Posts Tagged Cynon Valley

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.

Accessible Wales hosting a virtual conference on post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

Accessible Wales hosting a virtual conference on post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

International Day of Disabled Persons

A Virtual Conference on Post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

Impact of COVID on the Mental Health of Disabled People Event Logo

In 1992 the United Nations convened the annual International Day of Disabled People to be held annually on 3rd December.  This year’s day has a goal of spreading the awareness of invisible disabilities as well as the impact that COVID-19 has had on mental health.

Accessible Wales will be hosting a virtual conference looking at post COVID and the effects on Disabled People, the event is free, tickets can be obtained from our Eventbrite page.

As well as this we were thinking that maybe we could help a little in everyone’s lives. So #HelpForHealth is encouraging people to just look out for each other a little bit more.  These small gestures could be a FaceTime call to a family member or sending a letter to a friend.  We’ve all been through a rough couple of years and its made an impact on our mental health, lets pull together, share our ideas, spread the hashtag and make a difference.

#HelpForHealth Logo

Keep a watch out as we publish our list of guest speakers and an order of events for the day.

If you would like more information about this event, or find out about the services we offer at Accessible Wales give us a call on 01685 810432Telephone Icon or email info@accessible.wales

#HelpForHealth

Online Town Centre Accessibility Forum – Aberdare

Online Town Centre Accessibility Forum – Aberdare

Let’s Talk Access

Statue of Caradog surrounded by new COVID19 barriers.
Statue of Caradog surrounded by new COVID19 barriers.

There have been many stories in the media about the potential decline in the town centres throughout the country.  With the current COVID19 restrictions in place people are shopping more online and out of town for convenience and personal safety.

In 2007 Accessible Wales worked with Rhondda Cynon Taff local authority and traders in Mountain Ash to carry out a “Town Centre Access Improvement Project”.  During this project the local authority commissioned Accessible Wales to carry out access audits for those businesses to help them to improve their access for disabled people.

We are now proposing to work with businesses in the eight town centres to help improve access for disabled people.  Starting with an online forum ror businesses based in Aberdare on Thursday 5th November at 10am for more information you can download the flyer here.

Following on from this meeting more events will be scheduled for businesses in Ferndale, Llantrisant, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, Porth, Tonypandy, Treorchy.  The project will then be evaluated and before rolling out to other local authorities.

This forum will be an opportunity to discuss what each business thinks are the key access issues in their area, and any potential access issues their business may have.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones working in Accessible Wales before lockdown
Principal Consultant Richard Jones working in Accessible Wales before lockdown restrictions

Principal Consultant Richard Jones says:

This is a great opportunity to engage with local businesses in the town centre to help improve access for disabled people.  The online forum will be an independent vehicle to help start to make access improvements in Aberdare, with a view to it being rolled out to the other town centre and beyond.

Now more than ever it is important for small local businesses to do as much as they can to keep their doors open.  We want to do as much as we can to help.

Market Street, Aberdare
Market Street, Aberdare

If you would like to know more about the services we offer please either get in touch with us via 01685 810432Telephone Icon or email info@accessible.wales.

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

We opened thirteen years ago today, with a launch in the Glancynon supported by Cymru Health Care.  We start our fourteenth year in very different circumstances, the world certainly isn’t the same as it was in 2007.

With the current Coronavirus restrictions in place we sadly can’t celebrate with any form of event but when the time is right we’ll pop a cork or two.

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

For now, we’re proud to announce that we will be launching our online training range in October starting with our online Disability Awareness training course.  While we’re still working on developing these packages, more will be launched in the coming weeks.

Principal Consultant and company founder Richard Jones would like to thank all those who have supported the company in the last thirteen years.  Thanks go to the clients we’ve worked with, partner organisations and to all our friends for helping out when needed.

Happy Birthday Accessible Wales
Happy Birthday Accessible Wales

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.

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, 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

 

 

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

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