Cobh PAKT – A Very Busy Year

Cobh PAKT (parents and kids together) group have had a very busy year and will round it all off with a family trip to the pantomime on Tues 14^th Dec. In 2010 the programme expanded to start a third group. PAKT is a programme with aims to provide a range of fun, quality activities which promote the development of skills and confidence. During 2010 the children got involved in learning about fair-trade with their parents, went carol singing in Park rd day care centre, made a DVD called bin your gum (on chewing gum and littering), and took part in one world week creating a range of colourful masks which were displayed in Camden Quay arts centre in Cork city. This was in addition to lots of drama, games, and art and cookery activities. However PAKT is about more than just activities for children it also involves activities for the whole family from gran to toddler and so in 2010 families enjoyed a pizza cook off night, and learned about their town during a treasure trail to name just two activities. Parents aren’t forgotten either and meanwhile they got to relax during a mother’s day pampering night and to learn about safe internet use.

The highlight of the year however was the now annual family fun day. This was open not just to PAKT families but to all families in Cobh and over the course of the day approx 150 people came and enjoyed a range of activities from candle dipping, Christmas crafts , cake decorating, face painting,  to getting their photos taken and turned into a card and all for free.  The afternoon ran from 2-5 with many families staying for the full 3 hours enjoying the opportunity the append time with their children in a relaxed atmosphere and taking home their fisnished decorations and candles though most of the cakes got eaten on the spot.

None of this could happen without a lot of help from volunteers, business and other community organisations and Cobh YMCA would like to take this opportunity to thanks the following- Centra Rushbrooke Links, Crows Nest Brassiere, Mr. O Connells Pet Shop, Carleys Electrical, Londis Keating’s, Centra, Wilsons, Cobh Pharmacy, opera House, Toy master, Movie junction, Supervalu, Jewel haven, treasure cove, Mr Fixx coffee house, Individuals, BMC, Tesco, €2world, for raffle prizes/refreshments, Community centre for helping us out with tables,, our volunteers and parents who helped us in planning and running the day, all those who helped to publicise the day all those whop took part and sponsored us in the mini marathon or who bought our Christmas cards (which helped fund the day and finally the HSE and VEC who provide the core funding for the programme. )

PAKT is open to all families in Cobh for further information contact us on 0214814060