Our Groups
Music Group
Tuesday 10am-12pm
Wednesday 1pm-3pm
Portsmouth Irish Club
The Music Group is a popular event which is highly participatory in nature and recognises the creative potential in all our users. In addition we have seen how carers benefit too, intergrating with users to develop real connections. The group runs two weekly sessions: Tuesday 10am-12pm Portsmouth Irish Club Wednesday 1pm-3pm Portmouth Irish Club A wide variety of instruments are used including: - Guitar - Percussion - Drums - Tambourine - Maracas The group sessions encourage self-expression. Participants can sing along to popular songs they have chosen from songbooks that are handed out. We provide full PA system and a radio microphone is available for those who wish to sing. For those that prefer not to sing, they can play a tambourine or other percussion we make available. Music Group sessions are delivered in a comfortable, relaxing environment where participants have an enjoyable and meaningful experience. The groups are run by Rob Turner and Debbie Edwards. For more information contact Debbie Edwards on M 07963 407991 or email deborahedwards96@gmail.com
Art Group
Tuesday 1pm-3pm
Thursday 10am-12pm
Portsmouth Irish Club
Art has been a long term interest of the Trust. The Art Group provides a platform for participants to express themselves by learning and building skills through drawing, painting and various types of art craft. The emphasis is very much on participants taking the lead on how the activities and the group develops. Participants have an opportunity to learn new techniques and approaches and the group sessions enable participants to spend time with other group members, help those who are less able than themselves and importantly develop friendships. Work produced by the Art Group has been displayed at Bivol Trust events and many of our group members have sold items of work which has boosted their confidence and encouraged them to continue developing their skills. All materials are provided by Bivol Trust. The Group runs two weekly sessions: Tuesdav 1pm- 3pm Portsmouth Irish Club Thursday 10am -12pm Portsmouth Irish club The Groups are run by Rob Turner and Linda Canning For more information contact Debbie Edwards on M 07963-407991 or email deborahedwards96@googlemail.com
Thursday Group
Thursday 6.30pm - 8.30pm
St Swithun's Church Hall Waverley Road Southsea
This is the longest running Bivol Trust Group. The Group meets in the evening and is hugely popular. For some of the members, this is their only evening social activity of the week. There is no pressure for group members to join in. They can just sit and chat if they prefer. As with all Bivol Trust groups, the key objective is to create a relaxing environment where participants have the opportunity to spend time together and maintain friendships. There is a varied programme of activities A variety of activities are offered such as: - Competitions and quizzes - Live music - Art and crafts sessions - Bingo - Dance - Indoor sports - Parties - Beach outings For this group there are four members of staff and volunteers. For more information contact Debbie Edwards on M 07963-407991 or email deborahedwards96@googlemail.com
Zoom Group
Tuesday 6.30pm - 8pm
Online
The Zoom group meets online each Tuesday evening. The Group was started in response to requests from users for an online service they could participate in during the first Covid 19 lockdown. It has been so popular that it has continued as a core Bivol Trust activity. All participants, including parents, carers, staff and volunteers are encouraged in turn to sing a song, play an instrument, tell a joke or read a poem. Or if they prefer, they can nominate someone or just listen. It is a relaxed environment and enables people to connect with others and make new friends. We have seen a significant rise in confidence levels since the group sessions were first launched
Digital Inclusion Project
The project is aimed at helping people and carers to be more confident about digital platforms. We would like to encourage more people to join us on our Zoom Group for example. There are some people who cannot physically attend our groups so Zoom is a great way of getting involved and benefitting from social interaction. We have a limited number of tablets which can be borrowed on a short-term basis from the Trust. If you would like to participate in the Zoom Group or would like more information about the Zoom Group or the Digital Inclusion Project please contact Ali King on M 07791 783627 or email alisonking6@icloud.com
Outreach Work
Our founder Dan Davies was a strong advocate of outreach work. He was keen to provide community members with support and resources wherever possible to help them with projects aimed at helping those with learning disabilities. Bivol Trust has been instrumental in supporting the setting up of "Abilities for Life" a volunteer led social group for those over 25 with learning disabilities. The volunteers themselves have learning disabilities and the initiative is also supported by HIVE Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council. This group currently meets at Cosham Community Centre every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm. Bivol Trust Trustee Ali King is directly involved in helping with this project. For more information contact Ali as follows: Ali King on M 07791 783627 or email alisonking6@icloud.com