Update November 2023
Charity Number 1151083
Despite the changeable weather, clients attending the Princes Centre continue to enjoy varied activities, provided by our very caring staff. The clients were thrilled to see their artwork being displayed in Wades Park. Others were taken to Thame to look at the golf range there and do some shopping, finishing off with a picnic in the park. Some of the men were taken out for coffee. There are also regular walks for the younger clients.
The clients are encouraged to keep fit and we encourage exercise, incorporating it into many activities such as indoor bowling, gardening, skittles, exercises to music. Even singing sessions, as well as being enjoyable, exercise the lungs.
There have been several baking sessions making cookies, and some clients were able to benefit from a visit by BC Independent Living who came in to give a healthy cookery lesson. Craft work has produced some lovely yarn autumn leaves, some beautiful artwork using buttons and lots of spooky items for Halloween. Others were content to have a session of knitting and chatting to their companions, and we have had George & Mike in for a drumming workshop.
We are sorry to see Charlie, a much-loved member of staff, retiring after giving such valuable service to the Centre. The clients and staff will miss his stories, singing and sense of humour and we wish him a very happy retirement.
The long-awaited installation of solar panels has taken place in our Bourne End Centre and they are working well. We will be replacing some of the windows there shortly. They are currently on the production line, and should be ready to be fitted at the end of this month.
Thanks to the generous support from the Eyre Family Foundation, and more recently from the Clare Foundation and the Anson Charitable Trust, we will soon be able to purchase a full-size, adjustable computerised touch-screen activity table for the clients. It will have 120 different apps giving our clients all types of opportunities for stimulating memories mental challenges, games, exercising and education.
The Town Council will be vacating the Princes Centre late February, and once the area they used has been decorated our office team will move to the office near the main entrance. It also means we will have a designated place for training sessions, meetings and trustee’s gatherings.
If you or your loved one would like a free taster of what we have to offer or would like to consider volunteering at the Princes Centre, please contact our manager Kim on 01844 345105 or Mags at Bourne End 01628 527024.
Maggie Wooster Keyte