Our Impact in Bridgend: 2022-23

Making improvements to the community

The Maesteg Welfare park in situated in the heart of the local community and is well used by local people.

One of the projects is a community allotment garden which has been developed and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Working directly with this group mirus has donated 4 raised beds and people supported by mirus also volunteer in the garden.

Maesteg Community garden has now become a focal point for local people; a place where they can meet others, enjoy activities and get involved in resolving local issues.

Recently, a special event was held to say thank you to all supporters of the Community garden. Sean, who is supported by mirus in Maesteg, and also volunteers in the garden, was there to represent mirus.

When asked by local schoolchildren what the garden meant to him Sean replied:

In Sean’s case what he likes doing is general maintenance and he has been using his new found skills around his own home.

A local councillor was also at the event and Sean took the opportunity to raise the issue of homelessness in the area with him – something which is of particular concern to Sean.

Getting their hands dirty is a great way to build new friendships.

“Making friends, getting out and doing things I like doing”

Sean uprooting carrots that were grown in the allotment

across the entire organisation, delivering training to

“We got all dolled up in our best clothes with shirts and ties.”

The interview was split into two parts, with David and Neil coming up with their own questions to ask those people coming for interview. Neil has recently had a health scare himself, so the questions he wanted to ask centered on health issues and how people can be supported to manage their own health. David wanted to really find out what made the interviewees tick- what type of person they really are - so his questions were of a more personal nature.

After interviewing each candidate, Neil and David together discussed what they thought of them and recorded their thoughts on a form. Both men were very impressed with Chris Rees.

“Chris gave us answers that we both liked.”

This was then shared with the other interviewers and a final decision was reached. Chris Rees was offered the role of Practice Development Lead

Neil and David both agree that their ability to interview people so well comes from them being so supportive and respectful of each other. It was a real team effort, and they’re happy that Chris was offered the job.

Both men have previously interviewed candidates for a variety of different job roles within mirus.

The two take their role as interviewers very seriously. They said:

They are also passionate about helping others and ensuring that people get the best support possible, which made them a perfect fit to interview for this role.

Sean accepting a donation on behalf of the community

David and Neil ‘dolled up’ at a mirus event

Having a voice, choice and control

One of Adam’s life ambitions has always been to get a paid job, and he has worked really hard, and has taken lots of opportunities in volunteer roles to help prepare him for a paid role.

Some of Adam’s volunteer roles include an Autism trainer for police and other emergency services, working in the local food bank and as a shop worker at a local charity shop.

He has also taken part in ‘Voice, Choice and Control’ training as part of his role as a mirus representative for people who are supported in Bridgend. The training taught him how to better advocate for himself and others.

In 2023 Adam got involved with People First Bridgend as a member and volunteer, he attended events to share updates and raise their profile.

When People First Bridgend had a chairperson vacancy Adam didn’t hesitate in applying. After being successfully shortlisted Adam got busy preparing for his interview with some support from his network.

Adam successfully interviewed for the role and is looking forward to chairing many meetings.

He is also excellent at helping people to understand what is being said, and makes sure everyone uses plain English. Adam’s inclusive approach to advocacy will ensure that he is a fantastic chairperson for People First Bridgend.

Adam is a keen advocate for others, and always supports people to speak up and get their opinions heard.

Adam speaking on camera about being a mirus rep

Adam gaining work experience in a charity shop

Adam presenting at a mirus stars awards ceremony

Getting together as a community

mirus, supported by Cwm Calon Community Hub and Caerau Development Trust organised an afternoon tea to bring the community together.

Caerau Development Trust are a non-profit organisation that develop and promote the importance of community.

The event was held in the heart of Maesteg Town Centre at Cwm Calon Community Hub, and was advertised to local groups and residents through

Improving communication and understanding

Following a person centred technology assessment for a person we support with limited mobility and speech, we researched and introduced technology that could help.

A smart TV app and Widgit software were introduced, to enhance accessibility and communication.

The smart TV app proved particularly beneficial for Gareth, who is a wheelchair user and encountered difficulties with the standard remote control provided with the television. By using the smart TV app, he gained improved access to TV functions, which enhanced their overall viewing experience and provided a greater sense of independence.

Widgit, on the other hand, is a subscription-based

Having a great time at afternoon tea in Maesteg

voluntary group BAVO.

Over 40 people attended and enjoyed a chat over a wonderful afternoon tea. Lots of the people who joined took part in a raffle to win prizes that were donated from local businesses and residents. The raffle was to raise money for the local Men’s Shed, and for a local Alzheimer’s group.

app that supports users to communicate with others using a collection of images. The person supported can select the images to help them communicate their thoughts, and the app then reads the images aloud so that others could listen and respond.

These personalised technology solutions have not only enhanced the quality of life for the people supported, but also showcased mirus’ commitment to finding inclusive, personalised solutions to a diverse range of needs.

By using this app, the person supported gained more freedom of expression, and it has enabled them to interact with others more effectively.

Celebrating the achievements of our stars

We held a mirus stars awards event to celebrate the fantastic achievements and great things that the people we support and our staff accomplished.

People connected with mirus used our mirus moments form to nominate others throughout the year, based on achievements that matched our values; Together, Respectful, Responsible, Empowering and Courageous. Our mirus reps from each region then had the difficult task of selecting 40 of the very best nominations out of a total of 192, and those people became our mirus stars semi-finalists.

At our mirus stars pre-awards parties, held in Cardiff and Swansea City Stadiums, we read out the nominations of our 40 semi-finalists, and encouraged everyone to vote for their favourite using electronic voting pads. Each category had 4 people selected to go forward to the final stage as mirus stars finalists, which were chosen by our Trustees.

The mirus stars awards event itself was a fabulous celebration, with Alex who is supported by mirus, and staff member Jamie dressed as the greatest

showmen to introduce the event and get the crowd cheering. Everyone was so excited to see who the winners for the events were, and to celebrate their success with them.

Our mirus stars winners were:

Together – Beth Broad, supported in Powys

Respectful – Allan Ramsahoi, staff member in Cardiff

Responsible - Sophie Scheeres, supported in Cardiff

Empowering - Andrea Romanga, supported in Swansea

Courageous – Matthew Clarke, supported in Neath Port Talbot

The incredible mirus stars winners celebrating on stage

To end the event, the fabulous drag collective ‘House of Deviant’ took to the stage, and lip synced, danced and encouraged the audience to take part in challenges.

House of Deviant is Wales’ first inclusive drag troupe for people with learning disabilities, and Sophie Scheeres, who is supported by mirus in Cardiff, performs as Miss Shade B****. They are fierce, sassy, and incredible performers, and their passion and excitement on the day of the event was contagious!

We received an inspirational nomination for Leanne Hawkins, who is a mirus staff member in Bridgend. Leanne was a finalist for the category Courageous.

When Leanne started with mirus she lacked confidence as it was her first job in 20 years. She has now developed her confidence enough to enrol on the Aspiring Managers course. She puts in 100% in everything she does, and is always willing to give things a go. She is committed to finding opportunities for development for the people she supports, and has built great connections with people and their families. She goes above and beyond for everyone.

We love reading about the achievements and courageousness of people connected with mirus, and we can’t wait to see what amazing nominations next year’s awards brings.

House of Deviant provided fabulous entertainment

Sophie performing as Miss Shade B****

Our Greatest Showmen introducing the ceremony

People cheering the winners

Leanne collecting her certificate at the pre-awards party

The whole crowd were up and celebrating