New Setting, Same Warm Welcome: MJT & MTT Tribe Visit the Ecohouse
This week's MJT And MTT Tribe meeting looked a little different than usual as we temporarily swapped our familiar home at Mint Street Adventure Playground for the Ecohouse run by BOST on Red Cross Way. While the change of venue meant everyone had to adapt to a new environment, our staff, volunteers, and club members approached it with resilience and positivity.
Managing change
Change is something we all experience throughout our lives, but for many neurodiverse young people and their families, unexpected changes can bring additional challenges. We gave as much information as possible to families on what the club would look like for this session to ensure a smooth transition.
It is also important to remember that even when our club location switches, many things stay the same, including staff, volunteers, friends, and activities. It was wonderful to see our community embrace the new setting, supporting one another as everyone settled in and made the most of the afternoon.
Following this session, we created a social story about switching club locations to better prepare neurodiverse people for this change when it happens again in the future.
Embracing a New Space Together
The session began with creative problem-solving as everyone gathered around the table to build imaginative structures using straws and Blu Tack. Indoors, there was something for everyone, from building with LEGO and challenging friends to games of chess and Rummikub, to making colourful bracelets, dancing, and simply enjoying each other's company.
As the afternoon continued, many club participants also enjoyed the beautiful weather and outdoor space at the Ecohouse. They helped water the Ecohouse garden, showing care for the environment around them. They played with more LEGO and cars, and participated in energetic games of catch and dodgeball. Whether they were creating, playing, chatting, or exploring, the afternoon was filled with laughter, teamwork, and meaningful connections.
Once MJT left at 5:15pm, some of the MTT participants headed over to Little Dorrit Park to enjoy the playground. After just a few minutes of being at the park, they split into two teams to compete in a friendly football match. Others stayed at the Ecohouse to enjoy chilling out while doing some art and crafts.
What's Next: Our Summer Holiday Programme
Although our Monday after-school club has now finished for the summer and will return on 7th of September, the fun certainly doesn't stop here! We have an exciting programme of holiday activities planned, offering plenty of opportunities for neurodiverse young people and their families to stay connected and try new experiences together.
Our summer programme begins with our Summer Forest Adventures and Wild Skills Day on 24th July, where young people aged 10–18 can enjoy a day immersed in nature, learning outdoor skills, building confidence, and exploring the great outdoors with friends. In August, families of all ages are invited to join us for Bats at Dusk: A Friendly Family Bat Walk, a magical evening of discovering local wildlife together.
Later in the month, we'll be hosting our Chill, Olympic Games, and Art afternoon, bringing together friendly sporting challenges, creative activities, and opportunities to relax and socialise in a welcoming environment. We'll round off the summer with our Family Kayak Session, where families can work together on the water, build confidence, and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of adventure.
Ongoing programmes
Alongside these holiday events, our ongoing programmes continue to provide opportunities for young adults to connect with others. Nexus Tribe offers a welcoming social space for 16–25-year-olds to build friendships and enjoy activities together each week, while Drawing Connections: Creative Lab provides a creative environment where young adults can express themselves through art, develop new skills, and connect with others.
We can't wait to welcome neurodiverse young people and families to our holiday programme. We look forward to seeing many familiar—and new—faces over the coming weeks!
