Mini Millbrook Project run 5 day Knight/Princess Carnival Workshop

In the run up to the Eastleigh Carnival this Saturday (August 16th) the Mini Millbrook Project have organised their own full week's carnival workshop. The theme is Dragons, Princesses, Knights, Horses, Castles and Fairy Godmothers.

It's another example of how this very able group are now doing things themselves. Using the training they had from TWICS back in April, they've organised everything;

• from booking the venue,
• producing a poster and distributing flyers,
• collecting up materials,
• sorting out the risk assessment, registers and the H&S forms they need,
• hiring a sewing machine from Southampton Scrapstore
• and booking coaches in advance for the carnival itself.

They've have some clever, cost effective ideas as well such as getting costume books from the library.And behind the scenes, I think the Dads have been roped in to provide large pieces of card from work and to design and make Princess' carriages, or so I've heard.

Big thanks goes to Newlands School, as they were able to use the Rema Community Hut when their former venue fell through at the last minute. It doesn't seem to have phased the group though, who quickly set about putting together a fresh poster to let everyone know the change of date and venue.


The CB Project popped in to see how the group were doing and everything seems to be ticking along nicely. There were new faces and lots of laughter 'Doesn't it make you feel good when you do something like this?' said one of the new mums who'd come along. And this afternoon, the group will also have the support of volunteers from Southampton Scrapstore who will be coming along to help.


So well done to the Mini Millbrook Project - you're doing a great job. Now for the carnival - watch out Eastleigh!

Polish Art Group in Polski Glos

The Polish Arts group are featured in this months Polski Glos (the Polish version of the Southampton Echo). The picture was taken at the recent group Exhibition in Shirley.
In the back row are Shamack, Stuart (from the CB Project), Paulina and Arek. Front row are Monika, Kasia, Marta, Joanna and Konrad.
The members met again this week to discuss ideas for the next show which is being planned around Photographs of life in Southampton from the point of view of new arrivals.
They have also decided to open up the show to artists from other countries and were pleased to welcome two Hungarian artists at the meeting.
If you know anyone who might be interesting in participating they can email stuart at stuartjebbitt@hotmail.com

Dice trying on Costumes

Dice group were trying on Costumes today, ready for the Eastleigh Carnival on the 16th of August.

We will be dressed as various bits of greenery, in order to carry a giant caterpillar through the town. Left to Right, Stuart (CB Project), Malcolm (Mencap manager), John (Dice Member), and Laura (Dice Member).

CB Project helps out Thornhill Festival

Becky and Stuart rolled up their sleeves and put on their painting shirts to help out Thornhill Festival this Saturday.

Giles (pictured in the cat!) from Thornhill Plus You had a ready made board with a hole in it that needed to be painted. Using tester pots of emulstion from Southampton Scrapstore, Becky and Stuart got to work drawing him a cat. Giles suggested a large rabbit to start off with, but it had to be a cat because the Scrapstore only had the colours orange, yellow, white and blue.

It was a good team effort and on the day, Giles played his part spending the whole 4 hours of the festival getting soaked with sponges. Think we got the better job!

Dice at The Point Arts centre in Eastleigh

the Dice group had a display at the Point in Eastleigh on monday 21st of July, to coincide with a performance by Drata, a learning disabled Drama group, featuring 2 regular DICE members, Laura and Andrea. Pictured, are Pam, showing vistors the photographs of the group activities, and Mark O'Leary, (another group member), talking to the Eastleigh Mayor, Derek Pretty.

DICE Banner

The Dice Group have been creating their own banner for the Eastleigh Carnival.
Mark O'Leary Carefully drew out the lettering, watched by Mary and John, before everyone joined in, painting the letters.

Little Hands and Feet at New Milton Young Parents

CB have been working with the new young parents group started by the youth service in 2008, and based at the New Milton Youth Centre. Earlier in the year we did a workshop, where the mums were able to record their childrens feet and hands in a clay plaque.
Now that the group has grown and more members are coming, the young parents asked if we could could do the same workshop again as it was so popular, allowing the new members to take part.
We had a very enjoyable morning trying to persuade small feet and hands to make a lasting imprint onto the clay (not always easy).
And we also showed that, just because you've become a parent, doesn't mean you can't still be creative and do new things.