I get quite a lovely job at our family events, wandering around with my camera, chatting to people and trying to capture all the little moments happening throughout the day. And at our recent Family Fun Day at Venturewood, at Petty Pool, there were lots of them both on and off camera.
There’s something really special about seeing families you haven’t seen for a while. Children suddenly looking a lot taller than you remember and thinking when did you get so grown up! And just as special was seeing children I hadn’t met before, meeting new faces for the first time and starting to learn about their journey.
While walking around I could hear little pockets of conversations as parents had their time and opportunity to engage with one another, sharing stories about their lives and the framework of support. Nobody needed to explain why they were there or what they had been through. They were just chatting; all whilst their children were playing together having a great time.
It was brilliant seeing even the smallest of children getting their harnesses fastened and secure ready to launch themselves off the block down the zipwire. No second thoughts, no fear.
It was amazing to see children climbing up the thin tower and taking the leap of faith. Most parents watched on thinking there was no way they would do that!
What I really loved most though were the ordinary bits; families sat together eating pizza and chocolate crêpes. Parents and children playing Connect 4. Everyone trying to balance those giant Tetris blocks. Groups sitting around chatting with nowhere they needed to rush off to or nothing they needed to be worrying about in that moment.
Everyone appearing content.
Our volunteers were right in the middle of it all too doing a great job. Familiar faces catching up with families they’ve got to know over the years, alongside brand-new volunteers not knowing what to expect but soon getting stuck in. By the end of the afternoon they were telling us what a brilliant day they’d had and how much they want to come back and help.
Must mention everyone who joined us for the day, from the pizza van and face painters to the puppeteers and the fabulously good chocolate crepes. Everyone of the vendors brought such warmth with them and just seemed genuinely happy to be part of the event.
Not forgetting the Joshua Tree staff who all came away on a bit of a high knowing how much the event meant to the families who attended.
Amy, our Events & Community Fundraiser, brought her two sons along to volunteer and said:
“It was a real honour for me to be able to come along and volunteer with my two boys. Seeing the care, thought and effort that had gone into creating a day where families could simply spend time together, make memories and have fun was incredibly moving.”
And I think that’s what I saw through my camera all day.
Families enjoying themselves.
Did I come home with hundreds of photos and video’s to go through? Yes I did, and whilst that’s the less glamourless side of being behind the camera, I also returned home thinking about all those little magical moments that created such a wonderful time.
And I feel very fortunate that I got to see them… (hope you like the pictures!)
