activities
We offer a vast range of activities and sessions to develop skills and promote social interaction for our service users. We are continuously expanding our choice of sessions to ensure we have a wide range of options that suit each individuals wants and needs. Please see below for a brief summary of the sessions we provide
We provide support with:
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to participate in activities that promote health and wellbeing. From physical sport to emotional wellbeing groups, there are plenty of opportunities to ensure healthier living at Creative Advances. We offer several exercise related groups, such as dancing, chair-based exercise, gymnastics, trampolining, swimming, and football. We also offer groups such as Mind Matters, Self-Advocacy and Healthy Heroes to promote emotional and physical wellbeing.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS
We encourage all of our service users to be as independent as possible. We offer sessions that aim to empower our service users to learn and develop new skills that promote independence. From road safety skills to using public transport, we aid in promoting safety and independence skills to allow individuals to build self-confidence. For those that are looking for support with daily living skills, we offer healthy cooking sessions, shopping assistance and support to develop money skills.
WORK BASED ACTIVITIES
Our service users have the opportunity to volunteer at workplaces across Portsmouth, where they can learn key skills such as teamwork, problem solving and responsibility. Currently, service users can volunteer at a charity shop, a café, or Fort Widley.
Fort Widley – This volunteer group support Fort Widley staff to manage the stables, maintenance in and around the Fort, while also developing animal care skills. We are working in conjunction with ‘Riding for the Disabled’ to afford our service users the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification in yard work.
Salvation Army - We are working in partnership with The Salvation Army to run their Café at Portsmouth City Centre. Service users will have the opportunity to develop skills, including serving customers, using the till, preparing ingredients and cooking meals.
We have developed an employability program that will enable service users to develop, and document achieved work-based skills. At the charity shop and Café service users can develop skills in customer service, cash handling, health and safety, sorting, pricing, and other work-related skills. Service users will gain a certificate of participation for completing the employability program.
Creative snaps! Creative Advances has its own photography business, providing opportunities for individuals to learn both creative skills and business skills. This group has its own dark room and uses both manual and digital cameras to create beautiful works of art! They are available to commission for events or any photography needs!
COMMUNITY BASED ACTIVITIES
From a trip to local museums, fitness centres, cinemas and other places of interest, Creative Advances can support service users to participate in their hobbies and interests.
We also work with some community projects to allow our service users to socialise and build relationships within our community.
Wheels 4 All - The Wheels for All initiative is a nationally recognised programme that embraces children and adults with disabilities and differing needs, to engage in a quality cycling activity. By using specially adapted cycles, the activities are fun for everyone involved.
The Bivol Trust – This charity aims to provide social opportunities and skills development for people with disabilities by running weekly groups such as music and art groups. Creative Advances visits the Bivol Trust on a weekly basis.
Football team – We have also started a football team, who meet up for league matches with other service providers in the city, and work alongside Victory Hants to stage tournaments in the city.
Giving back to our community
We also offer a range of regular sessions that aim to establish a community connection and offer a contribution back into the local area. These include planning events to raise money for local causes such as the soup kitchen for the homeless.
Alongside this there are various events that we run on a regular basis such as our McMillian coffee mornings and other events aimed at fundraising for charities in our local area. We also regularly attend charity events, summer fairs and art and craft fairs, where we sell items made by our social enterprise team. We also hold regular karaoke nights and movie nights which provide opportunities for our service users to socialise with friends in the evenings.
Keep checking our events page and Facebook to make sure you don’t miss out!
