The sun is out, the skies are blue – we’ve been busy, and our clients have too!
Here’s some of the good news which has been putting big smiles on Two Saints faces this August.
Alison, Sheralee, and Hannah, from the Foyer in Portsmouth, visited Mayville School to talk to the students about Two Saints and the housing challenges facing young people in Portsmouth.
The students really enjoyed their visits, and reported that the assembly was incredibly inspiring and interesting. The visit had also encouraged a lot of lively conversation from the students, who were determined to further support Two Saints in future.
The students generated a lot of thoughtful ideas on how they could combat the challenges presented including welcome packs, and a charity picnic at Canoe Lake.
The picnic was a great success as Year Nine pupils raised an amazing total of £190!
Our service in Poole, The Ferryman, recently welcomed members from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s Senior Housing and Contracts team.
They visited our Poole service to drop off a very generous donation of flowers.
The team members spent their time creating a lovely outdoor space for our clients, alongside a client who very kindly offered to help the team with digging, weeding, and designing the space.
Together, they created a wonderful outdoor space complete with comfy seats and beautiful greenery.
Our team at Wokingham Young Person’s service organised an afternoon tea session to welcome their new resident, Shakira.
Shakira is a chef with a real passion for cooking and baking, so residents and staff alike joined her in baking and decorating cupcakes, an experience that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved!
Staff and clients at Sussex Street in Winchester enjoyed a garden tea part in celebration of their new garden space.
Everyone enjoyed tea, sandwiches, cake, and other treats in a vintage tea party-style arrangement in the building’s garden.
The garden has recently had a make-over thanks to a grant from the Client Engagement Team.
Clients, including Spikey the bearded dragon, have been helping staff with garden work and maintenance, painting the garden furniture in bright colours.
Our West Berkshire Housing First client, Tina, celebrated her birthday at a client meet up.
Tina has been creating some fabulous artwork alongside support workers using the arts and culture fund from our Client Engagement Team.
Well done Tina, and we hope you had the happiest of birthdays!
Staff at Fareham House participated in an impromptu craft session over lunch.
Under the guidance of our lovely client engagement co-ordinator, Robyn France, staff created some macrame keyrings (some a little wonkier than others!).
It was a great wellbeing exercise, allowing for a screen break, and a wonderful change of pace from a standard lunch break.
Thank you Robyn for your initiative and your expertise!
Our team at the Gosport Road service recently welcomed two representatives from Fareham Council as they came to the site to find out more about what we do here at Two Saints.
Councillors Gemma Furnivall and Kirsten Wiltshire came to the site to speak with the team and hear about the incredible work they do to support their clients and anyone else who may be sleeping rough in the local area.
The council representatives were very receptive of our team’s thoughts and suggestions. They’ve agreed to be in close contact with Two Saints and to explore options for public engagement and communication to help the local community to better understand the work that we do.
Clients at Outram Road engaged with a ‘Mindfulness Through Art’ session hosted by staff who had laid out a multitude of art supplies for them to use to create artwork.
The relaxing music and activities created an environment where clients felt comfortable and free to talk about challenging topics, as well as casual conversations with staff.
The evening finished with some pizza, which clients enjoyed together.
Following the success of this initial session, the staff have planned to host one every two weeks, much to the delight of the clients. They are hoping for an equally positive experience next time!
Our clients in West Berkshire attended an art showcase, where some of the artwork on display had been created by service users at a local charity, Recovery In Mind.
The charity aims to improve the lives of adults living in West Berkshire with mental health challenges by delivering free of charge, inspiring and empowering courses.
Having been inspired by the artwork, one of our clients signed up to for Recovery in Mind wellbeing courses – a great outcome from a lovely event!
Staff at Oakdene House have been working with their clients to create shrink plastic keyrings.
There was a great turnout for this event, with some clients actively taking part while others just stopped by for a friendly chat and to watch the others craft!
The designs look great, and we’d like to give a special acknowledgement to Tegan who both came up with the idea and facilitated the session.
Clients and staff at Oakdene also had the lovely idea of making a gorgeous new photo board for their lobby area!
Complete with happy memories, sea, and sand, the board is an amazing representation of both the local area and the wonderful clients and staff who took part in making it.
Well done everyone!
Clients at the Portsmouth Foyer enjoyed making some adorable marble bear figurines with paint and PVA glue! The clients loved getting a little messy and to see the results of their efforts when the had bears dried.
Of course, a special acknowledgement has to be made for Teddy Two Saints, the emotional support bear, who has become an invaluable asset to the Foyer team!
