VOLUNTEERS FROM Cyfle Cymru have gone out on a limb to cut back forest overgrowth at Erddig near Wrexham. Just a few short months ago, National Trust rangers couldn’t see the wood for the trees – but, with the help of participants from the peer mentoring project, flora and fauna are now being given new light and new room to grow. Twice a month, Cyfle Cymru volunteers join the team at Erddig to help with the [.....]
News
Cyfle Cymru volunteers prepare Welsh Mountain Zoo for half-term break
VOLUNTEERS FROM Cyfle Cymru dug deep to help the Welsh Mountain Zoo prepare their playgrounds for the half-term rush. Participants from the recovery and employability programme shovelled barrowlands of bark to ensure a soft landing for children at the Colwyn Bay attraction's play areas ahead of the school holidays. Each fortnight, a team of Cyfle Cymru volunteers join Welsh Mountain Zoo staff to complete [.....]
Do not go gentle… Older adults who misuse substances
How do we work with older adults with substance misuse? Alongside an ageing population we are seeing an increase in alcohol consumption in the over-50s age group, coupled with the use of prescribed medication and illicit drug use. Older adults who have substance misuse problems do not receive the same attention as younger substance misusers, and generic services are increasingly having to deal with individuals [.....]
DACW members agree action plan on fentanyls
MEMBERS OF THE Developing a caring Wales (DACW) consortium have agreed an action plan to help combat the potential risk posed by the fentanyl family of synthetic opioids. The group – which brings together a number of high-profile voluntary sector agencies from across the country – has agreed six priorities to help tackle use of the substances, which are many times more potent than heroin. While evidence does [.....]
Volunteers pick up Recovery Month rewards for hard graft in beauty spots
VOLUNTEERS WHO have given hundreds of hours of their own time to help keep two of Wales’ prettiest beauty spots spick and span have been handed awards for their achievements. Participants in the Cyfle Cymru peer mentoring and Affinity programmes collected certificates to mark their efforts at Erddig Hall and Wepre Park at a special graduation ceremony. The schemes help people who have experience of [.....]
Recovering volunteers’ work to make Bangor more beautiful
VOLUNTEERS WITH experience of substance misuse and mental health issues are celebrating their recoveries by helping to make Bangor more beautiful this summer. The team, from the EU-funded Cyfle Cymru project, have cleaned graffiti and unwanted posters from vacant shops in the High Street and begun to clear the city centre’s landmark Bible Gardens of leaves, litter and weeds. Backed by Bangor Business [.....]
Adult Learners’ Week successes marked with presentations
CYFLE CYMRU marked Adult Learners’ Week by celebrating the success of our volunteers and peer mentors. Certificates were presented to members of the North Wales team at a training day in Bodelwyddan, marking their progress through the Cyfle Cymru Peer Mentoring Academy. The academy scheme – which seeks to recognise the professional development of peer mentoring skills – rewards commitment to outreach, [.....]
Cyfle Cymru volunteers walk with the animals
VOLUNTEERS FROM a Wales-wide recovery and employability programme are picking up a fresh insight into the Secret Life of the Chester Zoo as part of a new tie-up with the major attraction. Keilie Wycherley is one of a group who are giving their own time to help thousands of daytrippers enjoy their visit, enhance the zoo’s conservation efforts, and develop their own skills. She is a participant in the Cyfle Cymru [.....]
Fresh life chances from Cyfle Cymru
Fresh life chances delivered by £7m investment in new employability scheme Thousands of people with a history of drug and alcohol misuse and mental health issues will be given fresh life chances by a new employability scheme backed by EU funds and the Welsh Government. Cyfle Cymru will provide peer mentoring, training and confidence-building life skills for some of the most vulnerable people in Wales, helping [.....]
DACW reveals new brand and welcomes new member
National substance misuse consortium DACW has adopted a new brand as it welcomes mental health charity Hafal as its newest member. The newly-expanded group will focus its work on Developing a caring Wales. DACW secretary Clive Wolfendale said: “Our new brand reflects DACW’s overriding ambition to make Wales a more caring place for people with substance misuse and mental health issues – and to ensure everyone [.....]
