Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Men's group for car maintenance

Men's group for car maintenance 

Today the men took part in a session about car maintenance. Tim, one of the group members, is skilled with car repairs and wanted to share his knowledge with the group. He has worked closely with our group support worker, Dave, to arrange the session. He got everybody ‘hands on’ with basic car checks and shared some top tips (and potential money savers).

Everybody learnt something new about the mechanics – it was interesting to see how engines have changed over the years. Tim has a great depth of knowledge and was able to let us know how cars have developed, for example what oil types to use, spark plug types and why I don’t have a choke in my car anymore!

Thank you Tim for sharing your skills!

We always welcome the sharing of skills and knowledge in our groups – is there anything you would like to share?

P.S. Have you got that song in your head now? High, low, anywhere we go..

Preparing...

Tim showing Dave the oil checking device (insert your own joke here!)

 This engine was not built by Enzo Ferrari!

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?

The sun is out...so are the KIM 4 Him vols

A beautiful sunny day at the Hub in Holywell.

Our male volunteers were out again today...the amazing people that give their time to support KIM (rain or shine) took part in gardening and cooking at our Hub.

Alun, Tom (x2) , Bill, Matt, Shane and Gareth helped Dave with a number of tasks in the gardening including painting, grass cutting, wood chopping and watering the vegetables and flowers. The garden is coming on leaps and bounds - the dedication, pride and effort everybody puts in is certainly paying off!

Alun and his mower

Jon, Dave and Neil prepared and cooked a delicious BBQ for our Community Cafe meal - 3 different chicken spices went down really well with everyone that came to eat. I think our cooks are giving Nandos a run for their money!

Jon getting the sausages ready

Nandos or KIM?

Hungry. Hungry Hipsters

Our new Volunteer co-coordinator works tirelessly alongside our existing and new volunteers from our men, women and young peoples projects to create opportunities to meet the needs of the people that come to KIM. If you would like to volunteer, or have volunteered with us and not yet met Hannah then please get in touch :) There is no limit to her creativity (go on, test her out! - sorry Hannah!!).

Hannah with Dave, Neil, Jon and Matt

Another photo added to our gallery

We've worked with Alun to get one of his fantastic photos developed, framed, signed and hung in our gallery space at the Hub.

Alun took this picture whilst out with a Social Links group in the Wirral. It's a lovely photo and well worth a place in our gallery.

Thank you Alun! 

Alun (R) presenting the photo to KIM's Andy

New Group - "Inner Geeks" and the X-Wing battle royale!

The Force is strong with this group 

Click here to learn more about the X-Wing game and how to play.

A group of men from KIM 4 Him have started their own Monday afternoon group called "Inner Geek". They wanted a space to talk and share interests and hobbies with others. This group gives everybody the opportunity to discuss everything from F1 to Apollo 11. Anything goes!

The guys learnt the basics of X-Wing today. They had a lengthy 'battle' with the table role playing game, the Galactic Empire TIE Fighters just about destroying the Rebel Alliance X-Wing. Bad luck to one player who got shot down in the first round!

The group has been going for 2 weeks and already has activities ranging from PS4, Raspberry Pi, Chess, Top Trumps and Star Wars.

The men want to bring items in with them to share - it's great to see things we've maybe not seen for a while. It's also great for the different generations in the group to share hobbies from when they were a kid...Subbuteo is coming soon!!

Food, food, glorious food!

Start of the new Men's 10 week block of groups

2 cooks and 1 hinderer

Food is always a good way to bring people together. To start the new block of groups the men decided to have a working breakfast at the Hub.

Fate was trying to conspire against us as the two members of staff that were supposed to be cooking went off sick! Luckily, we adapted and overcame with Chef Jon and his willing deputy Shane stepping up to take over cooking duties.

As ever, a wonderful meal was produced and all the group enjoyed the full English experience. Unsurprisingly, the waft of bacon drew other team members from their office slumber into eating and chatting.

Dished up with the delicacy of a School Dinner Worker

Tuck in!

Welsh Culture visit to Conwy Castle

View from the top!

As part of the accreditation for the Welsh Language and Culture group we visited Conwy Castle. 

The group look happy :)

 The group enjoyed the visit welcoming the opportunity to explore the castle seeped in history.

Built in 1283 by Edward 1 Conwy Castle form part of an ‘iron ring’ of castles which were designed to quell Welsh uprisings. 

Today the castle is one of the best preserved castles in the whole of North Wales.