9 August 2025

Enabled Summer Extravaganza 2025: Enduring love

Chris Stringer

Four photos show scenes from the Enabled Summer Extravaganza 2025.

Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager Chris Stringer (THQ) reports on this year's Enabled Summer Extravaganza.

The Enabled Summer Extravaganza returned to Northampton to celebrate 50 years of Enabled summer residential events. Themed His Love Endures, the week was attended by 103 people and led by Justin Gibson (Bromley Temple) and Lieut-Colonel Ray Irving.

Supporters arrived on Sunday, many straight from Together 2025, where we had some Makaton training. This was followed on Monday morning by briefings on safeguarding, health and safety, care and support and a team meeting.

Members arrived from midday on Monday and after lunch we enjoyed the welcome session. We welcomed 11 new or returning members and 23 new or returning supporters. We played a game of ‘Is It True?’ based on one of our online Easter activities. We were also reminded that, as an Enabled family, we need to be kind, compassionate and humble, as well as forgive and love each other.

Two photos show scenes from the Enabled Summer Extravaganza 2025. The first depicts people eating a meal together. The second depicts people baking together.

A key part of the Enabled Summer Extravaganza is choice, with members able to choose to participate in different activities.

A key part of the Enabled Summer Extravaganza is choice, with members able to choose to participate in different activities. This year the main options were the Music Man Project, dance, video production, drama, band and timbrels. An Enabled choir was open to everyone, with the option of Godly Craft for those who did not wish to sing.

Other activities included crafts, art, baking, British Sign Language, Makaton and relaxation. There was a quiz and an opportunity to join in Tristan and Mandy Time. Sports activities included boccia, cornhole and rounders.

The contemporary band met during the week and led us in worship on Saturday.

We started each day with worship and, for the second year in a row, each worship session was led by members. Our fellowship groups included Godly Play, Bible study, discussion group and sensory group. We looked at Abraham and Sarah, Psalm 136 and the parable of the lost sheep.

Reuben Dykes
Kidsgrove

My worship session was about coming through the dark times into better times, trusting in the light of God. I prepared for it by looking online for lyrics and Bible verses, as well as on YouTube for the song ‘My Lighthouse’ and other videos. I wanted everyone to enjoy what I had planned and be encouraged.

I liked sharing an encouraging message and, in one of the other sessions, singing in the contemporary worship group.

I would happily lead worship again, as long as people enjoy it and are encouraged in their faith.

Lee and Samanatha Forresthill
Ellesmere Port

Our worship session was about trusting in the Lord. We created a PowerPoint presentation. It went well: a lot of people said it was good to hear from us.

We hadn’t led worship before and thought it would improve our skills. As soldiers, we think this is something you should be able to do. We had help with the reading in the worship, but managed to do most of it. We also had help creating the PowerPoint presentation, but we tried to do most things.

We would lead worship again, but it depends on the topic.

Major Deirdre Gibson

My worship session was about the fact the God who created the massive universe loves me. People may feel hurt and not loved by others, but God cares for and loves us all and this love is special.

I chose the first few verses of Psalm 136 and the song ‘Ancient of Days’, as it reminds me that God has always been in the world, long before I was born, but is still present today. I felt led by God to share my thoughts and was happy to put myself forward for this. Enabled is so special and I am always happy to be involved in anything that will make the week special for others.

A highlight was people writing on paper hearts what God’s love means to them and putting them on a notice board to share with others. It was encouraging to see more put up during the week. A highlight in another session was learning ‘My Lighthouse’. It was a reminder of another aspect of God.

I would most willingly lead worship again. Enabled has helped me find my voice and confidence to share what I feel God is leading me to say. Even though I am a retired officer, I did go through a time of no confidence, but that has changed!

I am a different person to who I was when I first became a member of Enabled (SAFE, as it was then called). God has shown me there is so much I can do, and not to worry about what I can’t do.

Divisional Envoys Mandy and Tristan Lanceley

Our worship session was about how God’s love endures, no matter what we are facing, whether good or bad. We talked and prayed about it, chose the songs that were laid on our hearts and Mandy wrote a thought and a poem especially on the theme, His Love Endures.

We felt led to lead worship. As divisional envoys, we love leading worship and sharing God with others, especially our friends.

We liked hearing the whole school singing the words right from their hearts and, in other sessions, seeing the different ways they did worship. Each session was unique and powerful.

We would absolutely lead worship again. We felt so blessed to be asked.

On Tuesday afternoon we hosted our community event when we invite family, friends and local Salvationists to join us for activities. These included large games, inflatables, massage, face painting, mime, SP&S and an ice cream van, as well as the visit of three alpacas. We were delighted that Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main were able to join us, taking part in a bungee run challenge, along with about 50 other people, including a group from Histon Corps.

On Wednesday, members and supporters could choose to go out for the day or stay and enjoy informal activities. These included a singalong, a dance workshop with Steph Lamplough (Birmingham Citadel), a mime workshop with Adrian from Speechless, exercise and art. The day concluded with Grease as members and supporters dressed up as characters from the film.

At Thursday evening’s Spotlight, members showed off skills and talents. Some highlights included Philipa Senior (Wakefield) entertaining us with a very funny version of The Muppet Show Theme, Callum Robertson (Waterbeach) showing us his juggling skills – including the walk of doom! – and Samuel Doran sharing a video of his skiing skills.

On Friday evening we celebrated 50 years of Enabled summer events. As well as those attending the week we were joined by some members and supporters who had previously attended Enabled summer events. Everyone dressed up for the evening, many in gold outfits. The evening started with a gala dinner, which included waiter service. We are grateful to Peter Parker, the conference centre’s catering manager, and his team for providing a delicious two-course meal with amazing deserts.

The gala dinner was followed by a ball, which included performances from the music group Leaping Frogs and a disco. We also had a sweet trolley. In my 10 years organising the Enabled Summer Extravaganza, this is the best thing we have ever done and I am not sure how we will ever be able to top it!

Two photos show scenes from the Enabled Summer Extravaganza 2025. The first depicts someone engaged in crafting. The second shows people reenacting the final scene from the movie Grease.

Mitch Menagh gave a message on God’s love being with us always, reminding us: ‘Don’t stop, keep going. He is with us all the way.’

For our Saturday celebration, we invited families, friends and local Salvationists to join us. We started with the presentation of certificates by Assistant Secretary for Mission Mitch Menagh (THQ), including certificates of attendance and for skills demonstrated during the week.

We also had three special presentations of glass trophies to Brenda and Stuart Miskin (Doncaster) for their support and filming for the summer events, to Liz Abraham (Bristol Easton) for her long-term commitment to Enabled summer events, and to Majors Barbara and Harry Wilson, who first attended the summer event 32 years ago and were great supporters, including providing transport and attending every event that we held when we were at the National Star College.

The presentation of certificates was followed by performances from the band and Music Man Project, as well as dance, drama, video production and timbrel groups.

After a break for refreshments, we returned for a performance from the Enabled choir, as well as a video celebrating 50 years of Enabled summer events, which was produced by Justin Gibson. Joy Pocock (Wakefield) talked about the Godly Craft group and presented a banner that they had made to Chris Stringer. The banner was made of dyed fabric squares embellished with buttons, shapes and embroidery, which Joy had put together for people to add their names.

Mitch gave a message on God’s love being with us always, reminding us: ‘Don’t stop, keep going. He is with us all the way.’ Following the choir, everyone enjoyed a buffet.

It was a wonderful week in which we all shared in fun, fellowship, friendship and faith.