On the first of November 2023, Innovate Trust held a Take Charge evaluation meeting. Whilst dressed in Halloween costumes, the group discussed all things Take Charge!
Welcoming new Take Charge participants and outreach efforts
The session was an opportunity for our participants to get together to share what they had learnt alongside what they enjoyed about the project and how we can improve. An astounding 22 people attended together with support!
Two individuals had came along to find out more about Take Charge sessions as they had not attended before. One person receives outreach support through Innovate Trust, and another has heard about Take Charge through a family member. It was amazing to see some new faces and share flyers promoting new activities for them, including our Money Money Money and Women’s Group sessions. We are looking forward to working with them soon!
Group experiences and feedback
It was great to see participants who felt comfortable enough to talk, speaking about their experiences attending various activities. Everybody seemed to enjoy looking through the photos taken during many of our sessions, spotting lots of familiar faces. The photos helped to remind people of the activities that they had been involved in so we could evaluate them.
Trying new things and developing skills
Katie, in particular, had enjoyed visiting the Council Chambers and meeting the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf. She felt the experience had made her want to become a councillor herself, as she believes it is important to listen to what others want and to help them. Katie also spoke about how she learned that the councillors do a lot of good work. Our Money Money Money sessions are important to Katie, especially now that she is married.
Inspiring Aspirations and civic engagement
Dean agreed with Katie that the meeting with the Mayor was excellent. He had enjoyed speaking at the Council Chambers, especially through a microphone, which he hadn’t done before. Dean said that it was important for participants to have a chance in all of the sessions to tell others about what they do know, pass on ideas and learn from each other. He said it was important for participants to have a say and that Take Charge allows them to do that.
Lifesaving skills and communication
Mark said that he thought all Take Charge sessions were excellent and well-planned. He has enjoyed them all, particularly our First Aid courses. Mark told us how he learned how to put someone in a recovery position and how to prevent death. He also enjoys our Makaton sessions and has learned a lot of signs, which he tries to put into practice.
Financial empowerment
Emma said that our Money Money Money sessions had been her favourite as she was able to learn so much more about money and finances. Emma and her support team have told us how she often worries about what she’s spending and wants to learn more about the value of coins and notes. She is now well on her way to mastering this! Emma finds all of our Take Charge sessions enjoyable, and she has learned a lot of new things.
Butterflies club and women’s conservation group
Sophie had enjoyed the Butterflies Club, especially using the binoculars and trying to feed the birds. Butterflies Club is a women’s only group with individuals across Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The group provides a safe space for women to learn about important conservation issues.
Natalie said she had enjoyed listening to the trees. She enjoys trying to work out how tall they are at our Butterflies Club. Natalie fed back to the group that our sessions are good fun and that she loves that she is asked to help out. She said that she feels that her opinion matters.
Ann, the winner of our Halloween quiz, showed off her festive trophy to the group! After basking in her glory, Ann told us about the butterfly and dragonfly nature activity she enjoyed with us in Barry. Ann was exceptionally skilled at labelling a diagram of a dragonfly’s anatomy and remembered this fondly.
Continuing support and community impact
We have taken all our participants’ comments on board. We are looking forward to continuing to provide the project they want. Take Charge continues to be a popular project for the individual’s Innovate Trust support, and the wider Learning Disability community. Providing a wide range of activities allows everyone in Rhondda Cynon Taf and beyond to improve their skills and wellbeing.
Join Take Charge
Get in touch with us if you have a Learning Disability or work-limiting health condition and are interested in gaining work-related skills and qualifications, meeting new people, and learning new things.
