Our members had a great morning yesterday blasting out some old classics and floor bangers with RecRock. Thanks to Daniel Fitzgerald, Zac Winwood, and Lexy Gingell.
Singing in a group is good for social bonding, stress relief, physical health, enjoyment, and fun, which is something everyone has at these sessions. Thanks to Libanus for providing lunch. Remember, there’ll be no group next week due to us attending Adfest in Cardiff.
Yesterday our volunteers were at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. Gardening involves physical activities like digging, planting and weeding, which can improve strength and overall fitness. Being outdoors and working in the garden can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
This is a report written by our Head Gardener, Morgan Jones:
When me, Christy, Gethin, Rees, and the twins Chris & Anthony went to TARAGGAN allotments yesterday I could see there was a huge pile of tree bark just inside the gates, which needed scooping up. So all of us, including Kyle Richards & Samantha Sian Price, scooped up the bark and took wheelbarrows full of it to the top end of the allotment. Yet another productive session doing what I love best. Helping out up the gardens, being a Head Gardener.
At yesterday’s crafts session our members made bracelets with Cheryl Smith & Zoe Dummett. Craft sessions are great for learning new skills, making friends, and improving wellbeing. Completing a craft gives a great sense of achievement, boosting self-esteem and confidence!
On Thursday 6th June, Ffion, Natalie and Gethin – supported by Christy – attended Viva Fest in Maerdy, which was organised by Cwm Taff People First. This is an annual festival for adults with learning disabilities, and this year the attractions included a stiltwalker, balloon crafts, a magician, a drumming workshop, arts and crafts, and evening entertainment which included singers and a disco. They also had stalls from different organisations such as Innovate Trust, Llais, the Arts Factory and many more. It was a fantastic day and we were lucky to be blessed with a bit of sunshine.
Caerphilly People First had a great time at our most recent Reconnect through Music session. Our members had fun singing their favourite songs, dancing, and socialising with friends. It was great to see some new faces with fabulous voices!
A big thanks to Daniel Fitzgerald and Zac Winwood from RecRock for running the session – it was fun as always. A special shout-out to Libanus Lifestyle – Wales CIC for providing lunch. Those burgers were delicious! See you again next week from 10:30am until 12:30pm.
At Friday’s cookery session lasagna was on the menu, chosen by Richard. This seems to be a favourite dish for many of our members. Everyone prepared tomatoes, onions, lettuce, spring onions, celery, cucumber, and peppers. Members had a turn at learning how to layer the lasagna and cook it on the hob. Well done, everyone! Lunch was delicious.
Special thanks to all our volunteers – to those who help set up the hall, wash the dishes, serve lunch, clean up, and do the quiz and bingo; you’re all amazing! We’ll see you all next week for pizza.
Here are this week’s activities. We’d love it if you could join us.
On Friday’s menu at our weekly cookery session was Mayflower Chinese chicken curry, served with egg-fried rice, chicken balls, spring rolls, and prawn crackers, chosen by our lovely member, Celine.
Our members and volunteers chopped onions, peppers, and mushrooms, which we added to the curry, and it tasted amazing! Ffion hosted a quiz and bingo to keep everyone entertained while lunch was cooking. Well done to all the winners, and a massive thank you to everyone who worked very hard in the kitchen. On the menu next week is lasagna, chosen by our member, Richard.
Head Gardener, Morgan Jones:
When me, Christy Taylor, Rees Powell, Sophie Morgan and the twins, Chris & Anthony Davies, went up to TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery allotments yesterday morning it was a bit drizzly but it didn’t stop us from working.
At the far left of the allotments, there were loads of wood chippings which needed shifting. So we all took turns shovelling the wood chippings into the wheelbarrow so it could all be taken down to the fruit patch to be evenly spread.
Once we’d finished taking the stuff down to the fruit patch, Kyle & Christy raked the chippings out so that the ground was even. When all of us had cleared tools away, and put the wheelbarrows back it was time to go back to the YMCA for lunch.
Following this Cheryl started her craft session with us. Originally she said we’d be making necklaces, but when Cheryl told us we would also be making wooden bookmarks, I was really pleased because I’m an artistic person. When I had finally finished making a necklace and two bookmarks, I was proud of myself.
Here are this week’s activities. As you can see, there’ll be no music session this week, but there will be a cookery session.
