Our summer mission at Embrace is to make the school holidays a time for fun, friendship, and new experiences for our families. That's why we were so thrilled to bring back our much-loved ‘Skool's Out!’ summer programme, and what a brilliant three weeks we had! From mocktails to music and rocket launches to ice skates, it was a whirlwind of activity, and we're so proud of all the young people who joined us.
Week 1 - Music, Mocktails, and Memories
Our first week kicked off with a burst of creativity and collaboration. Our ACE (Achieving, Creating, Empowering) group got their chef's hats on, creating their very own mocktails and smoothies. They planned their menu, walked to the shops to buy ingredients, and then got to work, whipping up some delicious and refreshing drinks. It was a fantastic way to start the programme, combining life skills with a tasty treat!
Meanwhile, our Little Saplings group enjoyed a diverse range of activities. They had a splash in the swimming pool, got their hands messy with sensory play and outdoor games, and had a brilliant sensory movement session with the wonderful team from Spectrum Community Arts. And, of course, no summer programme is complete without a trip to soft play!
A major highlight of Week 1 was our ‘Skool's Out/Open Orchestra Project’. We teamed up with the amazing Bedford Music Hub and Inspiring Music In Central Bedfordshire for a week-long musical adventure with the theme 'Around the World'. Our young people learned about and experienced different music from all over the globe, culminating in a spectacular performance on Friday 8th August. It was a truly special moment, shared with parents, carers, and some very special guests. A huge round of applause to everyone involved!
Week 2 – Exploration and an Embankment Expedition
Week 2 was all about getting out and exploring. We had a fantastic Forest School session with Alison Webb, a Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner, where our young people connected with nature in a truly hands-on way. The week also featured a brilliant mix of music with Aga from In Tune Training, and some calming and invigorating yoga with Mo.
The creativity didn’t stop there! We were delighted to welcome back Spectrum Community Arts for a 'Smeds and Smoos' sensory story workshop, bringing the much-loved Julia Donaldson tale to life in a new and exciting way. We also had a 'Day at the Beach' themed day, complete with arts and crafts, and sensory trays that made us feel like we were right by the sea.
Our STEM-loving young people had a fantastic time at ‘Space Camp’, where they designed and built their very own rocket ships. The final rocket launch was a sight to behold, a testament to their creativity and teamwork. A huge thank you to Mark, Michelle, and Hannah K. who made this possible!
For an extra dose of adventure, our ACE group went on a trip into Bedford Town Centre. They tackled a photography challenge, took a stroll along the beautiful Embankment, and finished off with a well-earned drink at Wetherspoons. The week concluded with a thrilling trip to Planet Ice in Milton Keynes for some ice-skating fun!
Week 3 – Fun, Films, and Farewell
Our final week was packed with even more fun. We went on a brilliant trip to Hollywood Bowl, where our young people showed off their impressive bowling skills. We also joined Spectrum Community Arts for one of their summer sensory story workshops at the beautiful Marston Country Park.
We celebrated all things on wheels with a 'transport-themed' day, where our young people built their own bus and even went through a pretend 'car wash' with themed sensory trays. There was also time for more yoga and a soothing sound bath with Mo, tie-dye, pamper sessions, cookery (we made some very tasty Rice Krispie cakes!), and some exciting science experiments.
The ACE group on Monday 18th had a fantastic day of arts and crafts, outdoor games, and a special screening of 'The Bar at the Edge of Time', a sensory film by Frozen Light.
A Huge Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the support of so many incredible people and organisations. We want to extend a massive thank you to:
• Jade Cook from Spectrum Community Arts and Dr Sarah Robinson from Keybeats for their wonderful support.
• Jess Bullen and Dr Sarah Robinson for their fantastic work on the Open Orchestra week, made possible with funding and in collaboration with Bedford Music Hub (Beds Borough) and Inspiring Music (Central Beds).
• Alison Webb, our Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner, for our amazing Forest School sessions.
• Aga Serugo Lugo from In Tune Training LTD for his fantastic music sessions.
• Mo Robinson from OmMoShanti Yoga, whose sessions were funded by Bedford Borough Council (with special thanks to Olivia Flemons).
• Smart STEM Solutions – Hannah Kelly, Michelle Lawrenson, and Mark Lawrenson – for making Space Camp a reality.
• Planet Ice, MK for a great ice-skating trip.
• The Child Development Centre for the use of their soft play facilities.
• Marston Forest Centre for hosting us for our trip to Marston Country Park.
• The Hollywood Bowl, MK for the bowling trip.
• Rivertree School for providing the venue for our Open Orchestra project at such short notice.
• Ridgeway School for their continued support with an accessible venue and minibuses.
• Our volunteer drivers - Steve Welsh, Keiron Fletcher, Ian Lindsey, and Helen Roy.
• Danni Honeyman and Lucy Morel from the school nursing team for all health needs training, and their ongoing support to meet our young people's needs.
• Our coffee morning guests Jo and Sadika from Access Bedford and the epilepsy nursing team for sharing knowledge and support.
Huge thanks as well to everyone who was part of the fantastic Embrace family activities that happened while Skool's Out was running - the wonderful volunteers at Summerfield Railway, the National Trust at Dunstable Downs for the amazing kite festival and Shuttleworth for their fabulous Open Air Concert.
All of our wonderful Skool's Out summer fun happened thanks to funding from Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, The Panacea Society, and The Frank Branston Charitable Trust.
What a wonderful summer! We've made so many new friends and created some fantastic memories – exactly the way that summers should be for everyone!
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