Short Break Stories

Wednesday Family Club

A story by Caring in Craigmillar

The grant enabled us to improve the range of activities we could offer 12 cared for adults with disabilities who attend our Wednesday Family Club.

What Wednesday Family Club did

Over the funding period we organised a range of trips, outings and introduced new activities into the Wednesday Family Club.

As the name suggests the Wednesday Family Club runs on a Wednesday evening for 4 hours each week. Originally set up to support disabled children, as they have grown up we have continued to support the participants. Due to their complex needs this organised club is their only opportunity to take part in social and recreational activities with friends and peers.

Funding made a small weekly contribution to the Club's regular costs. As well as short trips to Portobello Beach for an ice-cream, The Botanics to feed the squirrels the Club participants took part in a number of fun trips. They went to the Festival Theatre to attend a Christmas panto. The following week we then organised a Christmas Dinner and party with a visit from Santa which everyone really enjoyed.

They loved going to Adventure Golf in Livingston to take part in Crazy Golf. They were part of the huge crowd who celebrated the opening of the new Forth Road Bridge they had visited South Queensferry a couple of times previously to see the bridge taking shape. They enjoy a couple of group meals at KFC's and Benny's.

In terms of new activities we brought in a catalogue from Hobby Craft and they group chose lots of jewellery making and art kits which they have really enjoyed using.
The noisiest change was when the group decided they wanted a karaoke machine, it has proved really popular especially at their Christmas party.

The highlight of the year was when Cool Creatures who arrange animal handing sessions visited the Wednesday Family Club, the star of the show was a small Meercat!

B & R, are 2 men who have been attending the Club since they were young people: both have significant learning difficulties. They have always enjoyed listening to the stereo and singing along to the favourite songs.

When we asked the group what new equipment we should buy fore the Club neither B or R came up with any suggestions. When we asked them whether they would like a karaoke machine their faces lit up, we had borrowed a karaoke machine a few months earlier from another local group and it was a real success.

When the karaoke machine arrived we waiting until R & B arrived at the Club and encouraged them to open the box. Since then as soon as they arrive at the Club they ask for the karaoke machine and start singing.

As well as simply singing songs they know, they have learnt new songs. We are encouraging them to read lyrics which has given them a real boost in confidence as they are learning how to use the new music machine

R & B's case study covers this outcome as well
R & B's case study highlights how we have turned their love of music into a new activity for the Club.

What Caring in Craigmillar has learned

These new trips and activities have refreshed the enthusiasm of the participants, staff and volunteers. As most participants have been attending the Wednesday family Club since they were children they are very comfortable in the setting: this small grant has demonstrated how the Club can introduce new activities building on the likes of the members.It has encouraged the staff and volunteers to consider new activities whether that is a group meal out.
Top tips Caring in Craigmillar's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
These new activities are not disabled specific: they have demonstrated that with support disabled adults with complex needs can enjoy and take part in activities any adult could enjoy - whether that is Crazy Golf, going to the theatre or karaoke.
Tip 2:
As the participants have been attending the club since they were children it confirmed that we should always be looking to introduce new opportunities to keep the Club fresh and relevant.
Tip 3:
Trips can be relatively free, might include transport costs, but every community has opportunities that can be taken advantage of such as feeding squirrels in a local park. Be creative, know your area and take advantage of exciting one-off events in the building and opening of a new bridge