by Christy and Cheryl — thank you both! 🍕❤️ It added to the warm and friendly atmosphere that everyone felt.
Feedback was glowing! ✨
Helen said it was a happy atmosphere and that everyone interacted so well. 😊🤝 Moira shared that she really enjoyed everything. 💛 Vicky especially loved the dancing and socialising. 💃🕺🎉
It’s clear that today’s session brought people together in the best possible way. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and made today so special. Your energy, positivity, and talent created a wonderful day for all. 🌟💖 Also a big thanks to the Moondance Foundation for funding these sessions – they make a huge difference to our members. Here’s to many more sessions filled with music, laughter, and connection! 🎵😊✨
Yesterday our members enjoyed another fantastic craft session with Deb and Louise from Multiply. They had a brilliant time designing their own Christmas trees and making festive decorations. 🎨🎅✨ Everyone got creative, learned something new, and made beautiful pieces to take home. We love seeing the confidence and smiles these sessions bring! 💚😊 Great work everyone — your Christmas crafts looked amazing! 🎁🌟
🌟 A massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who covered Friday’s Reconnect Through Cookery session! 🌟 The food looked absolutely amazing 😋
Our members prepared peppers, onions, and mushrooms to add to a tasty Mayflower chicken curry 🍛 served with fluffy rice 🍚. We also enjoyed a fun game of bingo 🎉 and a quiz ❓—the room was full of happiness, laughter, and very full tummies! 😄💛
Also, during the session Paula received her certificate and delicious dairy- and gluten-free cake from the learning disability liaison nurses as a thank you for taking part in the annual health check video.
These sessions make such a huge difference to our members, especially on dark winter days ❄️✨. They bring warmth, connection, and a reason to smile. Thank you everyone for making today so special! 💛 We’ll see you all on Wednesday for music 🎶💃🕺
On Friday our members cooked up a delicious cottage pie 😋🥔 and prepared fresh leeks, broccoli, and cauliflower 🥦🥬🌿. Everyone worked together brilliantly and the kitchen smelled amazing!
A HUGE thank you to all our lovely volunteers for helping in the kitchen ❤️, and to our fantastic support staff for running the quiz and bingo 🎉🧩. And a special shout-out to Peter for setting everything up — we appreciate you! 🙌 It was definitely a session to remember 💛
See you all tomorrow for Reconnect Through Music 🎶 and Friday for our Silent Disco Christmas Party 🎧🎄
