The breakaway scheme has been running for nearly ten years. The scheme was originally conceived as a respite service for parents and carers. The scheme organises weekend trips away for groups of 6 adults, who live at home with their parents/carers, accompanied by two support workers. They enjoy a wide variety of trips.
In the last few months, they have visited places as varied as:
• Portsmouth dock yard • Cadbury World • Mama-Mia stage show
• Birdworld • Bournemouth • Night clubbing in Brighton
• Christmas Market and Spa in Bath • Richmond Venturer boat trip • Hairspray – the musical • Greyhound Racing in Poole
This group meets every Tuesday for a couple of hours in the afternoon to listen to stories and poetry, and to tell their own stories.
In the last few months the book group has listened to :
“Pig Heart” by Marjorie Blackman. This is a story about a boy called Cam who needs a heart transplant but, because there aren’t enough human hearts to go round, he agrees to having a pig’s heart.
The group really enjoyed this book and could understand some of the things that Cam was going through. Most of them had had experience of being in hospital and of having to make some difficult choices. They could also identify with a boy who could not join in with all his friends’ activities.
“Charlottes Web” by E B White. All the group loved this popular book about Wilbur the pig, his friend Charlotte the spider and a girl called Fern. It was very relaxing to listen to and also very funny. Everyone like the pictures which helped them to imagine the characters in the story and also gave them ideas for drawing their own pictures.
“Favourite Comic Poems” Special favourites include Spike Milligan’s “On the Ning Nang Nong”. Everyone joined in reciting this one and ended up helpless with laughter!
What some of the participants say about Cover 2 Cover:
“We listen to books being read and to poetry”
“We can create our own bookmarks and choose things from the library”
“I like coming to the Cabbage Patch. You can have lunch here too.”
“It is cosy and peaceful and I can be with my friends.”
“I re-discovered some books from my childhood and brought in a poem to read which was my favourite when I was little.”
“I recited some monologues I learned many years ago. My friends enjoyed them and I enjoyed telling them. I hadn’t done that for a long time.”
“We listened to The Secret Garden and then watched the DVD. It helped to bring it to life and I understood the story better.”
For more information about the Breakaway scheme or Cover 2 Cover please contact Susie Rowan:
The Look and Plan Club (LAP) meets most Monday evenings in Teddington from 6.30 to 8.30.
The members work together to decide how they are going to plan their leisure time. They are helped to organise their own outings and to support each other.
Here is what one member said:
“Some of us live at home, some in Supported Living projects and some independently. We talk about how much our trip will cost, how we are going to get there and what we need to take. We write it in our diaries so we don’t forget! Volunteers help us when we need it. We’ve been to all sorts of places!"
• Bat watching in Barnes • Ballet and Richmond Theatre • The cinema • Football at Brentford • Rugby at Harlequins • Supper in London • All sorts of exhibitions • Concerts and gigs • Restaurants and pubs
For more information please contact Helen Lee-Parsons via the RHLT office:
This group meets at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington every Wednesday morning from 10.00 till 12.45. They learn new dance and drama routines which are taught by qualified instructors. The group work towards short productions which they stage for family and friends. Previous productions have included:
Aladdin
Scrooge
Grease
For more information please contact Georgie Harris at the RHLT head office:
This group meets every Tuesday for a couple of hours in the afternoon to listen to stories and poetry, and to tell their own stories.
