I have loved reading the stories in this newsletter – it’s great to see what everyone is getting up to. I particularly loved reading about all the good things going on in your local communities – everything from volunteering to taking part in activities that are meaningful to you.
I also enjoyed attending the most recent Better Together events. It has been lovely to see staff and the people we support socialising and having fun - but just as importantly, to hear from you about what you are happy with and what you think needs to improve.
I am thrilled that we have recently welcomed Sara Davies, our new Director of Support Services – whom you may have met at a Better Together event. Sara, like me and the whole Director Management Team at Mirus, is committed to working to make our support the best it can be.
Kirsty Davies-Warner Chief Executive
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Swansea What’s inside Better Together updates Social activities Where you live Health and wellbeing Mirus Moments People in your area What’s coming up 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 May 2024 www.mirus-wales.org.uk
Newsletter
Updates from your area
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 are most important to people.
Updates from your area
People in Swansea held their Better Together event at the New Lodge in Gorseinon on 27th March 2024.
At the event we enjoyed chatting and laughing with friends, and dancing, singing and celebrating.
We also told you the most common themes from the latest feedback you have given us. We’ll use this feedback to make improvements to the things that are most important to you.
You said:
You are happy with your social lives and the activities that you do
You enjoy where you’re living and have good relationships with your landlords
You know how to look after your health and wellbeing
Your routines are affected when staff members change
You don’t always know about events and activities around Swansea
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You said, we did Social activities
You told us that you love having a good social life, with lots of activities to do. Seeing people and doing fun things makes you feel happy.
Supporting local sports teams
Some of the people we support are season ticket holders for Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys or Scarlets rugby clubs. Being a season ticket holder means that they are able to attend every home game of the season - and they love it!
Paul is a very big Swansea City fan and has been a season ticket holder for the past 2 seasons – he still goes to every home game that he can. He often goes to the games without support, which he enjoys as it gives him a sense of independence.
Before the game, he regularly gets himself a cake and coffee from Costa.
Paul recently attended a Swansea City stadium tour, where he was shown around by club legend, Lee Trundle. Lee also happens to be Paul’s favourite player.
On the tour, Lee shared some memories and stories from his playing days, which Paul loved.
The tour involved visiting areas that are usually off-limits to everyone except the players, backroom staff and officials such as the trophy cabinet and the player’s locker rooms. Paul got to go onto the pitch and sit in the dugout as if he were a real player.
Paul is excited for the season to continue and has mentioned that he would like the opportunity to go and watch more of Swansea City’s away games in the future.
Community projects in Swansea
The Penllergaer & Llangyfelach Lunch Club runs every third Monday of the month between 12 pm and 2 pm – with many tasty treats on offer including, sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes. There is also a raffle with prizes, which people always love winning!
The lunch club is also open to the public, and the goal is to see more people from the community attend.
Another project is the Clydach Community project, which is a monthly disco in the Sunnybank Workmen’s Club in Clydach.
If you would like to take part in any of these community projects, please speak to your Team Leader.
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Paul loved his tour of the stadium.
Where you live
You said, we did
You told us that you enjoy where you live and are happy with the positive relationship you have with your landlords.
People especially love how their houses look –that they reflect their personalities as they are deciding themselves how they’re decorated.
One person who has recently redecorated her bedroom is Emma. Emma is a very happy, enthusiastic person, who loves walks, shopping and meals out. She’s also great at arts and crafts, which has meant that she was very creative when it came to giving her bedroom a makeover.
Emma loves nature and animals, especially rabbits – her love for these things inspired the decorations that she has in her room. She has butterfly accessories on the wall and a few soft toy animals that she sleeps with.
Emma’s room has a lot of new features including, a new carpet and furniture such as a new bed. With the support of staff, she was able to do some online research about different items and see all the different colours. She was also supported to visit different shops to see the items in person.
Emma has a new smart TV with LED lights and loves watching films and listening to musicals while the lights change colour.
She enjoys styling her hair and loves all accessories, mostly hairbands and clips. She has chosen to display them on her chest of draws – making it easy to choose what to wear.
Emma loves how much easier it is to organise her bedroom, now that everything has its place.
She loves to keep the bedroom nice and clean and enjoys vacuuming the carpet. Emma enjoys helping to put her clothes away and loves all the new storage she has, as all her clothes are in order.
Loving where you live is important as it can help boost your happiness and confidence. Having an organised clean bedroom can also improve your wellbeing and sleep quality.
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Emma loved shopping for room decorations
She keeps her newly decorated room clean and tidy
Health and wellbeing
You said, we did
You told us that you are happy with the way that your health and wellbeing is, and you want to continue to eat healthy, exercise and look after yourselves.
Living a healthy and happy life is a great way to improve everyday fitness and help your overall wellbeing.
To help encourage healthy routines, a weekly Wellbeing Walk takes place in Gorseinon every Monday. The walk starts at 10 am and has many different routes and locations to help keep things interesting and fun.
Despite the weather conditions for some of the walks, everyone enjoys them and always finishes them both happy and content – with most people excited for the next week’s walk.
The main aim of the Wellbeing Walk is the health benefits walking can have on someone’s life.
Going for a walk is free and is one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Walks can help to improve mobility as well as provide people with fresh air which is useful in cleaning the mind.
Kelly Bent, who runs the weekly walks in Gorseinon said:
“We all benefit from being out in the fresh air and being social.”
The walk is all-inclusive and is around 2 to 3 miles long – it is also accessible for all. It’s a great way to be healthy, meet new people and get fresh air at the same time.
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The Wellbeing Walkers go out in all weather!
Staff member Kelly Bent (right) organises the accessible Wellbeing Walks, which take place in Gorseinon every Monday at 10am.
Mirus
Moments
Celebrating achievements
A Mirus Moment is when someone has done something extra special.
People supported by Mirus 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. We have made the online form even quicker and easier to complete, and we hope that even more people will nominate. 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 later in the year.
Your area’s Mirus Moments 2024 winners so far
Nathan’s reason for being nominated:
“Nathan has been working very hard in his twice a week volunteering role for Bernardo’s charity shop. He has shown dedication and commitment since the very first day, and has completed lots of training and developed new skills. This is his second volunteering role, as he also works at a local coffee shop. Nathan has also helped his local community by raising money and awareness for children in need.”
Ross’ reason for being nominated:
“Ross started a fitness journey, and has inspired the entire household to become fitter and healthier – including the staff! He’s also participating in activities that help the community.”
Aled’s reason for being nominated:
“Aled has worked hard to learn how to live independently, and take care of his health. Aled is also active in volunteering, helping out in a charity shop and restoring Swansea canal. His dedication has made a big difference in the community.”
Christopher’s reason for being nominated:
“Christopher has been very supportive and encouraging of all staff. He is dedicated and passionate about his role, and always appreciates the work people do. Everyone who is supported in the area enjoys his company, and love when he visits.”
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
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Aled W
Ross S
Nathan R
Christopher W (staff)
Updates from your area For information and support People in your area
Welcome to Sara Davies our new Director of Support Services
Mirus staff members Stay up to date
Responsible Individual
Name: Nichola Jones
Email: NicholaJ@mirus-wales.org.uk
Area Manager
Name: Abigail Phillips
Email: AbigailP@mirus-wales.org.uk
Assistant Area Manager
Name: Scott Davies
Email: ScottD@mirus-wales.org.uk
Stay up to date with what’s happening across Mirus by following us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram or our website.
www.facebook.com/miruswales
www.twitter.com/miruswales
www.instagram.com/miruswales www.mirus-wales.org.uk
Name: Todd Jouevenaar
Area: Swansea
Mirus Rep
Mirus Reps are volunteers who are supported by Mirus. They are the voice of people supported by Mirus in their area. Their role is to provide feedback and opinions from other people we support to Mirus.
Their goal is to make things better for people supported by Mirus, and help to make sure that people can do the things they love.
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Updates from your area Get involved... What’s coming up in Swansea
Health and Wellbeing event
Monday 20th May. Time TBC.
At 83 Park Road, Gorseinon, Swansea
Contact: KellyB@mirus-wales.org.uk
Penllergaer & Llangyfelach Lunch Club
Every third Monday of the month, 12 - 2pm
Contact: LiamO@mirus-wales.org.uk
Clydach Monthly Community Disco
Sunnybank Workmen’s Club 4pm - 7pm held one Monday each month. Get in touch to find out when the next disco is.
Contact: ChrisH@mirus-wales.org.uk
Wellbeing Walk
Walk in Gorseinon at 10am every Monday
Contact: KellyB@mirus-wales.org.uk
Gorseinon Community Gardening Project Coming soon! Details to be confirmed. Contact: ChristopherW@mirus-wales.org.uk
Clydach Library: Tech Cafe 3rd May 10am - 2pm. Drop in for help with technology or getting online.
The Big Lunch June: More details to be confirmed.
across Mirus
Mental Health Awareness Week
When: 13th - 19th May
Where: On our social media @MirusWales and events held across Mirus
What: Activities, information sharing and encouraging people to get involved with things that can improve mental health.
Learn more: www.bit.ly/mhawmay2024
Volunteers Week
When: 3rd - 9th June
Where: On our social media @MirusWales
What: Celebrating our volunteers and raising awareness of volunteering opportunities across Mirus.
Learn more: www.bit.ly/volunteersweek2024
Carers Week
When: 10th - 16th June
Where: On our social media @MirusWales and at our Respite house Pantbach Avenue, Cardiff
What: Listening to and learning from the feedback from unpaid carers. Raising awareness of the challenges that carers face. Learn More: www.carersweek.org
Learning Disability Week
When: 17th - 23rd June
Where: On our social media @MirusWales and at All Wales People First’s Adfest
What: Sharing positive stories, and attending the All Wales People First conference, Adfest. People can also attend Adfest on 19th or 20th June. £30 for members, £45 for non-members. Learn more: www.bit.ly/adfestflyer2024
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Speak to Mirus staff for more information.
