CTM Community Voices

Golden Thread Weave in and out, across, up and down, interweaving experiences of people, all around, sew neat golden buttons, equally distanced from one another, places to gather, to listen, to speak to each other.   As conversations embark, on a journey towards togetherness, Cymru Am Byth, sparks the question, who will remember us? Somebody stands up, says, ‘Those that matter, but it does not mat...

Walk In the Rain Verse 1 Bbm/Ebm/Ab/Dbmaj7 Some days I feel isolated nowhere to go, Some nights I’m alienated, a scared UFO Unidentified fragile object, Petrified of other life, Terrified whether they even like me, Who am I? Verify am I alive? Sometimes my mind is numb, Sometimes my mind is done, Am I dumb? I need Mum? I slump myself so low I’m landfill, It’s deeper than being down in the dumps, A...

Voice 1 I used to look forward to work. Sometimes we’d see a show afterwards. My time was my own and I never felt bad about it. Voice 2 It’s great when mum’s doing well, it makes dad happy too. It feels like the worlds spinning right. I’m excited to see where life takes me. Voice 1 Now caring is my job, where’s my annual leave? Where’s my overtime? I’ve given up my life so that she can have hers....

V1 In my mind, I’m always alone (C/F/C) Surrounded by people but I don’t feel at home (C/F/C) Stuck- in my head (Am- C) I may as well be dead (Am- C) Pre Chorus I feel like the only one (Am/C) Am I the only one (F/C) Chorus Look up, look down, (E 1st inv, Am, B, C) Look all around Where are the services (F) They can’t be found (C) Stuck in a rut Does anyone care? I’m looking for my road to somewhe...

Listen to songwriter Erin Williams Jones and Jo Bendon, Implementation Lead for Whole School Approach in Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Cwm Taf Morgannwg. In 2021, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board held a hack-a-thon to explore emotional health and wellbeing.   One of the groups, including Erin and Jo,  wrote a song called The River, which focuses on mental health support.   Erin...

Verse 1 Flowing, twisting round the bend Slowly discovering who I am In the distance, dark clouds are forming Could this, could this be a warning   Pre-chorus 1                            Storm overwhelming, raining, pouring Lightening Striking and thunder roaring Crisis is here, my banks are breaking   Chorus 1 Which way will I turn, and where will I go? All choices seem lost to me        Who wil...

Destination Chorus:                C                        G I’m not broken, I just need some help         Em                                       D I’m not a bad person, this is mental health         C                                G I need your trust, so show me care,          Em                                       C I can’t fall down the cracks if they’re not there Spoken word verse 1: D,...

Know my Story Verse               G                                      C We’re going to the top, we’re knocking on the door           D                                         G It started with a doorbell, but we need so much more    G                                            C Sick of chasing all the time for basic human rights        D                         C                     G Dementia...

OLDER PERSON: Today’s the day, I’m going home But home is not the same Or is it me that’s changed? My steps are now a challenge I can’t walk without a frame. Once my home was safety But now it causes pain. I want to feel secure, it’s embarrassing to explain My home should be my safe space My comfort place But now we both have changed. The silence here is deafening My thoughts are rushing, loud I n...

Do It For Love lyrics  Verse 1 I used to think my destiny was never to fit in Cause I’ve never been afraid to be different Built my walls so thick, the chance of getting out was slim Couldn’t even see my future was missing   Pre-chorus Now I know, Now I know   Chorus Demons prey on the hurt So, I make myself tough  You could try to shoot me down But I’ll just rise above Empathy makes me strong ‘Ca...

See Me Verse:  (E, F#m, A, B)  You’ll never get a job That’s what they said But I’ll prove them all wrong With this song Chorus:  (E, A, B, A) See me, not my CV I’m more than any disability Support me, believe in me, Let me be a good employee Verse:  (E, F#m, A, B) Money makes the world go round But doesn’t grow on trees But with training and support We can plant the seeds Chorus Bridge:  (C#m, A,...

Home is Where the Heart Is Verse: We’re all from different places, But we all want the same. Living independently,  That’s really our aim. We need the right support We all need different things. A range of fun activities, The opportunities they bring. Pre-chorus: It’s about community It’s about you and me Chorus: Home is where the heart is, Shelter from the storm. Home is where the heart is, Keep...

 During our fourth episode of CTM Community Voices, we hear from Alex and Steve.  Both are living with sight loss and share their personal stories and experiences with us.   Alex and Steve talk about different barriers people living with sight loss face. This includes communication issues, to transport, to feelings of loneliness and isolation. They also talk about the importance of support and net...

*Trigger warning* This podcast contains references to domestic abuse throughout, including  examples of scenarios people may be facing. Today we hear from Rachel who works for a domestic abuse service in Merthyr Tydfil. During our conversation, Rachel informs us about domestic abuse, how to spot signals and where to get support.  Rachel talks about the importance of prevention, raising awareness a...

Today we hear from Kay and Ceri who share their experiences of caring for family members. They share insights into what it's like to be an unpaid carer, advice for those who may be starting their own journey into caring, and also suggestions on how to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for carers.  Heddiw clywn gan Kay a Ceri sy'n rhannu eu profiadau o ofalu am aelodau o'r teulu....

Today we meet Abbie, Bravon and Twahida, who are working as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Engagement Officers across Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. They share their own stories, in addition to experiences from the people they are working with.  Please note during the discussion, the 'BAME' acronym is occasionally used to describe Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic commu...