A weekly coffee and cake morning which builds relationships and offers support to families is proving a much-loved part of life at King’s Oak Academy.
Held every Thursday from 9-10am, CUPPA is a welcoming space where families from across the all-through academy can come together to enjoy a coffee, cake, chat and share experiences, ask for support and, most importantly, connect with one another.
This supportive group of families is built on listening, kindness and shared understanding, with parents and carers offering encouragement, advice and support to one another in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Alongside these informal conversations, CUPPA regularly welcomes external speakers who provide information and practical support around key issues affecting families. Topics covered have included food poverty, mental health support, young carers, living with dementia, and job seeking.
This week, CUPPA also hosted a termly Cooking KOA event, where families enjoyed a free, hands-on cooking experience. Families learned how to prepare a nutritious meal from scratch on a budget and were able to take the finished dishes home to enjoy together. This term’s pastry week was a great success, with families making their own pastry and creating a delicious cowboy pie and winter warmer apple crumble, fun was had by all!
Andy Marshall-Aherne, Assistant Principal, said: “CUPPA is a fantastic example of how strong relationships and simple shared experiences can make a real difference to families’ lives.
“It provides a safe, welcoming space where parents and carers feel listened to, supported and empowered, while also gaining practical skills and knowledge they can take home.
“Events like Cooking KOA show the power of community working together, and we’re incredibly proud of the positive impact CUPPA continues to have across our academy.”