Archive for the Training Category

Coffe and cake anyone?

Coffe and cake anyone?

Coffe and cake anyone?

On Friday we hosted a MacMillan Coffee morning to raise funds for such an important charity.  We were joined by lots of friends old and new as we tucked in to some fantastic home-made treats from our very own Gemma Price, Accessible Wales’s answer to Mary Berry.  One in two of us will face cancer in our lifetimes. If you are able to, please consider making a one-off donation to Macmillan here: https://donation.macmillan.org.uk/wbcm/one-off

We were pleased to have raised £153 on the day, which will be donated to MacMillan to carry on their excellent work.

At the event we also celebrated the first stage of our Community Inclusion Project, the project aims at improving the accessibility of community buildings in the project areas.  It also aims to raise awareness of difficulties disabled people use when accessing these vital community resources.

Community Inclusion Project Logo

You can find out more about our new project by visiting the Community Inclusion Project page on our website. If you run a community building or are part of a group that works out of a community building in Cynon Valley please drop us an email on rjones@accessible.wales as you may be able to take part.

Thanks to all those who attended, representatives from Rhondda Cynon Taff, Tracey from Accessible Caring Transport, Emma from Hirwaun Village Hall, Beth Winter MP, Vikki Howells MS, PC Nick James, Tracey from New Horizons, Rhys from Hirwaun FC, Cllr Adam Fox and friends and family, Margaret, Owen, Jack, Richard, Mary, Julia, Lucy, Darren, Theo and Louise.

Anti–Bullying Week, Monday 15th – Friday 19th November

Anti–Bullying Week, Monday 15th – Friday 19th November

Anti–Bullying Week

Monday 15th – Friday 19th November

Anti–Bullying week is a week that most primary schools take part in, bullying strategies and education should be done as part of the curriculum.

Accessible Wales’ has been delivering Disability Awareness Training for over 10 years and primarily our hope is that people are kind to each other!

Differences should be celebrated, it’s what makes us unique!  Everyone should be there to help and support each other.  We can help with this, whether it is young people taking part in our Percy Pickdon Anti–Bullying Courses or adults participating in any of our awareness training courses.

Bullying is never okay in any circumstance and whether its Anti–Bullying week or the rest of the year we’ll be here hoping we make a difference!

Percy Pickdon
Percy Pickdon

You can find out more about Anti-Bullying week here https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week

Disability Awareness Training coming up, at times to suit you!

Disability Awareness Training coming up, at times to suit you!

We have Disability Awareness Training coming up!

We have four training dates scheduled for September, October, November and December.  These courses are full and half day and vary in times and days to suit most diaries, and if they don’t suit your diary… let us know we can come to you!

You can download our training calendar here.

 

Principal Consultant Richard Jones working with delegates on one of the activities
Principal Consultant Richard Jones working with delegates on one of the activities
Delegates studying the layout of an accessible WC
Delegates studying the layout of an accessible WC

The first course we have scheduled is a Disability Awareness Training Full Day course on Wednesday 25th September (10am – 3pm) costing £50 per person.  You can book a place on this course by visiting our Eventbrite page.

Here’s a downloadable training flyer for this course.

The next Disability Awareness Training course is a Half Day course on Thursday 24th October 2019 (10am – 3pm) costing £30 per person.  You can book a place on this course by visiting our Eventbrite page.

Here’s a downloadable training flyer for this course.

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.

Lynwen Francis
Managing Partner
St John’s Medical Practice, Aberdare

This is just one of our many testimonials, you can read some more of them by visiting our training feedback here , you can also download our training brochure, this will give you information on all the training services we offer.

All our training is customisable and can be tailored to the needs of our clients.

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

Call us on 01685 810432Telephone Icon to find out more.

Accessible Wales Training Calendar
Accessible Wales Training Calendar 2019

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

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

Accessible Wales at the heart of the Cardiff Community

Accessible Wales at the heart of the Cardiff Community

Accessible Wales at the heart of the Cardiff Community

As former Chair of a Citizen’s Advice Bureau based in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Principal Consultant Richard Jones is a committed supporter of the organisation.  Accessible Wales are proud to confirm they are a supplier of training for the Barry branch of Cardiff and Vale Citizens Advice Bureau.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with delegates from the morning course at Cardiff and Vale CAB

Principal Consultant Richard Jones with delegates from the morning course at Cardiff and Vale CAB

Accessible Wales recently carried out two successful half day courses during the same day.  Below are some of the positive comments we received during both courses:

“The trainers own experiences made situations and challenges easier to understand.”

“I think the delivery was extremely well balanced giving both sides as to what was realistically achievable i.e.  Changes are effected by budgets and what one person finds appropriate another may not.  The main point to remember is communication.”

“Excellent delivery on a subject that I now know much more about.”

“Superb.  Richard is a quality speaker with a great sense of humour.”

“I found the course very interesting and the trainer very informative.”

Accessible Wales provides clients with a flexible service, meeting their needs in terms of content and timing. Topics discussed are often perceived as difficult and thought provoking, and include addressing what is a disability and the etiquette used when interacting with people with disabilities. Practical demonstrations of access issues are always useful and welcomed by delegates.

Delegates from the afternoon course at Cardiff and Vale CAB joined by Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Delegates from the afternoon course at Cardiff and Vale CAB joined by Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Courses can be tailored to suit your needs, with the choice of either a full day (5 hours) or half day (3 hours) courses.  We schedule regular training courses at a central venue, or if you have more than five staff members we can come to you.

More information on our training service can be found on our Disability Awareness Training Page.

For more information or to be added to our mailing list, visit the contact page or (01685) 810432

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