TRAC in Action at the University of South Wales!

Yesterday our amazing TRAC members Amy, Gethin, and Natalie teamed up with maternity student nurses and learning disability nurses for a powerful training session! They took part in realistic scenarios based on being new parents and preparing for the arrival of a baby. The goal? To show how all fields of nursing must work together for the best outcomes.

Communication is key! It’s not just what we say – it’s how we say it. Clear explanations, empathy, and tailored support can make a HUGE difference for parents with learning disabilities. By supporting people properly, we give everyone the chance to become amazing parents and raise their babies in a safe, loving environment. They absolutely loved the day and took away some important lessons!

Massive thanks to our TRAC members, the brilliant nurses, and Stacey and the whole team for making it such a great day! So proud of Amy, Gethin & Natalie; you’re helping change the future – one conversation at a time!

Our Planet Session 2 – Recycle, Reuse, Restore!

Yesterday we had our second Our Planet session with the lovely Kurtis and Sophie from Innovate Trust, which was all about Recycling, Reusing, and Restoring.

We talked about:

How to recycle household items correctly.
Recycling clothes to reduce waste.
Using reusable water bottles and coffee mugs to cut down on plastic.
Saving food by cooking less, freezing leftovers, and avoiding waste.
The benefits of rechargeable batteries – and where to recycle non-rechargeables (most supermarkets that sell them will take them back!)

We also found out there’s lots of helpful recycling info on the Caerphilly Borough website if you’re ever unsure what goes where. A really educational and inspiring session – everyone enjoyed it and learned something new!

One Planet Project – Week 1!

This morning, we kicked off our 4-week One Planet Project with Kurtis, Assistant Project Officer from Innovate Trust, alongside Mared Hughes, Project Officer, who led the session. We had a great discussion about energy – where it comes from, how we use it in our homes, and most importantly, how we can use less energy and save money!

Our members have signed up for the Energy Saving Challenge and will be making small changes that have a big impact, including:

Boiling only the water they need for hot drinks
Switching off lights when not in use
Turning off the tap while brushing teeth & shaving
Making small adjustments to help save the planet

These simple steps help us save water, reduce waste, and cut down on energy bills. We’re excited to welcome Kurtis back next week to learn all about recycling!

Final Session of Relationship Training!

This morning, we wrapped up the final part of our friendship & relationship training with our amazing friends from Torfaen People First! Ffion led the session, covering contraception, identifying body parts, and discussing pregnancy tests and the different types available. We also practiced how to put on a condom and had some great discussions about sex, sex toys, and consent.

It’s been fantastic working with you all over the last few weeks! A huge congratulations to everyone who completed the training and earned their certificates!

Exciting Visit from Transport for Wales!

Yesterday, our focus group had a fantastic visit from Clare, who works for Transport for Wales. She introduced us to the Orange Wallet Scheme, a brilliant tool designed to help people who may need extra support while using public transport. The Orange Wallet contains cards where users can write down their specific needs, making it easier to communicate with railway staff and ensure a smoother journey.

We also had a great discussion about the new trains, who we can ask for passenger assistance at the station, and how to navigate train travel with confidence. To put our learning into action, we’re planning a group trip to Barry when the weather improves! This will be a great opportunity to practice purchasing tickets, boarding, and traveling together while enjoying a fun day out. A huge thank you to Clare for such an informative session!

Human Rights & Relationships

We’ve had another fantastic morning with our friends at Torfaen People First for Week 3 of Relationship Training! Today, Ffion covered an important topic: Human Rights in Relationships & LGBTQI+ Rights.

Human Rights in Relationships:

You have the right to choose who you want to be friends with or in a relationship with.
You deserve respect – no one should hurt, control, or pressure you.
You have the right to say yes or no – no one can force you to do things you don’t want to.
Everyone has the right to love who they want – safely & happily!

What Does LGBTQI+ Mean?

L – Lesbian (women who love women)
G – Gay (men who love men)
B – Bisexual (people who love both men & women)
T – Transgender (people whose gender is different from birth)
Q – Queer or Questioning (people exploring their identity)
I – Intersex (born with a mix of male & female traits) + – Includes non-binary, pansexual & more

LGBTQI+ Rights Matter!

Everyone has the right to be themselves & love who they want.
No one should be treated badly because of who they love or how they identify.
Love is love, and the law protects LGBTQI+ people from discrimination.
Let’s celebrate love, respect, and being our true selves! If you ever feel unsafe or treated unfairly, talk to someone you trust – you are never alone!

Week 2 of Our Relationship Course!

Yesterday, we visited Torfaen People First for the second week of our relationship course. Ffion led a fantastic session on “My Body, Understanding My Body, and Consent.” The group had great conversations and lots of interaction, making it a fun and informative session. Next week, Ffion will be covering contraception and the different types available.

Ffion Leads Relationship Training with Torfaen People First

Yesterday, Ffion spent the morning with Torfaen People First, delivering an engaging Relationship Training session. The group had fantastic discussions about:

What makes a good boyfriend or girlfriend?
What makes a good or bad friend?
How to handle arguments in a healthy way.

Everyone got involved in fun games, watched educational videos, and shared their thoughts — giving brilliant feedback and learning something new. Next week’s session is all about “Understanding Your Body & My Body” — we can’t wait to see you all again!

Learning Disability Awareness Training

Ffion Poole and Amy Jones recently delivered ‘Learning Disability Awareness and Health Care’ training to people from Shared Lives, the Caerphilly Learning Disability Social Worker team, and representatives from Care in the Community. The aim of this course is for people to gain a greater understanding of people with learning disabilities. The feedback we received was great, with comments including “the session was presented very well and information was given clearly”, “very informative, with lots of opportunities to ask questions”, “information given will help me to be a better social worker”, and “it was great that it was being led by people with experience of having learning difficulties”.

Strimmer Training

Well done to our amazing volunteers Gethin and Morgan for attending the Brushcutters and Trimmers training this week! A big thank you to Richard for delivering the training, and to James for providing the PPE. They had a fantastic time, and Gethin especially enjoyed using the strimmer! Huge thanks to Theresa and Dave for hosting us up at Ynys Hywel Farm.