Tag Archives: Learning Disability

Multiply Health Project

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This report was written by Caerphilly People First member Morgan Jones:

This week, as part of our work with the Multiply ‘Skills for Life’ project, Bryan Hayter from Caerphilly Adventures visited us to talk to the group about our health, ways to stay healthy, and where the group will be walking next Tuesday. He handed us an orienteering map, showing the Sirhowy Valley, where we will be doing our walk.

He was followed by Rebecca from Multiply talking to us about healthy foods. She showed us a picture of the ‘Eatwell’ plate and the types of foods we should eat and types of foods we should avoid in order to keep our weight down and stay healthy. The group then measured our height and got on the scales to see how much we weigh.

University of South Wales Training Exercise

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Last week our volunteers Natalie King and Amy Jones took part in a simulation exercise at the University of South Wales, the aim of which was to train midwifery students and learning disability student nurses.

Nat played the role of a pregnant female, who is visited in her flat by a midwife, and Amy played the role of a female who giving birth on a labour ward. Nat also played the role of a mother who has given birth to her child, is caring for her along with her partner Darren, and is visited by a midwife and a learning disability nurse

People with learning disabilities are increasingly likely to become parents, and are entitled to have access to the right support to do this. The students did an amazing job, and we hope that the knowledge they gained during the training exercise will improve the care and treatment people with learning disabilities receive in the future.

Reconnect through Cookery

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Thirty-five people attend our cookery session last Friday, when attendees made cheese pie. Members peeled the potatoes for the pie (to which we added crispy bacon bits), and prepped cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and carrots to serve on the side.

Whilst dinner was cooking Ffion hosted the quiz and bingo, which everybody enjoyed. Thank you to everyone who volunteered – you worked very hard as always. Next week we will be making lasagne, chosen by the lovely twin sisters Elizabeth & Christine.

Reconnect Through Music

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Yesterday saw the launch of our weekly music group, Reconnect through Music, run by RecRock. The aim of the project is to create a sense of belonging between individuals who are isolated, lonely, stressed or feeling low in mood.

We kicked off the session with introductions from members old and new, and shared our favourite songs, artists and genres. Following this our members almost blew the roof off the little chapel on the hill in Libanus Lifestyle Centre in Blackwood, with their singing, dancing and instrument playing.

We ended the session with lots of conversation, lunch and new friendships made. Well done to everyone who attended and travelled independently – we know it was a massive step for you.

Relationship Course

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On Monday 15th January Ffion Poole delivered her relationship course to the learners at Oxford House Community Education Centre in Risca. We spoke about what makes a good and bad friend, and how to make friends. It was lovely to see faces old and new, and our next session will be held on Monday 22nd January when we will continue to talk about friendships. If you would like Ffion to deliver this relationship course, please contact her on 07488 350518 or email her at ffion@caerphillypeoplefirst.org

Skills for Life with Multiply

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This report was written by Caerphilly People First member Morgan Jones:

Whilst I was in Caerphilly People First yesterday, some people from an organisation called ‘Multiply’ came to talk to me and my CPF buddies about their Skills for Life project and how to calculate our calorie intake and log our daily steps.

To do this we put a watch on our wrist that monitors our steps, and how many calories we’ve burnt whilst walking. When we got back to the office we all recorded how many steps we did on our walk, and the group managed 6,500 steps each.

Reconnect Through Cookery

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It was lovely to see the cookery group back together last Friday, and to hear about everyone’s Christmas. On the menu was potato waffle cottage pie, fresh vegetables and gravy.

We made the filling for the pie in a large pan, and heated a small amount of oil on a low heat. We then added onions and mushrooms and cooked them for about 10 minutes before adding the mince, beef stock and tomato purée. We cooked the filling for about 30 minutes then transferred it to an oven-proof dish and topped it off with waffles and cheese. Our members prepared broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and carrots to serve with the cottage pie.

Everyone did a great job as always, and the food tasted delicious. Thank you to Rees and Connor for helping out in the kitchen on the pots and pans, and to Cheryl and Zoe for volunteering – you are all amazing. Next week we will be making a budget-friendly family classic: cheese and potato pie with fresh vegetables.

Counting Your Way to Health

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Yesterday we started the ‘Counting Your Way to Good Health’ programme with the Skills for Life Multiply project. We talked about health, what might affect your health, and how to improve your health. The top three answers the group gave to the last question were diet, exercise, and environment. The group then took part in an icebreaker exercise where they went through the alphabet and listed something to do with health and wellbeing for every letter.

The group were given a fitness tracker each, which they will use to track how many steps they take, with the aim being to reach 10,000 steps per day.

The World Health Organisation says that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and the enjoyment of the highest standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.

Reconnect through Cookery

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At Friday’s Reconnect through Cookery session members made coleslaw to go with jacket potatoes. The group chopped cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced onions, which they added to mayonnaise to make the coleslaw. They also prepared a healthy side salad.

There was plenty of other choice for the jacket potato fillings. Some members opted for tuna, sweetcorn and mayo, while others chose bolognaise, or cheese and beans.

Thank you to all our volunteers for working so hard, and to Jenna for hosting the quiz and bingo. The feedback was great as always; it’s lovely to hear how everyone enjoys coming together to learn new skills and reconnect with friends.

Christmas Crafts and Party

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Yesterday was our final crafts session of 2023, during which the group made Christmas decorations. Thank you to Cheryl and Zoe from the Parent Network Community Forum for sharing their crafting skills throughout the year – they have assisted the group in crafting some great personalised keepsake. Our sessions have brought individuals out of isolation and loneliness, created new friendships and improved mental health, and we’re looking forward to seeing what everyone crafts next year.

Following the craft session, we held our office Christmas party, when the group enjoyed some delicious food and cake, and were visited by Santa who handed out selection boxes to everyone.