Christmas Fun for our Foster Carers & Children
Christmas started early at Lorimer for all of our foster carers and young people. What a fun filled day we had!
During our Foster Carer forums and the group participation sessions we held for our young people we asked them what they would like to do this year for Christmas. And wouldn’t you know we were inundated with ideas, from visits to the zoo to a Christmas panto! So, we thought the only way to decide was to put it to a vote (takes the pressure off the staff if it doesn’t go to plan! ha)…..
So, Gullivers World and Chill Factore were the clear favourites amongst our Foster Carers and young people. This way there was something for all ages to get involved and get in the Christmas spirit!
Gullivers World
We started the day bright and early all meeting outside Gullivers World (note to self; bring a large Lorimer flag next time!). We had some very excited young people and I have to say some giddy staff members too who really got into the Christmas spirit. Wearing glittery Tutu’s and elf jackets! Hence why we needed to flag as everyone thought we worked at Gullivers!
Everyone was so eager to get in that they ran straight to the first rides they come to. Luckily the queues were not that bad! Claire, our Lorimer Support Worker, was first on the rides with some of our foster carers and children (I think she was enjoying it more than the children…sssshhhh!). Zoe, our Marketing & Development Manager, isn’t as much of a dare devil but braved the bigger rides. The children found it hilarious as she screamed the entire way round!
It was soon time for the panto show to start. So we all took to our tables (“oh no you didn’t!” sorry, sorry had to get that in! ha) and enjoyed the fun Christmas story whilst tucking into our turkey rolls and mince pies!
Next up, we all boarded the train to Santa’s Grotto but not before singing ‘Jingle Bells’ with the train driver! I have to say the Grotto was brilliant, there was so much to see with lots of pretty lights, simply magical for young children and adults. All the children were preparing what they were going to say to Santa and discussing what was on their Christmas lists. For some of our children it was the very first time they had been to see Santa so this made it even more special for us all.
It was clear that some of our foster children had definitely not been on enough rides. Off we went again racing around to various places trying to cram as much in as we could before closing time! Unfortunately, the trip to Gullivers had to come to and end. It was a long day for some of our children but what an amazing day everyone had, the weather even held up for us too! Everyone went home feeling very Christmassy and tired I suspect! Zoe, Lorimer staff member, came away very green in the face from all the rides! ha ha
But the day didn’t end there though for Claire and Zoe. Off to Chill Factore they went for some fun in the snow with some of our older foster children!
Chill Factore – Snow Park
Everyone arrived super hyped and wrapped up warm for their session in the Snow Park! The superb staff at Chill Factore ensured that we all had the correct boots and helmets and that everyone knew the safety rules beforehand. First stop though was seeing Santa! I’m not sure the young people were as enthusiastic this time as they just wanted to get on the snow. That was until they received their gifts they soon changed their tune! ha ha Zoe & Claire certainly didn’t want to miss out on the fun and managed to grab a pic with Santa. Do you think they will both be on the nice list this year?! Hmmmm….
The young people were itching to get on the Snow Park, so they shot off collecting their sledges along the way. There was Downhill Donuts, Luge Slip n Slide, Sledging and Snow Luge to choose from; so plenty to keep them all occupied. There was plenty of sledging races to be had with some of our boys, and there was definitely some sibling competitiveness going on! ha ha
The session seemed to go quick, even though it was -3 degrees a lot of them came off very sweaty! Everyone had THE most amazing time. But we couldn’t end the day without a snowball fight (well more of a “let’s all throw snowballs at Claire” fight). Good fun had all round I think. Everyone went home with smiles on their faces and presents in their hands; job well done i’d say!
Back at the office, sitting at my desk reflecting on the weekend events and a letter arrives in the post. I opened it to find the brightest and most amazing Thank You card. It was from some of our young people telling me how much fun they had and how they are looking forward to our next fun days out! And that my friends is exactly why we do what we do! Christmas time can be a very hard and emotional time for our foster children. So our Foster Carers and the agency try to make sure that they have a great time making memories. As some of the young people may never have experienced such festivities. Christmas should always be about the children and families; whether that be birth family, foster family or friends who are like family. Merry Christmas everyone!
Get in Touch
If you would like to know more about becoming a foster carer then please get in touch. You can call, text or WhatsApp Rachael on 07938 575 738; or send an email to foster@lorimerfostering.com. If you would prefer us to call you, please submit your details using the form below; and we’ll get back to you soon!
0 comments