A CHILDREN'S befriending service re-launched their annual activity day after two years, for children to enjoy new experiences.
Friends of the Family’s 5s to 13s Befriending Service took a group of kids and volunteers for a summer activity day at Calshot Activities Centre on Thursday, August 25.
The annual trip gives children, who are currently receiving the support of a befriender, the opportunity to try new activities, overcome their fears and have fun.
All 10 of the children, who are aged between five and 13, were given the chance to take on challenges on the dry ski slope and climbing walls at the New Forest attraction.
The dry weather meant the Friends of Family adventurers could enjoy a packed lunch on the beach, paddle in the sea, play games and undertake a scavenger hunt. To round off the trip, the children and volunteers were treated to an ice-cream before heading back to Winchester.
Sam Hunt, 5s to 13s Befriending Manager at Friends of the Family, said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to take our focus children and their volunteers to Calshot again after a two-year break; they all had so much fun.
"Many of them had never tried the ringos or wall climbing before but all embraced these new experiences with enthusiasm and confidence.
"We cannot thank Waitrose Give a Little Love enough for providing the funding for the day’s activities and our thanks also go to the Saint Vincent De Paul Society for sourcing and paying for the minibus and refreshments. It was a truly fantastic day out and there were some wonderful memories made.”
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The charity, for local families, received £500 from Winchester Waitrose in July, funding the return of the activity day.
The 5s to 13s befriending service provides one to one support with a trained volunteer befriender for children with a challenging home life. Visits last two hours and take place weekly with volunteers offering a non-judging listening ear. Families are asked to commit to one year with the service in order to see progress.
For more go to fotfwinchester.org/.
Friends of the Family is currently looking for volunteers to join the befriending team ahead of the net training course in Winchester. To express interest email volunteer@fotfwinchester.org or call 01962 864466 for further details.
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