May flew by, with the start of our Summer Term Exploration Programmes. With lighter evenings, it’s been great to spend more time in the garden here at Unit 12, with the young people enjoying kicking a ball about before group starts and even make uses of the space for different activities during the groups! As well as the weekly sessions for our three age groups, we’ve also had a blast running our half term Activities Programme too.
During the term, we took 16 young people to the Top Rock walls down at Winchester Leisure Centre. Everyone got stuck in and gave it a go, with one of our oldest young carers setting a record for the week on one of the walls, climbing to the top in just 10 seconds! We were all thoroughly exhausted and aching a bit afterwards with muscles we didn’t know we had!
Our first half term activity was a trip to the cinema with 18 young carers, to watch the new Little Mermaid film at Vue Cinema in Eastleigh. The young carers each got a snack bag with some treats to enjoy through the movie. We all really liked the film although there were a couple parts that made us jump!
We then had a mixture of all ages jamming out with the team from Rocksteady! 2 bands, 2 songs learnt, in just a few hours! We were very lucky to have Rocksteady put on a foundation day for us, allowing anyone of any ability the chance to try out some instruments and learn bitesize bits of a chosen group song. The older group chose Sia’s song Titanium and the younger ones chose All Star by Smash Mouth (think of the song from Shrek – yep that’s it!) The band leaders Aydan and Ed from Rocksteady were so encouraging, giving everyone a part to play and each band performed for the other at the end of the activity day.
Our last activity of the month was a visit with a small group of our youngest young carers to explore the amazing site at Jolly Moon, a forest school space nestled in South Wonston. We played instruments in the bell tent, made dandelion scones on the fire (did you know you can eat ALL of a dandelion?) as well as toasting some marshmallows. Jolly Moon gave the group the freedom to play, to craft, to work in a fast-paced mud kitchen, or just to hang out in a hammock in the trees – whatever the group wanted to do!
May was a great month, filled with lots of fun and respite opportunities for our young carers. Thank you to all the venues and organisations who supported and hosted us this month – it’s with your help and generosity that we’re able to offer activities our brilliant young people.