Cardiff Half Marathon Fundraising.

March marks this years Cardiff Half Marathon and 6 members of staff from FCHA are running on behalf of Gig Buddies Cymru. First Choice has been a funder of Gig Buddies Cymru since it's inception in 2018 are honoured to support them during the Half Marathon for such a fantastic cause.

Gig Buddies Cymru pairs up adults with and without a learning disability who share the same interests so they can go to gigs and events together. It’s a very simple and effective way to tackle loneliness and isolation, while creating new friendships who can enjoy the arts, sport and new experiences together. You can find out more and apply to be a gig buddy here:

The 6 members of staff running the Cardiff Half Marathon are: Adrian Burke, Nigel Bowen, Tudor Davies, Michael Mainwaring, Dave Bingham, and Richard Griffiths. You can support their fundraising here.

First Choice's Housing Manager Nigel had this to say about supporting Gig Buddies Cymru in the Cardiff Half Marathon:

First Choice has been very proud to support and provide funding to Gig Buddies Cymru since 2018. The actions, aims and outcomes of Gig Buddies Cymru are directly linked to the values of the Association. First Choice has been a provider of housing for people with a learning disability for over 30 years. We feel passionately about promoting the rights of our tenants – and all people with a learning disability – to be able to enjoy all aspects of life.

Bristol Fundraising Gig in 2020

First Choice agrees with the Disability Rights Commission`s stance that all people with a disability should have equal opportunities to participate and contribute as equal citizens in the social, economic, civic and community life of the country. We believe that Gig Buddies Cymru plays a key role in helping to achieve this for people with a learning disability. Six members of the First Choice staff team are running the Cardiff Half this year to raise awareness of the great work that Gig Buddies Cymru does – and we welcome any donations to help motivate us further for what we are sure will be a great day. Training is going well but there is a lot of hard work still to be done. We can’t wait to join the rest of the runners representing Gig Buddies Cymru on 27th March.”

Support our runners

You can find out more about all our runners and donate to their LocalGiving fundraising page at the link below:

First Choice Housing – Adrian, Nigel, Tudor, Michael, Dave, Richard

FCHA & Keep Wales Tidy Garden Project

Keep Wales Tidy run the 'Local Places for Nature' initiative that offers a range of free garden packages with the intention to reverse nature's decline and boost well-being throughout communities in Wales.

First Choice were awarded some of these garden packages, allowing improvements to the garden space for tenants and giving nature a home. All tenants were involved in participating or supervising First Choice staff and tenants' support staff with planting various herbs and wildflowers in their gardens to create a small wildlife friendly garden filled with a variety of habitats for pollinators to thrive.

Keep Wales Tidy supplied us with fruit and herb garden packages for 2 properties in Neath and Cardiff. Keep Wales Tidy also provided the tools and equipment for us to be able to develop the gardens with ease. Included in a fruit and herb garden package:

Five fruit trees Ten soft fruit bushes Ten herb and pollinator plants Fruit tree handbook Peat-free compost Gloves Hand tools (fork, spade, secateurs, trowel) Wildflower seed containing 24-nectar rich UK native species

Lynette, who's garden has been mentioned in previous blogs, was incredibly excited to get involved. She helped dig holes and plant the produce in the her garden and is looking forward to seeing what comes out of the garden in Neath.

Kathryn, the Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy in Neath and Jessie, the "Local Places for Nature" Coordinator attended as well, overseeing how the garden was being developed and provided essential information to the tenants on how to properly use the tools, soil and plants that were provided to give them the knowledge to get the best out of their garden!

We would like to thank Keep Wales Tidy (especially Kathryn and Jessie), support staff and First Choice tenants for helping us give nature a home at our properties, increase biodiversity, and improve wellbeing for tenants and their support networks.

We have 2 more projects in Neath and Powys as well as trees being delivered to all 4 of the properties in the next few weeks as well!

Garden Project Slideshow

Water Butt Giveaway for Tenants

Water butts are a simple method for collecting and storing rainwater.

The UK is often wet but sometimes in the summer we still have to be careful about using too much water when it’s very hot and dry. So, we need to think how to keep our gardens green without just turning on taps.

First Choice is offering free supply and installation of water butts to our tenants at the first 50 properties that tell us they want one. Complete the online form here, Answer a few short questions and attach a picture of where you would like your new water butt installed – and we will do the rest.

If you’ve got a water meter, a garden water butt will save you money. They are good for the environment. Your plants will thank you and rainwater is free from chlorine and treating agents found in tap water

If you are a tenant and you're interested in a Water But please contact FCHA!

Call: 02920 703 758

Email: customerservices@fcha.org.uk

Why a water butt?

• Save water: Water butts reduce the need to use mains water and can help you manage your water resources.

  
  

• Reduce strain on drainage systems: Water butts can help prevent flooding by reducing the amount of water that flows into the street during heavy rain.

  
  

• Lower carbon emissions: Water butts are an environmentally friendly way to water your garden.

  
  

• Cost-effective: Water butts can be a cost-effective way to access water.