The past few months have been unknown for all, whilst some children returned to school to finish the summer term, other’s continued with their home schooling. After, what felt like a lifetime, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions started to ease and we were all given a little more freedom to see family and friends. During this time, the youth team started to conduct “outdoor/garden visits” which have been a positive experience for all.
One thing to come out of lockdown which CAF want to keep is “Zoom Room”. A virtual youth club held twice a week: Monday’s for children under 11 and Thursdays for children 12+. As week’s have gone on, more children have attended Zoom Room and it has been wonderful to see new faces along with children who attend regularly. An hour of chaotic fun where many games are played, jokes are laughed at and good news stories are shared. Bingo, a favourite of everyone’s, has become more serious with proper bingo cards and prizes now which excites the kids (and Scott)! The children’s voices are heard when they think of potential ideas for new games which the youth team then go and adapt throughout the week.
Zoom Room will continue twice a week throughout the summer and in the future will reduce to once a month as life returns to normal and a face-to-face staff presence is more apparent. We know this summer will be very different to others as the summer activity programme has unfortunately been cancelled, however the youth team continue to go out to see faces in a safe way and we hope some small park gatherings might be able to take place soon.