Happy new year to you!
Since I last wrote (a long time ago!) Integrate has made the move down the M1 to Wakefield where it has now got going and is beginning to make its mark on the scene there…but before I tell you what we’ve been up to, I want to tell you what potential there is for activities.
The centre used to be a training centre so it huge. It has lots of space which can be used for all sorts of things and includes a playroom three times the size of the one in Leeds, a classroom/arts and crafts space, a greenhouse, two squash courts, and a gym! Unfortunately the gym and squash courts are currently out of order but when they are fixed and ready to go, it will be amazing…having sports for the residents will make such a massive difference to their lives. Many of the residents suffer mental health issues as a result not only of their traumatic journeys but also as a result of their present circumstances – with nothing to do, many are lonely without friends or family and with no right to work, their skills disappearing - and sports are well recognised for their therapeutic effects on the mind. Can’t wait!
So what has Integrate been up to?
Playroom sessions…we have had 3 play sessions so far, with an average of 22 kids at each! It’s been hectic! But great fun…kids ranging from 1 to 15 years old, although nearly 50% of them have been under the age of 5 and we have had lots of parents in too, so it’s been very very busy! Obviously Christmas gave a good theme for arts and crafts so we made about 25 Christmas trees to decorate the room with and a pretty impressive ‘snow scene’ around it. But it was when the musical instruments came out that things started to get noisy! We must have had about 18 people playing percussion, singing and dancing around all completely spontaneously…quite a sight (and sound!)
Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures yet of the play sessions, although I do of the fantastic party that we had just before Christmas…
We had a full Christmas dinner, followed by Santa giving presents to everyone (that’s 160 presents that we wrapped in the preceeding days!), then some good old fashioned party games followed by Bingo and a Table Tennis tournament. It was a brilliant day and fun was definitely had by all!
Thanks for reading and I will drop by again shortly…I promise!
