Planning is a walk in the park (well, nature reserve)

Rhuddlan Nature Reserve

Today I had the pleasure of attending a planning away day with Amy and Annie in Rhuddlan. I regaled them with tales of databases and advertisement packs. I've never had a more enthralled audience. They asked lots of interesting questions and left full of wizardry joys. Or not! 

Seriously, it was good to take some time out and reflect on where we are at as individuals and a group. It's easy for life to overtake us, making time can be missed. When is the last time you took time to reflect?

Annie showed us the local nature reserve after our meeting, it was great to see a new part of Wales. I love finding new things - it's a really nice walk if you are nearby. I've put the link at the top of the page. 

Annie and Amy at the reserve.

There once was an ugly duckling...

This part of the reserve is great for dog walking!

Apart from 'thistle' we didn't know what this plant was called. Any budding David Bellamys out there?

Friday fun at the Hub!!

Fridays are the community day at our Hub in Holywell and  open to all members of the community to drop by and join in.

Today we had the newly formed 'Women's Workshop' running alongside our 'Men's Shed'. Our group support worker, Dave, was around to support the new men that arrived today. The men find this relaxed time at KIM a nice introduction to our service and many go on to do additional work with our KIM 4 Him service.

The kitchen produced a fab Chinese inspired menu today - the home made prawn toast was amazing. Although I confess to needing (but not having) a nap in the office afterwards. Always great value at just £2.50 for a main course (£3.50 with a pud). Come along and try - families welcome :) maybe bring your partner to see KIM ?

We had a surprise visitor in the afternoon that gave Dave more of a handful than he had in the Men's Shed...

Dave and little H. Congrats to the new mum and dad!! 

(Dave did eventually give the baby back to her parents)

KIM Together @ Loggerheads

Loggerheads Walk

The staff at KIM INSPIRE were asked by the Men’s Service Manager to plan an outing for the all the groups (KIM 4 Him Flintshire and KIM 4 Her Flintshire/Wrexham). We discussed the ideas with the groups and supported them organise it as individual group and the larger consortium. This gave everybody the chance to have a voice without anything feeling too big.

We had to come up with ideas to where people would like to go and to be on a bus route. We looked into Moel Fammau, but there was no bus route close to it. We decided to go to Loggerheads so they could either go for a walk, or they could relax.

The men’s (and other groups) representation for the community day out was extremely positive with ten individuals attending. Everybody who came today really enjoyed getting out and not being stuck in on a lovely day. 

Outcomes: A client completed the three mile walk, this was challenging but was determined to complete with the team.

Bringing all projects together gave opportunities for people to get to know each other and create the feeling of solidarity and team work bringing cross county and cross projects together as one total entity of KIM.

People sharing food with strangers (from other KIM groups) and also people who hadn’t brought food felt comfortable in accepting the gesture of sharing which can sometimes present hurdles.

Getting to know interests and sharing information created conversations about common likes and interests.

The point of doing this was to get all the groups together, so they could meet people who they haven’t met before and getting them out of there comfort zone, which took a lot for some people to do.

At the end of it, they all said that they enjoyed the outing, and are looking forward to the next one.