TLG
DELIVERY PARTNER: TLG
CLUB: Cleveleys Make Lunch Club
DATE: 21st July 2023
We took a group of 9 adults, 13 children and 6 volunteer staff from our Make Lunch Club to Bassenfell Manor Outdoor Activity Centre, Bassenthwaite, Keswick. We were introduced to basic archery, milk crate stacking, orienteering and bushcraft – we learnt how to light a fire and toasted marshmallows. The children enjoyed the adventure playground equipment and beautiful grounds as well with a race around the grounds at the end of the day to find plaster cast animal footprints. The day was rounded off with a sausage, baked potatoes, beans, homemade brownies, and ice cream. Everyone had a go at all the activities which they had never done before and overseen by experienced staff from Bassenfell.
None of our families had ever experienced anything like it before and one family had never been away from the Blackpool area before. Some were hesitant at joining in to begin with but everyone had a go at everything and had a wonderful day.
“We so enjoyed having this group with us especially as we saw a progression from being shy and fearful to having a wonderful happy time with us.”
“This has been the best day of my life”
“I have never been out of the Blackpool area or ever done any of these things. I feel a bit overwhelmed, but it was wonderful.”
“We think this has been a pivotal day for our club. We have built relationships with our families, broadened their experiences and been able to give them a wonderful memory. Thank you so much Meals and More.
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“We had the most amazing day at Bassenfell Manor in the Lake District. The instructors there were so kind and encouraging but also encouraged everyone to step a little bit outside their comfort zone. I will never forget one boy aged 7 who was climbing the crates with his older brother. He suddenly got a little frightened because he was so high up - they climbed the height of 10 milk crates (they were on a harness!) He managed to climb onto another crate and then the crates fell (they were supposed to do that) and he was swinging on his harness. His face suddenly changed, and he was giggling and laughing and was desperate to climb up again! He told me that he had the best day ever! His mum at first didn’t want to join in anything but we encouraged her to have a go and ended up with the highest archery score and climbed the crates with her 5-year-old daughter! She was at our lunch club yesterday and came in beaming when previously she crept in and sat in a corner watching her children play. I think her day away will have a lasting effect on her. We can safely say that every family and every member of the volunteer team had the most wonderful day. Thank you so much to Meals and More.”