On Thursday 25th July 2019, Ffion Poole, Sharon Cochrane, and Kath Toms, supported by Christy Taylor, visited the Welsh Ambulance Service in Swansea to help them create an easy-read leaflet on how to do CPR and use a Defibrillator. We also had the opportunity to use a dummy to practice how to to CPR and also use a defibrililator. We had a great day, and after all the hard work Jason, one of the paramedics, let us have a go in the ambulance car. We can’t wait for the next visit.
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.
In July Caerphilly People First members visited Springfield centre in Pontllanfraith where they delivered ‘Big Accident, Little Accident’ training training to a lovely group of people. The training concerns when is the right time to call 999 (only if the situation is an emergency). The group also talked about their experiences of calling 999 or 101, and how they have been treated by Paramedics in the past.
We also handed out the ‘About Me’ documents and magnets. The document can be filled in to contain medical information about you (like medication, allergies etc), which you can stick to your fridge using the magnet, and which paramedics can consult if they are called to your home.
At the end of June, Ffion, Kath and Sharon (supported by Christy) visited Bert Denning Centre. The centre provides support for service users who have learning/physical disabilities, and mental health issues. We delivered Safeguarding, and Ambulance training (when to call 999) to the group and staff. We also talked about screening for cervical and bowel cancer, and how the tests are done. We had a brilliant morning and were greeted with such warmth, we look forward to visiting again in the near future.
On the 16th May Ffion Poole, Kath Toms and support buddy Christy Taylor delivered training to Caerphilly County Borough Council staff in Foxes Lane. The training provided to the project officers and training officers included Medical Training and Safeguarding. They really enjoyed the training and the feedback was amazing. Here are some of the comments we received:
‘Brilliant training, really enjoyed it!’
‘Great trainers, good engagement.’
‘Very informative courses, trainers were professional and I learned a lot.’
‘The presentation was clear and full of helpful advice.’
Kath and Ffion always enjoy providing the training, and if anyone is interested in receiving the training you can contact us on 01443834444 and ask for Ffion Poole or Christy Taylor, or email us on caerphillypf@hotmail.co.uk
On 17th May Ffion Poole, Kath Toms, Sharon Cochrane and Christy Taylor attended the Public Health Wales Screening Training Program at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Victoria House, Newport. The training included discussions on cervical screening, bowel screening, breast screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, and diabetic eye screening. Having completed the training, the four people who attended from Caerphilly People First are now ‘Screening Champions’ and are hoping to raise awareness about the importance of screening among our members, and other people in the wider community.
The champions would like to stress to anyone reading this that if you think something is wrong and you have any symptoms of the illnesses listed above, it’s vital that you contact your GP and request a screening.
Here is the latest edition of the Caerphilly People First newsletter. Just click on the link below to read the newsletter, and we hope you enjoy learning about our latest activities.
Caerphilly People First has been involved in a very important project which involves visiting schools to provide learning disability awareness training to pupils aged 7-11. The training was put together by Caerphilly People First along with Hayley Gray and David Williams from the Gwent Regional Partnership Team.
The first training sessions took place at Pontnewydd Primary School in Cwmbran in October 2018, and was carried out by Caerphilly People First members Ffion Bethell and Kath Toms, with support from staff member Christy Taylor.
The team trained 233 pupils aged 7-11—including some with special needs—and on completion each student was given a goody bag and certificate as a thank you for taking part.
In January training continued in Malpas Park Primary School in Newport, where training was delivered to 115 pupils. The training will continue in various other schools during the next few months.
We hope that the outcome of the training will be that young people will become more aware of the issues faced by people with learning disabilities, and gain an understanding of their lives. 
on Monday 24th September Ffion Bethell delivered some Ambulance training to the cookery class this training includes when to ring 999 and when not to ring 999. If you want more information or would like to have this training please contact us on 01443834444 and ask for Ffion Bethell or Christy Taylor.
Today’s cookery class made corn beef hash it tasted delicious:)
