Friday 28 June 2013

London to Paris 2013 - Cycling Challenge for Homeless International

I have given birth, run three London marathons, and won a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand (and not in that order), but I can honestly say that none of them compare to how I felt during and after my bike ride from London to Paris earlier this month.

I turned 40 last year and wanted a challenge to mark this occasion, and cycling to Paris sounded like “fun”. So myself and two colleagues signed up to raise funds for the great work that Homeless International do, whilst cycling 316 miles.

Being a novice cyclist, I had to conquer a number of challenges: buy a bike, get used to cycling on the road, not being too self conscious when wearing padded lycra shorts, learn how to change an inner tube, and learn some cycling routes. I trained really hard from January onwards, out in all weathers, and completed my first 100 mile race in Stratford Upon Avon a week and a half before I left for London. That was a significant milestone for me and gave me a big confidence boost as I waited at 6.30am with 79 other cyclists on Blackheath Common, London, the familiar start of the London Marathon.

I wore my Welsh shirt with pride on Day 1. We covered 87 miles from London to Dover and then onwards to our hotel in Calais. We faced torrential rain 10 miles prior to Dover and, fittingly enough, it continued as we got off the ferry from Calais. The hills were also another challenge on Day 1 which left my legs exhausted as I hit the bar in our Calais hotel that first evening. I heard Stella had healing powers! We’d been up from 5am and arrived at the hotel at 9.30pm that evening... a very long day.

Day 2 saw us travel from Calais to Arras – another 83 miles in the seat with the most awful weather conditions and hills. 30mph winds against us for the first 50 miles and torrential rain for the last 30 miles. Drowned rats doesn’t come anywhere near describing how we looked and felt after Day 2, but the sense of team spirit and unification bonded all the cyclists together.

Day 3 was described as one of the easiest days for us, but this is where I hit my wall or “bonk” in cycling terms. I felt every one of those 81 miles. Whilst the rain stayed away, we were followed all the way by 30 degree heat. During my 7 ½ hours in the saddle that day, I did doubt whether I would be able to make it. I was pulled through by my fellow cycling buddies and also by remembering the overwhelming support I had at home. I made it to Compeigne for a well deserved Stella or two.

Day 4 should have been the easiest day with only 65 miles, especially with the lure of finishing at the Eiffel Tower. However, I felt sick for the first 30 miles or so. Again, my team mates kept with me, enticing me with hugs, jelly babies, and lots of banter. So at 3pm, after cycling 316 miles, I fulfilled my turning 40 challenge by hoisting my bike over my head with the Eiffel Tower as my backdrop.

This challenge was not only physically tough, but also mentally tough. I found demons in my head playing tricks with me. Starting out at 7am and trying not to count down the miles. Being away from my 12 year old son was also hard. However, the sense of achievement and accomplishment and the knowledge that I’d raised £4,200 for Homeless International made it all worthwhile.

Things I’ve learnt from the challenge? Stella does not have healing powers. Lycra padded shorts are a godsend. If you ever get your cycling shoes wet, put newspaper in them and they will dry overnight.

The luckiest thing that happened to me on the whole ride was that I didn’t get a puncture. 316 miles, puncture free, until I put my bike in the garage when I got home and noticed my front tyre was flat. How lucky was that?

My next challenge will be walking the Three National Peaks in July with a group of work colleagues to raise funds for Diabetes UK and then the Cardiff Half Marathon in October. And now that I have the cycling bug, I’m sure I will be entering a few races between now and December.

The hardest challenge I think I face is… not having a challenge!


Phillipa Knowles
Director of Central Services


You can still sponsor Phillipa and Homeless International here.

Monday 24 June 2013

Think differently, do differently!

We love our quotes in CHC. My quote of the moment is from Albert Einstein: 'A sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'

In CHC, we’re taking this on board. We’re embarking on our first European funded project, Building Enterprise, which sees us leading on a project that will provide support for our members and other social enterprises with the ambition of ensuring that more services and products for the sector are delivered and supplied from social enterprises.

This project was a long time coming, but it’s come at a good time. When we consulted with our members last year, doing more to support the wider regeneration activities our members are embarking on was top of the agenda, along with continuing our lobbying activities. Since hearing that message, we’ve made many changes. We’ve created a Housing-led Regeneration Network supported by a newly created Regeneration Officer post which integrates the programme of work between CHC and CREW. We’re also leading on a project which will provide individual support but will also ensure that the sector can engage, share and learn. So when you’re thinking about what CHC does and that we’re moving into new territory, just remember that we’re thinking differently and doing differently which ensures that we’re well equipped to support the sector which is doing the same.

We're currently recruiting members for the Building Enterprise project steering group - please click here for further information.


Sioned Hughes
Director of Policy and Regeneration, CHC

Thursday 20 June 2013

'Don't panic, Mr Mannering!'

How often have we laughed at that phrase on ‘Dad’s Army’ and the craze of mugs and tea towels which echoes the war-time ‘Keep calm and carry on’?

But if you fall, how easy it is to panic! A slip or trip can send you to the ground so unexpectedly and hurt so much that we panic and try to rush to our feet. If we can’t and are really hurt, this can destroy our self confidence, take away our liberty and make us lose our independence in our own homes when we are at an age where we should enjoy our surroundings.

We curse the fact that we did not get those hand rails and supports put into place… and why? Because we thought it would never happen to us. However, here we are on the floor, the Care-Line still on the bedside cabinet and no phone in reach! Only now do we realise that it’s not silly to admit that we’re older, by realising that these aids are out there to help anyone who needs that little extra reassurance when walking indoors or outdoors which rails and other services provide.

It’s best not to fall at any age, but when you’re that bit older it’s never a good idea! Trips and slips rob so many of their self-confidence and independence. Do you want to be one of those, or will you take advantage of ‘Falls Awareness Week’ and seek a little extra help?

Care & Repair is here to help. Any delay might change your life, so stay safe and give us a call!

To contact your local Care & Repair Agency, simply call 0300 111 3333


Lynda Colwell
Agency Manger, Denbighshire Care & Repair

Monday 17 June 2013

Falls Awareness Week - We need to look after our feet

It’s Falls Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Best Foot Forward which will look at how healthy feet can help older people to keep their balance and independence.

None of us like or want to fall. Falling can leave older people shaken and bruised, often with broken bones, and half of all over 80s and a third of over 65s are at risk of a potentially serious fall this year.

Falling and the fear of falling can also affect older people’s confidence which stops them getting out and about in their communities, leaving them feeling isolated and cut off from society.

Many of us do not actually realise that there are foot-related health conditions which can affect our balance and increase our risk of falling.

Top tips for looking after your feet:

· Always report any problems with your feet, such as pain or reduced sensation, to your GP or practice nurse
· Wear shoes that fit well. High-sided shoes with low heels and thin soles with a good grip can help if you feel unsteady. Make sure they’re firmly secured with laces or Velcro
· Avoid wearing sandals and shoes with high heels
· Wear slippers that have a good grip and that fasten and stay on properly. Make sure they aren’t loose or worn out, as this may cause you to trip
· Make sure that your trousers or skirts don’t trail on the ground
· Always wear shoes or slippers, and don’t walk indoors in bare feet, socks or tights

So, put your best foot forward and help us to spread the word. Healthy feet can prevent trips, slips and falls so look after yours.

For general information about falls and a link to information about Falls Awareness Week events in your area, please visit www.agecymru.org.uk/fallsweek


Rosalyn Williams
Health Initiative Officer, Age Cymru

Wednesday 5 June 2013

What are the current challenges for the new Health Minister?


I have taken on the role of Health Minister at a time when there is no choice but change for the health service. The NHS has changed every single year since it was founded in 1948 and this is still the case.

My aim is to bring the process of NHS configuration in Wales to a conclusion and to provide people with certainty about the shape of healthcare to come.

The process is already underway. I understand that when decisions are made not everybody will be happy. Not everybody will get the decision that they would prefer, but we need to make changes and finish the process so people can get on with delivering important services.

The changes come at a time when the whole of the Welsh Government faces stringent cuts in the revenue provided to all the vital services that Wales needs. My job as Health Minister is to speak up as loudly and persuasively as I can to make sure that we have the money we need to provide a health service that meets people’s needs.

An important part of my role is to meet people and I’m keen to talk to people and explain why things are being done in the way that they are.

What I can promise people is that I’ll consider everything as thoroughly as I possibly can, I will weigh up the arguments, I will look at the evidence, and then I will give them a decision.

Dr Mark Drakeford
Health Minister


Dr Mark Drakeford will be speaking at CHC's Health and Housing Conference in Cardiff City Stadium on 18 July. For further information, please see CHC's website.