October 09, 2017
|By aissagallie
|
Barnsley Futures is a relatively new service to Foundation. Part of the service is Holden House, an adult hostel. The team and customers at Holden House have been benefitting from the commitment that Foundation has to focussing on people’s strengths and getting to know one another better. The Church Housing Trust have supported this work by providing grants for activities. One of these grants enabled staff and customers to enjoy a trip to Blackpool’s Annual Air Show. Our Barnsley Futures Service Manager reports:
Holden House customers & staff arranged a day trip to Blackpool’s annual Air Show. Blackpool hosted the first UK’s official Air show in 1909 and it has been a success ever since. On Sunday 13th August 2017, seven customers and two staff travelled to Blackpool to enjoy the Air Show. Luckily the weather held out and we all had an amazing day.
We arrived in Blackpool just in time for lunch, which was of course, Fish & Chips. We all agreed that you can’t have a day out at the seaside without having fish and chips for your lunch! After this we made our way down to the beach front and sat on the steps ready to watch the planes. Over the course of the day we saw an RAF Typhoon, twister acrobatics teams, a BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane, Bulldog & Chipmunk, Huey 509, the blades strike master, a YAK 50, Brietling’s wing walkers, Calidus Autogyro and finally everyone’s favourite, the Red Arrows. Some of these planes are no longer in commission so it was a real treat getting to see these planes in action.During the day we also walked down Blackpool’s South Pier to get a better view of the planes and enjoyed a fast ride on the Waltzers. It was a hot summer’s day so we ended the day with an ice cream.
One of our customers, Stephen, said, ‘It was a really good day and enjoyed by everyone who went. I really enjoyed seeing the planes and it was a good change for a Sunday as I don’t normally do very much. I haven’t been to the seaside for years. I am really looking forward to the next trip’. Another customer, Darrell, also commented that he hadn’t been to the seaside in over 20 years. The Red Arrows were a highlight for all and everyone agreed that it was great to get out.
We’re really enjoying taking on the Barnsley Futures service, which some days can present us with many challenges, though we thoroughly look forward to more activities like these with our customers.