SMILE Catch of the Day at Project Manna!

As the cold weather sets in, we take a look back at some of the amazing summer fun we had earlier this year!

Our SMILE project put on many exciting events for local single parent families, including a day out at Project Manna, a picturesque smallholding in the New Forest. From bird boxes to bug hunts, the day at Project Manna enabled families to get creative, explore nature and have fun together.

The morning was busy with activities, from creativity to critters! There was an opportunity to build and decorate bird boxes, as well as hunt for bugs and take a closer look at the tiny creatures around us. A shared BBQ lunch gave everyone time to relax, chat and refuel before an afternoon of river dipping.

Families explored the River Avon and discovered life beneath the surface, with several children declaring that catching a fish was the highlight of their day! The experience ended on a sweet note, with s’mores round the firepit.

Teens Jack and Callum relished documenting the day by experimenting with photography…

Photo by Jack, age 13

Photo by Jack, age 13

Photo by Callum, age 14

Photo by Callum, age 14

At its heart, the day was about connection: spending time outdoors, trying something new and making room for friendships to grow. Project Manna’s welcoming setting gave families a chance to step away from everyday distractions and share simple pleasures together.

One mum shared the impact of days out like these with SMILE:

Another expressed how good it was to be part of this supportive community:

A huge thank you to Beth and James, the SMILE volunteers and everyone who helped make the day possible. Here’s to more adventures, shared meals and happy memories together!

Would you consider leaving a legacy gift to continue make work like this possible, simply call 01202 429037 to speak with our team, or follow the link below…