Connection and fun at our Youth Connect weekend
The latest Youth Connect weekend at Christopher’s was a joyful celebration of creativity and friendship, bringing together a group of inspiring young people for two days of fun, laughter and connection with peers.
The weekend kicked off on Saturday morning, as the teens arrived and got straight to work personalising their space. With the help of staff, they created colourful bunting and signs, strung up fairy lights, and were given instant cameras to capture their favourite moments. Some dove into crafting, while others headed outside for football, trampolining, and even a water fight in the sunshine.
After a relaxed lunch, the group ventured into town for a shopping spree, with HMV, Smiggle and Flying Tiger proving to be top picks. But the highlight of the day? Pizza making! Everyone got hands-on with the dough, creating some truly unique (and delicious) flavour combinations. Huge thanks to Christopher’s catering team for making it all possible.
While the pizzas baked, the group received a very special visit from visually impaired Paralympics GB athlete Lizzi Jordan. Lizzi shared her incredible journey, from losing her sight to becoming a champion cyclist, and brought along her gold medal, which captivated everyone (especially Summer, who was reluctant to give it back!). Lizzi also introduced the group to an AI app that estimates age by scanning faces, much to the amusement and slight nervousness of the staff!
Lizzi, commented on her visit; “It was a real pleasure to meet and chat with the young adults at the Youth Connect event. We shared stories of our sporting passions, interests and endeavours, including my recent Paris 2024 Paralympics experience. I spoke of how I have navigated adversity in my life, and we had great fun experimenting with the accessibility apps on my phone. I have always been a strong believer that you should embrace what you are able to do in life instead of what you may not be able to do. I sincerely hope my visit helped the young adults to believe this.”
The evening wrapped up with music, karaoke and some impressive ukulele performances!
Sunday morning began with a well-earned pancake breakfast and a chance to relax before heading home. But not before one last burst of fun – a shaving foam and water fight in the garden! The boys enjoyed a swim, while the girls were treated to a beauty session in the sensory room.
A weekend to remember, full of creativity, connection and confidence-building moments. Thank you to everyone who made it so special, from the staff and volunteers to our incredible guest, Lizzie Jordan. We can’t wait for the next Youth Connect!
