Good Times at our Summer Party
We had been planning our big summer party for weeks and the date was set for 24th June. Each home was tasked with providing an activity or game that everyone could take part in if they wished. Families had been invited, Darren was booked for the music, Nicky for face painting and we’d ordered the food for the barbecue.
We were, of course, hoping for some good weather. As the day approached, we knew it would be dry and sunny, but the predicted temperatures were getting higher. After much thought and discussion, we planned how we could still go ahead, while keeping all of our service users and staff cool enough to be comfortable so they could enjoy the party.
The venue was The Richardson Mews, so we set up some of the activities and the barbecue outside in the shade of the large trees. We put up gazebos on the terrace with plenty of space for people to gather, eat, drink and socialise.
Fun and games
One of the highlights was the ‘wet sponge game’ organised by the team at The Mews. Service users had the opportunity to throw a wet sponge at a member of staff positioned behind a screen with some holes in it. Emma, the Registered Manager at The Mews, was a willing target and a great sport, with the advantage of cooling down during frequent soakings. Toni and others stepped in occasionally to give Emma a break and cool themselves down in the process.
The maintenance team set up the water pistol range and Paul supported the guys to knock plastic ducks off their perches by shooting them with a water pistol – it was harder than it looked!
Tally (Registered Manager) and Maria (a cook) at our Kingsthorpe Grove homes dressed up in huge ‘granny pants’ in which they caught balls aimed at them by service users. There were also giant playing cards, skittles and a treasure hunt.
Inside the main hall at The Mews, Nicky’s artistic skills gave the party a summer festival feel with her beautiful face painting, and one of the guys loved helping Darren on the DJ decks.
Plenty of cold drinks were served all day and we had lots of sunscreen available for everyone. All the planning ensured that everyone was comfortable and had a good time.
Safe socialising
As well as being really good fun, the parties and social gatherings that we hold at Richardson Care enable service users from all the homes to join together with all the staff. This means that they can have safe, supportive relationships with a wider range of people. Although service users from the same home often stay within their group – like a family or group of friends at a wedding, for example – being outside their usual home environment creates a different vibe and can be more relaxed, or more stimulating. It can also give them the opportunity to see members of staff that they haven’t seen for a while.
Parties and social events enhance the family feeling at Richardson Care and the strong desire to create a ‘normal’ home environment, not the rigid, sterile, institutional feel that can be associated with other settings.
In addition, the games require service users to practise their cognitive and motor skills in different ways, and all achievements are rewarded with a prize. It may be hand-eye co-ordination, listening and comprehension skills, communication, fine motor skills, memory – all benefiting service users without feeling like a therapy session.
Respecting Individual Choice
Big parties aren’t for everyone, so each individual can choose how much they want to participate – if at all. For example, they can just stay for a while or find a quiet place in the garden to chill out.
You can scroll through photos of the party by clicking on the arrow
