Caerphilly People First would like to say a big thank you to the Lloyds Bank Foundation’s ‘Get Online at Home’ scheme for donating three computers to our organisation.  We would especially like to thank Mike Lewis for informing us about the scheme.  As you can see from the picture, the computers are already up and running and being used by volunteers at the office.

At the beginning of October Ffion Poole, Kath Toms, and Sharon Cochrane – supported by Christy Taylor – delivered communication training to 1st year student nurses at the University of South Wales, Pontypridd.

There were 360 student nurses in the audience, and the training we delivered was about how to understand and talk to someone with a learning disability.  During the training we showed a video of Sharon playing the role of a person with a learning disability who has been admitted to hospital with a chest infection.  The film shows the right and wrong way to communicate with someone with a learning disability.

The students showed great interest and many came to speak to us at the end of the training. We can’t wait to do more training at the University of South Wales in the future.

At the end of July, Ffion Poole and Kath Toms – supported by Christy Taylor – delivered Safeguarding training to advocates and support workers from Person to Person.  Person to Person is an organisation which matches up people with learning disabilities (the partner) to a volunteer member of the community (the citizen advocate).  People with a learning disability can often become socially isolated and extremely vulnerable, and the advocate’s role is to assist their Partner to stand up for their rights and to make sure that their voice is heard.

Everyone who attended enjoyed the training, and got involved and was asking questions.  If anyone is interested in receiving the training we provide they can ring our office on 01443 834444 and ask for Ffion Poole or Christy Taylor.