The Community Leaders and Volunteers of 1 Burley were keen to provide a warm welcoming, nurturing space for those members of the community we know have been effected significantly over the last year of lockdowns and restrictions. The last (in person) event they worked on and delivered was over a year ago and our new normal meant a lot of planning and preparation had to go into making sure the event was safe, secure and right for the families invited as we knew emerging into a small group setting was a little scary for them! Seating arrangements were planned to keep household bubbles separate, the toys and games for each bubble were kept sanitized between any sharing and all risk assessments were memorized and thoroughly adhered to - it was pretty close to a military operation done with so much passion and much more fun!
As Eid had fallen just the week before restrictions lifted the Community Leaders and volunteers decided to centre their theme around this. It was kept low key and stress free with the focus on re-connecting and sharing. Bhajis and Somosa's, a Celebrations of the World quiz, an impromptu paper airplane competition and lots of play and chat made the first 1 Burley event a real feel-good few hours. And there was even the chance to start our Community Consultation to hear what kind of things the community want to do next!