Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies at Christ the King

Mini Vinnies are part of the much larger organisation of the SVP. The motto of the Mini Vinnies is 'Turning Concern into Action' and we currently have a strong group of Year 5 and 6 children who are motivated by this. If you would like to find out more about the Mini Vinnies then why not have a look at their website http://www.minivinnies.org.uk/

If anyone has any ideas or activities that they would like the Mini Vinnies to be involved with then please speak to one of the Mini Vinnies team.

MINI VINNIES 2023/24

This year we have the biggest group of Mini Vinnies since we started at CTK. We had a really successful initiation recently and have lots of plans for ways we can help out this year.

Meet Vinnie Bear - he is going home with a different member of the group each week to help them with acts of kindness. They will then record their acts of kindness and how it has helped others before sharing it with the group at our weekly sessions.

Our Mini Vinnies walked round to Mendell Court Residential home to meet some of the residents. We gave each resident a God’s Eye that the children have been making with a little note to explain what they are. It was lovely meeting the residents and getting to know them. We look forward to future visits and getting to know our new friends.

Our twenty-four Mini Vinnies did us all proud when they joined together with Mini Vinnies from other local schools to make new friends and think about new ways they can ‘turn their concern into action’.  They were extremely well behaved and looked after our visitors. Thank you! Everyone had a wonderful day.

Hannah Pannell and her nanna very kindly made us some beautiful Christmas cards to deliver to the residents of Mendell Court and give to the people that the parish SVP visit. All of the Mini Vinnies signed them and wrote a lovely message to let others know we are thinking of them at this busy time. Thank you especially to Hannah for giving up your time and effort to make the cards for us.

MINI VINNIES 2022/23

Our Mini Vinnies began the year by leading the readings at Mass to mark the start of our new academic year. Then they took part in their own short service of initiation where they proclaimed their pledge to turn their concern into action and help others. We are excited about the year ahead and the things that we can do to help others.

Here are some of the things we have been up to :

• The Mini Vinnies helped put together travelling Advent bags to be sent home during Advent for children to spend time praying and refelcting with their families.
• The children were keen to make posters and promote our collection of goods for Harvest, they took them over to Church and helped load up the cars to be taken to the Foodbank.
• The Mini Vinnies refreshed the Rosary Bags and delivered them to classes so that they were ready to be sent home.
• Mini Vinnies created their own Christmas cards and delivered them to local care homes.
• The children planned an organised an activities week for our Good Shepherd Appeal. We had colouring competitions, egg hunts, bunny drives, a bunny bounce and an awesome Easter egg raffle. Over seven hundred pounds was raised for CARITAS as part of our Lenten giving. 
• The children worked with the Faith Leaders to put on a Beetle Drive for parishioners which was a great success.
• The Mini Vinnies put together a presentation to recruit new Mini Vinnies in the coming year.

MINI VINNIES 2021/22

Our Mini Vinnies were very excited to be able to meet again in person this year. They meet regularly and lead the weekly reflections, discussing any opportunities they can to turn their concern into action. Here are some of the things we have been up to already since September:

• Our Mini Vinnies have embarked on the Faith in Action Awards promoted by Bishop Mark.
• During Advent they helped promote our school Rudolph Run for St John's Hospice.
• The Mini Vinnies helped put together travelling Advent bags to be sent home during Advent for children to spend time praying and refelcting with their families.
• The children were keen to make posters and promote our collection of goods for Harvest, they took them over to Church and helped load up the cars to be taken to the Foodbank.
• The Mini Vinnies refreshed the Rosary Bags and delivered them to classes so that they were ready to be sent home. 
• They organised a collection to help the local refugees by holding a non uniform day. After this, they welcomed a member of the Birkenhead SVP to present him with the money and hear a little about the work of the new centre.
• The children organised and gave out Advent Bags.
• Mini Vinnies created their own Christmas cards and delivered them to local care homes.
• Children promoted a request for baby and toddler clothes for local refugee families. Once again, the response was overwhelming. Two cars full of items were grategully received.
• Children worked with members of the School Council and Faith Leaders to complete the Become a Care Home Friend Challenge. 

MINI VINNIES 2020/21

Due to restrictions, meetings this year have not been able to remain the same. However, our numbers continue to grow and the children are as keen as ever. We have met outside whenever possible and tried to be creative about the ways we can show our concern. Some of things that they have done include:

• The children made an extra effort to help their teachers and friends in their class bubbles, lending a listening ear and helping hand whenever they could.
• During another lockdown, children shared prayer time with their families and continued to pray for all those who were being affected by the pandemic. 
• The children made and deliverd Christmas cards to a local care home.
• The children helped organise a Christmas themed treasure hunt for the younger children in school as we weren't allowed to celebrate in our usual way.
• They wrote Christmas cards for the SVP to give out.
• They have promoted and collected for donations of toiletries for the local Foodbank.

MINI VINNIES 2019/20

This year the Mini Vinnies at Christ the King have been very active at turning their concern into action. Here are just some of the things they have been up to recently:

• The children led a wonderful liturgy for their initiation with members of the parish SVP present.
• They hosted a retreat day with Mini Vinnies from other schools
• They have promoted the collection of goods for our harvest celebration and worked with the SVP to distribute these to the local foodbank.
• During Advent they helped promote our school Rudolph Run for St John's Hospice.
• They wrote Christmas cards for the SVP to distribute on their visits.
• The Mini Vinnies helped put together travelling Advent bags to be sent home during Advent for children to spend time praying and refelcting with their families.
• The children worked with our Faith Leaders to come up with a Kindness Initiative for us to set up a 'kindness area' during school lunchtimes.
• They have presented to the Year 5 classes to encourage new members to join.
• The children have come up with ideas and promoted activities to help Lighten Up Our Lenten Path as part of our whole school Lenten project. 
• Before our school closure, the Mini Vinnies thought about different ways they could help others during this time of self isolation and social distancing. They offered prayers for all those in need at this difficult time.

As well as this, the children meet regularly in prayer and think about how the little things we do on a daily basis can also make a big difference to others.

MINI VINNIES 2018/19

This year the Mini Vinnies at Christ the King have been very active at turning their concern into action. Here are just some of the things they have been up to recently:

• They have promoted the collection of goods for our harvest celebration and worked with the SVP to distribute these to the local foodbank.
• During Advent they helped organise the collection of shoeboxes for those children less fortunate than themselves.
• They made and distrubted Advent Worship material for use in each class
• They organised and provided refreshments for a Beetle Drive for members of the Parish.
• They planned and led assemblies for both Key Stages on our 40items for the 40days of Lent challenge where children were encouraged to bring in items for them to make care packages for those in need. The response to this was overwhelming!
• Children across school were also encouraged to do something extra or go without to earn 10pence pieces for their class. All money raised was split between the work of CAFOD and the SVP.
• The Mini Vinnies helped put together travelling Rosary bags to be sent home during the month of May for children to spend time praying and refelcting on Mary with their families.
• Afternoon Tea and Refreshments for Parishioners

As well as this, the children meet regularly in prayer and think about how the little things we do on a daily basis can also make a big difference to others.
 

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