After slightly longer than anticipated, we finally completed our virtual bike ride to Blackpool. Phil and Robbie started the journey and were the pair to finish it! We nearly achieved our target of £500, coming in at £462. This has been shared between the centre and FORCE Cancer Charity (in memory of Christina Lee).
For the first time in a few years, we held a Halloween Party for the members. We capped the numbers at forty which turned out to be the perfect number. Members played games, danced and tucked into a buffet. Most members dressed up and there were plenty of scary costumes!
On October 17th, a large group of the centre’s members visited the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. A great day was had by all and members are still talking about the trip!
We are sad to report that one of our former members, Vincent, passed away peacefully on the 19th September. His last attendance at the centre was back in March, having been a member for over six years. We followed his progress at Hembury Fort House and kept in contact with his brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Margaret, who we must thank for their support over the years.
At the centre, Vincent’s love of James Bond and all things army meant he had a multitude of scrap books and folders with hundreds of photographs, cut out and stuck in. A song or two on the karaoke machine kept the members entertained and he enjoyed singing a duet too. Vincent is remembered every time the number seven is called at Bingo with a shout of 007! He was a very popular member of the centre and has been missed since he left.
Thank you Vincent for the humorous memories!
Members have been really busy with recent activities. With the Olympics taking place in August, outdoor games were linked. Javelin throwing proved very popular, with the bulk of daily members giving it a go and there was also archery in the garden!
There have been several birthdays celebrated, with of course, the Gateway rendition of ‘Happy Birthday!’ Arts and crafts have been in full flow, plus walking football and singing sessions as well.
Later in the month we hope to see building work starting at the centre. Our outside decked area will be turned into a proper arts and craft/sensory space, complete with workspace, storage and a sink-progress photos to follow.
Our ride is continuing and we’ve made it past Middlewich, with just over 80 miles to go. Emma R has cycled to furthest so far, having covered 25 miles!
Nearly half the centre’s members plus staff and placement students have contributed to the total distance. If you would like to donate, please use this link:
On the back of the Millfield trip, several members asked for their faces to be painted! Not to disappoint, Carolyn, the centre’s Activities Coordinator, and a couple of students had some creative fun.
It must be Birthday Season at present! There seems to be the constant aroma of baking and the dulcet tones of the ‘Gateway Choir’ singing Happy Birthday, accompanied by Martin on the guitar.
Our bike ride is making good progress. We’ve had nearly forty members, staff, support workers and placement students putting in a few km (the display only does kms!). We’re not far from Gloucester, which is a fair distance but we might have to aim for August as our finish time!
Daryl, the centre manager, is just in the lead for the most distance, closely followed by Emma R.
Should you wish to donate, please click on the link below. The money will be split between FORCE Cancer Charity and the Gateway Centre.
https://www.facebook.com/share/N9xg2JVcnSizwdtB/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Updates to follow…
Our annual trip to Millfield School for the Community Day was a resounding success. Over forty members, staff and support workers had a great day taking part in all the activities.
On arrival, the members could either stay with their nominated group leader or go off independently, meeting for a set time lunch. This was a good time to compare what activities had been undertaken over a very tasty lunch!
Several members chose to have their faces painted, some visited the stables and others enjoyed the live music tent!
A big thank you to Millfield School for the invitation and also to the students who helped keep everyone safe.
In memory of Christina Lee, who passed away in 2023, the members and staff at the centre will be undertaking a ‘bike ride’ to raise funds for both FORCE Cancer Charity and the Gateway Centre. The event started on the 3rd June, and we plan to ride from the Gateway Centre to Blackpool, a place Christina had wanted to visit and thankfully did before her illness.
We have two exercise bikes, and plan to finish the ride by the end of July. The members are very keen to get the miles/kms covered! We hope to raise £500 (split equally)-we have a JustGiving Page or donations can be given to the centre.
https://www.facebook.com/share/N9xg2JVcnSizwdtB/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Updates to follow…
Exeter Gateway Centre 