Picnic in the park for county council service
Coombe Abbey Country Park was the venue for a special summer picnic which was attended by over 50 tots and their families last week.
Warwickshire Integrated Disability Service’s Birth to Three Portage team organised the event on Wednesday June 24 and families from across the county who use the support service for pre-school children with additional learning needs were invited to attend.
The picnic offered a chance for all families of children under three to get together, share experiences and join in with celebrating the successes of the year.
The theme of the picnic was children’s favourite ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. The story provided lots of opportunities to explore sensory and messy play as well as getting the youngsters to experience the beautiful surroundings of a country park.
Special guest at the picnic was Graham from the Tiny Tim’s Children’s Centre who accompanied a singing session by playing the fiddle. The team presented him with a cheque for £126.00 which had been raised in raffles held to support the centre.
Everyone had a lovely time and all the children went home with a goody bag as a memento of the day. Jeanette Smith, Joint Manager for the service said: “This event was so well-received by our families who brought grandparents and friends along with them to join in the fun. We had such a great day and feedback was so positive that we are already thinking about holding another countywide event next year.”
Jeanette’s colleague Sarah Buckwell added: “The picnic was extra special because it was the first time the whole Birth to Three Portage team have got together for a celebration since the service was formed in January by the merging of health and education services.”
Warwickshire’s Portage Service is for families with babies and children under three who have complex needs or significant development delay. To deliver the service members of the team visit families at home and work together with them to provide structured educational and development support.