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BOO! We certainly had a Happy Halloween at GPCC thanks to our Spooky Spectacular this October. Stick around and we won’t let you miss out on the fun!

There’s certainly things that go bump in the night, but not here at the centre. We brought out our most fabulously wicked decorations for you to enjoy, from ghosts to goblins, cobwebs and bats galore! Our personal favourite was the creepy clown hovering above the cafe - definitely a hair-raising scare on the dancefloor!

Even the zombies must have come out to play thanks to a thriller of a set from GNG Disco. Our favourite resident DJ pulled out all the stops with the spookiest tunes, brilliant party games and the most show-stopping light show. With parents and children alike boogieing on the dancefloor, the centre was truly unalive with energy.

Speaking of energy, a Halloween party wouldn’t be complete without sweets! And if our complimentary treat bag at the door wasn’t enough for you, our biscuit decorating station surely offered the ultimate sugar fix, with unlimited icing and sprinkles to create the most frightening designs. And we musn’t forget our spectacular cafe, always on-hand with the most delicious coffees and hot dogs for our guests.

But parents, don’t fret! Our bouncy castle, softplay and Halloween games were certainly enough to burn out the excess energy. Did you manage to snag a prize from the Spider Splat? How about making a spooky softplay fort? With plenty to do, it was impossible to run out of things to do!

But the best part of it all was of course, your fabulous costumes! We had to showcase some of our favourites on our Facebook and Instagram so please head there for some more of our fiendish fun! Thank you to everyone who joined us- we can’t wait to see you all again soon for more spooktacular events!

After our record-breaking, sellout Halloween party (and our Christmas party swiftly following suit), we are offering another incredible event here at GPCC! For FREE entry, get ready for our Christmas children’s drop-in on 24th November!

We have a whole host of activities available in store, from the fabulous Popolo Ceramico with their wonderful ceramics, to our most enthusiastic friends at Radio Lollipop offering crafts and badge-making, there’s something for every little one. Plus, just like we’ll be decking the halls of the community centre, Hello Glitty is offering amazing hair tinsel so you can shine as bright as a Christmas star!

And it wouldn’t be a drop-in session without our classic bouncy castle and soft play- the perfect way to stay away from the winter blues. Pair that with a delightfully festive hot drink from our café, now under brand-new management, and there’s no better way to spend a weekend.

So crank up those Christmas tunes, mark your calendars and join us at GPCC for an unforgettable day of holiday cheer. Whether you're crafting, bouncing or simply here for a good time, you won’t wanna miss out. Bring on the Christmas spirit- we can’t wait to see you there!

Our Little Library is now open!

Please welcome GPCC’s newest addition- our Little Library! Courtesy of ASDA’s incredibly generous £1000 donation, our latest developing project is now underway. We now have the coziest little reading nook for children (and adults) as the perfect small getaway from the stress of life. Filled with an abundant treasure trove of stories, cushions, and monkeys galore, we are so excited to share this passion project with the community, to foster a new love of learning and literacy for the youth in the community.

In a world that is increasingly reliant on technology, GPCC are hoping to set an example for the next generation and advocate for face-to-face communication and social development through interactive and creative imagination. Reading not only helps a child’s academic development, but increases empathy, resilience, speech development and focus. With two nearby schools and a nursery within the centre, we are always making sure every child that uses our facilities is well-equipped to take their next educational steps.

We hope you enjoy our new space! Make sure to follow us on all our socials to give us feedback and for more updates like this!

WOW! What an event we had on 20th July to celebrate our 10th birthday! We had so much going on it’s going to be hard to fit it all in!

Forget the Olympics, Rugby Minis and Football Squirts challenges pushed the limits of even the finest of players, with the cream of the crop rewarded with a chocolatey prize! Not to mention, our hook a duck stall was a surefire hit with the crowd-certainly more challenging than it looked!

We had a fantastic array of performances throughout the day, including Wilkins Dance school, Ebony & Ivory music school and Taekwondo with Anthony McKenna. Together with our fabulous raffle supported by an abundance of local businesses, glitter tattoos, bouncy castle and a multitude of crafts from ArtVentures and Radio Lollipop, there was absolutely no way to become bored.

Needed a bite to eat? Great Park Shake Shack, Habibi Come and Delhi Delights were on call to satisfy all cravings in the delightful summer heat. And Scotty’s ice cream van had the most enormous ice creams I’ve ever seen! With the sun out to celebrate with us, it was definitely the perfect opportunity to take a break outside amongst all the excitement and soak up the atmosphere.

The entertainment didn’t stop in the evening either, with the fabulous Hannah Stanton performing a spellbinding setlist of classics for everyone. With our exclusive bar providing a whole host of drinks to enjoy, it was a brilliant way to wind down on a Saturday evening.

And finally, we hope you didn’t miss them- Bluey and Bingo from Quidos entertainment were here to test out all the activities we had in store! From The Kids Club Coding club to kids yoga with Dovile Gandhi, there was definitely something for everyone.

We want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved, from our raffle donors, volunteers, staff and everyone who came. It was certainly a momentous way to mark 10 years of our community. Please make sure to follow us on all of our socials for future events like this and don’t forget to tag us in your event photos!

Jam-packed with activities for the kids, it would have been a mistake not to start with our FREE Easter Egg Hunt around the whole centre, a fantastic way to burn off some steam. Did you manage to find all 6 eggs for a chocolatey prize?

But if you didn’t fancy any chocolate (which is certainly a mistake at Easter), Shake Shack and Lucca’s Pizza Van were cooking up a storm, selling a delicious array of drinks and bites to eat. Plus, with our mini biscuit decorating station for only 50p, there was nothing to go wrong!

Decked out in the finest rainbow balloons, the centre was definitely a dazzling spectacle to behold. As always, GNG Disco led the way with the perfect set of tunes and party games for the occasion. Our bouncy castle and colouring-in competition definitely brought in the crowds- make sure to check our Facebook page to see if you’ve won a prize! The selection of stalls was certainly the best I’ve ever seen- everything from handmade toys to flower bouquets, upcycled clothes to incredible cakes, ceramics to raffle prizes, sparkly jewellery, sparkly tattoos and even sparkly hair extensions!

Readily prepped for the sportiest of us all, Football Squirts held the most fantastic football challenges outside, with Easter egg prizes galore. There’s certainly some amazing kickers around Great Park! And we can’t forget Dr Bike, kindly sorting out all your cycling needs.

And since it’s Easter, we couldn’t forget the bunnies! A GPCC first, Plantpots mini barn was a surefire-hit with the kids, with a chance to meet some real-life rabbits and eggs waiting to hatch into spring-time chicks! Couldn’t get enough of the fluff? If you played our ‘Guess the Name of the Bunny’, you might’ve been able to take home your very own giant furry friend, kindly donated by ASDA. But the star of the show had to be… drumroll please… our very own Peter Rabbit coming for a very special visit to GPCC! We hope you made sure to grab a picture and a cottontail hug before you left!

So that’s it! We hope you had the most phenomenal time and a brilliant Easter weekend. A massive thanks to all our stallholders and patrons to make this event so wonderful. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates like this!

Join us for an Easter-Filled Fun Day!

On Sunday 24th March 11-3pm, get ready for the most amazing family event here at GPCC. We are hosting the most exciting egg hunt here at Great Park so make sure to find them all to receive your very own chocolatey prize!

And, for the first time ever, GPCC is hosting our very own indoor barn! Come in to see LIVE chicks and rabbits in the centre (if you’re lucky you might even be able to see the eggs hatch before the event!).

In addition, there’s a whole host of activities to join in with: a sensational disco, party games, crafting, bouncy castle, market stalls- the list goes on and on!
A perfect way for the kids (and adults) to blow off some steam, Football Squirts will be running an exclusive set of football activities suitable for all ages to get some fresh air. Not to mention, Dr Bike is ready to fix all of your cycling needs!

And whilst you’re at it, why not take home a scrumptious Shake Shack milkshake or even a full fire-baked pizza from Lucca’s Pizza Van!
For free entry, there’s nothing to lose so make sure to pop in! A special cottontail visitor will surely make it worth your while!

The festive season is in full swing at GPCC!

Party time!

Kicking off the holiday celebrations, the Children’s Christmas party was a surefire hit with all the crowd. The best way to warm up from the cold, GNG Disco’s fabulous tunes and party games were perfect for a little Christmas boogie. Complete with our classic bouncy castle and soft play combo, it was the best opportunity for the kids to blow off some steam and feel the Christmas spirit.

But of course, we couldn’t just stop there. As part of our exclusive party package, each child got to paint their very own Christmas tealight holder, the perfect homemade gift for loved ones and the prettiest way to spice up your mantelpiece. What’s more, our reindeer dust and glitter tattoo stations were the most magical way to keep busy, with Great Park Shake Shack on hand with their exclusive, limited-edition Christmas shakes and coffee for a special festive treat.

And finally, the big man himself, Santa Ste! In our very own transformed Christmas grotto, Father Christmas was here to listen to all your Christmas wishes, just in time before heading back to the North Pole. But not before giving a special gift to unwrap and take home- we hope you enjoyed your new books!

Christmas Market

The fun wasn’t over yet though, with Sunday marking our annual Christmas market. It was definitely the event of the season, with a massive array of stalls full to the brim with goodies. From fragrances to gift sets, toys and sweets, hair glitter, accessories, artwork and more, there was definitely something for all the family. The highlight of the event had to be the tremendous Ravenswood Carol Singers, providing a heartwarming and cheerful rendition of all your Christmas favourites.

And there has to be a whole section dedicated to the food. Jam Jar food truck brought the most mouth-watering burgers to the centre, with Desserts Delivered bringing their festive cakes with delicious indian snacks. And Christmas can’t be Christmas without mulled wine (or Great Park Shake Shack milkshakes for the kids)! With an array of promising delights from Made by Hollie.

Since Christmas is also a time for giving, at GPCC we always endeavor to provide opportunities to help those in need. Shout out to Radio Lollipop whose work provides care and joy to children in hospital and to Brenda selling her soft toys for charity. And taking a more sustainable approach to gifts this year, our Christmas toy swap was an eco-friendly way to get rid of old clutter in exchange for new pre-loved items.

All in all, we hope you had a great time at our events. Remember to follow all of our socials to keep up with future events. Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the new year!

Something peculiar was happening inside GPCC on 29th October…

The annual children’s Halloween Party of course! A smash hit with everyone who came, the centre was prepared for the most ghoulishly exciting event of the year. Didn’t get tickets? Don’t worry- we won’t let you miss out on the highlights!

The centre underwent its most fiendish transformation yet, full of the most spine-tingling decorations we have ever pulled out. There was absolutely no shortage of cobwebs or pumpkins, with monsters lurking in every corner, and we mustn't forget our fabulous Halloween windows! It was truly a whimsical world of ghosts and ghouls-the perfect setting for a petrifying party.

Speaking of party, we can’t forget the main event: the disco! GNG Disco put together the spookiest setlist, sure to make anyone get up on their feet and dance. Everyone pulled out the stops with their costumes, from witches to superheroes, pumpkins to skeletons- I think I even saw a Minecraft creeper!

But even if you needed a break from boogieing, there was plenty to get up to. Soft play for the little ones, bouncy castle, party games, creepy Halloween crafts and the highlight of the session: a fantastic custom trick-or-treat bag to take home from the wonderful ArtVentures.

Great Park Shake Shack was also here to provide the nicest drinks and the sweetest treats for everyone. Their phenomenal Halloween milkshakes are definitely some of the best in town- come down to try their terrific selection on weekdays and events. And Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the sweet bags of course- we hope you didn’t forget to collect one as part of your ticket!

All in all, it was a sensational day at the centre and the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season with the community. Make sure to stay tuned with all of our socials so you never miss an event like this! I think I hear jingle bells coming soon…

Buying or selling your home? Don’t understand the process of a will? Need some FREE advice?

The amazing Cooklaw Solicitors Ltd are offering monthly drop-in sessions here at GPCC to solve all of your conveyancing and probate queries, at absolutely NO COST.

From guidance on solicitor finance to property information, Cooklaw Solicitors endeavour to assist clients with all their needs, irrespective of how far they are along the process. With strong personal and local business connections to the area, they understand the intricacies of the Great Park estate and make it their mission to equip people with the essential knowledge they need in a professional and friendly manner. With a full department dedicated to new-build properties, they pride ourselves on delivering swift and quality advice, enabling clients to feel confident with a process that almost everyone will undertake in their lifetime. Ultimately, their founder’s vision is to make conveyancing and wills an accessible and easy business process for all, making Cooklaw the ideal company for your circumstances.

All sessions run every last THURSDAY OF THE MONTH 6-7PM Drop In.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the details below.
T:0191 567 7244 F: 0191 567 7255
E: info@cooklaw.co.uk W:www.cooklaw.co.uk

Cooklaw Solicitors
58 Frederick Street
Sunderland
SR1 1NF

GPCC are dedicated to collaborate with businesses that work with the community for the community.

Hello Summer!

Our Summer Beach Party Event on 30th July was a huge hit with everyone who came. From the excellent party tunes (special thanks to GNG Disco) to our free treasure hunt and crafts, there was something for all the family to take part in. We even managed to persuade the sun to come out just for the day!

Outside the Centre, Halfords was running one of their free Dr Bike sessions and a charity e-bike ride a la ‘Tour de Great Park’- the perfect activity for a sunny day. To reward all the incredible efforts, Scotty’s ice cream van and The Sizzling Griddle were available to for some delicious hot food and ice cream, making it the perfect summer BBQ treat.

Decked out in its finest beachy clothes, the Centre was packed with people coming to join in our numerous attractions. Needing a quick drink to cool down? Our Tiki Bar was stocked with an assortment of fruity cocktails to enjoy (complete with tiny umbrellas!), with Great Park Shake Shack providing some incredible-looking milkshakes as a child-friendly alternative. Our selfie station was ready for action, decked out with every prop imaginable, with the best picture winning an amazing beach kit and a cheeky bottle of gin. We also couldn’t forget our fabulous raffle with hampers kindly donated by Taylor Wimpey.

There was also plenty of free activities to take part in, with kids dashing about trying to complete our pirate treasure hunt for a drink and a shiny chocolate coin or adding to our beautifully vibrant window beach scene with their colouring-in creations in our crafting competition. To keep up the good vibes, our disco was the perfect way to blow off some steam and celebrate with some summer bangers. As part of our main event, there were plenty of stalls with lots to offer, from cake to hair tinsel, sweets, sensory autistic equipment and even glitter tattoos sported by some of our team!

Overall, the event was a fantastic success- a massive thanks to everyone who came and got involved.

Remember to check all GPCC socials to keep up with events like this in the future!