CYCA Spring Newsletter 2011
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INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 5th edition of our newsletter that celebrates both the work of CYCA and CYCA Wales Limited. The year so far has been both busy and rewarding. We were fortunate to have Mr Keith Towler as our keynote speaker at our launch of CYCA Wales Limited in March who congratulated and recognised our work with Looked After Children. A DVD and video were produced which will be sent to key partners soon. Our work with LAC is expanding, and we continue to enjoy a close working relationship with Carmarthenshire Council Children's service managers. A new drop in facility is planned over the summer for those leaving care, offering them life skills and practical support to live independently. We congratulate Mrs Susan David, leader of Teddybears in gaining 20 years service with the Charity-no mean task! Our Dewi Sant centre is now dry and safe thanks to the County again in undertaking remedial work to the walls and roof to ensure children can play safely. The summer months will see us providing far more outdoor activities to give children and young people opportunities to enjoy fresh air and hopefully sunshine! We continue to employ staff in projects such as fly fishing, skateboarding, den building etc. Children are having opportunities to gain qualifications in activities they love, making learning fun! We continue to expand our services with the most vulnerable. Families In Crisis are now supporting adults through courts and afterwards, helping them to try to make sense of their trauma--our highly skilled team of practitioners are being recognised by many professionals for the rapid and effective responses to crisis. Thanks to all our partners for your continued support. The role of 3rd sector with so many budget cuts in statutory services has never been so crucial, and CYCA pride ourselves as being a key player in Carmarthenshire. I hope you all have a restful Easter! www.cycaonline.org
Tracy Pike, Association Manager
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CONTENTS 3—4
NEWS ROUNDUP
5—6
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH FOR CYCA WALES LIMIED
7—8
FIT 4 FUN
9—10
FAMILIES IN CRISIS
11—12 TEDDYBEARS NURSERY 13—14 JELLITOTZ NURSERY 15—16 LITTLE SERAPHS NURSERY 17—18 LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN (LAC) 19—20 CYCA YOUTH 21—22 OUR WISHLIST & UPCOMING EVENTS 23—24 STAFF IN FOCUS
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NEWS ROUNDUP
SUE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS AT CYCA Teddybears Nursery leader celebrates her 20th year at CYCA in March. Sue joined CYCA in 1991 to set up a Mother & Toddler Group and from there played a key role in establishing and developing our Youth Club, Summer Schemes and Nurseries. ―I have had a wonderful 20 years at CYCA and it‘s been a delight to see how the charity has developed into what it is today and I‘m honoured to have a played a part in its success‖, said Sue. Manager Tracy Pike added ―We congratulate Sue on completing 20 years service with us and I would to thank her for the dedication and commitment she has shown the charity over the years.‖ NEW LEADER FOR LITTLE SERAPHS We are delighted to announce that Cheryl Rees has taken over as leader of our Little Seraphs nursery. Cheryl, who has worked for 5 years as an assistant at our Jellitotz nursery, has a wealth of experience and skills within the field of Early Years provision and we look forward to her helping us build on the success that Little Seraphs has achieved over its short existence. Cheryl takes over from Emma Hughes who has left CYCA to take up a post with the local authority‘s Genesis team. We would like to thank Emma for her time at CYCA and the role she played in establishing Little Seraphs and we would like to wish her well in her new role. www.cycaonline.org
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CYCA WALES LIMITED STAGES LAUNCH EVENT Our sister charity, CYCA Wales Limited held a special launch event in March, where invitees were introduced to the services and projects involved in CYCA Wales Limited as well as displays from all areas of CYCA‘s work. The event proved to be a major success. More details on the event are on pages 5 & 6.
COUNCIL CARRY OUT REPAIR WORK AT CYCA HEADQUARTERS We are so appreciative to Carmarthenshire County Council for their help and support in remedial work to our main centre. A large part of the boundary wall has been rebuilt, part of the roof re tiled and some lintel work in the windows has been restored. The centre serves thousands of visits from children and their families every year so this work was crucial for our ongoing work.
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SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH FOR CYCA WALES LIMITED
Our new sister charity CYCA Wales Limited enjoyed a successful launch event at the Selwyn Samuel Centre on March 16th 2011. A host of important delegates and important people from the community came out in force for the event and they were treated to an enthralling programme, which included presentations about the new charity by CYCA Wales Chair Jan Williams and Manager Tracy Pike, a talk from the Children‘s Commissioner for Wales Mr Keith Towler, an overview of Looked After Children from Carmarthenshire Council officials, a talk from BIG Lottery Fund‘s Mike Theodoulou and closing remarks from Leader of Carmarthenshire Council, Meryl Gravell and CYCA Chair Pam Edmunds. Delegates were also shown displays from CYCA staff, which celebrated the work of CYCA and CYCA Wales Limited. Our manager Tracy Pike was delighted with the success of the day, ―I am thrilled to be able to launch this much needed service in Llanelli. Many families are experiencing chaotic lifestyles especially in the midst of this recession where debt is a huge stressor.―
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Based at the Palms Centre, CYCA Wales Limited is an emotional health and well being centre with specialist counselling and training rooms. It also has a state of the art crèche catering from birth to 5 years. The centre employs a team of highly experienced counsellors and mentors offering 1-1 support or family therapy. CYCA Wales Limited also provides training for any work related stress including schools and health service providers. The two biggest funded projects facilitated in the new Palms building is the BIG Lottery Funded Families In Crisis, offering a package of holistic therapeutic interventions for all family members. Also a Carmarthenshire County Council and Children in Need funded scheme offering mentoring to Looked After Children offering them life skills and resiliency strategies to cope with daily stressors. For further information about CYCA Wales Limited, contact Tracy Pike on 01554 757599 or email tracy@cycaonline.org
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FIT 4 FUN
Skateboarding at Richmond Park School
The start of 2011 was the beginning of the third and final year of our Fit 4 Fun project, as Fabian and the team moved the main focus of their work into Carmarthen. The year began with a jam packed programme in Richmond Park School, where the pupils were treated a host of Fit 4 Fun activities, including Tatty Bumpkin, Dance, Cheerleading, Skateboarding and Healthy Cooking. February half term saw the team stage an exciting ‗Ready Steady Cook‘ activity in Carmarthen Leisure Centre for the children of the ‗Busy Bees‘ holiday club, where local children served up a treat under the guidance of chef Lisa Fearn. In Llanelli, Lakefield School took part in a 6 week healthy cooking programme, where the children cooked a variety of dishes including a full chicken dinner! Also, the community cooking club continued to run on a weekly basis in our Dewi Sant kitchen. The clubs are now running at full capacity and the children‘s knowledge and skills of healthy food has developed greatly. Back in Carmarthen, after half term, another school started their Fit 4 Fun programme, as Ysgol Myrddin opted for a full programme of healthy cooking workshops throughout the school, where pupils learned how to cook healthy pizzas, cawl, fruit kebabs and welsh cakes. www.cycaonline.org
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During this period the team were delighted to be able to start working with two very important groups, which are children from CYCA‘s Looked After Children (LAC) scheme, and the Foreign Language Group. For the LAC scheme, Fit 4 Fun are staging a host of monthly workshops, where the children learn all the basic skills of cooking along with a variety of 3 course meal recipes. Whilst the Language Group are taking part in a series of ‗mother and child‘ healthy cooking workshops, where they learn how to practically follow recipes in the English language. As well as the staging of events, this period also saw the launch of the exciting Fit 4 Fun online games, where children across the county have had the chance to take part of Fit 4 Fun hero ‗Fabian‘ in a host of healthy living adventures. For more information about the project, contact Matthew Newbold on 01554 757599, email matthew@cycaonline.org or visit the project website www.fit4funwales.com
‗Busy Bees‘ Club
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Language Group
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FAMILIES IN CRISIS
As our Big Lottery Funded project nears the end of it‘s first year, it continues to focus upon the promised early intervention programme for families who are in, or escalating towards crisis. The aim has been to support families within the Llanelli area who are experiencing high levels of emotional and psychological distress; with issues such as break down in relationships, domestic abuse, traumatic incidents, mental health, bereavement, debt, benefit and housing issues. These families have received a range of support and interventions including: Individual and Family Counselling Psychological and Cognitive Support Self-resiliency and Stress Management Peer Support/Mentoring Dealing with Anger and Challenging Behaviour A package of practical support linked to FIC Case Manager, support worker and a team Solicitors The extensive background of the Families in Crisis team comprises of a collection of highly skilled and motivated team of Counsellors and Therapists. As a team they have continued to offer families a wealth of knowledge and a professional service to the highest standard. As each referral is assessed on its own merit, each family or family member has received appropriate assessment depending on the urgency of their situation together with any potentiality of any child in need or at risk. The assessment will also receive consideration towards the degree of need and difficulties which families find themselves in.
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A growing list of referrals was received in the previous year either directly from families or through partnered agencies such as CAMHs, Social Services, Police, Health Visitors, Hafan and Women‘s Aid. Due to the contacts which have been made with partner agencies, both statutory and voluntary, it has been found to be advantageous to families to have developed such a partnered approach. By applying direct assistance towards the issues which families have found themselves in, the level of family‘s difficulties have been more manageable. Due to the demand of the project‘s services, the Families in Crisis has expanded through the appointments of Sam Hale and Katie O‘shea. Sam is qualified in Integrative Counselling, Art/Play therapy and has a certificate in Systemic Therapy gained at Family Institute, University of Glamorgan. Sam is currently working with the SARC in Cardiff 1 day a week, offering emotional support and advice to victims of sexual assault. Sam also carries out some work at Squiggles in Neath Port Talbot, providing child focused therapy for looked after children and support to foster carer and adoptive parents. Katie‘s background is Social Care; she is currently studying at the Family Institute, University of Glamorgan where she will qualify to MAs level in June this year. Katie was previously employed by the NSPCC, specialising in the sexual harmful service and more recently working as a children and young person‘s advocate. Also coming on board will be Student Counsellors: Sue Membery and Cara Spowart. Sue is currently studying Counselling at Coleg Sir Gar and Cara at the Swansea Metropolitan; both will be available to work with children, adolescents and adults around: stress/anxiety/behaviour management, bullying, depression and bereavement issues. For more information about the project, please contact Vanessa Evans on 01554 757599 or email vanessa@cycaonline.org
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TEDDYBEARS NURSERY
So far, 2011 has been a very busy time for the children in Teddybears, with lots to celebrate, plenty of visitors and an exciting ‗Farm‘ theme to learn about. In February, the children celebrated Valentines Day by making some special heart shaped sandwiches. Also in Yummy cawl! February some very special visitors came to the nursery from Pant Glas World of Nature – barn owls and tawny owls who treated the children to a fantastic flying display. The beginning of March ushered in a whole week of St David's Day celebrations in honour of our patron saint. Children dressed in traditional Welsh costume, made Welsh flags and leeks, and enjoyed making cawl and welsh cakes. Children also celebrated St. Patrick's Day, using green paint and material to decorate shamrocks and leprechauns. Later in March the children had the opportunity to dress up again firstly as their favourite book character, for World Book Day, and then in red in support of Comic Relief Red Nose Day. A big thank you goes to parents and the children for raising £25.50!! Fun instruments with ‗Bongo Clive‘
Special visitors
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SPRING 2011
Dressing up for Red Nose Day
‗Bongo Clive‘ treated the nursery children and those from Copperworks School nursery and reception classes to a fabulous musical experience with an assortment of percussion instruments from across the world. Finally, the busy month ended with another visit from Pant Glas World of Nature; this time with Spring animals- rabbits and lambs, plus, unexpectedly, a tame hedgehog who had spent the winter recuperating from an accident. In April, the children made special gifts for Mother's Day, and staged a special Easter bonnet parade and egg hunt to end the term, where parents also took part in the fun and were treated to some special Easter songs from the children.
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JELLITOTZ NURSERY
Dressing up in favourite characters for World Book Day
2011 has so far been a busy year at Jellitotz with the children having the chance to take part in some fun activities as well as welcoming some very special visitors. These included Owls from Pant Glas World of Nature, who wowed the children with a special flying display!! Also, musician Bong Clive paid a special visit, where children and parents were learned about music and instruments from around the world and they also had a visit from some special spring animals. Bongo Clive
St David‘s Day
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During this term, the children had many opportunities to dress up to celebrate some special days, including Chinese New Year, St David‘s Day, St Patrick‘s Day and World Book Day. For Comic Relief, the children had a ‗messy play day‘ with water, gloop, shaving foam and other messy things! In all they raised £60. The children are also helping to prepare a sensory garden in the outdoor play area. The nursery was also given a new interactive white board from ‗Flying start‘, which will help the children learn many new skills in preparation for ‗big school‘. Finally, a warm welcome is extended to a new member of staff, Julie Bates.
Comic Relief
Spring Animals
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LITTLE SERAPHS NURSERY & CRÉCHE
The children and staff at Little Seraphs have had a busy start to 2011, as there have been many special dates and themes to celebrate. In February, staff and children said goodbye to leader Emma Hughes who left Little Seraphs to start a new job. Everyone wishes her well and she will be missed by all. Cheryl Rees has been appointed as the new leader and is looking forward to developing and expanding on the good work Emma has done in helping to establish the nursery. To celebrate St. David‘s Day the nursery staged a ―Welsh week‖ where the children dressed in traditional costume. They also took part in many activities including Welsh stories, songs and craft sessions making a special ‗Welsh‘ display. For World Book Day, the children enjoyed a teddy bears character picnic, where they brought in their favourite book and toy and celebrated by having a picnic with lots of nice things to eat. They also enjoyed and listened to lots of stories throughout the day. Next, it was time to celebrate Pancake Day where the children created their own pancake faces. Lots of fun was had creating them and it was even better eating them...yummy! On Comic Relief – Red Nose Day the staff and children wore red clothes and had a wild hair day! Lots of fun was had making red circle pictures and a mini disco. A big thank you goes to everyone for their kind donations. Welsh Display
Outdoor fun!
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SPRING 2011 Tatty Bumpkin continues to be a great success as the children and staff thoroughly enjoy the sessions. The sessions are a great hit with parents too as staff regularly receive positive comments and feedback. In preparation for Spring, the children have been busy creating a spring display as well as planting in their very own garden where they will grow sunflowers and various vegetables. They have also added a herb garden and will also create a sensory garden to help learn, experiment and explore about how things grow. Little Seraphs also run a crèche facility alongside the main nursery. Working in partnership with Communities First groups in Llanelli they provide childcare which enables parents to take part in activities which helps with their own personal development for example attend further education or training courses. For more information about Little Seraphs or to arrange a visit to the nursery please phone Cheryl on 07980400483 or 01554 757599.
Tatty Bumpkin session
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LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN (LAC)
Film making for CYCA DVD
The start of 2011 has been a hectic time for our LAC project with a number of events and new programmes for the youngsters to get involved in both on a 1:1 and group basis. The group continue to take part in many activities such as creating music and film, life skills sessions, holistic therapies, social skills and sport sessions. Some of these skills were put to the test as two of the girls contributed greatly to the ‗CYCA Film‘ which was created for the launch event for CYCA Wales Limited, and they were extremely proud of the work that they produced. At the launch itself, all the LAC children attended, where they had the opportunity to voice their opinions to the Children‘s Commissioner for Wales, Mr Keith Towler. This year has also seen the beginning of monthly Healthy Cooking Workshops in partnership with our Fit 4 Fun project. The workshops are carried out by chef Lisa Fearn and involve the youngsters learning some essential basic cooking skills and learning some new 3 course meal recipes. At the end of the programme, they will be selecting their favourite recipes and will cook a special 3 course meal for themselves and their mentors. They also receive regular visit from Holistic Therapist, Jean Morgan who provides them with massages and aromatherapy sessions. ww
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This year, the LAC programme has also developed important links with Coleg Sir Gar, which involves an officer from the college meeting the youngsters on a regular basis in order to provide support in all issues relating to further education. LAC staff are currently in the process of developing the current mentoring programme with the aim of fully maximising the use of the resources available at our Dewi Sant and Palms Centres, and after the Easter break there are plans to develop a mentoring programme for younger children aged 10-14 years old. Also after Easter the youngsters will be introduced to ASDAN and OCN programmes, where they will have the opportunity to take part in a host of extra curricular courses and activities. For more information on our LAC project, contact Barry Johnson or Caroline Davies on 01554 757599 or email barry@cycaonline.org or caroline@cycaonline.org
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Youngsters learn important life skills at healthy cooking workshops works
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CYCA YOUTH
NEW YOUTH LOGO The youth area of our work has been given its very own logo to help promote the service and its related projects across the County.
YOUTH CLUB Our youth club continues to go from strength to strength as it enjoyed a very busy start to the new year with numbers increasing from week to week. Last year, the club was divided into two separate age groups, Under 14s who meet every Tuesday and Over 14s who meet every Thursday. As a result, the leaders have been able to plan fun programmes of activities directed to the two age groups. These have included arts & crafts activities such as t-shirt making glass painting and jewellery making; and numerous team building games. As well as the fun activities, youth club staff have also put together a programme of activities which also focuses on various issues which effect young people, such as drug and alcohol abuse and sexual health. As a reward for the positive behaviour shown by the youngsters over recent weeks, the team have planned an exciting weekend trip to Llandysul Paddlers, which will take place before the summer.
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The youth club has also linked with College Sir Gar to do some vocational work in such areas as mechanics, hair and beauty and woodwork. There are also plans to have an onsite holistic therapist who will do relaxation work with the youngsters and provide them with massages. They will also be able to make a variety of aromatherapy products to take home with them. After the Easter break, club staff will also introduce a new ASDAN programme. This will give the youngsters the opportunity to get accredited certificates in a wide range of extra curriculum activities, such as peer mentoring, personal finance and volunteering. The youth club is voluntary operated and funded therefore would welcome any volunteer support. For more information, please contact Barry Johnson on 01554 757599 or email barry@cycaonline.org
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OUR WISH LIST & UPCOMING EVENTS
At CYCA, we rely heavily on the generosity and support of both the general community and local businesses, which can help us survive. Whether you are an individual whose voluntary work can help us deliver our projects and services or an organisation who can offer ‗in-kind‘ or financial support, your help will go a long way. Here‘s our wish list for the coming months: New equipment for our Youth Clubs. Volunteers to help in our various clubs.
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SPRING 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS & CLUBS CYCA Holiday Clubs—Easter holidays and May half term holidays at Dewi Sant Centre. CYCA After School Clubs—We run a host of after school clubs across Llanelli every week night. CYCA Youth Club Under 14s—Every Tuesday evening 6.308.00pm at Dewi Sant Centre. Everyone welcome. CYCA Youth Club Over 14s—Every Thursday evening 6.308.00pm at Dewi Sant Centre. Everyone welcome. Fit 4 Fun—Throughout 2011, Fit 4 Fun will be staging a host of healthy living events in schools and in the general community. Visit the Fit 4 Fun pages of our website for more details.
For more information about all of our events and clubs, contact us on 01554 757599, email support@cycaonline.org or visit our website www.cycaonline.org
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STAFF IN FOCUS
ELIZABETH BELL— PROJECT MENTOR How long have you worked for CYCA? I have been working for CYCA for just over 6 months. What’s the best thing about your job? The best thing about my job is simple...having the chance to meet and work with a variety of young adults. What’s the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning? The first thing I do is hunt for my mug and make a lovely cup of tea!! What do you do to relax after a long hard day in the office? I like to take the dog for a walk or go for a run and reflect on my day‘s work. What do you like doing in your spare time? I like going shopping (a bit to much), looking after my god daughter and keeping fit. Are you expecting any Easter Eggs this year? No I don't think so. I usually just get money or a present instead. What are you looking forward to most in 2011? Continuing to work with my ‗one to ones‘ and helping them develop further....and of course the Royal Wedding!!!
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OUR FUNDERS
CONTACT US For more information about CYCA and all of our services and projects get in touch with us on 01554 757599, email support@cycaonline.org, visit our website www.cycaonline.org, or call in to see us at Dewi Sant Centre, Nevill Street, Llanelli, SA15 2RS.
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