Peer Patrol Festival: Bringing People, Families and Communities Together
At Action4Care, being person-centred means listening to the people we support, respecting their choices and giving them opportunities to have a meaningful voice. Peer Patrol, aptly named by the people we support themselves, was created to make sure their ideas, wishes and interests help shape the activities and events we organise. Peer Patrol leaders from across our services meet regularly with staff to share ideas and turn them into reality, with previous successes including flower planting and a pantomime at Oaklands.
The latest Peer Patrol project brought everyone together for a fantastic Peer Patrol Festival at Knayton Sports Village. People we support from different services attended alongside their families, staff, management and their families, creating a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and community. The day was filled with excitement, with dance performances from different houses showcasing the talents of the people we support and bringing plenty of smiles, cheering and encouragement from the crowd.
There was something for everyone, with a fantastic range of games, competitions and creative activities. People enjoyed football darts, basketball, tin-can alley, skittles, bowling and a tombola, while face painting, glitter designs and a talent show provided opportunities for people to get creative and express themselves. There were also special animal friends to meet, adding another memorable experience to the day.
The festival was also a celebration of food, music and togetherness. Everyone enjoyed delicious food and treats, including hotdogs, chicken nuggets, fries, popcorn, sweets and cakes, while the DJ kept the atmosphere lively with reggae music. Dancing, laughter, games and shared experiences created a fantastic sense of positive energy, with people from across Action4Care coming together and enjoying each other’s company.
More than just a fun day, the Peer Patrol Festival demonstrated the power of giving people a voice. It showed what can be achieved when the people we support are encouraged to share their ideas and take an active role in shaping their experiences. The happiness, confidence, friendship and sense of belonging throughout the day were a wonderful reflection of person-centred support in action. A huge well done to the Peer Patrol team and everyone who helped make this special celebration such a memorable success!