Our dance sessions with Amanda have now come to a close, but we all loved them so much that we’re delighted to be continuing these sessions here in Andover! Music and movement are so important for keeping our minds and bodies healthy, and there’s nothing we love more than getting our groove on.We’re also delighted to announce that our dance sessions with our friends from Sparsholt College have resumed once again. These sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for our members to make new friends, learn new skills and keep fit while having lots of fun.
Our weekly Makaton sessions have begun, and so far we’ve learnt the alphabet, how to introduce ourselves and how to tell people our names. Over the coming months, we’ll be learning about emotions and how to express how we are feeling.We’ve also been learning the Makaton signs for Randy Newman’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me, which we proudly performed at our Autumn Showcase. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved and showcasing their new skills.During our education hour this month, we’ve been focusing on writing and literacy, with our members producing some excellent work. We’ve been incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and achievements.
With autumn fast approaching, our Halloween party preparations are in full swing! Phoebe has transformed our entrance hall into a seasonal wonderland, filled with beautiful autumn colours and decorations. A big thank you to Mel for growing some wonderful squash and pumpkins, which we’ve been able to use in our displays.We’ve also been making the most of the last of the summer sunshine, spending time in our gardens and enjoying lots of local walks and trips to the park.
Our themes this month have taken us on some fantastic adventures. During Fashion Week, our members designed and created their very own bespoke outfits and accessories.We then travelled around the world, exploring different cultures and cuisines, and even transformed ourselves into Italian pizza chefs for the day!We also delved into the wonderful worlds of Roald Dahl and famous fairy tales, taking a magical journey through the BFG’s dreamworld before stepping into the enchanted world of Snow White.
A Wonderful Autumn ShowcaseA heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Autumn Showcase. Our members get so much joy from sharing the projects they’ve been working on, and it’s a lovely opportunity for everyone to come together, chat, share ideas and celebrate all their hard work.Thank you for helping us make it such a special occasion!Friday Cooking ClubOur chefs have been busy at Friday Cooking Club and have certainly been cooking up a storm! We’ve enjoyed creating and sampling some delicious dishes, including BBQ chicken, cauliflower and broccoli bake, lemon tarts and pear and chocolate pudding, just to name a few.There’s always plenty of enthusiasm in the kitchen, and we’re looking forward to seeing what our talented chefs cook up next!
JP Sewing Club
Our wonderfully talented Louise has continued to foster creativity through the JP Sewing Club, which takes place every Wednesday.
Our members have produced some remarkable pieces inspired by our weekly themes.
Sewing is not only a fantastic creative outlet, but also helps to develop hand-eye coordination, concentration and practical sewing skills. We’re incredibly proud of everything they’ve created.
Personal BestsSeptember saw the return of the Personal Bests event in Winchester. This fantastic event brings together more than 200 individuals from across Hampshire for an inclusive, autism-friendly sports day celebrating adults with diverse physical and learning difficulties.This year, participants had the opportunity to try their hand at boxing, cricket, football, circuits, running and squash.We were incredibly proud of everyone who took part. Their can-do attitude, enthusiasm, friendly competitiveness and, of course, all the smiles made it a truly fantastic day!
We’ve been on lots of fun trips this month, including a wonderful visit to River Bourne Farm in Salisbury. Our members absolutely loved meeting and feeding the animals, and we were lucky enough to enjoy some beautiful September sunshine while we were there.We were also thrilled to offer a trip to Paultons Park, where our members enjoyed a thrilling day out on the rollercoasters! A huge well done to all the thrill-seekers amongst us — it was a fantastic day filled with excitement, laughter and plenty of memorable moments.Dates for Your DiaryMake sure you save these dates:
Wednesday 28th October – Halloween Party
Thursday 17th December – Christmas PartyWe’re looking forward to celebrating with you all!
