On June 23rd, we had the pleasure of welcoming young carers and their families from all over the county to our Fun Day at Over Farm rounding off a year of celebrations for GYC’s 30^th anniversary. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying quality time together. Here’s a little recap of the day’s events.

In the field, we featured various information stands and activities. Active Impact set up their sensory tent, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust helped families build bug hotels, and Ernest Cook offered fire-making lessons! Our arts and crafts marquee was buzzing with pom-pom making, face painting, a free book stall, and a tombola. Funding for the craft activities was kindly donated by the the Arts Society Painswick. Outside, families left their mark on GYC by adding fingerprints to our GYC tree mural now proudly displayed at our office.

On the other side of the field, families got active with inflatables like an obstacle course, beat the goalie, coconut shy, and darts! Freedom Leisure hosted short tennis games and fitness classes for everyone to enjoy.

The picnic area, located in the centre, featured hay bales for families to relax on while enjoying their picnics. The Dal Inn served fresh Indian cuisine, and the Cotswold Pancake Company delighted us with delicious crepes. Martin’s ice cream van was a hit, providing a cool treat for all.

Inside the barn, families created unique Lego sculptures to take home. Tesco supplied lots of goodies for our cake decorating table, with volunteers helping families craft beautifully designed snacks. Talented singers Ellie and Millie entertained us with their amazing performances.

In the courtyard, families could unwind with refreshments or compete in the skittle alley. Many enjoyed posing with fun props in our photobooth, capturing lasting memories.

Throughout the day, H the Bear made several appearances, greeting families with hugs and posing for photos. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service also joined us, offering tours of their fire engine and chatting with families about their work.

And of course, you cannot have a birthday celebration without a cake which was kindly donated by Vanilla Pod Bakery.  A resounding rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ accompanied the cutting of the cake by young carer Katie who was also celebrating her birthday.

After the event, families enjoyed Over Farm’s Countryside Adventure, thanks to the venue’s generous donation of tickets.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us! We had a fantastic time and hope you did too. Special thanks to our partner agencies: Active Impact, the ADHD Foundation, The Cotswold Pancake Company, The Dal Inn, The Ernest Cook Trust, Freedom Leisure, Gloucestershire Carers Hub, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, University of Gloucestershire, Martin's Ice Cream, Matthews Leisure, and Traditional Surveyors. Also, big thanks to our sponsors: Tesco, Spirax Sarco, Kier Highways, and Vanilla Pod Bakery. Over Farm were fabulous hosts, generously donating free entry to their Countryside Adventure. Lastly, a massive thank you to all the staff and volunteers who ensured the day ran smoothly. We truly appreciate each and every one of you!