This week, some of the members of our Tuesday Focus Group attended a Bee workshop run by Lorne East at Libanus Lifestyle in Blackwood. Members found the workshop very interesting and it was great seeing the Bees in action, and learning more about what they do. Thank you to Karen and the team for a warm welcome, as always.
Yesterday the Reconnect Focus Group spent the morning at Taraggan Educational gardens, where we continued weeding and getting our plot looking nice and presentable. The gardens are so relaxing and it’s amazing being outdoors.
During the afternoon our Focus Group was joined by Rhian Cook, from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, who asked the group for feedback on easy-read hate crime leaflets her organisation has produced. We were also joined by Zoe Gibbs from Cyfannol Women’s Aid, who met the group in preparation for a future visit when she will talk about the work the work of Cyfannol. It was lovely to meet them both and we’re looking forward to working with them further in the future.
Thanks to everyone – including Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First – who attended our recent relationship course, which was designed by Ffion and Lisa French from Insight. The group talked about what makes a good relationship, what makes a bad relationship, and the warning signs of a bad relationship. They also discussed how to make friends, and how to deal with falling out with friends. The session finished with a ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ relationship quiz designed by Vale People 1st. At the next session on 25th August we will be talking about identity and LGBTQ issues. Everyone is welcome to join us then.
This week we visited Brooklands Day Centre to look at their new garden project and summer house, which are both looking fantastic – the summer house is so relaxing. It was lovely to catch up with some of our members, who we hope to be working with soon in the Risca area.
The group spent the morning volunteering at Taraggan Educational Gardens, where we did some weeding and tidied up a new plot, which is now ready grow some more vegetables and fruit. We then went back to the office and provided feedback on the work that Ffion, Natalie and Sarah are involved in with the University Of South Wales, called ‘Co-producing accessible outcomes for people with Learning Disabilities’. A massive shout out to our Tuesday group, who are all fantastic – it’s lovely to see them all become independent and confident. We’d also like to welcome Gethin, who spent his first day with the group this week, and will be joining us every Tuesday from now on.
Here is the latest Caerphilly People First newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading about the work of our members.
The Focus Group would like to say a massive thank you to staff from the Caerphilly Parent Network who joined the group for this week’s craft session. They taught the group how to make stress balls and decorate them, items which will prove very useful! Everybody had great fun and the Parent Network staff were great, very helpful and interactive. We look forward to undertaking more partnership work with the Parent Network in the future.
This week, as members of TRAC at the University of South Wales, we were invited by Cwm Taff People First to take part in some filming about the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, where staff and members were filmed playing the roles of doctors and nurses. During the pandemic, people with learning disabilities were given ‘do not resuscitate’ orders, in spite of widespread condemnation of the practice and an urgent investigation by the care watchdog. Mencap received reports from people with learning disabilities that they had been told they would not be resuscitated if they were taken ill with Covid19. Although this is very difficult subject to have to deal with, the process also included some fun moments as we united to express our views and feelings.
We have held discussions with some of our members about what they want to do in the community and what will make a better day for them. Some members told us they would like to learn how to grow their own food. This led to us contacting the Taraggan Educational Gardens project in Bargoed, and a lovely gentleman called John invited us to pop along and take a look. John showed us a plot that our volunteers/members can work on to grow their own vegetables. Some of our members decided that they would love to do this, and we have now signed a lease for a plot and can’t wait to get started!
Caerphilly People First trustees, members and staff recently took part in ‘Good Governance for Groups’ training, delivered by Philippa Davies from All Wales People First. Governance is:
We found the training very informative, detailed, and easy to understand, and we will take what we’ve learned and use it to improve the way we run Caerphilly People First.