Phab Week 2016
During the first week of Easter, 10 Lower Sixth and 10 Upper Sixth students from Merchant Taylors’ and St. Helen’s provided a residential week for 20 disabled teenagers to enjoy exciting and once-in-a -lifetime opportunities whilst giving their parents and carers a week of respite from 24/7 care. Once school had broken up, the Phab team set to work transforming the school, filling the Sixth Form Common Room with sofas and a cinema screen, and replacing the dining room tables with a bouncy castle and a ball pit.
On Monday the guests arrived: each visitor was matched with an Upper Sixth and Lower Sixth student who had been briefed about their specific condition and trained to accommodate their needs. Nervous anticipation on all sides soon subsided as we quickly got to know each other and we began to relax in each other’s company discovering shared interests such as table tennis or listening to similar music. Puzzles and the ball pond proved particular favourites with guests and hosts alike! A highlight of the day was the visiting petting zoo where we held a variety of animals – mostly we liked the fluffy chinchilla but bravely coped with the python that slithered over us as we lay on the floor.
We were more adventurous on Tuesday, when we took to the minibuses and went bowling in Garston, as well as making good use of MTS’ facilities: swimming, boating on the lake and experiencing a special walk-through planetarium dome in the dining room.
Wednesday saw us out and about again – this time taking to the skies as we visited Aerobility in Camberley where most guests actually flew a plane, taking turns at handling the controls! Those who didn’t, shared the experience from the safety of terra firma on the simulator. Breathtaking! We topped off the evening back at school round a cheery campfire with songs and music a-plenty!
Thursday saw the highly-anticipated return of Electric Umbrella, a band of hugely talented musicians who filled the school with light, music and laughter. The chance to try out a variety of instruments, such as light beams which, when interrupted, emitted a note according to how far along we broke the beam (great for guests in wheelchairs) and more traditional brass and drums, started to raise suspicions of possible solo careers for some of our guests! This culminated in a musical extravaganza enjoyed by all!
The groups ventured Intu Watford (pardon the pun) for a bit of retail therapy on Friday with the obligatory cheeky Nandos followed by wall climbing and science experiments held at St Helen’s. Our evening talent show gave our guests the opportunity to showcase their dancing and singing skills.
After nearly a week, we were pleased to welcome friends, past Phab hosts and families to MTS for a BBQ after a busy morning when Herts Fire & Rescue brought their Fire Engine to school (happily not to attend an emergency, rather to give our guests the chance to hose down anyone in a 10-meter radius with a jet of ice-cold water). Lots of photos and a Phab fancy dress disco rounded off our time together.
Sunday farewells were a tearful affair – our visitors had certainly captured our hearts and made us far more aware of how much we have to be thankful for, and how much we can learn and share with young people whose everyday lives are filled with challenges. Our guests had taught us so much, but more important than that were the incredible friendships we’d formed over the week, friendships that we all hope will last a lifetime. We know we are privileged to have been part of PHAB Week, but it was by no means our endeavour alone. To everyone who helped out on the Week, visitors, support staff, OMTs, our guests’ parents, all the students who support us throughout the year, we’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’; we could never have held this week-long celebration of unconditional friendship without all your help. So, with the Week now over, we start looking to the future, to next year’s Easter, and to making sure Phab at MTS only ever gets stronger and stronger. Here’s to 2017!
To view all 'Phab' articles, please click here.
To view all 'Charities at MTS' articles, please click here.
To return to Parvae Res, please click here.