by Natalia Miotk, Service Coordinator
At MacIntyre Children’s Homes in Wingrave, we set out on a mission to get young people involved in a monthly activity that screams inclusivity!
Finding a project that tickled everyone's fancy was not easy but with the help of the fabulous Kathryn Yates, MacIntyre's Communities Manager, we hit the jackpot—baking!
Dog biscuits!
Our tasty plan? Whip up dog biscuits to share with friends and the local pup population!
And boy, did it turn out to be a howling success! The young people could participate from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the transitions that some found difficult in the past. The first baking session was a blast! They felt secure and empowered as they mashed bananas, mixed ingredients, and rolled out the dough to cut the biscuits. It also turned into a delightful sensory experience that both the young people and the supporting staff enjoyed.
The first batch
The initial batch of biscuits was packaged and labelled, ready for distribution! Charlie took the lead by sharing the dog biscuits with all staff members who have canine companions. We also made sure to share them with Bron and her dog Tessy, from the village.
Promoting the venture
Seeing how well the first batch was received, we decided to continue this venture and share the dog biscuits with the broader community! With no budget, we had to get creative in sourcing supplies like cookie cutters. Gabe, my partner, 3D-printed fantastic cookie cutters in the shapes of paws, hearts, and bones, and he even made two honesty boxes for donations.
Bron, our local cheerleader, helped us promote our project by talking to the local pub and Sports Club, who kindly agreed to display the dog biscuits at their venues! We also sent some love to Appledown Rescue at Eaton Bray, where some of their dogs were going through a ruff time. And when we posted about our escapade on social media, the requests came rolling in from eager parents ready to wish their pets bone-appetit!
A pawsome initiative!
This pawsome initiative let the young people connect with their community, do some meaningful work, help our four-legged friends, and build inclusive neighbourhoods where everyone, including those with disabilities, is celebrated. We can't wait to see where this tail-wagging adventure takes us next! We're definitely going to be friends fur-ever.
