CoCo Blog

It’s not long now until our art exhibition at Level Best Art Cafe in Colchester. The theme of the exhibition is Inner Space : Outer Space and we’ve all interpreted that theme in different ways. Come to our free preview evening on Friday 8th November from 5.30 to 8.30 (there

Today we made space themed canvas’. Once the paint is dry we are going to put little lights in them so that the stars twinkle.

Our groups combined together today to create some beautiful music, at Participate Snape Maltings using different musical instruments and our voices to make our very own opera! We based our opera on the 50th anniversary of Concorde breaking the sound barrier.

The group made a spooky start to Halloween this year with a shop and craft session ending up in the studio crafting our halloween decorations. Everyone chose their craft of choice for spooktackular celebrations.

Today we made space themed canvas’. Once the paint is dry we are going to put little lights in them so that the stars twinkle.

SA1 went to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park today to ride the slide! Unfortunately due to the weather it had been closed. However, we took the opportunity to go to the top of the orbit and saw the slide up close so we could decide who wanted to give it

Today we worked on a banner for our Inner Space: Outer Space exhibition. First we ironed the creases out of the fabric, then we protected the tables with cling film and newspaper and laid the fabric out flat. Next we heated up the wax and used tjantings to create wax

Today we worked on a banner for our Inner Space: Outer Space exhibition. First we ironed the creases out of the fabric, then we protected the tables with cling film and newspaper and laid the fabric out flat. Next we heated up the wax and used tjantings to create wax

Today the CoCoCreatives group went to Hyde Hall to take photos of the flowers using disposable cameras, to use for inspiration later on. We had a lovely day and even had a trip on mobility car!

Today the Performing Arts group went to Ipswich Crown Pools to enjoy a bit of swimming and beach ball games. Then in the afternoon, we went to have fun at Holywells Park and someone decided they wanted to do more swimming under the sprinklers!

PP4 have been designing and drawing their own cushion covers and bags

DI1 group spent the morning preparing the area for pallets. Area was raked, weeds pulled and levelled out before placing two pallets on top of each other. In the afternoon a nice walk to the Live and Let Live pub.

Personal Progression groups second session on their poppy’s this morning. Yes we all got covered in paint but the end result is top work ! A painted his horse and did the framing himself.

Today PP3 went to Alton Water and Suffolk food hall. We had a great time in the pedaloes!

This morning, the Theatre and music skills group went to a great drumming workshop at Colchester Arts Centre, it was very loud and tired us out! Then this afternoon we played some drama games and used Maori sticks on each other and relaxing music to chill us out.

DI2 showing us how they are grasping their Gateway qualification today.

Today SA3 and CIV joined together to take a trip to Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds. We all decided to brave the maze which was a bit overgrown!! After several wrong turns and dead ends, we just about made in out in one piece. After lunch at the park

CCE enjoyed their time at Wivenhoe park. They spent the morning creating a twig bird mobile. Great teamwork by all. The mobile was left up to provide a beautiful display for the community to admire. In the afternoon, we had lunch at the Rose and Crown. The staff were great

Today CoCoCreatives created a page for the Travelling Sketchbook that is currently at 37 Queen Street. Using our own paintings as a background, we added quotes and phrases that we sourced from magazines to inspire us and anyone else who sees the sketchbook on its artistic journey around Essex. We

SA went to Wicken Fen today for a walk around the nature reserve. We saw lots of different insects including butterflies, bees, a bumble bee, damselflies, a chiffchaff and some very large dragonflies!! We all enjoyed watching the different birds while we had lunch. After lunch, we had a stroll

SA2 went to Wicken Fen today for a walk around the nature reserve. We saw lots of different insects including butterflies, bees, a bumble bee, damselflies, a chiffchaff and some very large dragonflies!! We all enjoyed watching the different birds while we had lunch. After lunch, we had a stroll

After a failed attempt at Aqua fit (through no fault of our own), the Performing Arts group had a lovely day- we had lunch at Bures and then did some exercise in the park. This afternoon, we went to find the Bures Dragon and enjoyed the beautiful scenery!

Zoo day today. Lovely hot weather. Unfortunately this meant some of the animals were hiding.

DI group went to Cambridge today to visit the Museum of Technology and look at the pump house and how it used to work although some of us weren’t too keen on how it used to smell!!! After a walk around the museum and lunch with a view of the

All in another days work…

DI group at the Emirates Cable Car. J decided to stay ‘on land’ and wave the others off…

TS have been busy painting ceramics at Greenstead Green. The afternoon was spent at Chappel Millennium Green.

CCE had a great day making their Kites. We went to Castle Park to fly them but no wind to fly them well. We asked the Loch Ness monster for some huff and puff but still no wind so walked back to the studio.

This morning CIV weren’t to Mouse’s hall museum and had a look around their new Alice in Wonderland displays.

This morning the Sports Adventure group went for a walk around Marks Hall. We played hide and seek in the walled garden and did an alphabet scavenger hunt with some interesting results. This afternoon SA went bowling. Lots of support for each other and encouragement going on with a few

SA1 & 2 combined this afternoon and decided to have a foot race. Safe to say everyone has worn themselves out but there was some good sportsmanship!

This morning the CCC group went fabric shopping and now we can make more beeswax wraps and a starry wallhanging. We chose fabrics covered in flowers, unicorns, sheep, cakes and sloths. How do you pronounce sloth? We also popped into Poundland and then had smoothies at Costa to help us

This morning Performing Arts have been working hard on their improvisation skills, creating a scene in pairs between a doctor and the a patient. They were very comical and some of them very realistic!! The group also enjoyed a few drama games and vocal exercises which kept us on our

This afternoon the DI group have been clearing some ground at Milestone for our bug hotel. We found lots of twigs that we can use too. We are thinking up names for our bug hotel. Any ideas?

Today PP1 and PP2 went to Helmingham Hall where we went to walk around the spectacular grounds and gardens in the great weather, looking at their vegetable patches, flowers and even a moat!

At Sue Rider this morning for work experience. Tasks included sorting out all the DVDs into alphabetical order and putting back on the shelves. In the afternoon all the group had a make up a and hair session. Customers loved putting on the makeup and experimenting with colours, even Tom

Today the Theatre Skills group went to Snape Maltings to take part in the ‘Participate’ music workshop. We experimented with lots of different musical instruments and even made our own songs. Everyone really enjoyed it!

Today the Theatre Skills group went to Snape Maltings to take part in the ‘Participate’ music workshop. We experimented with lots of different musical instruments and even made our own songs. Everyone really enjoyed it!

Today the Theatre Skills group went to Snape Maltings to take part in the ‘Participate’ music workshop. We experimented with lots of different musical instruments and even made our own songs. Everyone really enjoyed it!

The weather was kind enough for DI group to hold their car boot sale today. Selling and interactions were really good.

CCE had a great morning designing flower pots for sowing our sun flower seeds. After a relaxing lunch we finished off our piñatas

CCC also went to the Level Best Cafe to prepare the art exhibition in November by measuring the space.

This morning we were excited to see how our resin coasters looked now they are dry. How beautiful they are! We are looking forward to making more of these, including some to sell at craft fairs.

SA2 enjoyed going to Thornden Forest to follow the Gruffalo trail. We found them all and completed the trail!!

We all enjoyed dovercourt beach and the beach hut today. Some of us swam in the sea, which was lovely and warm. Others enjoyed playing volleyball and cricket. We ate fish and chips in the rain. Well it is summer!

Today we enjoyed a game of rounders after a walk around the forest

This morning we went adventuring into the woods, set up our camp and built a campfire. The best bit was eating the sticky and sweet s’mores that we made! We had a woodland picnic then came back to do some gardening and some sensory interaction.

Two of our employability group carried out another session of work experience at the Sue Ryder shop. They completed their induction package which included health and safety, risk assessments, safe guarding, manual handling, pat testing, coshh and safe systems of work. Both thought the morning was awesome and practised good

This morning we have been cleaning sunglasses, which were kindly donated to us, ready for the car boot sale. We all found a pair we liked and thought we should try them on!!

Some great hedge trimming skills shown today while others in the group cut the grass and loaded up the bus for some runs to the tip. The day was rounded off with a drink at the pub for all the hard work.

SA3 are out this morning entering the world of virtual reality! We’ve walked the plank, fought dragons and went to the Savannah to see the wild animals. Everyone enjoyed the experience and would do it again!!! This afternoon was spent playing basketball and tennis!

SA2 enjoying the open day at ACE (Anglian Community Enterprise in Witham. Bug hotels have been made, Boccia’s been played, goals have been scored and a chill out in the sensory room trying out all the equipment!!!!

SA1 spent an exciting day playing golf at stonham barn. Customers had a fun filled day which included mini golf, lunch on the picnic park, browsing the amazing gift shops, refreshments and then 35 minutes on hillside trampoline.. the sun was shining, birds singing and every one had a hoot

This morning the CoCoCreatives made own waxed wraps with beeswax and pre-washed fabric that we’d bought from Franklin’s. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to cling film and can be rinsed and used over and over again. We chose fabric printed with bread, apples, bananas and watermelon.

SA2 enjoying the open day at ACE in Witham. Bug hotels have been made, Boccia’s been played, goals have been scored and a chill out in the sensory room trying out all the equipment!!!!

PA group went to Jimmy’s farm this morning and then went shopping for fruit to make healthy smoothies.

PP3 have had a very green-fingered day. They visited a garden centre to choose and buy some shrubs for our garden. This afternoon we weeded, raked, pruned and planted and have made the front of the building even nicer than it already was!

Today Personal Progress 1 and 2 had a lovely day today. We went to Hobbycraft in the morning to get some clay and utensils to make some remembrance poppies and this afternoon we all worked hard to create as many poppies as we could!

This afternoon we had a great tour of the Colchester Roman Circus where we learnt all about charioteers and walked through the vomitarium. We found out that the day of the circus was a really exciting and loud event with the crowd fighting and gambling ,and some charioteers and horses

DI group had a discussion on what is the Gay pride flag and what do the rainbow colours mean.

EMP group have been given a challenge to buy goods at a good price, then market the items and sell. They have learnt skills in communication., haggling, team work and money management. They found the task challenging and enjoyable.

Today SA3 went to Felixstowe for a stroll on the beach then crazy golf after lunch. We all enjoyed the fresh air, sunny weather and cool breeze!!

CCE have been making Father’s day picture box gifts. They really loved choosing their crafts to put in. We had an afternoon walk round the town for exercise and chose healthy refreshments in Starbucks. Excellent day all round.

Today SA went to Crown pools swimming, lunch at wetherspoons, followed by a couple of games of pool.

This morning we’ve been making decorations and crowns for our tea party this afternoon. Happy birthday to the Queen herself!

The performing arts group had a lovely day today visiting the Theatre Royal at Bury St Edmunds, having a guided tour around the theatre and backstage.

PP4 ventured to Greenwich today to experience the Emirates cable car across the Thames. The rain and wind couldn’t stop us.

After a hard day at school, ASC enjoyed some healthy wraps for snack and a game of Jenga and a drink in the garden!!!

PP1 & PP2 are at Stow Marie’s aerodrome today celebrating the 75th anniversary since DD day. We were also fortunate enough to watch a plane take off.

This morning the Employability group looked at the different clothing required for different jobs.

DI2 This morning was spent at Marks Tey Car Boot, this has helped us to decide on our pricing. This afternoon we are checking our goods and pricing them. Everyone has focused on the job in hand really well.

Today TS practiced some games of passing the bean bag to each other in a line and then in pairs. After a lovely session of yoga, we had a lunchtime concert at Lion Walk Church and then a drink at the Lion Walk Cafe to end the afternoon!

Excellent climbing today!

The pinatas are coming on really well now!

SA2 went sailing at Alton Water. Weather was lovely there were smiles all round.

Sports adventure were joined by some of our CoCoCreatives group today and had great fun rowing on the Mere at Thorpeness. Almost everyone tried rowing. It was very interesting swapping places to take turns with rowing shall we say! Fortunately no-one went swimming!

The performing arts group had a lovely day making their own music video to the Queen song ‘A crazy little thing called love’. We all enjoyed getting dressed up, having a dance and singing along, even going to the woods to get some shots.

The Saturday squad as they call themselves, are working on their mosaic project inspired by the planets and the solar system. Ready to bask in the glorious sunshine with a drink and ice cream later today.

Today we visited Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve to take part in some bug hunting. We found three different types of ladybird, ants, a really pretty blue dragonfly, green leafed moths, woodlice, a jumping spider and a beetle. We had a picnic then a hike through the undergrowth to Crawshaw Hide.

DI group at Newmarket Palace Museum. Some budding jockeys galloping on the horse racing simulator and enjoying the 5 acre estate !

CCE had a great day making light clouds. It was challenging but customers worked through it and achieved amazing results. In the afternoon as it was raining a group was asked to make short bread biscuits which went down a treat .

The CIV group visited the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art in Newmarket today. We had a tour round behind the scenes and had a go on the racing simulator. We didn’t let the rain dampen our spirits.

Great day at Kentwell Hall History Day with the Performing Arts group. We explored different periods from medieval to the sixties. Some of us even ended up in the stocks!

Personal Progression group ditched swimming to spend a glorious day in the sun at the National Trust Hatfield!

The DI group are holding a pool tournament today. We even have special guests and a new made-to-measure shortened rest that’s already proven to help with shot accuracy. Oh and cheers from the pub!

Community inclusion and vouluntering proudly present their veg, fruit and herb project. Everyone has contributed and all have enjoyed the project so far.

After a hard morning’s work for sports adventure at Sudbury leisure centre with all of us playing volleyball and relaxing in the jacuzzi and sauna, some of us decided to carry on the hard work on the assault course and gym equipment whilst the others played a civilized game of

Employability group were given the task of comparing made to measure suits and off the peg suits. The men visited Moss Brothers for a fitting service suit and the ladies went to Principals in Debenhams. They looked at quality suits and then visited Primark for the equivalent clothing and the

DI group relaxing in the grounds of Kersey Mill after some fun crafting in the house. Such a glorious day in suffolk.

The Community Inclusion & volunteering group went to Thetford today enjoying the glorious weather, park games and BBQ.

CCE had a lovely day today creating their own piñatas. Due to the great weather, we enjoyed lunch in the studio garden. Some of us even turned it into an athletic competition!

Sports Adventure went downhill quickly this week! We had a whale of a time hurtling down a slope on toboggans at the Suffolk Ski Centre, as well as a visit to Alton Water to enjoy some fresh air and to enjoy the outdoor equipment.

Sports Adventure had a wonderful walk today at Wicken Fen. We walked about 4 miles in the glorious sunshine. And finished the day with ice creams in deck chairs! Oscar the dog really enjoyed the walk and all the attention too!

    CoCoCreatives created our own Headspaces today, using paper mache and balloons to create our very own heads! We then made a list of things that are in our headspace- our interests and our feelings. In the afternoon, we went shopping to find our items to put inside our ‘brain’! Ranging

SA2 enjoyed exploring highwoods country park today, we climbed on some of the climbing structures and did some den building. This afternoon we went for a drink at the pub and enjoyed soaking up the sun in the pub garden.

DI enjoying the lunch they have prepared. Jacket potatoes with beans, cheese and salad. Yum! They followed this by fun relaxing games!

PP3 have enjoyed a day riding the rails (and wheels) at the East Anglian Transport museum. Stepping back in time was good fun for all of us – we particularly enjoyed getting our tickets clipped by conductors and chatting with the railway staff, and the diesel locomotive driving past us

PA participating in the light performance they saw on 3rd May. All enjoyed being involved in the use of the props and dressing up afterwards especially L! A and J especially enjoyed the dancing at the end as well as having a slice of cake and cup of tea!

Personal Progress groups meeting one of the camels at Oasis Camel park. The camel was certainly friendly and was waiting to take our customers on a ride around the farm. This was also a farewell to T who chose the activity for the day.

Today the Theatre Skills group went to town to choose some self care products to use back at CoCo. They looked at different face masks, each choosing one as well as hair products and teeth care. Back at CoCo, the group all brushed their teeth and then applied our face

The employability group are out choosing clothing that they would wear to go to an interview. Skills learnt are about co-ordination, sizing, consideration of pricing. E asked for assistance to match shoes to her outfit. The key is to select clothes that are suitable for an interview and work experience.

Developing Independence group discussing differences between relationships, known and unknown relationships that lead to safe and unsafe relationships. Working towards their posters and Gateway qualification. Also J has been working on his art work for a number of weeks now. This is his interpretation of ‘space’ street art filling space

Sports Adventure 3 went out and about in Walton today experiencing life from a different perspective. We all rented wheelchairs and had a day propelling ourselves around Walton on the Naze, which was a new experience for us all! We found out how difficult it was to find places to

The group were in the art studio today making 3D rainbow flowers. Beautiful.

Our community integration and volunteering group started their herb garden today, the latest addition to Milestone. They went to Poplar Nurseries to select the plants and even had a cheeky go on the miniature railway.

Apologies for our non-existent blog over the last few months, we have had technical problems with the site and also issues caused by GDPR. We are hoping to resurrect the blog with new enthusiasm. Hopefully there will be a daily post from each group, aswell as some older missed adventures

A trip out for brunch then an exploration of cave art using natural ingredients for paint- tea leaves, chalk and spices make good, vivid colours!

We’ve had a breezy day out on Southwold Pier playing on the eccentric arcade machines! We’ve had a brain wash, practised walking across roads using a zimmer frame, and played ‘whack a banker’!

CCE made floral arrangements today for someone special and for most of the group the first time. They look lovely.

We all pitched in, helping clear an area from stinging nettle, so we can plant some trees in the next few weeks. After lunch we had a walk on the farm where we fed sheep.

This afternoon the theatre skills group chose to go bowling. A great team-building activity for us all 😀

After a hard morning’s employability and CV workshop, what better than a flutter on the 2p machines and a hot chocolate?

This afternoon we started labelling our time line which is on the hall floor in our main building, Milestone. As the year goes on and we look at more topics, we will add them to the time line.

We’ve had a lovely day enjoying the Magic of Christmas at the zoo. Some of us watched the pantomime, we’ve seen reindeer and had a lovely Christmas lunch. Best of all though was feeding the lorikeets and watching the bird display!

Tuesday Sports Adventure group was trying out the ice slide, we thought it was awesome! Well done Laura for being the first person to do a twirl on the ice slide 😁 Some pictures of Dan enjoying some intensive interaction at the end of the day too.

Today the CoCoCreatives group went to Winter Wonderland at St Johns, Clacton. Then we had a lovely meal at the Moon and Starfish Pub and followed it up with a game of bowling.

This group spent the day in Norwich. We visited comic book shops, TV and Movie shops, toy shops and charity shops. We also went through the tunnel of lights, but felt it would be more spectacular when it was dark.

Today the PA group were inspired by last week’s visit to kentwell hall and their production of A Christmas Carol. We had a go following a script, everyone did so well. Joe played a mean Scrooge, humbug indeed. Afterwards we had a Christmas beverage and pigs in blankets.

A very short morning today before going to see Little Red Riding Hood panto at the New Wolsey Theatre. So games, jigsaws and socialising! Guess the festive jigsaw!

This morning at Lauriston Farm we made some lovely Christmas wreaths and some lanterns and in the afternoon we sang carols with the cows!

We decided it was too icy to keep to our plans today. All groups joined together, we had a lovely day joining in various games and sensory activities and had takeaway pizza for lunch. Sadly no pictures of that 😀. Our favourite games was recreating Gladiators ” gladiators are you

What a cold snowy day! The weather did change our plans a little today. We were supposed to be walking the Wivenhoe trail today to finish off at the Rose and Crown for a buffet Christmas lunch. Instead we played some multi sports at Milestone and then drove to the

On Saturday, George, Hannah, Will and Jack supported Lexden Springs Winter Fair and then went to Kaspa’s. Will and George decided to get into the Christmas spirit!

On Friday, Josh, Charlie, Jack and Dan prepared, cooked and ate a traditional Christmas dinner. Everyone worked well together and really enjoyed the fruits of their labours!

The performing Arts group had their Christmas treat on Friday and spent the day at Kentwell Hall’s Victorian Christmas. Was brilliant! See our photo album on Facebook for all the pictures.

After a very serious morning in PSD, thinking about how what we do affects other people, we decided to have a more light hearted afternoon! Here’s us at Perrywood garden centre getting into the Christmas spirit!

We had a lovely time at Red Riding Hood at the Wolsey Theatre this afternoon. “It’s behind you!” High praise from hazel and all the guys. All want to go see it again!

This morning the Theatre Skills group played some themed games. The puppet was popular.

A nice canal walk in Chelmsford with Sports Adventure group followed by team challenges and games at base.

Glass painting Christmas baubles.

We spent a lovely day today at Lauriston Farm. First we went and cut the willow and collected holly, ivy, rosehips and more. We then spent the afternoon learning how to weave the willow into a wreath shape and then decorated them. The result is lots of natural, unique and

Everyone had a great time on the ice slide at Castle Park. Thank you demon extreme for putting in the relaxed session for us!

After choosing Christmas fabrics at Franklins, our fabulous CoCoCreatives created these rice and lavender heat bags today. Pop in the microwave for a couple of minutes then apply to aching joints to soothe and comfort. The lavender will aid sleep too!

Today in performing arts we practiced film making skills, filmed our ‘Plastic Seas’ trailer and took photos for ‘Plastic Sea’s’ story book.

Today some of us made some Christmas decorations, then we decorated our Christmas tree. It is pretty!

Andrew, Joe, Mark, Reece and Chris spent the day working at Lauriston Farm. They even gave the sheep pedicures!

Christmas is coming! We went to Bullbanks Farm today to choose our lovely 11 foot Christmas tree, which we will be decorating tomorrow. Decorated pictures will follow tomorrow!

Pictures from our environmental dance piece called Plastic Seas at the Springblast Showcase, part of Dance Network Association. It was such an amazing event, performing alongside various dance groups of all ages, from school groups to professional artists and with such a range of dance styles on display. Well done

Beautiful day at Skreens Park today. Bush craft, including fire lighting and shelter building and rifle shooting. Perfect weather and we even got a chance for a game of cricket at lunch time!