Oak Fostering

Come to Ampthill Great Park tomorrow between the cricket pavilion and West Car Park between 12-4pm 🏳️‍🌈

There's a wonderful line up of live music acts from Ampthill Music - Amelie and Jamie, Big in Brazil and Twice Over 🎶

With children’s interactive storytellers The Drama Geezers from Full House Theatre 📚

There’s more children’s activities with Churches Together and Ampthill Cultural Events 🎈

There’s ice cream from Mr Whippy and burgers and hot and cold drinks from Relish the Thought, and the Cricket Club is open to non members too 🍦🍔🥛

There’s plenty of space to spread out your picnic rugs, let the kids run around and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Dogs are very welcome on leads 🐶

Drop by between checking out the Dig Ventures excavation and Ampthill Open Gardens or stick with us for the afternoon to celebrate the values of Pride Progress and our inclusive and welcoming communities ❤

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3631869277049571/

Friday Fostering Facts💡

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🎈Join for a fun-filled day at the Flitwick Family Fun Day at Millennium Park on Saturday 13th June from midday until 7pm!

There's lots going on for all the family, including an outdoor cinema 🎞️, live music 🎼, fairground rides 🎡, food court 🍟, stalls 🎯, and more.

We can't wait!🤸‍♀️

Free popcorn whilst stocks last!

Free Live Music!

Subsidised Fairground Rides (£1.50, £2 for dodgem cars).

You can park at The Rufus Centre and hop on the Free shuttle bus operating between the park from 12 noon and 7pm.

Wednesday Wisdom 🦉

Supporting Small Businesses Matters More Than Ever!

From 1st–7th June, businesses are coming together to celebrate UK Small Business Week - a nationwide initiative shining a spotlight on the independent businesses that keep our communities thriving.

As a small business ourselves, we know first-hand the passion, resilience and hard work that goes into running an independent company.

Behind every local business is a person wearing multiple hats - solving problems, handling admin, marketing their services and often working long after everyone else has gone home.

But small businesses are also where innovation happens. They offer personal service, genuine relationships and a level of care that large corporations often struggle to match.

Whether it’s your local café, independent retailer, tradesperson, charity or service provider, choosing to support small businesses helps strengthen local communities and keeps money circulating within the local economy.

This week is a great opportunity to:
* Support a local business
* Leave a positive review
* Share a business you love on social media
* Recommend an independent company to a friend
* Invest in improving your own business presence online

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and every bit of support matters 💚

Monday Myth Busting 💥

World MS Day brings people together to shine a light on multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that can be confusing from the outside and exhausting from the inside.

It’s a day for sharing stories, spreading practical awareness and standing with those navigating an unpredictable disease that often comes with invisible symptoms.

When people understand what MS can look like in everyday life, support becomes more than good intentions. It becomes real help.

MS happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. That damage can affect myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, and sometimes the nerve fibers themselves.

When myelin is injured, messages between the brain and body can slow down, get scrambled, or fail to arrive at all. The result can be a wide range of symptoms that shift over time, sometimes flaring suddenly and sometimes creeping in gradually.

Some people experience blurred vision, numbness, tingling, or weakness, while others struggle with balance, coordination, bladder issues, pain or crushing fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. Cognitive changes can also show up, including brain fog, slower processing and trouble finding words.

Mood changes and anxiety or depression are also common, influenced by both the emotional load of chronic illness and the brain changes MS can cause. No two journeys are the same and that unpredictability is one of the hardest parts. A person might look “fine” and still be using every ounce of energy to get through a normal day.

World MS Day helps change that by pushing for better education, faster testing and stronger support systems. Earlier recognition of symptoms can shorten the long, frustrating path many people take before getting answers.

World Hunger Day, observed annually, sparks global action to combat hunger, a challenge that affects every nation.

This day emphasizes the critical need for sustainable solutions to hunger and malnutrition worldwide. It draws attention to the various factors that contribute to food insecurity, such as conflict, climate change and poverty.

The aim is to address these issues through education, better practices and community empowerment​!

World Hunger Day began in 2011. The Hunger Project, a global nonprofit, started this initiative to draw attention to the critical issue of chronic hunger affecting millions worldwide 🌏