🪴Our Lottery Garden Project got off to a fantastic start last year with the build of two lodges and the support of dedicated volunteers. The restoration lodge was fitted out for creative and practical projects, while the wellbeing lodge was decorated and furnished as a calm, multipurpose space for crafting, wellbeing activities and small gatherings. Throughout the year the garden was enjoyed by carers, from summer planting to a festive Christmas transformation. New seating, planters and decking helped create a welcoming outdoor space for everyone to enjoy. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to introduce a series of workshops to bring more colour and creativity to the garden. Plans include planting summer fruits in March and exploring garden art sessions. We’d love you to come along and join in, whether for workshops, coffee mornings, restoration sessions or simply to relax in the garden. To support the garden project, we would be very grateful for donations of garden tools and planters, including gloves, secateurs, trowels, forks, a garden fork and spade, a rake, and outdoor pots or planters. If you can help or would like to get involved, please contact heather@newcis.org.uk or 07511 011 421.

🛠️ Restoration Project – Our lodges are the perfect setting to relax, connect and restore. Upcycle donated furniture already on-site, or feel free to bring your own project along to restore. Tools and materials provided free of charge. The Restoration lodge is available on Tuesdays from 10am – 1pm. 

🧵 We are hoping to get our Flintshire craft group back up and running and would love to know if this is something you would be interested in. Whether you already have skills to share, enjoy creating with others, or are simply curious and would like to learn something new, everyone is welcome. The group will be a relaxed space to explore different crafts, share ideas, and enjoy the social side of making together. Contact Sarah if you’d be interested in getting involved – email sarahp@newcis.org.uk or call 01352 752525.

📚 Flintshire & Wrexham Book Clubs – if you are interested in joining, please contact Sarah via email sarahp@newcis.org.uk or call 01352 752525.

🏨 Carers Trust Wales provides grants to organisations to enable more than 46,000 unpaid carers to take a break. NEWCIS are a network partner of Carers Trust Wales and therefore are able to offer Short Break Grants to carers registered with us. Examples include restaurant vouchers and hotel breaks (subject to eligibility and availability). Contact us for more information. 

🏊🏼 This Sports & Leisure page highlights a range of sport, fitness and leisure opportunities supported through NEWCIS for people living in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. It details programmes designed to help participants stay active, improve wellbeing and build connections within a friendly community.

💸 Carer Money Matters is a Carers Trust programme funded by four Gas Distribution Networks, as part of their Vulnerable Carbon Monoxide Allowance, and delivered by 24 Carers Trust Network Partners (Network Partners are local carer organisations that are part of the Carers Trust network).

🚌 As a registered carer with NEWCIS, you can now enjoy 20% off on Jones Holidays day trips and UK tours. There is also 20% off day trips (only) with Voel Coaches. Contact us for your discount code.

💳 Your National Carers ID – savings, support & recognition. Get your photo ID card and app with exclusive discounts, free carer tickets & wellbeing support.

💌 We’re excited to share that we’re now partnering with a Carers Centre in South Wales! We’re starting to take names for new Pen Pal matches, and we’d love for more people to get involved. If you’re interested in making a real difference through a simple letter or message, now’s the perfect time to join us.

👮🏼 North Wales Police visited us in our charity shop in December as part of Safer Business Action Week. We received helpful advice on spotting counterfeit notes and were provided with a UV light to support us in keeping our customers and charity safe. Thank you for the continued support!

☎️ You may have heard that landlines are changing and that the UK’s telephone network is going digital. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep using. If you have loved ones with additional needs such as elderly relatives or someone who uses a telecare device or pendant alarm, our Connected Together initiative encourages you to take a few simple steps to support them through the switch. Here’s everything you need to know and how you can help. 

📝 The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is looking at how social care services in Wales could be improved and wants to hear from older people across Wales about their experiences of receiving care and support. This could be support to live independently at home, support while living in a care home, or community-based support such as day centres. To capture older people’s experiences of receiving social care services, the Commissioner has developed a multiple choice survey. The closing date for responses is 30 January.