It started off with a ball game over a badminton net. Staff were encouraging everyone to shout out people’s names and it was fun watching an elderly man trying to catch the staff out by throwing the ball several times to the same person! Staff joked and laughed and joined in full heartedly.
Badminton was the next choice. Everyone took turns on the court with the staff stepping back as much as possible but then gently hitting the shuttlecock over the net to make sure that every person got a chance to hit it back. There was so much enthusiasm in the room - everyone had achieved something on the day!
The interactions I observed that day were so special and something I will always remember; especially during the game of hockey. People pelted the pucks at one of the staff as they were in goal. Everyone worked together to make him run around franticly trying to save them.
I watched another member of staff taking their time standing to one side and walking slowly behind an enthusiastic hockey player, who gently pushed the puck with her stick all the way to the goal. That member of staff’s patience, positioning and warmth just showed how facilitative the staff work with the people they support at the Learning Centre.
Joanna Booth
Senior Support Worker
Warrington Learning Centre