We recently visited the University of South Wales to take part in filming scenarios based on patient experiences and consent. Our volunteer Natalie loved being filmed, and we would like to thank Martin and the team for giving us the opportunity to be involved.
Caerphilly People First would like to thank Amanda Jones and the team from The Parent Network for a lovely afternoon celebrating the launch of the fantastic new Petra book, Slap Happy Monsters (Angenfilod Anghyfrifol in Welsh). On March 21st 2022, it became illegal to physically punish children in Wales. The story in the book raises the issue of physical force in a way that allows for questions and discussion. Well done to all the staff and volunteers who worked on the book – it really is amazing and thought-provoking.
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.
Members recently enjoyed a great Halloween event at Fleur de Lys Community Centre in Blackwood. The event was organised by our volunteers, who did a fantastic job while looking amazing in their costumes. The team also did a great job of carving their pumpkins. Thanks to everyone who took part – it was great to see everyone having fun together.
Last week members visited Pencoed Fach Organic Farm where we had a great time looking at the stalls, pumpkins, and farm animals, including chickens, pigs, and cows. Don’t forget when you dispose your pumpkins to think of our wildlife. Lots of different animals can eat pumpkins and it’s a great idea to pop them outside after they’ve had their Halloween use. Squirrels, birds, foxes and even badgers can eat pumpkins.
The most recent gardening workshop with Rachel and the team from Groundwork Wales was another great success. We transplanted raspberries and grapes from cuttings. Transplanting raspberries is really easy to do. The best time of year to transplant red raspberry plants is in early spring (before the leaves start to sprout) or late autumn (after the leaves have fallen), when the plants are dormant. We look forward to the remaining two weeks of this eight-week course.
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.
Yesterday we attended our fifth workshop with Groundwork Wales in Pontllanfraith. This week we planted strawberry plants by repotting them into a raised flower bed. We look forward to continuing our work with Groundwork Wales next week. It was very interesting learning how to pot and repot strawberries.
Yesterday the Focus Group was joined by Jeff Cuthbert, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent. Jeff and his team presented certificates of thanks for the feedback we provided in August to help create hate crime awareness leaflets. Jeff also spoke about his role as Commissioner, and asked if any of the group has experienced hate crime.
Jeff wrote about the visit: ‘Today I was delighted to meet with Caerphilly People First. I wanted to thank them for their involvement in helping to create a new easy read leaflet in partnership with my office to make sure people with disabilities are safe. The leaflet provides information on the many types of abuse people with disabilities may face and reinforces the importance of reporting a crime. It offers information on organisations that offer unique support to those with additional needs’.
