Finally… March has been and gone!
Spring is here, bringing longer days, warmer weather, and lots of excitement at James’ Place. It’s been a busy and fun-filled month in Eastleigh—we’ve packed so much in!
Week One – Colour, Creativity & Chaos
We kicked things off with a bang, celebrating Holi in the most colourful way possible. Members explored painting using anything they could find—forks, sponges, brushes, even Lego—letting their creativity run wild and embracing the mess!
When the sun came out, the fun moved into the garden, where water guns were filled with paint and everyone got involved. We also made beautiful rangoli flowers using leaves and flowers from outside, showing off some amazing imagination.
The colour theme continued with rainbow mocktails, a decorated tiki bar, and members stepping into the role of bartenders for the afternoon. Add in face painting, fruit kebabs (with a cheeky bit of chocolate), and a giant game of never ending noughts and crosses, and it made for a brilliant week. We even found time to begin creating thoughtful gifts for our mums and inspirational women in our lives.
Week Two – Love, Laughter & Competition
The Mother’s Day theme carried on, with a week full of appreciation. Members created beautiful cards for loved ones, full of kind and thoughtful messages.
Some took a sporty turn, heading to Winchester for a game of squash—lots of fun and energy all around. Meanwhile, others got busy in the kitchen making chocolate-coated biscuits (though we’re not sure how many made it home!).
With the nicer weather, we spent time tidying the garden and enjoyed a trip to the garden centre, visiting the animals and wandering by the lakes.
To round off the week, things got competitive when Laura from Rise joined us. We split into teams and battled it out in a series of games, all aiming to win the trophy—team spirit was in full swing!
Week Three – The Human Body
This week we explored the human body and all the amazing things it can do. Members created skeletons using cotton buds and even built a life-sized version of the game “Operation,” with one member bravely volunteering to be drawn around!
We were lucky to have a visit from a team member’s dad, who taught us first aid and CPR. Everyone learned so much and proudly earned certificates by the end of the day.
Lunch club was a big hit with veggie tacos, encouraging everyone to try something new—clean plates all round! Red Nose Day also brought lots of laughter and silliness.
Week Four – Spring Has Sprung
To finish the month, we embraced all things spring. Members built bug houses for the garden and planted green vegetables, some of which have already started to grow. Creative windmill labels helped keep track of everything.
After all the hard work, we enjoyed some well-earned relaxation with massages from our visiting beauty therapist, Jowita.
With squash now a regular activity and more time spent enjoying the garden, it’s been wonderful to see confidence growing week by week.
What a fantastic month—roll on April!
