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Members of the Sunflower Club enjoyed an action-packed weekend of fun activities. At the end of a very successful therapeutic residential weekend last year the group suggested an activity weekend where they could have fun with their new friends. Behind the scenes Mair Skillett, Sunflower Club Lead got on with the planning. ‘It probably took longer than they expected but thanks to the amazing community spirit in Guernsey we were able to make it an awesome weekend.’ The Sunflower Project is part of the Youth Commission and provides bereavement support to children and young people. The weekend was for members of the Sunflower Club (for 8 to 17 year olds who have had a parent or sibling die) and included some potential members.
This year Bill Le Hurray, Captain of the L’Ancresse Golf Club nominated the Sunflower Project as one of his chosen charities for 2022. Bill was delighted at the idea of inviting members of the Sunflower Club to try out some golf. So, Bill and Tom Le Hurray teed off the weekend with some practice on the driving range at L’Ancresse Golf Club. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and valued the training they received before a top hole burger lunch on the balcony at the Club.
The group of ten young people then headed off for more action with Chris Harvey at Climbing LBG. The session started with some great warm-up games to prepare for scaling the heights of the climbing wall. The group were ready for anything, and their enthusiasm and engagement shone through.
The energy stayed high when the group decamped to Les Maingy’s Hostel, their home for the night. There was time for a scavenger hunt and some outdoors fun before they got back on the road to go for dinner.
Sunday morning brought another brilliant activity with Dave from Guernsey Sailing Trust. The group were treated to a thrilling ride on the rib that included visiting some rafting puffins. One of the children was thrilled to see a puffin for the first time and staff member Grace Shearer said ‘the smiles on their faces was a highlight of the day.’
The picnic lunch on the grass was even one of the special moments for one group member because it was so lovely to be just hanging out with these special friends and having fun. The weekend finished with a session at Iris and Dora where Denyse ensured the pottery painting was a success. It was the perfect wind down activity after so much fun. Mair explained ‘it is such a privilege to be able to share so much fun with this wonderful group. We are so grateful to so many people who made it possible. The generosity of everyone involved is really appreciated. I guarantee some very special memories were made this weekend.’
Denise Ozanne (Sunflower Project Lead) was keen to encourage more children and young people to join the group ‘for families who have been affected by the death of a parent or child it is so important for the younger members of the family to have opportunities to have fun with other young people who completely get it. In a group like this they can have the confidence to talk about what has happened and feel understood. Sometimes they chat to each other and other times it might be with a member of staff but there is always someone around. For more information about the work of the Sunflower Project please contact us at the Youth Commission by email: info@youthcommission.gg or call 01481 226099.’
