Mini Millbrook Group - sleigh stars again in Santa's Grotto

Sleigh from Millbrook in Thornhill Santa's Grotto

The talent and hard work of Mandy Bishop from the Mini

Millbrook Group was on display once again last night - this time in Thornhill at the Eastpoint Centre.

Motiv8 Thornhill put on Christmas Play with a Santa's Grotto, and Mandy's beautiful blue sleigh played its part in making a magical scene for local children and their families.

So well done and many thanks to the Mini Millbrook Group!

Polish Group in the new Echo Supplement

The Polish group appeared in the new Polish version of The Echo featuring one of our Christmas Decoration making workshops at St Albans Church in Swaythling.

We also signed off 2007 with a group Christmas Drink and Mince Pies at the Spice Arts Gallery in Bitterne. We have lots of plans for the New Year so watch this space!

The Sleighs Ride Again!

Many thanks to the Mini Millbrook group who lent their Sleighs (Used at the Southampton Carnival) to New Milton Mencap for their Christmas Party. We had a terrific time with Sleigh races up and down the Sports Hall, collecting Bean Bags along the Way!

Dad's group

Recently we were approached by Forest First at Blackfield Neighbourhood Centre (New Forest), to work with them. Daren Hall, the Community Worker there, is starting a Dad's group and has invited us to work in partnership with him to help get it off the ground.

On Tuesday 11th December, we held a Taster day, attended by 25 parents with children.

We had a scrapstore challenge, making all sorts of Christmas decorations and other fun items!

The new group will run on the last saturday morning of each month.

Mini Millbrook Group - Queen Victoria Christmas CARNIVAL

Queen Victoria Christmas Carnival - Mini Millbrook Group WOW the public with a 30 strong Carnival Section

Well, after months of preparation (a five day workshop over half term and costume workshops in the week before, plus weeks of planning!) the Mini Millbrook Mummy Christmas Section made a spectacular appearance in Southampton City Centre on Friday 7th December.

Headed up by Kerry, with the biggest skirt of the lot, the Group showed off its Christmas Sleighs for the children and Mandy (above) even had baby sleighs for the teddy bears. They gave out 500 Christmas cards (made by Mandy and Micheala) to the public watching which went down really well - and all the little ones behaved impeccably.

Launching at 6.00, the Carnival danced its way from the Civic Centre down to Mayflower Park, arriving at the Cunard Queen Victoria ship and the Christmas Festival - a magical winter wonderland, with frosted trees, snow machines, christmas carols and mulled wine.

Well done Mini Millbrook Group for all your hard work. It was a fabulous evening and you certainly did Millbrook proud!

Bargate Mum's Arts Group - Digital Photography Taster Session

Mum's Arts Group in Bargate Ward LAUNCHES with Digital Photography taster session

On Friday 30th November at Orchard Lane Church (near Debenhams) in Southampton, the mum's arts group headed up by Mabushra Mirza, finally launched itself in true Paparazzi style.

Mabushra came up with the great idea of starting with a digital photography workshop as an introduction to the group, and Cita from Swaythling Housing added to this the idea of getting everyone to take photos of themselves wearing silly hats.

And with the added expertise of Katy Peacock, Qualified Photographer, the arts group was born.

We will be meeting in the second week of January to plan for the second Arts group session, so get in touch if you would like to be kept updated about times and place: Becky 07722 192 675

International Volunteers Event - Scrapstore recruiting volunteers

Doctor Doctor...i've too much time on my hands

Then come and be a volunteer for Scrapstore or the CB Project!

Scrapstore “medics”, Becky and Geoff, challenged those attending the U.N. International Volunteer Day event in Southampton on 5 December, to test their surgical skills and ‘cool’ in a game of “Operation” ! In return prizes of sweets were handed out and these potential volunteers were given information about the life saving work undertaken by Southampton Scrapstore – an organisation that injects fun and new skills into people’s lives!

There was lots of interest and hopefully new volunteers will materialise for the Scrapstore. It was also a good opportunity for networking with other local voluntary organisations at this useful social event organised by Southampton Voluntary Service and the City Council.