What a start to 2024!

Well we have certainly had a busy beginning of the year here at FCDC… running even more events/activities than ever, welcoming lots of new families, starting new projects alongside our current ones. The FCDC community is constantly growing, its been amazing to be involved and see first hand the impact this support has on our families. A big thank you from everyone here at FCDC to our funders, staff, volunteers, donations who make this all possible. Also to our families for welcoming new members and constantly sharing information/resources with each other. This makes our community amazing, and what it is today.

Outreach projects

We have continued to run our outreach projects in Bath and Easton this year. Welcoming new families regularly to New Oriel Hall and Bannerman Road Children’s centre every month for a morning of play, sing & sign and catch-ups. The children are able to play whilst the adults had opportunities to share information, and experiences.

 

KS3/4 Meal & Catch-up

For our first event of the year we headed off to Pizza express for some food with our youth group. The group caught up with each other, and shared ideas of what they wanted to do this year. Their ideas involved paintballing, go karting, water sports and more! We finished off our evening with a general knowledge quiz, the group split of into two teams and competed against each other to try and win the most points. It was extremely close with only 3 points between them…

Forest School

We then visited Bristol Forest School with our families. Everyone was well prepared for the muddy woodland with their waterproof gear and welly boots. We ventured in with our guide who lead us around the forest and taught us a game of foxes and squirrels. Our families then took part in a sensory smelling game. They were handed a sheet of fabric which had a similar scent to something you would find in the woodland. They had to split off into teams and try to find where the scent was coming from. To end the morning we all gathered around for some popcorn made over the fire and hot chocolates.

 

Breakfast morning at the farm

It was then time for some breakfast at Lawrence Weston community farm… Our families arrived and enjoyed some breakfast favourites whilst catching up with each other. We welcomed some new faces, and the children learned some new BSL farmyard signs. Whilst there was a window of good weather the families all headed outside for a scavenger hunt. They were challenged to find the animal pictures around the farm and bring them all back to claim their prize.

The Teddy Centre (Ear Clinic)

Well this one was rather sweet. Myself and Helen packed up and headed over to Acorns where we ran The Teddy Centre (Ear Clinic) for the first time. We set up our ‘Audiology’ room and invited the children to bring along their bears for their hearing test. Each bear had their own appointment time and when they were ready, they were called in. We ran various tests on the bears (similar to what they would have experienced at their Audiology appointments), whilst the children watched every moment, making sure to comfort their bear at the same time. Once the tests were complete we let the children know what aids their bears would be fitted with. The children’s faces lit up to see that their teddy would be fitted with aids just like theirs. We showed them their teddy’s audiogram and some audiology BSL signs too. Each child couldn’t wait to take their bear back into the room to show each other/adults/staff their teddy’s new aids.

 

Pizza making

It was then time for a FCDC favourite… Pizza making at pizza express. Our families arrived, and our children were instructed by our pizza chef to wash their hands and get suited up in their aprons and chef hats. They were shown how to stretch and mould their dough to create the perfect base before choosing their favourite toppings to place on top. Whilst their creations were cooking, they enjoyed some dough balls and the parents/carers were able to catch up over a coffee.

 

KS3/4 Laser tag

To finish of the beginning of the year we met up with our youth group for some Laser tag. We were joined by some new members this time. The group were taught how the laser tag game worked, then followed each other into the arena. In the first round, the young people were all against each other. They then split of into teams where team FCDC were against another team. Everyone put on their competitive hats, worked as a team and managed to take home the win! After working up an appetite our youth group enjoyed some food before heading home.

Mother’s day Afternoon tea & crafts

It was then time to celebrate the amazing Mothers, Grandmothers and all Mother figures in our lives. Our families gathered at Elmfield School where the children got stuck into making lots of different Mother’s day themed gifts. These included paper flower bouquets, cards, and BSL ornaments. Whilst the children were busy, our adults had a well deserved catch-up over some tea with each other. We got busy setting up a final surprise for them… Their very own special afternoon tea box alongside all of their gifts they had just made.

SEND day w/ Bristol Parent Carer Forum

This month we were invited by Bristol Parent Carer Forum to be a part of their SEND information day. Here, parents/carers were able to attend and see exactly what support/information Bristol has to offer. With over 500 attendees it was an extremely successful day for all involved.. Not only were Parents/carers provided with more information but organisations/charities were all able to network to share what we all offer and make the signposting and community we create together even stronger.

Parent/Carer Dried wreath workshop

For our next Parent/Carer workshop we ran a Dried wreath workshop. The workshop was ran by my mother, which was lovely as my family grew up being a part of FCDC. She showed us how to create our own dried wreaths whilst our parent/carers were able to catch up and share stories, information and experiences with each other over some tea and cake.