It was lovely to see Michael and Kathy of Newport Social services Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children team again with a new group of young people who are so fortunate to have such caring support. On this occasion Glyn from The Gap came with them and we all joined in the fun.
Michael drove the minibus from Newport with 9 young enthusiastic people on board and arrived just after 10.30 to the Gilfach Multi Activity centre where we were able to welcome them. The instructors Bodhi, B, and Bex known as the A team [ !] gave a quick briefing and then it was straight to the climbing walls. As some of the Newport young people hadn’t woken in time, three of Ailsa and Lawrence’s grandchildren were able to benefit from a free session joining in at very short notice.
Meanwhile back at the Llangorse community centre, Dara and kitchen hand Ailsa were preparing lunch. Dara made coleslaw, his famous potato salad, curried stuffed eggs and prepared vegetable to roast. The arrival of the minibus meant the meat also arrived and after a quick handover, we were able to cook this in the oven before adding some sizzle and excitement on the BBQ. Lynne and Philip arrived with a lovely green salad which was so popular that twice the amount would doubtless have been eaten. It was impressive how keen these young men were on fruit and veg and sadly of course also to sugar….one young man put 6 teaspoons of sugar into his tea and tasted it before adding two more!
And so full of food and after a quick game or two of dominoes, Lawrence led the group to visit the lake. Michael, Lynne, Philip and Ailsa were able to join them after finishing the washing up. Incidentally ,all the men offered to help and all scraped their plates and presented them for washing ! There was interest in the Crannog and the interpretation hut and of course ,everyone tried unsuccessfully to pull the sword from the stone. A quick game of football ensued which was much enjoyed by the grandchildren too. They all speak the language of football!
A quick return to the hall gave time for tea, fruit and cake and goodbyes. The Grandchildren by now confident enough to ask the teenagers to play football in the hall whilst they waited for the bus to be made ready.
All too soon it was time to leave but not before checking that we could do the same thing again next year. This trip was funded by Newport Social Services and from our side the grant from Bwyd Powys food helped us to pay Dara for his time and the magnificent food he prepared. And takeaway containers were available for each participant from Newport to take home.
Yet again the Multi Activity staff commented upon how polite, enthusiastic and cheerful the group was, keen to try everything and pleasant to be with.
The Gap wrote on their Social Media page ‘Laughter, fun and friendship as our staff member Glyn and Social Services staff took a group of young people in their care to mid Wales for a day trip. Organised by our friends @hbt_refugeesanctuary , the young people went abseiling, climbing, visited Llangorse lake for a bbq lunch, and learnt about King Arthur. Seems none of them are the True King of the Britons, despite their best efforts !
This is Third sector and Statutory sector partnership working at it’s most effective, boosting wellbeing and building relationships with adults #safespacessafefaces . And did we say it was fun ?’