Updates from Respite
What is Better Together?
Better Together refers to the way in which Mirus gathers information. We gather information from everyone, so that we can be sure that we focus on improving the things that are most important to people.
In Respite, we hold events during Carers Week in June, and Carers Rights Day in November, so that we can collect your feedback, and share what we have learned.
The Better Together process
You said:
You are happy with the staff at Respite.
You are happy with the activities available, and that people learn independent life skills whilst at Respite.
You are happy that people get to experience more independent living whilst at Respite.
You are happy that you and the person you care for both get a good break.
You are concerned about the future care of your loved one, when you are no longer able to provide care.
You are concerned about the rate of pay not attracting quality staff.
You are concerned about your increasing financial pressures.
You prefer it when the people stay at Respite with others that they know.
Events at Respite
11th June 2024
In June, we organised a Carers Week event at our Respite house in Pantbach Avenue.
The event was an opportunity for our unpaid carers to come together to share stories and feedback, and to ask Mirus staff questions.
At the event, carers told us some of the things that they are happy about, and some of the things they are concerned about and would like to see improvements to.
Many carers had questions and concerns about the future care of their loved ones, and what will happen when they are no longer able to provide care.
Our team of trained staff were happy to answer questions, and give more information about how Respite can support the transition from living at home to supported living.
Carers also told us that they appreciate how Respite helps the person they care for to learn new skills and experience more independent living.
It’s also important to carers that the person they care for has a good break whilst in Respite, at the same time they do.
Nicola, who has been using our Respite service for 25 years, expressed her enjoyment of her time with us. She said:
“I love staying with Respite - I get to do more things
here than I usually do!”
did Having a good break
You said, we
You told us that it’s important to you that the person you care for gets a good break at the same time as you do.
In April, Tom and Mark stayed at Respite during Easter Weekend. As they get on really well and like staying at Respite at the same time, Mirus staff helped them to arrange a weekend full of fun activities to enjoy together.
On Good Friday, Tom went with staff to the Fish and Chip shop to get dinner for himself and Mark. Tom likes to get involved and always offers to help staff as it makes him feel independent. He ordered their food and enjoyed chatting with the person serving him.
Afterwards, Tom helped carry the food home and set the table. He also cleaned up after dinner. Tom and Mark then spent the rest of their evening watching football on TV and chatting.
On Saturday, Tom and Mark went shopping for Easter eggs. After buying the eggs, they went to Costa for a drink and cake, then to the local pub to play pool. The pub has a separate room for playing pool, which they liked because it’s quiet and they can focus on the game.
To finish off the weekend, they had a tasty roast dinner with all the trimmings.
Tom and Mark had a great time and really enjoyed their stay at Respite, especially because the weather was nice all weekend.
Tom called it the ‘Best Weekend!’ and is looking forward to his next stay.
The ‘Best Weekend’ for Tom and Mark
Increasing independence
You said, we did
You told us that it’s important to you that the person you care for gets to learn independent living skills whilst at Respite.
At Respite, we plan each stay around your needs, aspirations and goals, taking every opportunity to build independent living skills.
One carer said:
“I’m
glad that the
person I
care for has experiences
that get
them used to being independent away from me.
“It’s a comfort to know they will be more prepared for the future when they move to supported living.”
At our two Respite houses in Cardiff, we offer workshops that focus on developing skills, such as cooking and baking, IT and online shopping, and essential home skills.
We also help people to learn independent living skills throughout their stay, including looking after themselves and their homes.
Bhikhu and his sister Rekha both stay at Respite when their sister and full-time carer Vee visits family in India. Both Rekha and Bhiku love spending time at Respite and have been coming for many years.
Bhikhu loves to keep active, so he and Jamie, Assistant Team Manager, saw an opportunity to learn how to use a leaf blower to clear the garden of leaves.
With a lot of determination and patience, Bhikhu and Jamie managed to clear the entire garden.
Bhikhu really enjoys contributing and being useful. He takes pride in being proactive and helpful to the staff.
He enjoyed using the leaf blower so much that he hopes to buy one for himself in the future.
Bhikhu loved learning how to use the leaf blower with staff member Jamie
Fun and friendships
You said, we did
You told us that it’s important to you that the person you care for gets to spend time doing the things they enjoy, with people they like.
Having fun and making friends
One carer told us that the person they care for gains confidence when socialising with other people with learning disabilities.
They said:
“They often find it difficult to have conversations with others, so being around other people with learning disabilities makes them feel
confident.”
Rebecca and Rob, who stay with us at Respite, attended our Cardiff ‘Better Together’ event in March.
At the event, people supported by Mirus in Cardiff celebrated their achievements and talked about what matters to them now and in the future.
Members of Cardiff’s social group shared details about past and upcoming social gatherings, and invited people who use Respite to join in.
Rebecca and Rob enjoyed meeting people from other Cardiff services, and making new friends.
Lisa, who also uses Respite, spoke on the microphone, and thanked everyone for coming and making the event a great success.
Celebrating birthdays with friends
Lisa enjoys staying at Respite and has been booking to stay with us for her birthday for the past few years. Lisa’s bubbly, outgoing personality makes her very popular at Mirus, and she loves catching up with everyone.
Lisa said with a wink: “I have three Birthdays – one at Respite, one at home, and one with my friends.”
Richard also likes celebrating his birthday at Respite. He has been coming here for many years and was thrilled about staying for his birthday. To mark the occasion, the Respite team organised a special weekend based on Richard’s preferences.
Richard had a great weekend - he played pool at Cardiff Bay, took several walks around Roath, and visited another Respite house to
Lisa thanked everyone for coming to the event
Rob and Rebecca enjoyed socialising with others
meet the staff and people staying there. He also treated himself to a delicious takeaway.
Richard enjoyed being out and about and catching up with everyone, and said, “I had a great birthday at Respite.”
Richard was happy to celebrate his birthday with his friends at Respite – Tom and Mark –and was pleased that they also enjoyed the birthday activities.
Families have told us that it’s important for people at Respite to get along well. That’s why we always consider compatibility when arranging bookings.
We aim to ensure that people with similar interests and friendship circles can stay together whenever possible.
Mirus Moments
A Mirus Moment is when someone has done something extra special.
People who stay at Mirus Respite and Mirus staff members can both win prizes, when they are nominated by others for doing something great.
You can nominate people who you think deserve to be recognised for their achievements using our online form: www.bit.ly/mirusmoments
Each month Mirus Representatives select their favourite nominations to win a prize. Winners will then go forward to be in with a chance of winning a Mirus Star at our awards ceremony in November.
Nominate online!
You can nominate a person supported by Mirus or a Mirus staff member by filling out the form at the link below.
Each person nominated could win a Mirus Moment, and go on to be in with a chance of winning a Mirus Star.
www.bit.ly/mirusmoments
Save the date
Our Mirus Stars awards event will be held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea from 11:30am - 3:30pm on 28th November. Free tickets will be available to book soon.
Richard had a great birthday at Respite
Lisa spends her birthday at Respite every year
Mirus staff members
Responsible Individual
Name: Peter Davies
Email: PeterD@mirus-wales.org.uk
Respite Manager
Name: Andrea Isaac
Email: andreai@mirus-wales.org.uk
Assistant Team Managers
Name: Justine Tickner
Email: justine.tickner@mirus-wales.org.uk
Name: Jamie Rymer
Email: jamie.rymer@mirus-wales.org.uk
www.facebook.com/miruswales www.twitter.com/miruswales www.instagram.com/miruswales www.mirus-wales.org.uk
What’s coming up
Get involved...
Our Mirus Stars awards event will be held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea from 11:30am - 3:30pm on 28th November. Free tickets will be available to book soon.
Coming along to one of the Cardiff social group’s activities is a great way to be more social, make friends and do something fun. There are currently 40 active members with 4 new members joining since January.
Since the start of the year, there have been more than 80 events, with over 700 people in total attending.
If you’d like to join the Cardiff social group, please speak to Mirus Respite staff members, or get in touch with Community Network Coordinator, Mark Griffiths through email.
Email: markg@mirus-wales.org.uk
Cardiff social group events
Meal Out Mondays
When: Mondays 6pm - 8pm
Where: One of five accessible restaurants
What: Our most popular social group, with 15-22 people attending. Eating at a choice of five popular restaurants, where members have built strong relationships with the staff. All the restaurants are picked based on their location, wheelchair access, prices, seating, customer service, cash payments and transport accessibility.
Active Thursdays
When: Thursdays 3pm - 5pm and 6pm - 8pm
What: A range of activities such as Tenpin bowling, Treetop mini golf, and bingo. The activities are great for making new friends, and doing something fun when the weather is bad.
Coed Caerdydd
What: Tree planting events around Cardiff. Times, dates and locations vary.
Friday Walk and Get Together
When: Fridays 12pm - 2pm
Where: Victoria Park - meet near the cafe and look out for the pink umbrella
What: A gentle stroll around Victoria Park, followed by food, drinks and a game of skittles at Victoria Park Pub. Members have great relationships with the pub’s management.
Keep Canton Tidy
When: Saturdays and Sundays, variable
What: 30 volunteers meet to litter pick at Victoria Park, Thompson’s Park, the Co-op on Cowbridge Road East and Castle Bingo.
Moon Bar: evening out
When: Last Wednesday of every month 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Moon Bar, Womanby St, Cardiff
What: Live music and karaoke organised by Skills and Volunteering Cymru.
