Tag Archive for: Open Day

Blessed and Thankful to KSB Greenhouse UK

/in , /by

🌱 A Huge Thank You to KSB Greenhouse UK for Their Incredible Support

We are absolutely delighted to share our sincere thanks to KSB Greenhouse UK for their kindness, generosity, and support towards MAIN.

Thanks to their incredible help, we now have a newly installed 3m x 4m Signa Lux polytunnel, which would normally cost upwards of £1,500 installed. Through their generosity, we have been able to access this at less than half the usual cost, and we are truly grateful for this outstanding support.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the amazing installation team, who did a fantastic job. The polytunnel is secure, high-quality, and already looking like it will make a real and lasting difference to our charity. Your professionalism and care throughout the installation process have been greatly appreciated.

This new space opens up so many exciting opportunities for us at MAIN. We are now able to take another step forward in our vision of “soil to plate” learning, where our young people, aged 5 years and upwards, can actively engage with growing, harvesting, and cooking their own produce.

From tomatoes and herbs to runner beans climbing our wigwam supports, this hands-on approach will encourage learning in unique and meaningful ways. It will help the people we support to build confidence, develop life skills, and connect with nature in a therapeutic and inclusive environment.

At MAIN, we proudly support autistic and neurodiverse individuals, as well as people living with mental health challenges, disabilities, and complex needs. Opportunities like this help us to continue creating accessible, engaging experiences that make a real difference in people’s lives.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Emma and Gary, whose encouragement and connection helped make this possible. Your kindness and community spirit are deeply appreciated, great friends doing great things locally.

From all of us at MAIN, thank you to everyone involved for helping us grow, both literally and figuratively. 💚

Carers Week Logo

Carers Week 2026: Celebrating the People Who Care Every Day

/in /by

Carers Week 2026: Celebrating the People Who Care Every Day

From 8th–14th June 2026, we proudly recognise Carers Week—a time to shine a light on the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of carers everywhere.

At our charity, this week is especially meaningful. Every day, we work alongside carers who support children and individuals who are autistic, neurodivergent, awaiting diagnosis, or living with learning disabilities and complex needs. Their role is vital—and we believe it deserves to be seen, valued, and supported.

Our Vision

Our mission is to develop new ways of supporting and encouraging those we work with, while building a world where:

  • Everyone is empowered to reach their full potential
  • Individual uniqueness is recognised and celebrated
  •  Inclusion exists in every part of society

Carers are a huge part of making this vision a reality.

Supporting Carers in Real Life—Not Just in Words

We understand that being a carer can be rewarding, but also demanding, emotional, and at times overwhelming. Advice like “take time for yourself” can feel unrealistic when your time is already stretched thin.

That’s why, this Carers Week, we are highlighting something simple but powerful:

Small Moments Matter

In our website resource centre, we’ve created 5 top tips designed specifically for carers, all focused on taking just 5–10 minutes out of your day.

These are practical, achievable ideas that help you:

  • Reset your mind
  • Find small pockets of calm
  • Recharge without pressure

Because self-care shouldn’t feel like another task—it should feel possible.

Visit our resource centre to explore these tips and find what works for you.

Caring for Our Team, Too

Carers don’t only exist at home—many of them are also part of our workforce. Our staff work tirelessly, often going above and beyond to support others.

This Carers Week, we’re also celebrating the importance of connection, communication, and joy within our teams.

The Golden Duck Challenge

To bring some lightness to busy days, we’ve introduced a simple but fun initiative in our neutral zones:
A quick game of rock, paper, scissors.

The prize? The much-loved Golden Duck

It may be small, but it creates:

  • Moments of laughter
  • Opportunities to connect
  • A chance to pause and reset

Because even a brief moment of joy can make a big difference—especially in roles that give so much to others.

Our Values in Action

Everything we do during Carers Week—and beyond—is guided by our core values:

  • Making a lasting and positive impact
  • Being inclusive, valuing every voice
  • Recognising and celebrating uniqueness
  • Working collaboratively
  • Being honest, authentic, and accountable

These values help us support not just the individuals we care for, but the carers who stand alongside them.

Thank You to All Carers

This week, and every week, we want to say:

Thank you

Thank you for your patience, your strength, your compassion, and your commitment. The difference you make every day cannot be overstated.

Hallway Rock paper scissors

Hallway Rock paper scissors

Rock Paper scissors before afterschool club

Rock Paper scissors before afterschool club

Rock paper scissors Pathway centre

Rock paper scissors Pathway centre

This Carers Week, we encourage everyone to pause—even for a few minutes—and reflect on the importance of care, connection, and community.

Lucy PA photo

MAIN’s PA Service Meet Lucy

/in /by

 

Hello, I am Lucy. I am 22 years old and I attend MAIN twice a week.

I love doing crafts at MAIN and enjoy going to the shops. I also like going bowling and playing crazy golf.

I spend time with Carrie, Aparna and Alima, who support me.

I feel very happy and jolly at MAIN!

Love heart art work

MAIN Open Day Drop in Sessions Spring/Autumn

/in /by

You’re Invited! MAIN Open Day –Come and Visit Us!

Join us for a calm, friendly drop‑in where you can:
✔ Explore our site
✔ Meet our staff team
✔ Learn more about our services and support
✔ Ask questions in a relaxed environment

📅 Date: Wednesday 24th June 

🕐 Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm

📅 Date: Wednesday 9th September 

🕐 Time: 10:00am-11:30am

📅 Date: Wednesday 11th November

🕐 Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm

📍 Location:

MAIN – The Finlay Cooper Centre
Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby
TS3 6EN

📞 Contact: 01642 608012

Everyone is welcome – we look forward to meeting you!

Photo for main logo and slogan main raising smiles

MAIN Open Day Drop in Session

/in /by

You’re Invited! MAIN Open Day –Come and Visit Us!

Join us for a calm, friendly drop‑in where you can:
✔ Explore our site
✔ Meet our staff team
✔ Learn more about our services and support
✔ Ask questions in a relaxed environment

📅 Date: Wednesday 25th March

🕐 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

📍 Location:

MAIN – The Finlay Cooper Centre
Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby
TS3 6EN

📞 Contact: 01642 608012

Everyone is welcome – we look forward to meeting you!

Parent / Carer Open Day May 20th May 2025 – 12 – 2pm 5 – 7pm

/in /by

You’re Invited! MAIN Open Day – Discover Our New Pathways to Independence

We are thrilled to invite all parents and carers to join us for a special Open Day at MAIN, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore our brand-new Pathways to Independence space.

Date: 20th May 2025
Time: 12:00pm – 2pm / 5pm – 7pm
Location: MAIN – TS3 6EN

Our Pathways to Independence is a fully adaptable and accessible learning environment designed to help young people build essential life skills with confidence and independence. From practicing daily living tasks to exploring vocational and social opportunities, the space has been thoughtfully developed to support every individual’s journey at their own pace.

During the Open Day, you’ll have the chance to:

  • Tour the new facility

  • Meet our experienced and supportive team

  • Learn about the personalised programmes we offer

  • Ask questions and get involved in shaping future activities

This is a great opportunity to see first-hand how MAIN is continuing to empower young people by creating inclusive and inspiring spaces that reflect real-life experiences.

Booking required – please email @ info@iammain.org.uk or call – 01642 608012

We can’t wait to welcome you.

 

Thumbnail with poster for event

MAIN’s Open Day – How it went

/in , /by

MAIN’s Pre-Launch Event: A Sneak Peek into Our Services

We were thrilled to welcome many professionals, parents, and carers to our recent pre-launch event at MAIN. It was a wonderful opportunity to explain all about our services and give everyone a sneak peek ahead of our official launch.

The event was a great success, with attendees getting a first hand look at what our Charity does. It was heart warming to see so many people come together to learn about our mission and the support we offer. The day was also a fantastic opportunity for networking, allowing everyone to connect and share their experiences.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so special. Your presence and interest in our work mean the world to us.

Please enjoy some photos from the day:

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our official launch!

 

Thumbnail with poster for event

Come see us- MAIN’s Open Day

/in , /by

Join Us for Our Open Day at MAIN!

We are excited to invite professionals and parent/carers to our Open Day! This is a fantastic opportunity to look around our building, meet our dedicated staff, and see first hand the amazing work we have been doing at MAIN.

During the Open Day, you’ll learn about our current projects and get a sneak peek at our future plans. We are also eager to hear your feedback on any gaps in the area that MAIN may be able to support. Your insights are invaluable to us as we strive to better serve the community.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, 13th December 2024
  • Location: MAIN, The Finlay Cooper Centre, Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby, TS3 6EN (Parking on site)

Schedule:

  • Professionals:
    • Meet and Greet: 10:00am – 10:30am
    • Presentation about MAIN and our services: 10:30am – 11:00am
    • Networking and Tour around our Centre: 11:00am – 11:15am
  • Parent and Carers:
    • Meet and Greet: 11:15am – 12:15pm
    • Presentation about MAIN and our services: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
    • Tour around our Centre: 1:15pm onwards

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our vision for the future. Together, we can make a difference!

 

Please contact us to book on

photo of the event's information board

Open Day at ARCH Recovery College

/in , /by

MAIN attended ARCH Recovery’s Open Day

ARCH Recovery College opened their doors to professionals this morning and we attended to find out more about their services.

ARCH Recovery offer courses based on recovery principles and are co-produced by people with lived experience of mental health-related issues. This is open to any resident of County Durham and no diagnosis is needed. You can get in touch by calling 0191 4510890 or email TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net 

Courses are group discussions on student’s recovery journey’s and cover Mindfulness for Stress, Recovery- The New Me, Walking for Wellbeing and more.

ARCH Recovery Online is available to anyone in the world and is free. They have a large platform of e-learning courses which include strategies towards wellbeing www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/