Connecting families through nature, animals and play

A recent family day out at Hobbledown Adventure Park brought together 17 families for an experience filled with nature, fun and making memories. The day created a warm, welcoming space for families to explore freely while connecting with one another and the Shooting Star team.

A key part of the day was a scavenger hunt, that was designed to encourage the children to explore the farm with curiosity, taking photos of the animals and mark them off their list once found. The sense of adventure sparked smiles and excitement, especially as families encountered the wide variety of animals at the farm. From giant rabbits and tortoises to ponies, lemurs, meerkats, and birds of prey, there was no shortage of animals to see. The meerkats were a particular favourite among the children, who loved their funny behaviour and lively energy.

At the heart of the event was a tipi, which served as a calm and cozy base where families could rest, reconnect, and enjoy food together throughout the day. One family even brought along a flask of coffee and food to share with others! “It was a wonderful soul food day,” said Abigail Davidson, one of our Creative Therapists. “I enjoyed witnessing the sense of community in the tipi.”

Shaan Malhotra, one of Shooting Star’s West London Counsellors, reflected on the day: “It was, for me, a very enriching time with families and children. The venue, animals and the environment created a space to connect in a unique and uninhibited way, laughing and playing alongside sharing important and poignant stories of family experiences.” Shaan added: “Families were warmly welcomed by name, greeted with hugs and smiles, and could always return to the tipi as a familiar base.”

While our Family Support Worker, Darpreet Virdi, spent much of her time greeting families at the entrance, she noted how positive and engaged everyone seemed. “Everyone we saw seemed to have a really good time and we got lots of positive feedback,” she shared. “The families enjoyed exploring the sandpits, using the climbing frames, and spending time with the animals. I was able to connect with a few families at the tipi towards the end of the day.”

The event was more than just a visit to a farm, it was a chance to build connections, share stories, and create memories in a space that felt safe, relaxed and fun.

There was another fun spring highlight, at this year’s Spring drop-in, where Mill Farm paid a visit to Shooting Star House in Hampton. Families enjoyed a relaxed morning meeting a wide range of animals, from friendly donkeys to curious birds of prey. The animals certainly felt the love, with many well-fed and fussed over by our enthusiastic attendees!

There was a particularly funny moment when a mischievous guinea pig made a break for it and ended up in the duck enclosure much to everyone’s amusement. A huge thank you to Mill Farm for bringing the animals to Shooting Star House, and to the families that attended. We’re already looking forward to the next one!

Events like these, where families can connect and create joyful memories, are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. If you’d like to help us, bring more of these special days to life, please consider making a donation today.