Freedom Through Fun
In 2025 my work for Wellspring has once again included ‘Wheely Wonders’ in the amazing outdoors at Applefield with its natural surroundings and animals. These are my 2025 funded workshops – a big “thank you!” to Wellspring and the The National Lottery (Awards4All).
PACSO PLAY SESSIONS
On 18th February, 20th and 27th May, 6th August, and forthcoming 23rd December, inclusive play sessions at the PACSO Playscheme. When I arrive there’s a ‘buzz’ of excitement in the Hall at Fordwater School with children and young people playing and having fun waiting for me to get everything ready to begin. One or two are keen to help me lay out all the circus skill resources, the musical instruments, hats, scarves and dance ribbons and puppets. Then the fun begins with the children choosing what they’d like to do.
It’s great to see them trying things out from spinning plates and juggling balls to creating characters with the puppets. Others dress up and become someone different including speaking with different voices. Another group of children are enjoying the musical instruments keeping the beat of the drums and shake of the tambourines. Everyone’s busy and enjoying the freedom to choose what they’d like to do. Then I invite them to play parachute games which are always popular. The colour and movement as we shake it up and down, moving underneath and putting soft coloured playballs on top and shaking them off like popcorn! To end with I provide an interactive Magic Show which is a lovely way to bring my time at PACSO to an end. I received a message saying, “THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
It was great to see all the children so happy and enjoying free play and enjoying your company! We truly appreciate you coming in and supporting PACSO”
HORSHAM HUB CHILDREN & FAMILY CENTRE
On 12th August it was a really hot day at The Horsham Hub Children and Family Centre.
I was there for two hours outdoors with some shelter too and plenty of drinks to keep cool. All the children and families greatly enjoyed the various activities which were the same as the ones I used at PACSO. At Horsham parents and carers enjoyed activities together as well and it was wonderful to see and hear the happiness. Because we were outdoors I was able to introduce big bubbles which were a real hit as well as stomp rockets. Children of all ages were able to use the big bubble loop and bubble makers watching with cheers as the big bubbles soared in the blue sky. There were lots of other Family Centre activities going on too – a kaleidoscope of joyful living. Karen from The Hub said, “It was lovely to see you yesterday – thanks for coming all the children appeared to have a lovely time especially in the heat”.
ELAN PRESCHOOL
On 12th September at The Elan Preschool Haywards Heath, I worked with two groups. The first group thought about the Jungle and the animals who live there. Using fabrics and coloured tissue paper the children created a jungle. Then using puppets we brought the jungle to life with roars and ooohhs and aaahhs! Using musical instruments we added to the sounds around us and it was magical.
We ended with Aesop’s story of the ‘Lion and the Mouse’. With the second group our topic was Pirates and Mermaids. I’d taken a pirates’ treasure chest full of gold coins and jewellery. We play-acted a story of pirates landing on a sandy beach, digging for treasure and meeting some mermaids. Children dressed up and we sang pirates’ and mermaids’ songs. Lucy from the Preschool said, “Thank you so much! The children and staff really enjoyed it!”
I’m hugely privileged to do and greatly enjoy what I do; I receive back from families as much if not more than I hope I give and to be a part of the Wheely Wonders community at Applefield with the inspiring Lizzie is amazing!
“Don’t count the days, make the days count!”
THANK YOU to all of you I’ve met and been with over the years and most recently in 2025!
Chris North
Email: [email protected]
PACSO PLAY SESSIONS
On 18th February, 20th and 27th May, 6th August, and forthcoming 23rd December, inclusive play sessions at the PACSO Playscheme. When I arrive there’s a ‘buzz’ of excitement in the Hall at Fordwater School with children and young people playing and having fun waiting for me to get everything ready to begin. One or two are keen to help me lay out all the circus skill resources, the musical instruments, hats, scarves and dance ribbons and puppets. Then the fun begins with the children choosing what they’d like to do.
It’s great to see them trying things out from spinning plates and juggling balls to creating characters with the puppets. Others dress up and become someone different including speaking with different voices. Another group of children are enjoying the musical instruments keeping the beat of the drums and shake of the tambourines. Everyone’s busy and enjoying the freedom to choose what they’d like to do. Then I invite them to play parachute games which are always popular. The colour and movement as we shake it up and down, moving underneath and putting soft coloured playballs on top and shaking them off like popcorn! To end with I provide an interactive Magic Show which is a lovely way to bring my time at PACSO to an end. I received a message saying, “THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
It was great to see all the children so happy and enjoying free play and enjoying your company! We truly appreciate you coming in and supporting PACSO”
HORSHAM HUB CHILDREN & FAMILY CENTRE
On 12th August it was a really hot day at The Horsham Hub Children and Family Centre.
I was there for two hours outdoors with some shelter too and plenty of drinks to keep cool. All the children and families greatly enjoyed the various activities which were the same as the ones I used at PACSO. At Horsham parents and carers enjoyed activities together as well and it was wonderful to see and hear the happiness. Because we were outdoors I was able to introduce big bubbles which were a real hit as well as stomp rockets. Children of all ages were able to use the big bubble loop and bubble makers watching with cheers as the big bubbles soared in the blue sky. There were lots of other Family Centre activities going on too – a kaleidoscope of joyful living. Karen from The Hub said, “It was lovely to see you yesterday – thanks for coming all the children appeared to have a lovely time especially in the heat”.
ELAN PRESCHOOL
On 12th September at The Elan Preschool Haywards Heath, I worked with two groups. The first group thought about the Jungle and the animals who live there. Using fabrics and coloured tissue paper the children created a jungle. Then using puppets we brought the jungle to life with roars and ooohhs and aaahhs! Using musical instruments we added to the sounds around us and it was magical.
We ended with Aesop’s story of the ‘Lion and the Mouse’. With the second group our topic was Pirates and Mermaids. I’d taken a pirates’ treasure chest full of gold coins and jewellery. We play-acted a story of pirates landing on a sandy beach, digging for treasure and meeting some mermaids. Children dressed up and we sang pirates’ and mermaids’ songs. Lucy from the Preschool said, “Thank you so much! The children and staff really enjoyed it!”
I’m hugely privileged to do and greatly enjoy what I do; I receive back from families as much if not more than I hope I give and to be a part of the Wheely Wonders community at Applefield with the inspiring Lizzie is amazing!
“Don’t count the days, make the days count!”
THANK YOU to all of you I’ve met and been with over the years and most recently in 2025!
Chris North
Email: [email protected]
