It has been a busy few months at Casa FCDC, with the highlight being our 25 year anniversary celebration that took place at the end of June.  Take a look at what we have been up to over the past few months………

 

May 2022

Boing!

Inns Court in South Bristol was the venue for a session of soft play for babies and preschool children.  It was lovely to welcome 3 new families who hadn’t been to a FCDC event before.  All the children seemed to having fun and the adults were able to chat safe in the knowledge they could see their children.  Tea, coffee and soft drinks were served alongside cakes and snacks.  It was a lovely morning and one that we hope to repeat as a regular slot.  Parents/carers got to chat with other parent/carers and children played with other children.  We are visiting Boing! Lockleaze on Thursday 9^th June.  Come and join us, we would love to see you.

 

 

 

Mini First Aid

Mini First Aid is a company that was featured on Dragon’s Den, securing investment from Sara Davies.  We were thrilled to welcome Zoe along to deliver a 2-hour Baby and Child first aid course, demonstrating CPR in a baby and in a child, what to do if a baby or child is choking, dealing with cuts and grazes and what signs and symptoms of meningitis.  She gave 2 hours of energetic knowledge that hopefully we will never need to use but could if an event ever arose.  It was an enjoyable course.  We hope to offer future courses with Mini First Aid in the not-too-distant future.

 

Bowling and Nando’s

Competitive hats on ready for the competition of the month, as our key stage 3 and 4 plus members battled it out on the Ten Pin Bowling alley.  We had 2 groups on 2 alleys.  One alley seemed to play by the book while the other alley started cheating at the offset.  They were all laughing though.  After a game of bowling that felt like it lasted 5 hours, we headed next door to Nandos.  Pranks with chilli sauce, daring each other to give it a try gave them the giggles.  Following food it was time for them to be collected by their responsible adult.  This group of young people are a delight to be around.

 

June 2022

Queens Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea

We had been eagerly watching the weather forecast in anticipation for our Wednesday 1^st June event.  2% rain was forecast and guess what?  The 2% found us, luckily though was a small amount of fine drizzle.  With bunting and Union Jack flags dotted about we set up tables outside along with garden Jenga, Kerplunk and 4 in a row.  Another table was filled with scones, jam, clotted cream, strawberries, sumptuous chocolate cake and sandwiches, with coffee, tea, squash, and water also available.  The children loved running around, playing tag, climbing the play gym, exploring the woodland and catching bubbles from the bubble machine.  Parents chatted.  It was a lovely couple of hours.  Every child went home with a commemorative platinum jubilee enamel pin badge to mark the occasion.

 

Boing! Lockleaze soft play

We had a lovely turnout to Boing! Lockleaze at our babies and pre-school soft play session.  We welcomed another 2 families to the event.  All the children had fun and the parents got to chat with one another in a safe, friendly environment. It was lovely to see children enjoying the role play corner.  Our hosts were fabulous in keeping us topped up with tea, coffee, and fabulous cake.  Why not join us on one of our sessions?

 

 

 

Life skills Centre

Helen and Marcella completed a training course at the Life Skills Centre based within the Create Centre on the Cumberland Basin.  For anyone unfamiliar with the centre it has different scenarios set up for the visitors.  For example, there is a street with a couple of cars on it with sounds to make it as realistic as possible for road safety; a train platform scenario; a shop and much more.  It really is brilliant and literally teaches lifeskills.  Helen and Marcella are now signed off to take small groups around.  Take a look at their website https://lifeskills-bristol.org.uk/

 

25^th Anniversary Party

25 years ago, FCDC became a registered charity.   25 years is a long time for a small charity and worthy of celebrating. After months of planning and collating the history of FCDC, with special thanks to Jim Kyle and Hilary Sutherland, the day finally arrived.  Like eager kids we had been watching the weather forecast and keeping our fingers and toes crossed that it would be a dry day so we could hold it all outside on the school playground and field.  We woke up to rain!!  Our spirits dampened, we continued to set up outside.

 

A huge bouncy castle was delivered ready for the fun and games and when we say huge, it was! The caterer, The Pantry, Chepstow arrived and set up a beautiful buffet.  Thank you so much for catering for us, we received lots of lovely comments about the wonderful spread you provided.

Before long it was time to open the doors.  A steady flow trickled through to the hall.  It was fabulous to see past members and staff chatting to people they hadn’t seen in a long time.  We had 2 of our lovely interpreters on hand as well as our super communication support workers.

Darren Jones MP visited.  Back in the Spring he came into Elmfield School in support of the BSL act and took time to chat with pupils and staff.  Our chair of trustees thanked everyone for coming and for their support over the years and special guest Darren Jones MP congratulated us on our achievement.

It was a lovely day with families dotted around on picnic blankets, children laughing and playing, jumping on the bouncy castle.  Children’s faces painted by the artist we hired.  Our older children took it upon themselves to serve teas and coffees.  A big thank you to you for that.

 

Our special guests arrived and were an instant hit.  Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story (courtesy of Special Occasion Mascots)!! How lucky were we!!  They greeted families and jumped on the bouncy castle, danced, and played football.  They were fabulous!

One of our lovely parents agreed to take some photos throughout the day.  Thank you, Sarah, your photos are lovely.

All in all, it was a very successful day with lovely comments being made but it could not have been possible without all our supporters and funders, so, a huge thank you from staff and trustees.  Now to plan for the next 25 years!