Marjorie and Me Christmas 2021 - Day 10 - Christmas snacks

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It’s Day 10 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021 and we have been making Christmas snacks using bags of sweets.

You separate all the green and red seeets from the other colours (these can be eaten later). Mix them all together and add some pretzels and sprinkles and whatever else you fancy. Pop it in a tin and ta-dar! It’s all ready to eat or gift to someone this Christmas.

This activity is great for fine motor skill development and colour sorting

I also know that day 9 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021 is missing…….sorry, ran out of time. X

Marjorie and Me Christmas 2021 - Day 6 - Sensory Bath

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Day 6 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021 is all about enjoying a bath (or shower) to relax and unwind. With all the routine changes happening in December it’s really important to pencil in time to relax and re-ground yourself and the individuals you care for.

I thought this star shaped bath bomb from The Body Shop was perfect for the festive season

Have a lovely day and stay safe

Marjorie and Me Christmas 2021 - Day 5 - Edible Snowman

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It’s Day 5 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021 is EDIBLE SNOWMEN

This activity is great for people who like to put things in their mouth as everything is edible (just make sure the items do not conflict with any specific dietary needs the individual has). These snowmen can be made as a dessert activity or simply explored by the individual using their hands or feet.

All you need is:

* Tray

* White marshmallows

* Chocolate chips or raisins (for eyes)

* Pretzels or twiglets for arms

* Sprinkles

Happy exploring and eating!

Marjorie and Me at Christmas 2021 - Day 4 - Easy Sensory Activity

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It’s Day 4 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021

Today the focus is on easy sensory activities:

The tub of putty is from B&M Stores and only cost £2. We put it on a tray and added the small squidgy balls later. This was a brilliant activity to keep hands busy whilst we watched the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special from 2019.

When we’d finished with it we put it back in the container for another day

Take care

Marjorie and Me at Christmas - Day 3 - Salt Dough

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It’s day 3 of #MarjorieAndMeChristmas2021 and it’s all about salt dough.

Salt dough is a really affordable activity to do. I always use the Emily Kerrigan recipe “How to make salt dough” on the BBC Good Food app/website. It’s really easy to follow and the results are always good.

We made Christmas decorations. S supported this activity and she’s not one for painting so we added green food colouring to the water whilst making the salt dough so we could focus on the sequins and not painting.

All you need:

1x cup/250g plain flour

1/2 cup/125g table salt

1/2 cup/125ml water

All you do:

* Turn the oven onto its lowest setting and line baking trays with baking/parchment paper.

* Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl.

* Add the water and mix until a dough is formed. You need to use your hands.

* Place dough on lightly floured surface and roll out. Be creative! The simpler the designs the better. The thinner the creations are the better they cook.

* Place in the oven for 3hrs or until hard.

* Once cooled be as creative as you want: we used sequins and modge-podge to seal the decorations.

Have fun!!

Marjorie and Me at Christmas 2021 - Day 2 - Hot Chocolate

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As you know, I’m a huge fan of coffee. However at this time of year I personally this that a hot chlorate tastes far better than it does at any other time of the year…… Christmas Fact. I think at Christmas you can justify adding a huge amount of squirty cream and sprinkles to the top of your hot chocolate. It is also a simple, affordable and accessible activity for most people to enjoy. The activity can be adapted to be a milkshake instead of a hot chocolate, it can be drunk through a straw, thickener can be added to achieve a good consistency for an individual, the list is endless. But at its core it is a social activity to be enjoyed by all.

ENJOY!

I believe these are the essentials for a perfect Christmas Hot Chocolate:

  • 1x festive mug

  • 1x festive spoon

  • 1x festive napkin

  • 4tsp instant hot chocolate

  • A good glug of milk

  • Hot water (not boiling)

  • A generous helping of squirty cream

  • Festive sprinkles

All you have to do is:

  1. Boil some water in the kettle. Whilst you’re preparing the drink it will cool slightly.

  2. Add the instant hot chocolate to the festive mug.

  3. Add the milk to the festive mug and stir with the festive spoon.

  4. Pour the water from the kettle into the festive mug and stir with the festive spoon.

  5. Add squirty cream.

  6. Add sprinkles.

  7. Place the festive mug on the festive napkin and enjoy. The festive spoon can be used to make sure you get all the cream ;-)

Marjorie and Me at Christmas 2021 - Day 1 - Christmas tree

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I love my little Christmas tree. It has a little wicker basket base (very me) and fake snow that is a nightmare to hoover up. All the decorations are individually brought; one a year, and help to make Christmas so enjoyable for me. I love routines and traditions. They make me feel grounded and Christmas is a time of year when I reminisce more; remembering Christmas as a child, remembering the people who are no longer here and being with my family.

Throughout my career, I have supported people at Christmas time; the elderly people living on their own and having no family to share a meal with so you do your best to make it special during your call time, adults with learning disabilities who are desperate to attend the disco at the Pub and kiss under the mistletoe and children with special needs who are so excited for Father Christmas. I have been part of teams that have planned special events, supported trips to the Panto and Santa’s Grotto and facilitated cooking sessions. Over the past 24 years I have learnt one thing: YOU DO YOU.

If routine is so important to you or the person you support/care for, then maintain it. That person will enjoy Christmas more whilst feeling safe in their routine and no doubt you’ll have a better time too. If routine is not important then embrace all the tinsel, mince pies and activities on offer. If you’re only interested in the food then eat and enjoy. What matters is that you do you. It’s your Christmas so enjoy it.

The challenge of parenting, caring or being a sibling to a person with special needs is recognised here. It’s your Christmas too. If you want to spend the festive season watching films in your pjs (whilst it seems that everyone on instagram is at the Panto or enjoying walks in the woods) then do it!

Please look after yourself and take from the festive season what works for you. You do you.

My closing remark is that I love all the fairy lights around this time of year. They bring me joy and make spaces feel calm (not the flashing ones - I’m not a fan).

YOU DO YOU

Makaton - Snowman - Christmas Advent Calendar

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IT IS OFFICALLY CHRISTMAS!

With this in mind, I’ve decided to upload a daily Makaton video, using The Makaton Charity’s Christmas Advent Calendar. Over the next 24 days I will upload 24 signs, all linked to Christmas.

As you know, I usually film in my kitchen and I’m standing up. However I’ve very recently adopted a beautiful 9 year old cat and she is settling into her new home. I did not want to stress her out by standing in the middle of the kitchen so I’m filming in the very glamorous location of my kitchen floor, seated between the washing machine and the oven. Like I said; glamorous!

In the video I boldly state that I’ll be filming her for the next few videos. In actual fact, I’m here for all the videos so please enjoy my Christmas tea towel and kitchen appliances.

Today’s sign is: SNOWMAN

Happy signing!

Supporting professionals to interact with children with disabilities

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This week I had the opportunity to meet with some amazing social workers who are supporting some of the most vulnerable children in our communities; disabled young people.

I facilitated an initial interaction session which involved some objects to interact with (ball, scarf, puppets, bubbles and a vehicle), some symbols for choice making and self expression and some key makaton signs. It was great to feel the passion and enthusiasm in the room. The team manager emailed me the following day to say they practiced signing the alphabet in the team meeting. I felt such a sense of accomplishment.

I love my job and I’m totally dedicated to supporting individuals with complex learning disabilities to reach their full potential. This has been a great week!

Thank you to everyone who took part and participated so willingly.