🌈 A Week of Joy, Creativity, and Celebration at Options for Life! 🌼

Last week at Options for Life was bursting with colour, creativity, and community spirit! From crafting and games in the garden to pride celebrations and sporting achievements, our participants were busy, active, and most importantly—happy. Here's a heartwarming look at everything that went on.

🎨 Crafting Love for Father's Day

Our week began with a thoughtful and creative session as participants made handmade Father's Day cards and crafts. The vibrant stickers, colourful papers, and thoughtful messages made each creation personal and heartfelt. These crafting sessions not only sparked joy but helped participants develop fine motor skills and express emotions through art—a fantastic way to support mental well-being.

🌿 Garden Relaxation & Squirrel Secrets

Claire chose to unwind in the sunshine and channel her creativity into building a unique wooden design in the garden—she now has her very own secret squirrel! Meanwhile, Patryk, Chris, and Ashley had a great time in the secret garden, laughing and bonding over garden games. Ashley especially enjoyed the challenge of stacking the Jenga blocks. Outdoor play encourages movement, fresh air, and connection—essential ingredients for physical and emotional health.

🎉 Pride Party in the Secret Garden

On Thursday, our secret garden came alive with colour, music, and pride! The Pride Party was in full swing, with participants enjoying sunshine, laughter, and a good old-fashioned BBQ. Huge shoutout to Jack and Emma for bravely serving delicious burgers and hot dogs in the summer heat! The event was packed with games and activities that kept everyone entertained. Celebrations like these foster a strong sense of inclusion and belonging, boosting self-esteem and community bonds.

💪 FunFit in the Sun

Despite the warm weather, participants joined in for our weekly FunFit session. While we kept equipment use to a minimum, the energy levels were sky-high! Everyone got moving, stayed hydrated, and had loads of fun. These sessions are a great way to maintain physical health while also reducing stress and boosting mood through movement and shared laughter.

🎨 Friday Art: Flavourful Creativity

Our Friday art session brought a cool twist as Andrea and Gary designed their own ice cream flavours! Gary imagined a mango flavour, while Andrea went for a sweet mix of strawberry, blueberry, and mint. Art allows participants to explore imagination and personal preferences, all while supporting relaxation and focus. Meanwhile Steven, Laura and Amanda created parrots and tortoises with their magnificient art and craft skills.

🌸 Floral Crafts with the Friendship Group

Our friendship group proudly completed their floral craft projects after weeks of hard work and dedication. These Friday afternoon sessions, thanks to Langley Library, have been a joyful opportunity for participants to build social skills, gain a sense of achievement, and improve concentration through crafting.

🏅 Sporting Champions at the Special Olympics

To top off an incredible week, our lads competed in the Special Olympics—and came back with a variety of medals in running, relay, and shotput! A huge congratulations to all our athletes! Participating in the Special Olympics is not just about competition; it's about inclusion, confidence-building, and the incredible benefits of physical exercise for both body and mind.

⚽ Balloon Keepy-Uppy and Foot-Cricket Fun!

Our football group had a fantastic session filled with movement, coordination, and lots of laughter! They began with a warm-up game called Balloon Keepy Uppy, where the challenge was to keep the balloon from touching the floor. This playful activity helped develop hand-eye coordination and teamwork.

The session continued with a fun and focused round of target practice before wrapping up with a lively game of foot-cricket—a current favourite among our participants! These sports-based activities not only boost physical fitness but also promote focus, communication, and shared achievement, making them an important part of our health and well-being goals.

💖 The Bigger Picture: Health & Happiness

Every activity this week—from art to athletics, quiet garden time to community celebrations—was designed to support the holistic well-being of our participants. Physically, we kept everyone moving and engaged. Mentally, we nurtured creativity, social connection, and self-expression. These experiences help build resilience, independence, and above all, joy.

We have shared photos from each day, so enjoy some wonderful snapshots of smiles, creations, and unforgettable moments.