Half a year into 2025 seems like the perfect time to write exclusively on the community links we have been forging in our local area.
The importance of community is vital for all, it provides a sense of belonging, support and shared experiences ultimately contributing to the person and collective well-being.
James’ Place is the building blocks of such community we give our members the safety net to dip their toes into the wider communities we practice skills within the fabric of our day, encouraging self help tasks and practicing social skills in a safe place.
Members grow in confidence from small steps from joining in at tea breaks slowly edging into participating in more structured activities, learning from the team that is okay to make mistakes after all FAIL is First Attempt In Learning!
Community provides a place where members feel they belong whether it is the community that is the James’ Place Location, The Pavilion or engaging in the wider community such as local groups and schools.
Which brings me to the communities in which we are now firmly embedded. Our closet neighbours: The pre-school room of Bright Horizons visit on the first Tuesday of each month, members take pride in preparing activities and leading the tasks that the children engage in. The children in turn enjoy that engagement with members is a source of joy, kindness and fun. Staff from bright Horizons have reported that children thoroughly enjoy the interactions between members and the children.
Leading on from nursery aged children we have over the last 6 month engaged with Otterbourne C of E Primary School, Children have invited us to listen to their Christmas Concert in the local church, and more recently the House captains prepared sporting activities and delivered a morning full of movements and challenges both members and children practiced fine and gross motor skills as well as breaking down barriers. Some children came with trepidation but left making good friends.
The members reciprocated they kindness of the children by making a thank you card and inviting them back later. This visit inspired one member to think about work experience.
Our trip to the school was particularly tasty as we stumbled upon a local small bakery shed that raises money for charity, this opened up the opportunity for more discussions on the charity that was being supported that month.
Lily our volunteer is both a call centre operator and a trainee paramedic not to mention the founder of Pampered Piggies a local guinea pig sanctuary. Lily is a hugely valued friend of James’ Place and bring another string to our community bow.
When we think of communities that we belong and what we gain from being part of them James’ Place are striving to encourage as many opportunities for our members to be part of both externally such as the school but also within the James’ Place family.
Regularly, the locations visit each other and participate in local events from PB Olympics, The Hat Fair, Theatre trips and sports days creating a strong support system boosting self-esteem and reduces the feelings of isolation. Community is everything.