What a wonderful way to kick off the New Year! Our members returned bursting with energy and enthusiasm, full of stories and smiles from the festive period. We launched our 2026 season with a focus on resolutions—chatting about small, positive changes we’d like to make this year and sharing goals big and small. There was also plenty of excitement as members talked about the kinds of activities they’d love to see at JP. The ideas were inspiring, creative, and full of ambition. With so many exciting plans already in motion for spring and summer, this year is shaping up to be a fantastic one!
This month has been full of colour, creativity, and connection as we explored a range of weekly themes including storytelling, hobbies, birdwatching, and journeys around the world. Each theme acted as a gentle guide, inspiring a wide variety of crafts, outdoor activities, and sensory sessions that our members truly embraced. What we love most is seeing how confidently everyone takes these themes and makes them their own. Members are always encouraged to use their imagination and creative freedom, and it’s a real joy to watch their ideas come to life. From individual pieces to collaborative group projects, there’s a wonderful balance of personal expression and teamwork. Throughout everything we do, positive collaboration remains at the heart of our sessions—supporting one another, sharing ideas, and celebrating achievements together. It’s been a fantastic month, and we can’t wait to see where next month’s themes take us.
We are so excited to introduce some new and exciting projects this Spring including fornightly music sessions which will focus on rhythm, melodies and vocals. The members love nothing more than expressing themselves through music and movement and we find its a wonderful, inclusive way to get the creative juices flowing. We recently purchased a new kareoeke machine which has provided hours of joy for both staff and members alike and it appears we have some budding popstars amongst us!
Our Dance and Fitness sessions have brought everyone together through fitness bingo, circuits, upbeat dance routines, energising beats clasees and relaxing yoga. As part of our ongoing fitness programme some of our Members took part in a gym induction session at Andover Leisure Centre exploring all the machines and different workouts available with a focus on building strength, improving flexibility and mobility, and supporting a healthy body and mind. We were so impressed with the can do attitude that our members bought to this activity and we look forward to integrating this into our Healh and Fitness programme.
During the winter months, when damp weather makes it tempting to stay indoors, we always encourage our members to get out and about despite the conditions – something they really enjoy. We run weekly trips to the supermarket, where members take responsibility for sourcing the correct ingredients for our Friday cooking sessions. We also love heading out for a walk to the local pub, where we enjoy a drink and a friendly game of cards or dominoes, and we often visit the garden centre to gather inspiration for our spring and summer garden. We had an amazing visit to the Fur and Feathers Falconry Centre and the members loved seeing all the birds, relaxed in the café, and really enjoyed the reptile centre.
We’re excited to share that one of our outdoor spaces is currently being cleared and lovingly transformed into a beautiful sensory garden This covered outdoor area is being designed as a calm, welcoming retreat that can be enjoyed all year round—come rain or shine. It will offer members a peaceful place to take some quiet time, pause for reflection, or simply enjoy a cup of tea in the fresh air. We’ve already introduced some wonderful new features, including comfortable garden furniture, a stunning water feature
Amazing start to the year