After months of planning with Stockton Hall, The Humber Centre, Waterloo Manor and The Bretton Centre and a huge Sponsorship from Cygnet Healthcare, we were finally able to ‘Get Together’ with you all after 2 years of covid and restrictions.
Nerves turned into determination, a feeling mirrored by you all, to make the day, one to be enjoyed. Risk assessments, infection prevention control measures, bus strikes, nothing was going to keep us from attending the Yorkshire Sculpture Park… together!
Over a 100 of us gathered from services across Yorkshire and Humber and the Northeast; for some to meet in person for the first time, for others to catch up with old friends, overall, to just have fun, laugh and socialise together since the Sandal RUFC days.
The energy of the Network was truly rekindled through connection and activity of the day.
Even the weather stayed on our side… although rain was forecast and macs were packed, we had only the slightest shower before the sun shone through leaving us with a glorious afternoon for a picnic.
Surrounded by sheep, we enjoyed a delicious and varied spread provided by Create Café in Wakefield… quoted as having the most ‘delicious cheese sandwich ever eaten’ by one service user, with another sampling rocky road for the first time and loving it. The food brought us all so much Joy that day.
Goody bags and cameras were handed out, along with pre-planned routes and a ‘Big Task’ to begin an afternoon of walking, with the hope that the sculptures, artwork and nature would offer inspiration to all to get creative once back in service, to be in with the chance of winning a ‘Big Prize’ Oooooooo….
After the odd technical hitch (or nine), small groups headed off in different directions with smiles on their faces, Go Pros in hand, the buzz of friendly competition in the air, motivated to bring home the ‘Big Cheque.’
Services were set the ‘Big Task’ of creating their own sculpture or artwork, filming the process, championing their design and really selling why they should be crowned winners!
Tired feet returned from a choice of 3 different routes. Faces remained smiling. Confidence and ideas blooming. The only thing left to do was to climb one final hill! (faces less smiley at that prospect ☹)
Time to return back to service, spread the word of the ‘Big Get Together’ & Get Involved in part 2.