A majestic life-sized lion statue is being made from natural materials by residents with learning disabilities and additional needs to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III’s coronation.

The seated male lion, complete with crown, sword, shield, orb, and sceptre, has been an art project by residents who attend Community Lives Day Services. The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s day services are provided by adult social care partner Optalis.

Artist-in-residence Jo Werret is helping the people Optalis supports to create the magnificent statue, echoing the lions on the Royal Standard flag.

When complete he will sit on a wooden pedestal, also made from scratch, and proudly displayed in Windsor Yards shopping centre in the run-up to, and during, the Coronation weekend.

He is made of materials from nature which sits at the heart of His Majesty’s ecological ethos.

The statue is being created out of moss, pinecones, grasses, bark, and branches, and will eventually become a bug hotel at Boyn Grove Community Resource Centre, Maidenhead.

Jo said: “We have collected items from the garden at Boyn Grove and the people we support have been going out and collecting items they find on nature walks or through Community Lives conservation projects.

“One person found beautiful black feathers and brought them to us and now they are his eyelashes.

“Everybody has done what they can whether it be finding items, weaving bits into the sculpture, or making and painting the other items like the shield. It’s an extremely tactile and inclusive piece of art and we have all enjoyed making him together.”

He has been named Mfalme, which means king in Swahili, linking the lion to its native African habitat and the Commonwealth country of Kenya.

Victoria Holt, Community Development Manager for Optalis, said: “Living in the Royal Borough we are at the forefront of the Coronation celebrations, and we wanted to do something to commemorate this special occasion.

“What we do best is working together, and we involve the people we support and our support staff who have a range of different talents to share.

“We have groups who love to do arts and crafts, knit and crochet as well as some who do conservation or woodwork.

“This has been a collaborative project where all those skills are being used. Everybody has really enjoyed being part of creating this magnificent lion.

“We want to share what the people we support can do and it is why we are exhibiting him in Windsor around the Coronation weekend before it returns to Boyn Grove Day Services to start another life as a bug hotel.”

Residents have also learned to sing and sign the national anthem using Makaton, a communication system for people with disabilities.

We're pleased to share our latest activities list!

The team at Boyn Grove Community Centre have been celebrating customer success this week. In the first of a series of award sessions, customers received a pin badge which tracks the progress they are making, along with a certificate.

Victor Doyle, Senior Activity Support Organiser, explained:

“All of us are continually learning and developing and we wanted to share and celebrate the success of our customers. Some of them have been making a huge effort for a long time and having their efforts acknowledged really means a lot to them. It has been brilliant to be able to have bespoke badges carved to help as a visual reminder of what they have achieved.”

The team, who work alongside people to develop their skills and interests, record each success in different areas of interest. The categories include:

• Health, Wellbeing, and Exercise
• Friends, Relationships, and Community
• Independent Living and Life Skills
• Volunteering and Vocational Learning
• Arts, Dance and Music

Vicki Holt - Optalis Community Development Manager added

“We wanted to find a way to celebrate and acknowledge the progress each person makes on their journey to their goals. These might be small steps over a period of time, but each of those milestones really do matter.

Community Lives volunteering and being part of the popular Easter Fair run by Clewer & Dedworth Community Events - Official Page including the ever-popular stall by ArtAble!

Felicity has been using the local Community Lives day support services for many years, including Boyn Grove Resource Centre. Both staff and customers have known each other for many years and have developed long standing relationships. At Boyn Grove people regularly enjoyed social lunchtimes and a wide variety of activities prior to the pandemic.

Felicity explained, "I have been coming to the Boyn for 30 years. I have lots of friends, and I miss them."

As lockdown measures started to ease the team at Community Lives looked at ways they could follow the required safety measures, include plenty of fresh air and space to socially distance, and created a schedule of communitybased sports activities.

Shortly after the sessions commenced, Felicity became unwell for a time and hated missing her sessions and friends, as Felicity herself said, "I did not like missing my sessions. I like to be with all my friends."

Charlie, Senior Activities Support Organiser at Boyn Grove, explained how Felicity was so excited to see one of her long-standing friends at the session on the Monday. “They’ve known each other for so long and just enjoy seeing each other”.

Some sessions are aimed at older people and offer seated exercise using stretch bands, stress balls and lively music. The short break in the middle of the session for a cup of tea and a chat, allows everyone a chance to re-connect and enjoy a social space. John, Senior Activities Support Organiser outlined the sessions’ aims; “The focus is on rebuilding strength and co-ordination. We know people have been much less active during lockdown and it’s really important to get back into moving to help people maintain their skills and abilities.”

Community Development Manager Vicky Holt emphasised the accessible nature of the groups and stated, “We all know the importance of trying to be more active… these sessions are helping people to make new friends or see old ones, have fun and enjoy the facilities in their local neighbourhood.”

Community Lives Team collaborated with Maidenhead FC hold 'Walking Football' sessions

A new collaboration between the Community Lives Team and Maidenhead FC offering ‘Walking Football’ sessions for the people we support.

The Community Lives team have been working Maidenhead Football Club, Magpies in the Community, to offer football for all! An exciting new collaboration has given people with a range of support needs, the opportunity to meet outside and enjoy some healthy exercise. Working in partnership with the people we support, Maidenhead FC and the Community Lives Team, have created a fun and lively football session.

There are very few opportunities for those who have additional needs to access ‘mainstream’ exercise such as going to the gym, keep fit classes and football, and Vicki Holt, Community Development Manager for Community Lives at Optalis is always looking for new ways to offer opportunities to the people we support. Vicki Explains:

The walking football group is slower paced, safer, and less aggressive than the ‘full speed’ version, but it still provides some powerful benefits. We were really excited to work with Maidenhead FC to establish this activity.

Team member Julian said : "I like scoring goals and I get to see my friends."

And Adham, indicated that he likes the coaches and learning football skills.

The ‘Walking football’ sessions held at the football club have been attended by a regular group of men, supported by men. This has helped instil a sense of comradery, which has had knock-on benefits. The rapport between the group members and coaches has given people the opportunity to be themselves. The environment and atmosphere support the group to have fun exercise and enjoy the support and encouragement from each other.

Although football is important to David, another member of the group, it almost comes secondary to the social aspect as this is where David’s true personality shines through, with his obvious pleasure in seeing and meeting old friends.

David says “I like to see my friends, we all laugh."

A group from Community Lives joined a Tree Planting Day at Ockwells Park on Saturday, 15th January.

The group had a great morning supporting their local community and doing their part for the environment. The team planted an impressive 25 trees, as part of the Queen's Canopy to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

This was the first of many events to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee that Community Lives hopes to be part of.

Customers from Community Lives services at Oakbridge and Boyn Grove centres were invited to a Dance Workshop run by Alice from 4Motion CIC in Windsor.

The group were surprised to discover that they could learn and perform a completely new dance routine in under an hour! It’s amazing what can be achieved when you’re having fun.

Everyone had a great time and left feeling really energised and excited at the possibility of working with 4 Motion in the near future.

Huge thanks to Alice for her energy and to Elaine and the team at 4 Motion CIC who made it possible

Music - TONES AND I - DANCE MONKEY