Dear Gentle JP Readers, September at James’ Place has been a month filled with creativity, imagination, and fun! This month, we kicked things off with an exciting holiday-themed week where members explored new destinations, shared their favourite vacation spots, and crafted unique travel-inspired creations. Let’s dive into the highlights of September.
A Journey Around the World
The excitement began as members set off on a virtual tour of holiday destinations across the globe. From the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean to the snowy peaks of the Alps, we travelled far and wide—without ever leaving James’ Place! Together, we looked at beautiful pictures of exotic locations and heard stories from our members about their favourite holidays. Whether it was a family road trip, a cruise, or a tropical getaway, the memories shared brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
For many, the idea of traveling wouldn’t be complete without a passport. So, we made sure everyone had their own personalized one! Members crafted passports with photos and filled them with imaginary stamps from all the places they hope to visit.
Members also designed their own postcards, drawing or gluing pictures of their dream destinations on the front and writing fun messages on the back. Some postcards had images of tropical islands, while others featured iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
What made this week so special was the way it brought everyone closer. Sharing holiday stories, favourite destinations, and future travel dreams sparked wonderful conversations and helped us get to know one another even better. By the end of the week, we felt like we’d taken a tour around the world—guided by the experiences, hopes, and creativity of our own members.
Winchester GOLD Paralympics – Staying Active & Connected
At James’ Place, we’re all about community, health, and having fun together—and this month, our members had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Paralympics in Winchester! It was a day full of energy, teamwork, and new experiences as we joined others in taking part in a variety of sports and activities. Here’s a look back at our fantastic day!
Our day started with an exciting challenge: the exercise circuit! The members worked their way through different stations, each focusing on building strength, flexibility, and endurance. From stretches to strength-training activities, everyone gave it their best effort. The circuit wasn’t just a great workout—it was also a lot of fun! Each station allowed the members to try something new, push their limits, and cheer each other on.
Next up was football! It didn’t matter if our members were experienced players or trying football for the first time—everyone had a blast. The game was a wonderful reminder of how sports can bring people together.
Cricket was next on the agenda, and our members were excited to give it a go! The members practiced their batting and bowling skills. What stood out most was the spirit of teamwork that cricket fostered. Members took turns, cheered for each other’s efforts, and helped newcomers learn the ropes. It was another reminder of how staying active not only keeps us physically healthy but also strengthens our bonds with one another.
Throughout the day, one message rang loud and clear: staying active and connected with others is incredibly important. Physical exercise is essential for overall health, but it’s also about so much more. By participating in sports and activities, our members weren’t just improving their fitness—they were also building friendships, boosting their confidence, and experiencing the joy that comes from being part of a team.
At James’ Place, we believe that staying active and social is key to a happy, healthy life, and we’re always excited to offer our members new opportunities to move, connect, and grow together.
Life Skills That Last a Lifetime
September at James’ Place hasn’t just been about fun and games—it’s also been a month focused on growth, learning, and building important life skills. Alongside our activities, we’ve encouraged our members to take an active role in helping around the JP Barn, contributing to the upkeep of our space and learning valuable skills along the way. From gardening to cleaning, painting to dishwashing, everyone has had a chance to pitch in and make a difference.
Maintaining a clean, organized space is essential for creating a positive environment, and our members have embraced this responsibility wholeheartedly. These tasks are more than just chores—they’re opportunities for members to practice important life skills like organization, teamwork, and attention to detail. By emptying the dishwasher, tidying up the common areas, and helping with general cleaning, our members are learning to take ownership of their surroundings and contribute to the shared space in meaningful ways.
A big thank you to all our members for their hard work and dedication this month. You’ve made the JP Barn an even more special place to be, and we can’t wait to see what skills we’ll build together next!
This September at James’ Place, our members took on an exciting and creative challenge: participating in Dashwood Manor Care Home’s annual scarecrow competition! It was a fantastic opportunity for our members to work together, get crafty, and share their talents with the wider community. After a lot of hard work, teamwork, and laughter, we proudly created a one-of-a-kind SpongeBob SquarePants scarecrow!
Unfortunately, we did not win the scarecrow competition, but we all had a fantastic time making SpongeBob together as a team. Besides, we can always try again next year!
