This month began and stayed in glorious sunshine which enabled us to get out and about enjoying long wooded walks, trips to the local pub, yoga under the shade of the trees also enjoyed water play (fights) in the garden. We have joined Andover James’ Place in Dance sessions and run our ever-popular lunch club.
Our first theme of the month began with May Day celebrations, members painted a pole white and added streamers and practiced a traditional May Day Dance (we only got a little tangled) Within this week we honoured our veteran soldiers and stood in silence on VE day before heading off to Beaulieu for the day. We took in a trip around the grounds on an open topped vintage bus as well as a spot of dressing up. Members practiced their money skills in the café.
Mythical Creatures was our next theme of the month.
Members discussed what a mythical creature was and then started to design their own, some members created the most wonderful mermaids and mermen.
Fairy doors were made for the garden to add some mystic to our ever-evolving outdoor space.
If you visit us you might just find a fairy or a magical wand hanging from the tree!
Due to our unseasonally high temperatures members have enjoyed making and eating ice-lollies after a yoga work out in the garden. We have challenged each other to water fights (the team often were beaten by the members). The wildlife has been confused so much so a bird flew at our office window and the team and members gave it some TLC, made a recovery safe space for it before gently releasing it into the wild. Hayley our resident Doctor Dolittle received a little kiss from the bird before it flew off, a truly magical moment.
Members were shown a new walk through the Otterbourne woods from a new member of the Team, Ruth. We worked up quite a thirst and ended up having a cheeky drink in the local pub, fizzy orange drinks all round in the garden area.
Another popular walk was Itchen Valley Country Park where members learnt to read a map to visit each location on the map (we still have a few to go). Another way in which we enrich a walking experience for us all is to take a viewing window out with us, trying to spot items from the boarder of the window, we found birds, grass, clouds and even a spade (Vickie thought that might be a challenge but it was the first thing one of the members found!)
Wonders of the world in week 4 took us to different areas of the world, members explored the different wonders and made their own versions in cookie form, not only are they a wonder to look at but very yummy too. We have travelled from Egypt to India exploring the pyramids and the taj mahal, from Italy to Peru enjoying the wonders of the Colosseum and Machu Pichu, along the way we discovered some interesting facts. We made different garlic breads to try as the Egyptians gave garlic to their slaves for stamina to work harder; we found some llamas and made some lovely mola folk art in bright colours while in Peru. At the beginning of the week our friends from Andover came to say farewell to a member and we all enjoyed the wonder that is fish and chips together, before we had a healthy competition of building pyramids from spaghetti and marshmallows, who can build the strongest structure?
In addition to all the fun we have at James’ Place Eastleigh we strive to include self-improvement opportunities for the members; this month has giving members the opportunity to try DIY (fixing our new storage system together). Potting on tomato plants, categorising donated and existing and resources typing new labels.
Aswell as the new skills members continue to help themselves and others with tasks such as hanging out washing, filling juice jugs, setting out glasses and cutlery at lunchtime, sweeping, wiping the table and looking after our fish.