A busy Month for Cobh PAKT

The last month proved a very busy but enjoyable one for those involved with Cobh PAKT (parents and kids together) in Cobh YMCA. In late November they started getting into the Christmas spirit with over 200 people attending their family fun day. Coordinator Tricia Collins commented “the day was a great success, It was brilliant to see so many smiling faces and people enjoying the range of activities on offer” During the day families participated in a wide range of workshops including Christmas craft (card making, decorations and candle making) & cake decorating. All families who attended were also able to get their photo taken by a photographer and make into a Christmas card on the day. In addition there was face painting, balloon modelling, refreshments and of course a special visit by Santa.

The next week saw the launch of the Childrens shorebirds art work in The Sirius Centre. This project was in partnership with the Sirius Centre and the launch of Jim Wilsons and Mark Carmody’s book Shorebirds of Ireland. Over the course of Oct the Children took part in workshops with Jim and the families went bird watching. They worked hard producing may images of shorebirds and the amazing resulting artwork is now be on display in The Sirius centre until 24^th Jan.

Finally to round of a busy month PAKT enjoyed their end of term parties and the families went on their last family event this time to the panto Jack and the Beanstalk in the Opera House. A fun night was held by all.

Cobh PAKT has now been running in Cobh 10 years and looks forward to the next 10. It’s a programme which provides fun for all the family having separate children, family and parent activities. The children come weekly and do a range of activities throughout the year including art and crafts, drama, sports quizzes, cookery and much more. Maria Cassidy the children’s worker explained “the PAKT sessions are very much owned by the children they get involved at all levels from deciding on rules to coming up with what they would like to do. Group size is kept small so we get to know all the children and they get to know each other. While they learn and gain skills and confidence the main focus in PAKT is on forming relationships and just having fun”. PAKT however is much more than just after school activities as the co coordinator Tricia Collins expands “The provision of family events makes PAKT pretty unique. Parents and other family members get to come along and join in the fun of PAKT every 6 – 8 weeks. The events vary in type from sport and creative based to trips to the pantomime, family meals, quizzes etc. We try and provide a variety so over the course of the year there is something for everyone. We also try and give parents as much of a say in the programme as possible so they can suggest something they would like to do either as a family or as a parent and we will try and run it” 

Finally Cobh PAKT would like to thank all of those who helped out over the past 10 years and especially the past year, their funders especially the HSE and the VEC, the numerous venues that they have used, all the volunteers and those who have worked with them in any capacity without whom the programme could not run, and the local shops who donated prizes for this years fun day; Fota wildlife park, Supervalue, Ryngs, Unique Hair salon, Centra, Fixx coffee shop, Hair Salon. Finally out thanks goes to the Sirius centre and its staff who have allowed PAKT to be part of many exciting arts projects over the last 10 years.

If you would like further information on PAKT please contact Tricia, Maria or Deirdre in Cobh YMCA 021 4814060 or just drop into the centre at 8 West Beach(between second thoughts and jewel haven)