Category Archives: News

Annual Health Checks

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We recently received a visit from Clare and Tracy from the primary care learning disability nursing liaison team. They stopped by to talk about annual health checks and gave us some information about who’s eligible to receive one, and how we can book.

We look forward to seeing you both again on July 30th and can wait to have a look at and try out some of the equipment they use at the Doctors.

An annual health check for adults with learning disabilities is a comprehensive assessment designed to identify and address health issues that may be overlooked or unmanaged in this population. The aim is to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Here are the key components:

  1. Physical Health Assessment
  2. Medical History Review
  3. Mental Health Evaluation
  4. Lifestyle and Preventive Health
  5. Social and Environmental Factors
  6. Communication Needs
  7. Care Planning

These checks are typically conducted by a general practitioner (GP) or a nurse, often in collaboration with other healthcare professionals familiar with the needs of people with learning disabilities. The goal is to provide holistic care that addresses both physical and mental health needs, ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities receive appropriate and timely healthcare.

Reconnect Through Music

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Caerphilly People First members had a fantastic time at their most recent music session with Dan from RecRock. The room was filled with energy and enthusiasm as everyone gathered to participate. Dan’s engaging style and musical expertise brought out the best in each member, encouraging them to sing their hearts out. The session included a mix of popular songs from artists like Celine Dion, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Kylie Minogue, Queen, and many more, creating an inclusive and enjoyable atmosphere. Thank you to the Libanus Lifestyle Chapel team for providing hot dogs for lunch; they were enjoyed by all. Next week, unfortunately, is our last session for the summer, but we will have a blast for our final get-together. Please come in fancy dress if you like, as we will have some party songs and party food.

Recrock at the Cwtsh Community Event

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Yesterday we held our RecRock session at Oxford House in Risca, at the Cwtsh Community Wellbeing event. The garden was the perfect setting for our members to sing their favourite songs and have a dance. We also got to make fruit kebabs with Multiply Caerphilly, and have festival make-up and hair done. Next week, we will be back at Libanus Lifestyle Chapel on Wednesday from 10:30am until 12:30pm.

Relationship Course

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Last week Ffion Poole delivered the final part of her relationship course at Oxford House. The last session focused on human rights. We discussed the barriers people face when it comes to relationships, our right to have relationships, and we also talked about fairness, equality, and respect. Well done to everyone who attended the sessions. Your input and views were great to hear, and we’ve all learned something new over the past few weeks.

Learning Disability Event

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As part of Learning Disability week 2024 Caerphilly People First volunteers recently attended a Learning Disability event at the Civic Centre in Pontypool. They shared their opinions and experiences about going out with friends and the barriers they face. They also talked about having paid employment and what their ideal job would be, with Gethin saying he would like to be a train driver. Additionally, they discussed their rights, emphasising their right to live happily in the community, the right to love, and the right to make their own choices. Working with all the feedback will ensure service providers hear our voice and work together to improve things for our future.

MIRROR Award Winner Ffion Poole

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Congratulations to member and Executive Assistant Ffion Poole for winning the MIRROR Rights Award at last week’s All Wales People First AdFest conference, for running her relationship courses for adults with learning disabilities. During the past year Ffion has delivered her training to over 50 people, covering topics such as:

What makes a good friend and a bad friend. How to make friends and avoid arguments.
What makes a good boyfriend/girlfriend, and how you might begin a relationship.
Understanding your body.
‘My body, my choice’.
Sex education.
LGBTQIA+.
The rights you should have in a relationship.

Some of the feedback she has received as a result of these sessions include:

‘I’ve learned how to go about making friends, and now I know the signs of a bad friendship’.
‘I know about safe sex now, and I also understand my body more’.
‘I have learned what makes a good friend and I will try to be a better friend in the future’.

Ffion has done an amazing job informing people of their rights, and her work has been really important and helpful to people with learning disabilities.