Felicity wins a grant for school Christmas party

A woman we support who volunteers as a school reading buddy has been awarded a Small Sparks’ grant to hold a Christmas party to thank the pupils.

Felicity who has Down’s syndrome, visits the Castle Cary Community Primary School every week to listen to the children read. She has been awarded a Small Sparks’ grant from the Discovery Community Fund to pay for a party with balloon modelling and a visit from Father Christmas. Small Sparks’ grants up to £500 are available from the Discovery Community Fund to enable people with learning disabilities to start a new group in their community.

The volunteering started when Felicity, who lives in Castle Cary, told her support workers how much she loves children. Jill Stenhouse, one of her support workers visited the head teacher to see if Felicity could become a reading buddy at the school. Jill said: “Felicity loves to engage with the children and the staff tell me that the children interact with her so well, it’s really lovely. She’s very popular.”

Sarah Martin, the Head Teacher at Castle Cary School said: “She really enjoys listening to the children read and we know because of her hand gestures, it’s a really nice session. It’s been an education for the children to see someone with a learning disability. They always say “Hello Felicity” when they see her out and about in the town.”

The party is being held on Tuesday 17th December at Yarlington Community Hall in Castle Cary and fifty-six children are invited to the celebration.