Exeter Gateway Centre

Summer is rushing by so we thought we had better have a BBQ and some sporting activities to celebrate the Olympic Games. Lots of food preparation went on in the kitchen utilising all the vegetables we are growing in the garden and greenhouse. We used lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach and courgettes in the salads and made a fruit salad. Lots of eating outside ensued but not that many sporting activities by the time everyone had eaten and felt very full!

The BBQ food was cooked expertly by our new senior support worker Daryl, who joined us two weeks ago and has integrated very quickly into the daily routines and activities held at the centre and in getting to know all the members.

We had 7 tons of top soil delivered which members helped shovel into wheel barrows. John the gardener gave instructions and emptied the soil from the wheel barrows into the wooden beds. Everyone worked really hard!

The next day we planted some seeds and a week later some are through.

On Saturday 25th June we had our annual day trip to Millfield School, where we were joined by many other members from clubs and centres in the South West. Some were able to catch up with old friends, suddenly recognising them amongst the crowd and excitedly calling out their name and rushing to greet them. There were many exciting indoor and outdoor activities that members could choose to do and all managed to fit in as many as possible, try to spot members in the photos.

Millfield provided an excellent lunch and although members were really tired at the end of the day, it was a great day out. We would all like to thank the staff and pupils   for providing all the activities and making the day so special.

We began with a drumming workshop –

And then some quite adventurous outdoor pursuits!

Ball playing skills were also developed.

Star guests Amy and Scot were selected to help the magician perform his tricks.

More sporting skills.

A Good day out for all!

On Saturday 11th June we went by coach to Barnstaple  for a day of fun activities with Abbey Gateway and Taunton Gateway clubs. Petroc College provided the venue and we were able to visit all the games and contests outside as well as creating paper crowns, animated films and photographic portraits inside.

It threatened to rain most of the day but we were really lucky and it was only in the last hour that we had torrential rain! – By this time we were all in the marquee watching a pipe band that had retreated to the marquee and played whilst the  belly dancers danced (quite a strange combination!) This was followed by a Punch and Judy show!

We had a BBQ, teas and coffees, cakes and icecream and each member returned with a bag of prizes and goodies.

Here are some photos of the day out!

The football contest!

David has a go at Baraka

Suzanne and Mike create an animation

Pipe Band and belly dancers!

End of the day!

We have been planting lots of vegetable and flower seeds for the greenhouse and garden. We have already picked our first courgettes and used them in a tasty  courgette and cheese quiche. We also decided to make the front of the gateway centre a bit more lively with some flowering window boxes which the members put up and planted.

And the end results!

Each month  members can choose to prepare and cook their own lunches at the centre. All ingredients are freshly bought or grown at the centre and we aim to make all the food from fresh produce. The lunches are on all three days of the particular week so that each member has the opportunity to have a lunch at the centre.

Most weeks we select a particular theme or country as an influence for what we cook. So far we have had a Chinese week, to coincide with the Chinese new year, an Italian week and this week an Indian influence. Members have made their own bread, soups and pasta, along with grinding spicy seeds for the more Asian cuisine.

This weeks Indian Theme!

Some hot and tasty spices

Suitable dress for the occasion

The centre opened on Saturday 23rd April as a drop in cafe selling teas, coffees and cakes and  homemade lunches. We also held a bring and buy sale with some of the things, such as lavender bags and hand knitted dishcloths, being made by the members. All the food served was cooked by members at the centre and wholesome food such as quiches, salads, leek and potato soup and wholemeal bread rolls were offered to all. We were very grateful for all the support from friends and family and the hard but enjoyable tasks carried out by all the members and staff. The money raised will be used to buy new sporting equipment and go towards the cost of transport for outings. (We have two in June!) A great success – thankyou to all that came along.

The Peninsula School of Dentistry came to visit the centre. We learnt all kinds of fascinating facts about our teeth and how to care for them with a helpful dinosaur that we could practice on! The amount of sugar in fizzy drinks surprised us all!