On Monday, 3^rd September, 16 of us set off from Paine’s Mill Foyer in St Neots, on a residential activity trip to Woodlands Camp at Aldridge, near Birmingham. Our group consisted of 11 residents, 1 ex resident, myself (Sally Gibbon), Karen Staines (Project Worker), Richard (Relief Project Worker) and Cheryl Hess, Youth Worker and a volunteer.
Paines Mill residential

This trip was made possible by the dedication and hard work of Karen who secured the funding for the Youth Bank, planned the trip, organised the food and made sure that everything was in place to make the trip successful. Staff at Paine’s Mill Foyer ran Work Shops leading up to the residential, these included, Budgeting, menu writing, Health and Safety, food hygiene and Equality and Diversity.

We had an incredible week and were involved in team building exercises, an assault course, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, archery and high wires. Some of us certainly had the bruises and aching muscles to prove it. The residents were superb and worked together as a team; we were like one rather large family. Having been put into catering groups prior to the trip, they showed that they could produce excellent meals, even producing a full roast chicken dinner, Waitrose in St Neots supplied the ingredients and the residents even did all the washing up! Although we did manage three trips to the local hospital, the first being a dislocated shoulder, it did not spoil the enjoyment of the trip.

The instructors couldn’t sing the praises of our residents enough and had become our friends by the end of the week. On Friday we had presentations of certificates and both Nicki Abbott (Foyer Manager) and Nicki Tulloch Supporting Area Manager) came to share in their achievements. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we were quite sad to leave and I for one returned home feeling very proud of our group and what they had achieved.

If we are lucky enough to secure more funding for a return visit it is certainly something we would like to do again but this would not have been possible without Karen working over and above her daily role to make this trip as successful as it was.

Paine’s Mill have recently started their own football team, and have won the first tournament they entered. But far from resting on their laurels, they are training weekly are becoming fitter, quicker and better, and have bonded well as a team. Paul Betts, the coach, reports on the tournament:

Our first ever match was against Peterborough Foyer. We were over-confident and learnt a harsh lesson through losing 5-4. But that loss made us more determined, and we got down to some hard work on the training field.

We entered into a 7-a-side tournament with 4 teams - Paine’s Mill Foyer, Peterborough Foyer, Market Rasen Foyer, and Time Stop Peterborough.

We beat Market Rasen 2-0 in our first game, and then things got even better as we beat Time Stop 4-0. So were were confident in going into our big match versus Peterborough Foyer. We were determined to show that we could beat them, after they had beat us previously.

The game started with Paine’s Mill being a little cautious and defending well. Once we had become confident in our defence, the attack started on the Peterborough Foyer goal. Peterborough Foyer put up a good fight coming close to scoring a few times, but Paine’s Mill showed a lot of determination, and some very good football and team work. We got the goal we needed, and managed to keep out the talented Peterborogh attack. Final score Paine’s Mill 1-0 Peterborough Foyer.

All the teams played each other again, and the games got tougher as everyone became tired. The result of the league was that Paine’s Mill came top, with Peterborough Foyer second, Time Stop third, and Market Rasen forth. So it was time for the top two to play the final, to decide who could walk away with the winners’ trophy.

The Final

Paine’s Mill were on a high after winning the league stage, but Peterborough Foyer were determined to win the trophy. The match was intense. The game went from one end end to the other, sometimes unbearable to watch, but nobody could make the breakthrough. So it finished 0-0, and went to penalties. Not the best way to win any football match, but Paine’s Mill won the penalty shootout.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the competition, and a special thanks to Terrence of Peterborough Foyer for organising the event. It was a great day everyone enjoyed themselves.

Paul Betts

PMF coach.