Both Oakdown House and Carricks Brook have welcomed new residents this year; all have settled in well and are making new friendships both with other residents and with staff. Moving home is an unsettling time for anybody but if you have learning disabilities the process becomes even harder. At both homes we spend lots of time getting to know new residents before they move in as well as organising visits and personalizing and decorating their room to make the transition as smooth as possible. One of Oakdown’s new residents even brought a cat with them this time!
Christmas seems a long time ago now but residents at both homes enjoyed parties and visits from Santa. Oakdown also enjoyed a visiting pantomime while residents at Carricks actually managed to get to the theatre to watch a panto!
Residents and staff at Oakdown used Valentine’s day to remember friends and family that they had sadly lost, they were led by the local vicar, Graham, in a beautiful service. They also enjoyed valentine’s themed craft activities.
A few of the residents at Carricks have managed to get away for mini breaks. One resident enjoyed a stay in Canterbury and even got to feed the animals at Howletts Wildlife Park while another resident visited Cornwall enjoying some wonderful bracing visits to the Cornish Coast! Staff are lucky enough to enjoy these trips away with residents – how lovely to go on holiday and get paid for it!
Feeding time at Howletts Wildlife Park
In March the staff and residents at Oakdown dressed up for Red Nose Day, money was raised through a competition called ‘Name the Cake’ and a yummy cake sale, altogether £89.89 was raised!
Both homes have definitely enjoyed the recent sunny spells of weather with spring walks, outdoor crafts and more dips in the on-site swim spa! Everyone is looking forward to the summer including more trips away, themed festivals and making memories with all the special people around them.
A resident enjoying the warm water of the spa pool.
