Masterchef!
It’s easy to be negative when you look at the newspapers or watch the news but there is a lot to be positive about, even in the current uncertainty. Take the young people on our life skills project, for example. Not only have they been putting the skills they have learnt to good use, but it looks as if we have begun to unearth some serious creative talent!
There’s no better example of this than 12-year-old Ellis from Romford, who has turned the enforced period away from school into an opportunity to try out his cookery skills as well as discovering some real artistic flair. It started with the recycling competition to design a soft drink and Ellis was quick to respond to the call with his pear and strawberry concoction, entitled ‘Fizzy Frizzy’. The can was a fetching red, green & pink design and given the weather we’ve been having, it sounds like the perfect summer drink!
Not long after that, Ellis saw the details of the Borough of Barking & Dagenham competition to design a logo for their ‘Thank You’ festival and he came up with his own take on the rainbow design that we’ve seen plenty of in the local area recently, and he still wasn’t finished – his next project was a logo for the Sycamore Trust life skills newsletter! Where does he find the time?!
The life skills project has flourished despite the lockdown and we have been holding regular video meetings as well as sending out lots of puzzles and activities based on what they have been learning on the programme. In fact, the weekly video meetings became so popular, we split them into two groups so that everyone could get a chance to join in! Ellis has been a regular contributor to the video meetings. His mum Joanne confirmed; “he really likes the group and he looks forward to the calls.” Joanne has been pleased to see her son using his spare time effectively. She explained; “He’s always enjoyed arts and crafts. We wonder if it might be something he can pursue in the future.”
But it’s not just his talent for design that has been useful during lockdown. The Sycamore life skills project has also helped Ellis to become quite handy in the kitchen. Basic cooking skills were covered by the group leaders earlier in the programme and Ellis was obviously paying attention! Have a look at the pictures of him whipping up a chicken curry for the family a few days ago. Joanne said “he really enjoys cooking, and eating!” It all points to a young man who is enjoying life at the moment and his mum confirmed that he’s looking forward to getting outside as the lockdown is eased and we can enjoy the better weather.
The life skills project is funded by the Mayor of London’s Young Londoners Fund and takes place in Rainham and Dagenham each week (under normal circumstances). It was designed for young people on the spectrum to teach vital life skills, such as cooking, hygiene, travelling and safe relationships. Ellis, who will be 13 in July, has been an enthusiastic and popular member of the group since it began in February 2019.
Sycamore activities leader Sue Cornell said; “We were really excited when we received the funding for this group, this is an amazing opportunity for Sycamore Trust UK to support young people with High functioning Autism to learn new life skills which will help them to reach their full potential. We have seen the young people learn new skills, seen improvements in their self-confidence, they have made new friends and had fun. After completion of the life skills programme they can join our steering group where we look at topics that affect them and find solutions”
For more about the Sycamore Trust life skills programme, click here: http://www.sycamoretrust.org.uk/our-services/young-peoples-services
