Outings, events and activities 2018
Newton Abbot Car Show
Some of older group went into Newton Abbot to enjoy the car show and found a fantastic drummer in town who was keen to share the drums with the group – they had a whale of a time
Bear Trail 28th July
Never mind the summer storms – we gave the Bear Trail a good run-around! Such fun getting thoroughly messy in the mud and swamps – some of us preferred the sand pits!
Carnival 14th July
Younger group had a brilliant day preparing for the carnival and then joining the parade in the evening! It’s always such a fantastic event and we had a lot of fun waving our flags for a ‘a royal parade’.
7 July
Older group joined the Wave Project for a gorgeous day at Watergate Bay Beach for their summer surf challenge. Their equipment meant that everyone could be involved in the fun and what an awesome day it was!
30 June – Crabbing at Stoke Gabriel
Younger group had a gorgeous sunshiney day at Stoke Gabriel – lots of fun in and by the water and lots of crabbing! What a perfect summer!
26 May – Ella’s birthday
This was Ella’s 18th birthday and a day of celebration! We all went to the Willow Tree Carvery for a traditional roast! Ella was thrilled with her special day!
19 May – Royal Wedding
Here’s younger group getting their red, white and blue on for a fantastic royal wedding party. We made bunting and decorated the garden before baking and making ready for our garden party this afternoon. Live streaming of the royal wedding meant that everyone got a glimpse of the princess and her beautiful dress. What a special day!
12 May Escot
Here’s older group exploring Escot on the 12th May – there’s so much to see and experience – we all had a fantastic time – we watched the birds of prey show and saw the wolves before tackling the drop slides and amazing pirate ship.
5 May – Orange Elephant
Here is younger group enjoying the orange elephant in the sunshine on the 5th may – we had a great time in their meadows before choosing from their amazing ice cream selection to cool down. No one was brave enough to taste the liquorice flavour!
21 April Stover Park
Here’s younger group painting their own rocks to hide around Stover Park – they even found some that other people had decorated along the way.
27 March – picnic on Babbacombe Downs
Older group had a picnic on Babbacombe Downs yesterday. Everyone loved the delicious fish and chips and it was really exciting to take a ride on the cliff railway afterwards. It was a bit scary on the way down but we had a great afternoon on the beach before riding up again!
A VERY SNOWY DAY FOR THE OLDER GROUP, 24 MARCH
The seals and penguins were loving the snow at Living Coasts.
SNOW TUBING 17 MARCH
Younger group had a great time on the slopes – such dare-devils! they even took on the terrifying “Viper Drop”!
AZTEC LEISURE, TORQUAY, 10TH FEBRUARY
A good way for younger group to hide away from the miserable winter weather!
PAIGNTON ZOO 27th JANUARY
Younger group had a fantastic day at the zoo. All the animals had received the memo and were out for us to see.
OSC ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CHARITY COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 2016-2017
Introduction
With effect from December 2017 Orchard Saturday Club converted to a Charitable Incorporated Company. This in no way affects the running of the Club or its activities.
The Club continues to offer outstanding respite provision, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Manager and her team.
Committee members
Susan Pitcher (Chair), Kate Tapp (Trustee), Mich Taylor (Trustee), Patrick Taylor (Trustee), Mark Gilligan (Trustee), Bryan Winston (Secretary), Kate Seeney (treasurer), Christine Rockell (Parent Representative).
The full committee met 4 times in the year and meetings were well attended. Committee members have also met regularly in smaller groups, including with representatives of Devon County Council, the Club’s Independent Accounts Examiner and the Club manager.
Club operations
The Club remains full and there are waiting lists for both groups.
Staffing is stable and we continue to ensure one-to-one staff support for every child. The children make good gains in interpersonal skills and in independence. Vacancies that have arisen have been successfully filled. Regular staff training sessions, funded by the committee, have taken place throughout the year, ensuring that all staff have the knowledge and skills their role requires.
To ensure that staff are not taken away from the children, the committee funds a considerable amount of work essential to the ongoing success of the Club outside normal Club hours.
Activities, outings and new experiences for the children continue to be at the heart of Saturdays. In addition, there have been family events, such as the Annual Christmas Party. The Manager and her team are continually looking for new opportunities and ideas to expand our children’s horizons that will help them grow in confidence and social skills.
The Club has benefited from a Children in Need grant for the period 2017 – 2020, enabling us to maintain 1-to-1 care and a wide range of opportunities and activities for the children.
Club policies are in the process of a complete review and update. Those completed can be seen on the website orchardsaturdayclub.co.uk, as can pictures of the Club’s activities.
In October 2016, the Club’s safeguarding arrangements were inspected by Ofsted with a successful outcome.
20 January 2018
Great day bowling with older group. It’s a busy and noisy environment but everyone managed brilliantly and enjoyed themselves .
13 January 2018
Younger group started the year with an energetic trip to Clip and Climb – what an adventure! We have some real dare-devils in the group and we had a fantastic time.
