Gerraint’s Blog December 2021

My December started in North Wales where I and Engage to Change Project manager Angela Kenvyn and the project’s Communication Officer Sophie Williams had travelled to attend the Engage to Change Evaluation Forum on the 30th of November. Whilst we were in North Wales we decided to use the opportunity to visit the fantastic interns that Agoriad Cyf work with.

On the 1st of December, we travelled from Prestatyn to Rhyl to meet the interns that will be starting their placement in Ysbyty

ty Glan Clwyd in January. We asked them about their hopes for their placements and their employment goals. They were very engaging and a lovely group to have interesting discussions with.

Following on from this we spoke to the Engage to Change Project SEARCH interns at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. They were great who had real aspirations and goals that they would like to achieve moving forward with the project. It was fantastic to be able to meet with both of the interns and to get to know them and tell them about my role and experience with the project.

On the 3rd of December, I was very fortunate to be asked to attend the National Autism Employment Event which was held on Zoom. The event had some very interesting speakers and it was well attended. The event was co-chaired by Willow Holloway and Professor Phil Reed from Swansea University. A video of me sharing my experiences with work was also included in the event.

I hosted a Fun Hour especially for the Engage to Change Project SEARCH Princess of Wales Hospital Interns on 14th December. I split them into 2 groups and they were very competitive but it was played in great spirit. Even though the event was held online it was still lots of fun and the interns enjoyed it.

On the 15th of December, I held a Christmas Fun Hour for the Engage to Change participants. Right after the fun hour, I hosted a fun hour for the Learning Disability Wales team. There was a lot of laughs, banter and great Christmas festivities on Zoom.
To finish the year, I am hosting my last Fun Hour of 2021 with the Ysbwty Glan Clwyd Interns before we break up for Christmas on the 22nd of December.

It was been a busy and exciting year despite the difficulties brought by COVID-19. I would like to thank you for reading my blogs every month, I would also like to thank different organisations who have agreed for me to Spotlight them so you as the reader and understand the important work they do.

I would like to wish you a very Christmas and a very happy and healthy 2022.