The week ahead......

Staring at my diary is not going to get the work done! I have several meetings this week as well as the SOSPPAN demo at the Senedd on Wednesday. I have decided to Caitlin along with me, after all, she also has the right to protest and to be heard.

I also need to find the perfect dress to wear at Buckingham Palace, I'm just not happy with anything I find so it's a last ditch visit to Monsoon tomorrow for me.......

May Blues!

Yesterday was a little hectic to say the least! After reading a star article which didn't impress me greatly I headed to the monthly SCAG (Safer Communities Action Group) meeting. It was nice to catch up with everyone and even nicer to see some new faces. This group is growing from strength to strength. I was quite anxious that we finish on time as I had a 4:30pm train to catch to Cardiff to see Westlife on their farewell tour!

The concert was awesome and I was quite sad thta this would be the last time I saw them live. I've watched them grow from boys to becoming the men they are today; I sound like a mum. I'll never forget their first tour when me and my best mate Yas went to see them. We've now been 13 times.......

Had to be up early today and really didn't want to. Had the Feel Good Factor Health and Wellbeing course. Fab meditation, redid my vision board although it wasn't quite what I expected and lunch was delicious. Feel bleurgh though. Maybe it's an anti climax from last night or maybe it's because it's May and it's cold and raining. Will I ever get my veggies planted?? I hope the sun re-appears for the Strawberry Tea on Sunday..

Going to chill a bit now with my kindle and coffee and read 50 Shades of Grey Darker.......

International Women's Day 2012

Although a few months back now (March 2012), I wanted to share this with you. March saw us celebrating International Women's Day. This year's theme was domestic violence, delivering the message that society will not tolerate domestic violence and that there is help. Nia Griffith MP delivered a short speech highlighting the fact that although women have come along way, we still have to fight harder for that job, for acceptance. Recently, I was very privileged to be invited to speak to a group of women visiting from Lybia and Jordan as part of the active citizens programme. Below is what I said to them but I feel it also applies here, at home.

When I was first invited to come and speak to you, a little panic arose. Was I qualified to speak to you? So I sat down and begun to think about my life and how it fit into the community.
I grew up in the community where I still live with my husband and three children. I have been a community volunteer for over twelve years now, working with my neighbours to make our community a happier, safer place to live. I have helped to organise large scale events, worked with the local schools on many different activities, projects events and campaigns and have received awards for my accomplishments which include “All Wales Volunteer of the Year, Community Safety Champion, Road Safety Wales and also a commendation from Dyfed Powys Police”. Volunteering was within my comfort zone. Recently, I decided to take the next step, into local politics. Am I ready? I don’t know, I hope so........
 
It’s the year 2012 and still women are not always regarded as being capable, strong, and intelligent. It’s sometimes difficult being a woman working in the community as our sympathies are seen as weakness, our kindness seen as naivety.
 
As a woman I am many things; a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, a counsellor, a good listener, a referee, a cook, a cleaner and so much more......
 
Women come together every day to create a better environment for our families, our neighbours and our friends. Whether it is whilst out shopping, in work, or taking our children to school or the park, we come together. We come together to talk about our concerns and how we can make changes for the better. We all want what’s best for our families and our communities and this is the one thing we have in common, we women, from around the world. We are united, we share common goals. We are home makers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, policy makers, women - making a difference.
 
There is a Mexican proverb that says “The house does not rest upon the ground, but upon a woman” this is true of all of us. Believe in yourselves, believe in your capabilities, and believe in your talents, your drive and enthusiasm. All change is possible; it just takes effort and a desire to make that change. Life is always evolving and it is up to us to make sure that the change is for the better. There will be days when you want to give up, when you feel you haven’t made progress, when the world appears to be fighting you. On those days, smile to yourself and say “I am woman, now hear me roar!”

I hope this has inspired you a little to go out there and be the best I know you can be.

I have now been asked to speak at the adult learner presentation evening next week. I have begun to think about what I can say. I am currently an adult learner myself - learning to drive abysmally! But if each of us stops for a while and thinks about it, we are all adult learners, learning something each day, whether it's that you really don't like daytime TV or whether it's something more, such as I'm learning how to use me kindle properly, we are constantly changing and constantly learning. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you want to learn something new, grasp life by it's horns and do it!

Sun, Sun, Sun!

What is it about the sun that puts a spring into your step? Everything seems possible when the sun is shining. Strangers will smile at one another, nothing is too much trouble and suddenly, things just seem to fall into place!

This week has been a funny old week, but today was top form. After running a few errands this morning, I popped in to visit Llanelli Multi Cultural Network. They normally meet on a Thursday at Lakefield Hall which is difficult for me, but they had an education event today. After sampling some of Paolo's fabulous cooking, I skipped out before it was time to do the dishes!

Next on my agenda was a meeting with the police to look at future projects. It was a very productive meeting and I'm quite excited about what will be coming up :)

I am also delighted that the Cumulative Impact Order has now come into force - meaning, no new licences will be granted along Station Rd unless under exceptional circumstances.

This evening, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I make it in time for my train tomorrow. I'm off with my best mate and our daughters to see Westlife for the very last time. There'll be tears before bedtime!

The Safer Communities Action Group will be holding their monthly meeting tomorrow at St. Barnabas Hall, Llewellyn St at 2pm. The group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month. We haven't met since March due to the elections so I'm sure tomorrow's meeting will be lively....... But before that, I will be out delivering flyers for the SOSPPAN group, inviting Llanelli residents to join us next week when we visit the Senedd to hand in our petitions. I hope you can all join us?

CLAP CLAP 123

I'm super excited! I have developed a Community Language and Play programme along with Kath Adams and Helen Patient. it's a fab programme which is currently being delivered across Carmarthenshire.

We're meeting with Keith Davies AM next month to see if we can get Government backing of the programme so that it can be delivered across Wales!

Refuse......everywhere!

The community is fed up with current situation regarding refuse collections. Some lanes are continually missed out. An official complaint has now been made.

Tenants at a local housing estate had dozens of blue bags containing non-recyclable items outside property. All bags have now been removed.

Fly tipping at Gathan Terrace - complaints been made.

Email sents by Joanne Yeo

Speaking up for residents

During the election campaign, I met an elderly lady who had previously reported to council that her front path was dangerous and was still waiting to have it sorted. I arranged a site visit and the work is now due to be completed on may 22nd.

Email sent by Joanne Yeo

Feel Good Factor

The Feel Good Factor is a Health and wellbeing plan taking a holistic approach to health. Participants take part in weight management hypnosis/meditation, Zumba and healthy cooking classes. There will be only 2 weight and bp checks taken -during the first and last sessions.

Participants will also get the opportunity to take part in food testing, EFT, Ear acupressure and will also have resources to take home which include a bag, file, perfumes, alcohol counters, recipe books, spoon/rice measures and various amounts of printed information.

Development of programme Joanne Yeo with input from Debra Byers, Melanie Griffiths and Rebecca Westcott. Funded by C1st

Bigyn School Nursery Garden project

From Root to Shoot.........From Wriggly to Fluttery

Working with children in the nursery to plant a vegetable and wild flower garden. This project will help to increase local bio-diversity and children’s knowledge of the environment and where our food comes from.

This project will also increase physical activity within the class. The children will also get the opportunity to study the life cycles of butterflies. Once the vegetables have grown we will conduct taste tests!

Funding sourced by Joanne Yeo. Resources purchased by Joanne and Steven Yeo. Work completed by Joanne Yeo. Funded by C1st