Tag Archives: Self advocacy

Wellbeing Wednesdays – Reflexology

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Last week, as part of our Wellbeing Wednesdays project, we had our first monthly reflexology session with Emma. Reflexology is a therapeutic technique where pressure is applied to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, which are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. This therapy can be especially beneficial for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, as it helps reduce stress, improve mood, and ease physical tension.

In our session, we focused on the feet, but Emma will also cover hand reflexology in future sessions. Many of our members felt more relaxed and comfortable afterward, and we look forward to the continued benefits of these sessions.

A special thank you to the Gwent Regional Partnership Board for funding our wellbeing project. We have lots more planned over the coming months, including chair yoga sessions, mental health coping strategies, and much more!

Gardening Group

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Yesterday, our volunteers visited TARAGGAN Educational Gardens. The weather turned out to be beautiful, especially compared to the morning. During our time there, we moved plants to the bottle greenhouse, arranged plant pots into sizes and stacked them up, and even had a go at using a wheelbarrow, making the most of the pleasant conditions.

We volunteer every Tuesday morning from 10:30am until 12:00pm. If you would like to get involved, please email enquiries@caerphillypeoplefirst.org

“A Healthy Future for Gwent”

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On August 15th members attended a Co-Production Luncheon to talk about how to make Gwent healthier over the next ten years. The goal was to share ideas and work together to improve health services in the area.

We discussed how different groups can work together to improve healthcare and looked at what needs to be done first to make Gwent healthier. Attendees came up with the following proposals:

  • We need to strengthen relationships between organizations and the community.
  • It’s important to listen to people who use health services and involve them in decisions.
  • Health and social care services should work together to support people better.
  • Focus on preventing health problems before they start, through education and early help.
  • Use technology like telemedicine to improve how we deliver health services.
  • Make sure health services can keep going long-term, with enough funding and resources.
  • Create a plan for involving the community in health decisions.
  • Try out new ways to combine health and social care services.
  • Start more programs to help prevent health problems.
  • Expand the use of technology in healthcare to reach more people.
  • Make a plan for the future to ensure health services are ready for the next ten years.

The luncheon was a great success. We shared many good ideas about how to make Gwent healthier. Now, we need to work together to make these ideas happen. We look forward to seeing you all at the next event.

Panel Discussion with Nursing Students

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Last week TRAC members Ffion, Amy, Natalie, Gethin, and James from Caerphilly People First participated in an important panel discussion with year two learning disability nursing students at the University of South Wales. The session, led by Professor Dr. Steve Walden, provided a platform for TRAC members to share their personal experiences with healthcare services, offering the students a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities.

Each TRAC member shared their own story, detailing both positive and negative experiences within the healthcare system. These real-life examples gave the nursing students a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who have navigated the system, highlighting areas where care was effective and where it fell short.

Both the TRAC members and the students acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still significant room for improvement in how healthcare services are delivered to people with learning disabilities.

Overall, the discussion was both productive and enlightening. Ffion, Amy, Natalie, Gethin, and James did an excellent job of sharing their experiences and helping the students understand the real-world impact of their work. The session was a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and learning from those with lived experience in order to drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Meeting with Rosie from Social Firms Wales

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Yesterday afternoon we met with Rosie Cribb from Social Firms Wales to discuss crucial issues surrounding employment for individuals with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. The meeting focused on understanding the barriers faced by these individuals and exploring the role of Social Firm Wales in supporting their employment needs.

Social Firms Wales is an organisation dedicated to developing and supporting social enterprises across Wales, with a specific focus on creating employment opportunities for individuals who face significant barriers to entering the workforce. During the meeting, Rosie Cribb and the members discussed the specific challenges that individuals with learning and physical disabilities face when seeking employment. These barriers include:

Physical Barriers: Many workplaces are not fully accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.

Attitudinal Barriers: Discrimination and misconceptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities can result in employers being hesitant to hire them.

Learning and Cognitive Barriers: Complex job requirements and a lack of tailored training can make it difficult for individuals with learning disabilities to secure and retain employment.

Social and Communication Barriers: Individuals with disabilities may experience social isolation or communication difficulties in the workplace.

The meeting with Rosie highlighted the importance of Social Firms Wales in addressing these employment barriers through their support of social enterprises. It was lovely to see Rosie, and we’ll see her again soon.

St Fagans & Barry Island Trip

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Caerphilly People First Volunteers had a fantastic day at St Fagans National Museum of History yesterday, learning about Welsh history. They explored historic buildings, traditional crafts, and Welsh cultural practices, experiencing everything from centuries-old homes to beautiful gardens. The day was filled with interactive exhibits and demonstrations, offering a hands-on understanding of Wales’s rich heritage and traditions.

Afterwards, they took a trip to Barry Island to enjoy the sunshine, chips, ice cream, and a few fairground rides. By the time they headed home, there were a few tired volunteers taking a nap on the way back! A huge thank you to Amanda and the Parent Network team for inviting us on the trip. Your kindness and dedication to reaching out to so many families and individuals is truly appreciated.

Crafts

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Thank you to Cheryl and Lucy for the craft session yesterday afternoon. Our members had a fantastic time designing and making keyrings. They looked amazing — well done, everyone.

We won’t have a craft session next Tuesday afternoon. Instead, we will be having a visit from the lovely Rosie Cribb, who will talk to us about jobs and employment. See you all then!

Summer Cookery Party

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Last Friday was the perfect day to hold our summer fiesta! Everyone looked great in their bright, colourful costumes. We had a cowboy, Elvis, a policewoman, a crayon, a cowgirl, a lollipop shirt, a hippie, and many more great outfits. Thank you to Darren for the fantastic disco! Everyone loved dancing to the music and singing along to their favourite tunes.

Thank you to our volunteers for decorating the hall; it looked amazing with our summer-themed props. Our members didn’t prepare any food. Instead, everyone enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, and salad served up by our volunteers, followed by ice cream cones. A big thank you to everyone who helped out in the kitchen and helped clean up! And thank you, Hayley, for doing the raffle.

This project has made a huge difference to so many people. New friendships and relationships have been made, confidence has grown, and people feel less isolated and lonely. We will be taking a break in August for everyone to enjoy their summer holidays. We will see you all on Friday, September 6th.