Two Weeks of Fun, Learning, and Well-being at Options for Life

The past two weeks have been filled with excitement, creativity, and exploration for our participants, as they enjoyed a wide variety of activities that supported their wellbeing, encouraged learning, and strengthened social connections.

Adventures Out and About

Owen had a wonderful day at the kitty café, where he loved meeting all the cats and proudly naming each one. Afterward, he enjoyed a walk around the shops and picked up some cross-stitch to do in his spare time – a day full of cats, laughter, and creativity.

Angela explored the Oak House Museum in West Bromwich. The 17th-century furnishings and exhibits gave her a fascinating glimpse into the past, and she thoroughly enjoyed learning about life centuries ago.

Amanda finally visited Birmingham Cathedral after years of hoping to go. She was delighted by the beauty of the building and its flower displays, making her long-awaited trip truly special.

The participant group visited Winterbourne House and Gardens, where they explored the historic home of the Nettleford family and admired the surrounding gardens. Everyone enjoyed stepping back in time while also connecting with nature.

Laura, Nile, and Kevin got into the Halloween spirit with a trip to the Halloween shop at Merry Hill. Laura especially enjoyed trying on a range of fun hats, eventually deciding on one to wear for Halloween.

Nita celebrated her birthday in style! The morning was spent at Forge Mill Farm feeding and meeting the animals, followed by a bowling game in the afternoon. Nita came out on top with an impressive score of 73 – a joyful birthday full of laughter and achievement.

Cooking, Creativity, and Skills Building

Our cooking crew made fresh soup using ingredients grown at the allotment, as well as homemade butter. This hands-on session helped participants experience the satisfaction of cooking with their own produce. Claire also embraced her culinary skills, preparing a Chinese chicken curry from scratch and following it up with a delicious chocolate cake.

At the allotment, participants enjoyed the last of the beautiful sunflowers 🌻 while continuing their work with nature – an activity that brings peace, routine, and pride in seeing the results of their hard work.

Meanwhile, arts and crafts sessions were full of colour and creativity. Participants designed their own ice cream cones and enjoyed expressing themselves through their artwork. Claire also had a pamper morning, having her nails painted and hair styled, before making some thoughtful pictures for her mom.

Music, Movement, and Teamwork

Music sessions introduced participants to the accordion, where they learned how to hold and play the instrument. Everyone was eager to give it a try and was proud of playing a few chords.

The football group had a fun-filled morning of target practice, showing off their focus and coordination skills. When the rain took over in the afternoon, they moved indoors and enjoyed a teamwork game, connecting pipes to guide a ball into a cup. The activity encouraged problem-solving, patience, and working together toward a shared goal.

Positive Impact on Well-being

These two weeks of activities have brought enormous benefits to participants’ wellbeing. Trips to museums, cat cafés, farms, and gardens encouraged social interaction, reduced stress, and increased feelings of joy and connection with the wider community. Cooking with fresh ingredients and growing produce at the allotment fostered healthy habits, independence, and pride in their achievements. Creative sessions in art and music gave participants a chance to express themselves, while physical activities like target practice, bowling, and teamwork games helped develop coordination, resilience, and confidence.

Above all, these experiences created moments of laughter, achievement, and friendship – reminding us all of the importance of connection, learning, and fun in supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.