Archive for the Front Page Category

Friends Reunited

Friends Reunited

Friends Reunited

Great meeting today with Jamie Williams, Director of Cymru Healthcare Ltd today.  Cymru Healthcare and Accessible Wales are old friends with Managing Director Wynne Williams helping to sponsor Accessible Wales launch in the Glancynon in Hirwaun in 2008.

Richard Jones said:

It was great to catch up with Jamie today and talk about the work both companies are carrying out now as well as joint working in the future.

Both Richard and Jamie are of the opinion that local businesses should work together to make our community stronger.

Jamie Williams Director of Cymru Healthcare with Principal Consultant Richard Jones.
Jamie Williams Director of Cymru Healthcare with Principal Consultant Richard Jones.
Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales
Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales

You can find out about both Accessible Wales by visiting www.accessible.wales or Cymru Healthcare by visiting www.cymruhealthcare.co.uk.

November and December Training

November and December Training

November and December Training

In case you’ve missed it, we’ve got a training course coming up and we’ve got four spaces left to fill… you lucky people!  Our next training course is taking place Thursday 22nd November 1pm – 4pm and will be held in our office.  To book a place on this course click here or call us on 01685 810432.

Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Council receiving their certificates
Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Council receiving their certificates

We held our first training course in our new training suite in October and it went down a storm, well without too many hitches anyway!!

Feedback received from a delegate from Merthyr Council
Feedback received from a delegate from Merthyr Council

It was really nice to receive this comment on one of our feedback forms at the end of the course; this feedback was left by Leigh King, Inspire 2 Work Merthyr Tydfil Council.  Some of the other comments left were:

“Really enjoyed the informal fun course, which made everyone aware of how to deal with situations that arise when dealing with disabilities. Thank you, Richard and Gemma. Excellent” Gillian Bishop – Inspire to Work MTCBC

“Excellent delivery by Richard and Gemma. Easy to understand and informative. Highly recommend to work colleagues.” Kelly Williams, Inspire 2 Work

“Excellent course. A wide range of info provided. Particularly thought the role play scenarios were a great way to highlight different disabilities” Lesley Jones, Inspire 2 Work

Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz
Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz

If you cannot make the November course don’t fear, we’ve got a course in December!  Our December course will be held on Tuesday 11th December 10am – 1pm, again in our office in Roberstown.  To book on this course click here or call us on 01685 810432.

Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council taking part in activities
Delegates from Merthyr Council taking part in activities

Delegates from Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils taking part in activities

You can read all our training feedback here.

If you’d like to download information on this course and share it with friends and colleagues you can click here.

You can download our training brochure here which outlines the other courses we offer.

If you have any queries you can get in touch with us by emailing info@accessible.wales or calling 01685 810432.

Get Your Diaries Out!

Get Your Diaries Out!

Get Your Diaries Out!

Principal Consultant Richard Jones training staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner
Principal Consultant Richard Jones training staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner

Yes, that’s right we’ve been planning our training schedule for 2018/2019!

As you know we’ve been working on our new training suite and we’re almost ready to launch it; with that in mind we’ve scheduled six in-house training courses running from September – March.

We’re offering both Full and Half day training courses at times and days to suit most diaries.  You can download our calendar here, more dates will be added throughout the year.

Our first course is a Disability Awareness Training Full Day course on Wednesday 10th October 2018 (10am – 3pm) costing £50 per person.  To book a place on this course you can purchase training places at Eventbrite here, there are ten places available.  Download more information about the course here.

Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs
Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs

Our second course is a Disability Awareness Training Half Day course on Thursday 22nd November 2018 (1pm – 4pm) costing £30 per person.  To book a place on this course you can purchase training places at Eventbrite here, there are ten places available.  Download more information about the course here.

To book on one of our courses please visit the appropriate Eventbrite page or call us on Telephone Icon 01685 810432 or email info@accessible.wales.

Delegates showing their certificates at the end of a course
Delegates showing their certificates at the end of a course

You can read our training feedback here.

If you would like us to train your staff at your venue, we can come to you!  Call us on Telephone Icon 01685 810432 to find out more.

Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

Boosting Students Knowledge at Coleg Y Cymoedd

In February Accessible Wales announced it would be working with Coleg Y Cymoedd to train their students, you can read the blog post here.

Students from Aberdare Campus of Coleg Y Cymoedd recently took part in a one-hour Introduction to Disability Awareness as part of the BOOST programme.

Students from Coleg Y Cymoedd BOOST programme
Students from Coleg Y Cymoedd BOOST programme

The students were from the Health & Social Care department and made the following comments when completing feedback forms.

“The session was fun and interesting and allowed me to have a better understanding of the terms and the correct of the terms and the correct way to communicate.  The activity allowed us to experience the difficulties others may face and was fun.”

“This session went really well and I was able to gain an understanding on disability.  It helped me learn a lot more and I am thankful to have this opportunity.”

“This was a fun and interesting activity.  It helped me improve my knowledge on what a disability is and how to support an individual if they are visually impaired.”

“Fabulous course”

Rebecca Roberts, Campus Services Supervisor made said the following on the training received by Coleg Y Cymoedd students:

The workshop that Richard and his team delivered at Accessible Wales, was fantastic.  All the learners provided excellent feedback, and commented the workshop was so inspiring they were keen to secure more.  As they are working with vulnerable people, who are disabled, the insight to disability awareness helped with their studies.  The workshop had an element of practical work which they thoroughly enjoyed.

I will look forward to working with Richard and the team, to deliver more workshops throughout the year.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones makes the following comment:

Having met with Rebecca this week I am pleased to say that we will be continuing to work with students from Coleg Y Cymoedd undertaking a variety of courses in the future.  We are looking forward to continuing to work with such a great education provider as well as helping to make a difference to those students attending our courses.

If you would like more information about the flexible training programme Accessible Wales offers please visit our Training Services Page.

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales training at Dyfed-Powys Police

Accessible Wales was pleased to train staff from the office of Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office last week.  The course was one of four planned with the office to train all the Commissioner’s staff, highlighting the  priority Dyfed-Powys places on equality.

Delegates took part in our full day Disability Awareness course, a course that looks at the following areas.

  • Understanding more about Disability and how disability issues have developed over time
  • Practical Demonstration of Access & Customer Service issues
  • The right thing to say at work; to understand is to get it right!
  • Appropriate Language & Signage; how not to get it wrong!
  • Brief Overview of the Equality Act 2010

Those involved found the course enjoyable and informative saying that they had a better understanding of the history of disability and how it has evolved over time.

The course contains a practical element which is aimed at addressing access and customer service issues that people with varying disabilities may incur when using services.

Staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office after completing the course
Staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office after completing the course

Claire Bryant, Policy and Assurance Advisor who commissioned the training, attended the first course.  She made the following comments:

Richard and Gemma made the (difficult) questions easy to ask.  Their fun, relaxed style makes for an enjoyable session, but makes sure we understand how we can become more accessible as an employer and a service provider.  Thank you both!

For more information on the training we provide visit our Training Consultancy Page.  If you would like to book a course please feel free to get in touch, we can supply full or ½ day courses at your venue or in our training suite.

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Accessible Wales, Learning Something New

Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones met with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd.  The meeting took place to discuss how Accessible Wales could help both the students and staff in the campus.

Richard was very impressed by the campus saying:

The building is a credit to Coleg y Cymoedd, Aberdare and Rhondda Cynon Taf.  It’s excellent to have such a facility for learners to benefit from.

Accessible Wales will be training Care learners from Coleg y Cymoedd offering them information on access and customer service issues.

Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Recently Principal Consultant Richard Jones with Mark Thomas Campus Director/Director of Facility at the Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd
Principal Consultant Richard Jones outside Aberdare Campus of Coleg y Cymoedd

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

A Busy Few Weeks Ahead

It’s all go with us at Accessible Wales. The next few weeks are extremely busy, we’re not complaining though!

Museum of Modern Art in Maclyneth

Museum of Modern Art in Maclyneth

Next week we’re going to be carrying out an access audit of the museum of Modern Art in Machynlleth.  Our Access Consultancy service can be tailored to suit premises of any shape and size and can take the form of a Detailed Access Audit or an Informal Walkthrough Review.  When carrying out any form of access consultancy we consider all forms of access not just ramps and steps, only 8% of people with disabilities use wheelchairs!  Access improvements can be as simple as moving a chair from behind a door or changing the location of storage facilities.  For more information on the access related services visit our Access Consultancy page.

Percy Pickdon

Percy Pickdon

We are also excited to be working with Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff carrying out our Anti Bullying and Respect training courses during Anti Bullying Week.  Our training is hosted by one of our newest team members Percy Pickdon.  If you would like to book our training for your school please get in touch with us, you can contact us via our Contact Page.

Monday 13th November – Friday 17th November is Anti Bullying week and we still have some spaces available, if you’d like to book a training course, or know more about the training we offer visit our Training Page.

Because of this we will be in and out of the office over the next few weeks, if you would like to get in touch with us, call 01685 810432 or email info@accessible.wales and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

20% off services until the end of October

20% off services until the end of October

As you know we’ve been open ten years and we’re offering 20% off all services booked by the end of October, get in touch now for more information.

If you’re trying to email us we’ve changed our address, instead of info@accessiblewales.co.uk it’s now simply info@accessible.wales

 

 

Can you spot a person with a disability?

Can you spot a person with a disability?

Can you spot a person with a disability?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s not as obvious as you think!

Today is world Mental Health Day, it is important to remember that not all disabilities and health conditions are obvious.

1 in 4 people in Wales suffer with a Mental Health condition at some point in their lives, but that doesn’t make them less of a person.

Mental health conditions, like any other conditions should not be seen negatively, today is a great opportunity to encourage people to talk about their mental health, this will help break down some of the misconceptions surrounding the subject.

Our address has changed

Our address has changed

Our website address has changed

As one of the ways we’re marking our Tenth anniversary we’ve changed our website address – we’re putting the wales into Accessible Wales.

Our new website address is www.accessible.wales

It’s shorter and easier to remember, our email addresses will change too so if you are emailing info@accessiblewales.co.uk you will now need to email info@accessible.wales.

Don’t panic though, our old email addresses will still remain the same for the rest of the year so your mail wont get missed.

You can still find us on facebook and twitter and we’re also on instagram now too

Are you Disability Aware?

Are you Disability Aware?

Accessible Wales will be holding a Disability Awareness Training course on Thursday 21st September at the Cynon Valley Museum.  The course costs £32.45 and will run from 10am – 1pm.

Delegates on the  November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Delegates on the November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Since opening in 2010 we have built up a successful training service with our Disability Awareness Training course being our flagship course.  You can find some of our testimonials by clicking here, we’ll be adding more soon.

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

The course is facilitated by company owner and Principal Consultant Richard Jones the courses are light hearted and informative.  Delegates will be pleased to know that the training they receive will be carried out in Richard’s informal, yet informative style aimed at helping them understand disability on a practical day-to-day basis.

Lynwen Francis, Practice Manager from St John’s Medical Practice says the following about the training her staff received:

“I write to thank you for the invaluable training you have provided to our staff both at the Aberdare and Cardiff sites.  Our staff thoroughly enjoyed the training sessions and found the interaction both educational and fun.  Many staff members are apprehensive around training as they worry they will made to feel or look foolish – this was definitely not the case with your training and everyone came back animated and enthusiastic about the subject.

I would happy to recommend your training to anyone and will be looking to do refresher courses next year.”

Even if you’ve attended similar courses before, this course is one that you should have under your belt to help you with your professional and personal development.  Whether you’re a taxi driver, a politician or professor this course will benefit you!

To book a place on this course visit here, alternatively you can email us for more information.  Block bookings can be catered for, we can also train your staff/volunteers/members at your venue.  Get in touch for more information.

Disability Awareness Training, Thursday 21st September

Accessibility Toolbar