Godfrey Care’s Station House and Field House services in Staffordshire made the most of the recent sunny spell with a fun-filled trip to Blackpool!

The people we support had a wonderful time taking in the sea air while experiencing the sounds and sights of the Pleasure Beach. They spent time enjoying the fairground rides and amusement arcades in Blackpool Pier then refuelled with a delicious lunch in one of the seafront restaurants.

One of the highlights of the day was a visit to Madame Tussauds, where the people we support and the service teams came face to face with a galaxy of stars and superheroes from the world of sport and entertainment.  They met a host of celebrities, from Brian Cox and Barbara Windsor and to Phil Taylor, Alan Carr and Thor. One of the people we support sat behind the Beatles’ famous drum kit and, without missing a beat, proceeded to do a fine impression of Ringo Starr!

Aaran Fryer, Registered Manager at Station House, said:

“It was a fabulous day out filled with laughter, fresh air, and great company! It was lovely to be joined by our friends from Field House, which made it an even more special occasion. It was heartwarming to see friendships bloom between people from different services. There was plenty of chatting and reminiscing, and even a few sing-alongs as we strolled and relaxed in the sun.  We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Field House for joining us and helping to make the day so memorable. We’re looking forward to more shared adventures, new friendships, and the wonderful spirit of togetherness that days like these bring!”

As the transition from spring to summer begins, one of the people we support decided to treat herself to a new look for the new season!

LC, who lives at Ash Tree House in Burton-on-Trent, felt it was time to update her wardrobe for summer, so she headed out to the local shops to explore her options. The Ash Tree House service team supported LC as she went in search of clothes which expressed her personality.

LC has always had excellent taste in fashion and confidence in her style! She picked out some beautiful items, including bright patterns and cool, comfy outfits.

Armed with a couple of bags of new gear for summer, LC then headed to the hairdressers to complete the look. LC embraced it with positivity and was delighted with the results!

LC’s day out typified the proactive approach that Ash Tree House maintains in supporting  personal choice and self-care while increasing independence and helping to build daily living skills. We’re delighted to see LC thriving and we’re very impressed with her summer style!

When creating the ideal living environment for highly complex needs, it’s vital to get the foundations right.

It requires close collaboration at the outset, bringing together input from families, local authorities, care professionals and multidisciplinary teams to ensure that the space is tailored to meet each individual’s requirements.

That’s the approach which Godfrey Care apply to every service we develop, and the results are coming to fruition at our latest property, Waverley House in Alfreton, which is due to open later this summer. The design and construction of Waverley House was driven by co-production between Derbyshire County Council’s Integrated Care Board, families, social workers, case managers, current providers, our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) team, Business Development team and directors. Realising the concept at Waverley House involved regular meetings at every stage, ensuring all voices were heard, all knowledge and ideas were shared, and each sphere of expertise was utilised. Every detail and every adaptation reflects that process.

Waverley House is around three months from completion as work continues to build a low-stimulus environment designed to meet each individual’s unique sensory needs and sensory regulation in wide, open spaces. Six self-contained individual living spaces include their own kitchen/kitchenette, living room, bedroom with full en-suite wet room, and private garden. Waverley House also features a communal kitchen, lounge areas and gardens facilitating social interaction and inclusion.

Godfrey Care Director, Andy Barnes, said:

“Co-production is fundamental to the successful delivery of care and support for complex needs. The built environment is a key part of the equation and we’re very excited about the results that co-production has achieved at Waverley House. We are looking forward to welcoming each individual into their new home here. As well as living space which is purpose-built for their needs, they will enjoy 24/7 support from our skilled service team and multidisciplinary teams trained in PBS, PERMA, and Active Support.”

This Easter, our wonderful services have been embracing the spirit of the season with a range of fun-filled activities! The people we support have been busy with creative arts and crafts sessions, making some beautiful festive decorations.

Parties were organised at Ash Tree House and Field House in Burton-on-Trent. At Ash Tree House, the people we support wore Easter-themed hats and were given their own basket of treats to celebrate the occasion. They also wrote Easter cards for loved ones.

Field House arranged an Easter egg hunt, hiding chocolates in hard-to-find places around the garden. The people we support proved to be very eagle-eyed, making sure every egg was accounted for! The day was capped with a visit from a special guest when the Easter bunny hopped over for chat!

The service teams have received Easter cards and eggs as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts. With so many treats consumed, it could be time for a chocolate detox!

A huge thank you to our dedicated service teams for making this Easter so special for everyone!

Godfrey Care’s Ash Tree House service in Burton-on-Trent is never shy of an opportunity to party. Their luck was in this week when the arrival of St. Patrick’s Day was greeted with customary enthusiasm!

The support team went all-out to organise a worthy celebration. The service was decorated with all the traditional trimmings, including lucky charms, banners, shamrocks and leprechaun accessories alongside bunting, balloons and ribbons in the green, orange and white of the Irish flag. A St. Patrick’s Day table cloth was laid out for a delicious buffet for everyone to enjoy with a stream of classic music from Irish artists cued up on the playlist.

Heather Wilkinson, Registered Manager at Ash Tree House, said:

“At Ash Tree House, we always see special dates in the calendar as a chance to organise social activities and events. Every year, St. Patrick’s Day is inked-in for a big party! Everyone really enjoyed it, and the spread went down a treat. We were still in St. Patrick’s Day mode days after the event! We’re now busy preparing for a big Easter celebration.”

Godfrey Care services across the midlands have been enjoying St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with similar gusto. We’re green with envy!