Day to remember at Score

For people attending Score Community Opportunities, Friday 17 May was a day to remember.

Not only did they stage a showcase event for families and friends; it was also a milestone birthday for Gemma, who has been attending Score for eight years, and manager Claire’s first anniversary in the job.

The main event was an open afternoon for families and friends of the people supported by Score. In line with how Score operates, staff took a back seat on the day while the people supported played leading roles.

So Eva greeted guests at the door; Jonathan entertained them with his joke book (“What do you do with a blue monster? Try to cheer him up”); and bowler-hatted Laura and Robert were joint masters of ceremony.

Inside, Score’s walls were adorned with photos and displays, including the 12-foot long ‘railway project’, featuring photos from the trainspotting group’s many outings to local stations.

In a side room, Gemma and Joe relaxed their guests with scented hand massages.

The main event took place next door, where there was singing, dancing (led by local dance teacher Laura) and drama.

The afternoon ended with two surprises. On Gemma’s 30th birthday, she was serenaded by a packed room. Then it was Claire’s turn, as she was presented with a Best Leader award by Adam Knowles, Affinity Trust’s Divisional Director for the Midlands.

Claire stressed that the whole event had been planned by the people supported, who had come up with the original wishlist of ideas, and then whittled them down to what was feasible (sadly losing candyfloss and doughnut machines on the way).

Claire said: ‘Everything you’ve seen is what they wanted you to see. They’ve done amazing.”

Fittingly, the last word fell to Graham, who started coming to Score this year: “I’d like to thank everyone for coming, and all the staff for supporting this event.”