Stacey Harding Illustration
Cwm Taf People First will meet up with those with learning disabilities for a series of fun workshops to better understand the things that matter to them – including face-to-face events in Aberdare and Ystrad next week.
The charity will meet up with local people as part of the ‘What Matters to Me Now’ Roadshow 2021, providing the opportunity for people with learning disabilities to share their views by taking part in three exciting workshops.
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The first will use illustrations to find out about the things that are important to people with learning disabilities in their community, while the second will use film to capture the good things and the not-so-good things that have happened to them during the pandemic. The third workshop will understand participants’ views on the current daytime opportunities in their community.
People First’s Roadshow has three important dates for the diary over the next two weeks – including two face-to-face events and an online meet-up:
- Monday, August 16 – Ystrad Sports Centre cricket pitch (two sessions, running from 10.30am-midday and repeated at 1pm-2.30pm).
- Tuesday, August 17 – Sobell Sports Centre, Aberdare (two sessions, running from 10.30am-midday and repeated at 1pm-2.30pm).
- Friday, August 20 – Zoom online event (11am-12.30pm).
The Roadshow will be the latest opportunity for people with a learning disability, their families and carers, as well as staff and partners, to have their say on the current Day Service Offer for people with a learning disability – following events run by the Council and People First during the pandemic.
In July 2021, Cabinet agreed for the Council to undertake wider engagement over the coming months, in order to develop a new day opportunities strategy. Members agreed for the Council to continue its effort to engage with local people to inform clear, future options for investment that will improve the services available to people in the community and better meet their needs.
As part of this effort, the Council will launch its ‘My Day My Way’ campaign website in early September 2021, to follow on from People First’s own ‘My Day My Way’ campaign. This is part of its wider Let’s Talk initiative, so people can find out more and share their ideas for the future of the service.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “The upcoming Roadshow by People First is an excellent way for us to further understand the views and needs of people with a learning disability, in relation to the current Day Service provision and the opportunities that they enjoy, or feel they miss out on, in their community.
“The events in Aberdare and Ystrad will be a fun way to do this, through engaging group activities using different forms such as drawing and filming. It is great that these events can take place in communities following the easing of Coronavirus restrictions – while there is also an online alternative for those who are unable to attend in person, or would prefer to take part remotely.
“The Roadshow is the latest in a series of local events by the Council and People First – which aim to learn from people’s experiences of the pandemic and understand how they would like to see our day services evolve going forward. So far, they have highlighted how well-valued our services are, but have also identified a need to place more emphasis on opportunities for meaningful community activity, to promote independence and social inclusion.
“I’d therefore encourage people to take part in the upcoming Roadshow to add further voices to this conversation – and, as part of this effort, to also keep an eye out for the Council’s ‘My Way My Day’ campaign website which will launch in early September. This intends to create an online resource for engagement on this topic, and act as a hub for people to have their say.”
For further information on the ‘What Matters to Me Now’ Roadshow 2021, or to ask a question about the events, please email Dawn Price from Cwm Taf People First on the following address: email-dawn@rctpeoplefirst.org.uk.
Posted on 11/08/2021