Camping Options Style
The recent two nights stay at a camping site in Wales was a great success.
The campsite was fantastic and thanks to head chef James O’Gara the food was delicious too, James served barbques each night and a mixed grill for breakfast.
There were lots of different things to do near the site and some people went on boat and mountain railway trips whilst others had a great time having a kick about and playing badminton on the site.
We are hoping to make this an annual event and at the cost of only £12.00 per night to pitch a tent it’s definitely a great value break.
We will keep you updated on when the next trip is planned.
A big thank you goes out to James for arranging the trip, using his caravan as a tea wagon and giving his free time.
Also a special mention goes to Dave McCleary for his hard work and Marie Binns for her help with the catering.
Please click on the link to view some photographs of the trip Camping trip
Bluecoat Chambers
Options put together an art exhibition at the Bluecoat Chambers in Liverpool on the 30th July 2011 that highlighted the
talents of Samylee Burns, Tim Kenyon, Alan Bryce, Valerie McCartney, Chris Molloy, Ste Lyons and Louise Sargent.
The artists called the exhibition ‘Hidden Talent’ because they believe that many people with disabilities are never given the opportunity to express themselves through art and so their talents go unnoticed.
We hope the exhibition captured your imagination.
Please click on the link to view photographs of the exhibition.
Below is a review of the exhibition from Christine Robson, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University.
If you were out and about in town last Saturday, perhaps you may have called in at the Bluecoats Art Centre. If you did you might have missed a small, but significant title on the blackboard as you came in: ‘Options in the Sandon Room’. Easily missed, but what a calamity for you, for in that room there were multiple treasures for those who have a feeling for life, beauty and art. As you entered the room the first images to capture your attention were the vibrant techno prints of Samylee Burns. Local entrepreneurs seeking to print views of multiple images of Liverpool’s iconic architecture made new by this lively artist alongside her pointillist vision of Barak Obama. Turn to your right and your eye would be captured by two powerful canvases of beautifully composed photographs made large: Eros, foot poised for his goal with the moon into the sky, and the mammoth symmetry of the Liver Building slashed by the new Mann Island development; alongside these images are twelve stained glass windows of flowers of the south Liverpool, all captured by Tim Kenyon.
Turn again and you soul will be torn by the portraits in charcoal of Ste Lyons: the ‘Old Sailor’ catching your eye through his wistful humanity and expression of loneliness and loss, alongside sepia coloured sketches evoking the Madonna. Turn back and you will pass the grad piano exhibiting 3 dimensional cards for every occasion so carefully crafter by Valerie McCartney, to then stand in front of the colour, movement and joy in the works of Alan Bryce and Louise Sargent. Turn again and Chris Molloy ‘s life drawings are there for all to see, the nudes and the man in the armchair- a favourite for the audience of family, guests and support workers. George, ‘the man in the armchair’, is a support worker with Options and this drawing, as Chris’s caption tells you, in his “favourite piece in today’s exhibition”.
These artists are skilled, individual and unique but have once small element in common. They are each supported in their independence and in being individuals who can express who they are through the encouragement of others. So let’s say thank you to all of those supporting, unsung people at Options.
Joe Heffey recently completed a cookery project aimed at beginners. The course focused on the need for hygiene whilst working with food and on how to prepare healthy meals. Joe said he found learning how to prepare meals difficult at first, he either cut the vegetables too small or too big and on one occasion his effort looked more like he had a go at whittling wood rather than chopping vegetables. However, by the end of the course Joe had not only mastered how to prepare a meal, he was dishing up curries, lasagne and soups and he couldn’t believe how confident he felt about cooking.
Joe said the course was relaxing, everyone had fun and it was great getting to know the other people on the course. Joe also spoke about his previous experience of cooking which was opening a microwave meal and placing it in the oven for 3mins and how fed up he got eating microwave meals. He said he’d learned a lot about preparing meals, being safe in the kitchen and how to check if the food he cooked was fresh. Joe intends to continue to develop his new found cooking skills and intends to start an evening class at his local college.
Company of Friends
Edel Lam and Dawn Geary are members of the ‘Company of Friends’ drama group based at the Black-e in Liverpool.
Edel and Dawn recently performed in a production based on Jack and the Beanstalk. I asked them both what they liked most about performing.Dawn said she loved the applause and having a laugh with her mates. Edel said this was the first time she had taken part in a production and she felt proud of herself, because she was so nervous and at one point thought she would not be able to take part: Edel also said she is getting more confident in rehearsals and isn’t scared to get things wrong. Dawn and Edel will let everyone know when the next production is taking place.
Tony And His Neighbour Helen
Tony is partially blind, but with the help of his team he has been delivering the Echo news paper in his neighbourhood for the last 6 weeks. Tony’s team feel it is a great way to support him and are pleased at how earning extra cash and making new friends have had a positive effect on Tony, who is already on first name terms with lots of the people on his round.Tony spoke about all the different things involved in his job, he explained that after delivering the papers Mondays to Saturdays he collects the money for them, pays the Echo for the papers they supply him with and the rest of the money he puts in his account. I asked Tony if he enjoyed his job and he said the most enjoyable thing about it was having something to do each day, being able to chat with his neighbours and saving the money he earns to buy something special whenever he chooses.
Liverpool & Wirral Bowling Clubs
The bowling clubs in Liverpool and Wirral continue to be a success. The group in Liverpool has been running for several years and has a core group of around twenty people who meet regularly every Friday. The session usually starts around 12pm at Edge Lane Bowling Alley and then several of the group have lunch together at a local pub.
The group have also organised visits to the theatre and trips to Blackpool and Wales. I spoke with the people we support and they all agreed that joining the group and meeting on a regular basis has enabled them to make lots of friends. The group always welcomes new faces and have extended an invitation to anyone who may be interested in joining. Their counterparts in Wirral meet every Monday at 7pm in The Riverside Bowl, New Brighton and also echo the sentiments of the Liverpool club confirming the advantage of socialising and competing in this way.
The great thing about bowling is that it appeals to all age groups and by using adaptations there are no physical restrictions.
Please view the video and photographs under (Photographs of People we Support).
