Celebrating 100 outings with Oxford Big Brothers Big Sisters
Since the first cohort started in summer 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers have been supporting 13 children to take part in fun activities, build their confidence and explore new interests. Today we celebrate the 100th outing of our mentoring pairs!
This means we have had 100 half days of organised fun and practical support for children who are in the care system or in vulnerable home situations. Volunteers have organised an incredibly diverse set of activities for their Little Siblings, including theatre trips, ice-skating, horse riding, swimming, playing board games, walking the dog, cupcake baking or simply helping out with homework. Through these activities Big Siblings can provide support for children who may lack positive role models in their day-to-day lives or have limited opportunities.
The 100th outing of the programme was by Big Sister Rosie, who took her Little Sister out for an after school outing to play board games. The pair have been going out on a weekly basis since October 2017. Rosie normally picks up her Little Sister at home, before heading out for the afternoon. Over the last few months they have done lots of different activities, including going to the cinema, feeding the ducks at the park, scrapbooking and going bowling. Rosie’s Little Sister doesn’t have much help at home with her homework, so the pair have also been doing some school work together, including building a World War 2 bomb shelter model!
Rosie fits in her commitment to her Little Sister around her work as a graphic designer and would recommend the programme to any Oxford residents who enjoy spending time with children:
“My time as a big sister has been really invaluable. As a new resident to Oxford, meeting up with her allowed me to explore the city more, and enjoy activities I wouldn’t usually make time to do. I feel like I have made a friend for life and the experience has given me an insight into a life very different from my own.”
The biggest value of the programme is the consistent positive adult presence which volunteers offer by showing up each week. Even if children have had a tricky time the previous week, or when things are difficult at home, they can count on their Big Sibling to come around to pick them up for an outing and be there for them.
