Veteran Spring Social 2022

2022 is a big year for First Choice Housing Association, with an important drive to improve health and wellbeing for all Tenants and staff. With this in mind, we hosted a wellbeing event for ex-Armed Forces Tenants in North Wales, plus their family and friends.

The 'Ty Ryan Spring Social' was an opportunity to bring those living at the scheme together with support networks and local services for an afternoon of socialising, pizza eating, and free haircuts. We hoped that the afternoon would support a community feel at the scheme and promote an increased sense of belonging for all.

The 'Ty Ryan Spring Social' was jointly funded by The Armed Forces Covenant and our own Community Involvement Grant. We met the following objectives of The Armed Forces Covenant Grant:

• To support members of the Armed Forces Community (AFC); • To support community integration for members of the AFC; • To improve/support health and wellbeing of the AFC; • To reduce isolation for members of the AFC; • To support any local initiatives for the AFC.

"The Chop Box", a mobile barbering initiative, had some really positive health and wellbeing benefits for Tenants. Lots of people took the opportunity to have some 'me time' in the barbers chair. For some people, it was the first professional haircut they had had in a long time and, with The Chop Box being local to Wrexham, Tenants took away contact details so that they can make use of the service in the future.

Jordy's Pizza brought their wood fired pizza pickup to provide fresh pizzas for Tenants and their support networks. With 4 different kinds of pizza available, everyone had full stomachs at the end of the day!

We were over the moon to see so many people join in at the 'Ty Ryan Spring Social' - not even the cold and wet weather stopped us. It not only gave Tenants an opportunity to socialise with each other, but also with us as their Housing Association and other support services in the area, such as Woody's Lodge, Help for Heroes, and Wrexham Citizens Advice.

6 Rheswm pam y dylai tenantiaid FCHA ymweld ag un o safleoedd yr YmddiriedolaethGenedlaethol eleni

Eleni rydym wedi cael tocyn arbennig gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol a fydd yn galluogi tenantiaid First Choice i ymweld ag unrhyw un o’u safleoedd yn rhad ac am ddim. Does dim rhaid i chi dalu am barcio hyd yn oed! Mae’r tocyn yn galluogi grwpiau o hyd at 50 person i ymweld ag unrhyw un o safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol.

Dyma 6 rheswm pam y dylai tenantiaid First Choice ymweld ag un o safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol cyn i’r cynnig ddod i ben ym mis Tachwedd.

Mae’r tocyn ar gael gan First Choice nes mis Tachwedd 2022, felly cysylltwch gyda ni os oes diddordeb gennych!

E-bost: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Ffôn: 029 2070 3758

1. Eich helpu i gyrraedd eich amcanion ymarfer corff a lles

P’unai eich bod eisiau treulio mwy o amser yn yr awyr agored, neu weld pa mor bell y galwch wthio eich hun wrth fynd am dro, safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yw’r lle perffaith i wneud hynny.

Mae cerdded yn cadw ein cyrff a’n meddyliau’n iach, yn rhoi seibiant i ni rhag straen a bwrlwm bywyd bob dydd ac yn rhoi cyfle i ni roi trefn ar ein meddyliau. Mae crwydro yng nghefn gwlad hefyd yn dod a ni’n agosach at natur, ac yn gwneud i ni sylweddoli beth sydd gan yr awyr agored i’w gynnig.

Gallwch ddarllen mwy am y manteision i iechyd a lles yma.

2. Creu neu ymuno â grŵp Ffotograffiaeth neu Wylio Bywyd Gwyllt

Os ydych yn mwynhau tynnu lluniau neu wylio bywyd gwyllt, heb os, mae safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol ymysg y llefydd gorau i wneud hyn.

Efallai y bydd y llwybrau godidog led led Cymru yn eich ysbrydoli i gydio yn eich camera a thynnu lluniau. Llun o’r haul yn sbecian drwy’r coed, neu hun-lun yng nghysgod bryniau tonnog Cymru efallai.

Gwyddom i nifer o denantiaid gymryd rhan yn nigwyddiad y Big Garden Birdwatch yn 2021. Cofnododd y tenantiaid yr holl adar a welsant yn pigo ar eu byrddau adar yn ystod yr Hydref. Dyma’r cyfle perffaith i roi’ch sgiliau gwylio adar newydd ar waith yng nghefn gwlad.

3. Cwrdd â ffrindiau a theulu yn yr awyr agored

Gall hyd at 50 person ymweld â safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol felly beth am fynd â’ch teulu a’ch ffrindiau yno? Mae ambell i le bendigedig i gael paned o de neu bicnic.

Mae hwn yn gyfle ardderchog i’ch hanwyliaid hefyd! Mae COVID-19 wedi atal pob un ohonom rhag gwneud y pethau yr ydym yn eu mwynhau a gweld y rheiny sy’n annwyl i ni. Mae defnyddio tocyn yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn ffordd dda o ddod a phobl ynghyd.

4. Dysgu am hanes y safle

Mae rhai o safleoedd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn gartref i rai o adeiladau prydferthaf y DU. Mae cyfleoedd lu i chi gael eich tywys ar daith gerdded er mwyn dysgu mwy am hanes y safle.

Byr yw’r teithiau a byddant yn eich helpu i ddeall at pa ddiben yr oedd yr adeiladau’n cael eu defnyddio flynyddoedd maith yn ôl. Gallwch hefyd gerdded drwy’r gerddi a cherdded ar lan yr afonydd.

5. Gwirfoddoli

Beth am helpu i ofalu am ardd gymunedol, rhandir a pherllan drwy ymuno â grŵp gwirfoddol Cyfeillion y Felin. Caiff sesiynau eu cynnal ar ail ddydd Sul y mis, ac maent yn croesawu unrhyw un sy’n 14 neu hŷn.

Beth am gymryd rhan yn un o ddigwyddiadau tacluso’r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol a helpu i lanhau’r ystâd drwy gasglu ysbwriel ac edrych am unrhyw ddifrod i arwyddion a giatiau.

Os ydych wedi ymuno ag un o’u grwpiau egnïol, beth am fynd gam ymhellach a gyda gwaith gwirfoddol sy’n ymwneud â chwaraeon. Gallwch helpu i adfer y llwybrau er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr y gall esgid ar ôl esgid gerdded, rhedeg a loncian arnynt yn ddiogel yn y dyfodol.

Os ydych yn chwilio am ffordd ardderchog o dreulio eich amser, mae nifer o gyfleoedd gwirfoddoli rheolaidd, o groesawu ymwelwyr yn y tŷ i waith cadwraeth yn yr awyr agored yn yr ardd ac ar yr ystâd.

6. Am fod mwy a mwy o safleoedd yn hygyrch!

Er fod rhai teithiau cerdded yn fwy anodd na’u gilydd os oes gennych broblemau symudedd, mae llawer o’r safleoedd yn gwella eu hygyrchedd. Golyga hyn y bydd gan denantiaid sydd â chadair olwyn ac anghenion eraill fynediad i nifer o’r safleoedd bendigedig yma.

Beth am ddefnyddio’r tocyn er mwyn gweld beth sydd ganddynt i’w gynnig?

Wrth chwilio ar y rhyngrwyd am eiddo neu safle Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, byddwch yn dod ar draws ‘Datganiad Hygyrchedd’ ar eu gwefan. Mae’r Datganiadau Hygyrchedd yn helpu pobl i ddeall pa gyfleusterau sydd ar gael a helpu pobl i wneud penderfyniad ynglŷn ag ymweld. Mae’r Ymddiriedolaeth yn ceisio datblygu eu hygyrchedd ac maent yn gwneud gwelliannau. Golyga hyn y dylai mwy o bobl gydag anableddau allu mwynhau’r safleoedd a chael profiad mwy positif.

Os ydych chi’n teimlo fel gwneud ychydig o ymarfer corff, dyma restr lawn o lwybrau hygyrch yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/our-top-accessible-walks

Felly pa un o’r 6 rheswm sy’n denu eich sylw fwyaf? Rhowch wybod i ni!

Byddai First Choice wrth eu bodd pe byddai modd defnyddio’r tocyn cyn iddo ddod i ben ym mis Tachwedd 2022.

Felly cysylltwch â ni os oes diddordeb gennych!

E-bost: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Ffôn: 029 2070 3758

6 reasons to visit a National Trust site this year

We have been awarded a special pass from the National Trust that will allow First Choice Tenants to visit any National Trust site in Wales free of charge. You don’t even need to pay for your parking! This pass allows groups of up to 50 people to attend any National Trust site.

Here are 6 reasons why First Choice Tenants should visit a National Trust site before the offer expires in November.

First Choice have the pass available for all tenants across Wales, Shropshire and Telford, so please contact if you are interested!

Email: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Phone: 029 2070 3758

1. To help with your exercise or wellbeing goals.

Whether you want to get out in the fresh air more or to see how far you can push yourself on a walk, the National Trust sites are the perfect place to do that!

Walking keeps our bodies and minds healthy, giving us a breather from the stresses of daily life and the space to gather our thoughts. Exploring open countryside also brings us closer to nature, giving us time to notice what being outdoors has to offer. You can read more about the health and wellbeing benefits here.

2. Creating or joining a group for Photography or Wildlife Spotting

If you enjoy taking photographs or love to spot wildlife, the National Trust sites are definitely some of the best places to put your hobby into practice.

The scenic routes throughout Wales might inspire you to get your cameras out and take photographs. Maybe of the sun breaking through the trees, or taking a selfie in front of the rolling Welsh hills.

We know there were many Tenants who took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch event in 2021. Tenants made a note of all of the birds they spotted nibbling at their bird feeders in the Autumn. Now is the perfect opportunity to take those new bird spotting skills out into the countryside!

3. To meet friends and family outdoors.

Up to 50 people are allowed to attend the National Trust sites so why not take your family and friends? There are some lovely places for a cup of tea or a picnic.

This is a fantastic opportunity for your loved ones too! COVID-19 has stopped us all from doing the things we enjoy and seeing the people we care about. Using the National Trust pass is a good way of bringing people together.

4. To learn about the history of the site.

Some of the National Trust sites are home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK. There are many opportunities for you to take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the place.

Each tour doesn't take long and will help you understand what these buildings were used for many years ago. You can also walk through the gardens and beside the rivers.

5. To join in with some volunteering.

Help look after a community garden, allotment and orchard by joining the Friends of Felin volunteering group. Sessions run every second Saturday of the month and welcomes anyone from aged 14 and above. Join one of National Trusts' clean ups and help give the estate a good tidy up by collecting rubbish and checking for any damage to the signs and gates. If you’ve joined one of their active groups, take things one step further and help out on sports volunteering days, where you can help to restore the pathways to ensure they are fit or many more trainers to walk, run and jog along in the future. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your time, there are a range of regular volunteering opportunities, from welcoming visitors in the house to outdoor conservation in the garden and on the estate.

6. Because more and more sites are accessible!

Although some of the walks may be more difficult if you have issues with your mobility, a lot of parks are improving their accessibility. This means that Tenants with wheelchair requirements and other needs will have access to a number of these beautiful sites. Why not use the pass to experience what’s on offer?

If you search on the internet for a National Trust property or site, you will find their ‘Access Statement’ on their website. These Access Statements help people to understand the facilities available and help people to make their own decisions about visiting. The National Trust is developing their accessibility and making improvements. This means that more people with a disability should be able to enjoy the sites and have a more positive experience.

If you feel like some exercise, you can find a full list of the National Trust accessible walks here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/our-top-accessible-walks

So which of the 6 reasons are you most interested in? Let us know!

Email: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Phone: 029 2070 3758