My name is Brian and I live in Talbot Green. When I was in school I used to do gardening in Y Pant. In the winter I used to help my dad in the garden.

I worked in Remploy in Tonyrefail for ten years starting in 1974. We used to do all sorts of jobs. Then I did four years in Llantrisant, and twenty five years in Porth. I retired in 2013, and have the opening plaque from when Remploy opened in 1988. The building has been demolished. On Friday we finished early and went to the pub for lunch.

Since I have retired I have done a computer course and a photography course, as well as pottery and pop art, and have a big collection of paintings that I have done.

I am on the Innovate Trust board of management and I have spoken to people to get them to vote in elections. This is important because if you don’t vote then you don’t have a say in what’s going on.

I went to the Rhondda heritage park with Innovate Trust where I met Lucy and Arwen from Take Charge for the first time.

I joined Take Charge in August 2018 and have done gardening in St Fagans where I learned to work as part of a team. My favourite job is raking.

I did a Heart Start course in my house where I learned about heart attacks, choking and bleeding. I’ve got some good ideas for other training in the future, like mental health training and epilepsy training.

I did an Equal Opportunities course, learning how to treat all people with respect, and not to judge them.

I have been doing health and safety checks in my house and would like to volunteer as a fire buddy and do health and safety training.