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innovatetrust.bsky.social
Innovate Trust
@innovatetrust.bsky.social
170 followers 61 following 71 posts
Achieving independence, together.
Cyflawni annibyniaeth, gyda'n gilydd.

Supporting people with learning disabilities since 1967.
Cefnogi pobl hefo anableddau dysgu ers 1967.

https://innovate-trust.org.uk/
https://linktr.ee/innovatetrust
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innovatetrust.bsky.social
Congratulation to the winners from the Understanding Disability Awards 2025. What a wonderful, uplifting celebration of the impact thoughtful people and organisation have! We are so proud to congratulate our very our Mared Hughes and our friends, Shiny Happy People who both won awards!
Mared holding a microphone next to Mayor, accepting her award Mared stood between Mayor and Compare collecting award Table of awards under page golden helium 2025 balloons A group photo of award winners at this years Parent's Federation event
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce that Ashley Bale, our Digital Innovations Manager, has been appointed to the Government's Digital Inclusion Action Committee (DIAC). Find out more about Ashley's appointment and the committe: bit.ly/4neYojv
Ashley Bale, Innovate Trust Digital Innovations Manager
October 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Sustainability is live! 🌱
Thrilled to officially launch our new 5-year project in partnership with #EliteSupportedEmployment. Huge thanks to #AlexDavies-Jones & #TFW for hosting us in Pontypridd, and to #TNLCommunityFund for making it possible.

#SustainableSteps #GreenCareers #SupportedEmployment
A group of 4 people holding up a £3 million cheque from National Lottery Welsh Politician Alex Davies-Jones standing at podium with microphone in hand and information on screens behind People at an event merchandise stand, smiling and laughing Innovate Trust's Managers, Lucy Curtis standing at a podium in front of an audience at an event. Information on screens behind her.
October 23, 2025 at 9:56 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Wishing a joyful #Diwali to all who are celebrating! 🪔May this festival of lights bring you happiness, prosperity, and peace. // Dymunwn Diwali llawen i bawb sy'n dathlu! 🪔 Boed i'r ŵyl hon o oleuadau ddod â hapusrwydd, ffyniant, a heddwch i chi.

#FestivalOfLights #JoyfulCelebrations
Happy Diwali
October 18, 2025 at 10:15 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Nico and Mark standing together laughing in front of a green fence and colourful wall mural 2 photos of people in fancy dress - a chicken and captain America in a crown 6 individual photos of people at fancy dress party 2 people on a dance floor, 1 dressed as a bee, doing a 'double High five'
September 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
What a day! Our #ValeOfGlamorgan Picnic party was a huge success!
Brilliant fancy dress, Matt on karaoke, live music from Francesca and the one and only #ElderlyElvis!
#TheNearlyWildShow was a hit, and a few brave souls (and a dinosaur!) took a turn in The Stocks!
Big thanks to all! Sunshine too! ☀️
Ray throwing a wet sponge in the air at someone dressed as a dinosaur Farah and Natalie both dressed in fancy dress. Farah as a bee, Natalie and a ladybird Francesca and Elvis impersonator, rocking out 2 photos of people in fancy dress holding lizards at outdoor event
September 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
What a fantastic day at the #ButetownCarnival! We collaborated with artists Niki and Alice Fogaty to bring a massive, four-sectioned sea serpent to life. It was a true team effort with members from Innovate Trust and the local community, all supported by #CardiffPedalPower and #WalesMilleniumCentre.
Annaliese and Vince 'Head-up' the sea serpent in the big parade A group of people working on artwork in a green park 2 people in yellow sitting at front of colourful parade sat on accessible bikes Burhan painting a sculpture in a garden
September 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
A couple of weeks ago our Porthkerry Park Project were joined by a group of volunteers from ‪@principalitybs.bsky.social who worked alongside our regular volunteers to rake the old golf course meadow! This is always a very popular, mindful and satisfying task! #WorkplaceVolunteering
A group of Innovate Trust and Principality Building Society volunteers clearing cut grass from a golf course 2 volunteers clearing cut grass from a golf course A group of volunteers clearing cut grass from a golf course A group of Innovate Trust and Principality Building Society volunteers clearing cut grass from a golf course
August 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
It’s been a busy few weeks at the Secret Garden! Our volunteers recently visited a Community Allotment in Roath, have taken part in the Big Butterfly Count and of course continued their hard work in the garden!

@heritagefunduk.bsky.social #ThanksToYou #CommunityVolunteering #InnovateTrust
A group of volunteers sat at a table taking part in the big butterfly count A Secret Garden volunteer tending to the garden A Secret Garden volunteer smiling with their arms up. Garden clippers are held in one hand and they are making a thumbs up with the other
August 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
We are thrilled to have received funding from #WCVACymru Strategic Grant fund to partner with #Skills&VolunteeringCymru on the Beyond Barriers project. Together, we'll be exploring and working to remove barriers to volunteering in Health & Social Care, and produce guidance to remove these barriers.
Hannah smiling and standing in an allotment wearing a blue jacket, Sian in red by her side.
August 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Celebrating #NationalAllomentsWeek 🧑‍🌾 We are so proud of our incredible Field Days Organic horticulture project at #AmeliaTrustFarm. For over 25 years, Alastair & team have cultivated a space that grows organic produce, and helps people live healthier lives, build friendships, and learn new skills.
Dave stood amongst runner bean plants, holding a crate of picked runner beans Tallat and Lee, both picking vegetables in a busy garden Alastair in green Field Days t-shirt and a shelf of vegetable produce in shop. Claire carrying a basket of vegetables in a garden
August 13, 2025 at 10:55 AM
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On a recent trip to Weston-super-Mare, our #OnePlanet team put their #ConfidenceToTravel skills to the test. Thanks to our work with Transport For Wales, the group confidently navigated buying tickets, finding platforms, and staying safe on the roads. Brilliant Day! @transportforwales.bsky.social
A group of 8 people standing together outside Weston-Super-Mare train station People stood or sat together on a train as passengers People stood or sat together on a train as passengers A group of 8 people standing together at Transport For Wales ticket office in Cardiff train station
August 8, 2025 at 8:41 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Dr Durre Shahwar is a writer, researcher, tutor, editor, and an artist with a phD in Creative and Critical Writing from Cardiff University. Among many things, Durre is the co-editor of Gathering, an essay anthology on nature, climate, and the landscape by women of colour. Neil Taylor Neil Taylor is a Welsh professional footballer manager and former player who played as a left-back for clubs including Wrexham, Swansea, and Wales. Taylor was also part of the Great Britain football team in the 2012 Olympics. Upcoming events in and around Cardiff... JHOOM Theatre presents Scene/Change at the Sherman Theatre Friday the 15th of August 2025 at 6.00pm Four South Asian writers will each produce an original 15-minute script. They are Kia Shah, Priya Hall, Nadheem and Durre Shahwar. Pay what you can. Cardiff Ratha Yatra - Festival of Chariots Saturday the 9th of August 2025 at 12.00pm to 2.00pm (City Centre Procession) and 2.00pm to 6.00pm (Festival in Bute Park) APPNE Pakistan Independence Day Celebration Saturday the 9th of August 2025 at 6.30pm to 10.00pm at ILM School, Raglan House, CF23 8BA
August 6, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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It's South Asian Heritage Month! 🎉

From July 18th to August 17th, we're celebrating the rich history, culture, and achievements of South Asian communities. This year's theme, "Roots to Routes," explores how tradition and heritage shape modern life.
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes #SAHM
South Asian Heritage Month 2025. Spotlighting people and local events Dorothy Noel 'Dorf' Bonarjee was an Indian poet and artist who was known for being awarded a Bardic chair while a student in Wales and for being the first woman internal student to be awarded a law degree by University College London. Priya Hall is a Welsh-Indian comedian, specialising in stand-up. Based in Cardiff, Priya speaks fluent Welsh and English and her comedy shows have been coined as “hilariously oversharing” by Bristol 24/7. Safia Middleton-Patel is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League. Safia represented Wales at U17 and U19 in the 2022 UEFA Women’s Championship.
August 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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It's #AnniversayOfSupportedLiving this week & we are having a Take Over Day! Today, 17 Innovate Trust roles are being taken over by our amazing community members – including me, Emily, on social media! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at a very different Monday! #CUSS #TakeOver
Emily sitting behind office desk with laptop and coffee.
July 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
What a scorcher for our annual Wellbeing event at #LidoPonty with #EchoYoga☀️

That dip in the pool was perfect, and so great to meet up with our friends from #CwmTafPeopleFirst.

We feel renewed and energised! Huge thanks to everyone who made it so special.
#Community #Wellbeing #AccessibleYoga
Sam, resting on edge of swimming pool 2 people laughing together in swimming pool Lisa and Leighton stretching in yoga session 2 people sat together doing breathing exercises
July 3, 2025 at 10:36 AM
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Happy Pride Cymru!🏳️‍🌈We were thrilled to be part of the parade again this year, catching up with everyone and being right in the middle of one of the most colourful and inclusive events ever. Thanks to everyone who popped by our stall. Have a fab weekend 🎉

#PrideCymru #CardiffPride #LoveIsLove #LGBT
People dressed in rainbows and bright colours celebrating in Pride Cymru parade. People dressed in rainbows and bright colours celebrating in Pride Cymru parade. People dressed in rainbows and bright colours celebrating in Pride Cymru parade. People dressed in rainbows and bright colours celebrating in Pride Cymru parade.
June 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
We are halfway through our Insight app photography project! It's a 6-week online course helps us explore themes & take photos safely. Meeting via Zoom has made it possible for Insight members from all over the UK to take part. Looking forward to the upcoming virtual exhibition! 📸
#InclusiveCourses
Green poster for online photography sessions. The world around us.
June 13, 2025 at 8:50 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
A briliiant day was had at The Big Lunch in Splott Park on Saturday! With amazing cakes, great company & uplifting music. Despite the unpredictable weather, spirits were high. Huge thanks to everyone involved, especially #MissWordSalad and our friends at #FirstChoice, #MirusWales and #DimensionsUK 🎉
A busy karaoke session, Fran with arms and microphone in the air whilst David sings. Lourdes and Lisa standing together at event - Lisa wearing pink Innovate Trust t-shirt. Nick and Lourdes standing behind a large buffet table with cakes and fresh strawberries A group of 7 people standing together for a photo at an event, 2 people holding microphones
June 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
What an incredible Volunteering Week! 🌟 Huge thanks to all who celebrated our amazing volunteers at Innovate Trust. Want to get involved? Check out our opportunities: bit.ly/4kT6Ynm or call 02920 382151. #VolunteersWeek #WythnosGwirfoddolwyr
Two photos of volunteers. One image shows a group of volunteers in a forest, the other image shows two volunteers holding up a hand drawn cut out of a recycling bin with the words 'todays headline: recycle your rubbish!' on a screen in the background Two images of volunteers, one is of a group of volunteers outside the Senedd and the other is of a volunteer being filmed for an interview with Transport for Wales Two images, one of a group of volunteers with their arms around each others shoulders. The other is a selfie of Innovate Trust Project Officer with a group of volunteers smiling at the camera Two volunteers sat at a picnic table smiling at the camera
June 8, 2025 at 10:35 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Create #AccessibleVolunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities! Our best practices resource are here to help organisations support volunteers with learning disabilities. From DBS and applications to job support and more, we have you covered!🤝 bit.ly/4kRGxhZ
Best practices for supporting volunteers with learning disabilities resource by Innovate Trust's Volunteering Hub
June 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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Did you know the River Thaw was once wider and teeming with wildlife? 🌿 Our Restore the Thaw project aims to revitalize and boost this habitat! Huge thanks to Dwr Cymru for funding this project! #WorldEnvironmentDay #Biodiversity #VolunteersWeek
A volunteer holding a red bin bag litter picking at the beach A volunteer holding plant pots with a wheelbarrow of soil next to them Two volunteers anchoring a bird box to a tree near the River Thaw A volunteer sat in a forest of trees and grown out leaves and plants on the floor
June 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
Our Volunteering Hub is a co-produced feature of our Insight app, which makes volunteering easy for adults with learning disabilities. So, what did we learn when creating the hub? And what can you take away from it? #VolunteersWeek @wcvacymru.bsky.social bit.ly/4mNzOr6
Accessibility means different things to different people! People sometimes have different views on what “accessible” means. We saw this when working across different teams to create the Volunteering Hub. True co-production takes time! Being flexible is very important when co-producing a new service. Sometimes we would create a feature based on ideas, and after trialling it with our volunteers, the ideas didn’t work too well in practice. And that’s okay! Accessibility means different things to different people! People sometimes have different views on what “accessible” means. We saw this when working across different teams to create the Volunteering Hub. There are still many barriers that stop adults with learning disabilities from accessing volunteering! There are not enough places to learn computer skills or get the right devices. Training on how to send an email, make a phone call, or use a screen reader would be especially beneficial.
June 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
It's Volunteers Week! 🎉 And we want to say a massive thank you to our incredible volunteers at Innovate Trust. You are truly the heart of what we do!🙌 #VolunteersWeek #ThankYouVolunteers
Two images: one showing a group of volunteers standing in a row and smiling at the camera. The other is a volunteer wearing a yellow high visibility jacket at a litter picking event Two images, one of a group of volunteers stood in a row outside in an area full of big green trees with a large bridge in between the trees. The other shows a group of volunteer stood in a row with bright red bags with litter that they have picked from the beach Two images, one of a group of volunteers helping a person with a physical disability onto a boat on the water and the other is of 3 volunteers sat at a table having a conversation
June 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
innovatetrust.bsky.social
We are so pleased to announce that in partnership with #EliteSupportedEmployment, we are delighted to have been awarded £3m in funding from #TNLCommunityFund to support young people with disabilities to access careers in the green industry. We can't wait to get started 🌳
#SustainableStepsWales
David working outdoors pruning trees A group planting in a raised bed in polytunnel Pete and Lewis gardening in a colourful spring garden Scott working outdoors pruning trees
May 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM