Community presence and participation have always been at the heart of the services we provide at Richardson Care. We support each individual to be part of their local community and to enjoy meaningful activities. Our experience has shown that this has a positive impact on their emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem. It can also increase motivation and engagement in therapies.

There is an abundance of opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities in the summer months: anything from sailing to strawberry-picking. We also have themed parties and barbecues. All of these activities help to enhance our service users’ skills of daily living in different ways. And while having fun. They can improve cognitive skills like decision-making as well as physical abilities, such as fine motor skills.

Holidays for service users

Everyone benefits from a holiday, a break by the sea, relaxing, having fun or chilling out. Our service users are no exception. Each service user is given the opportunity and choice to go on a summer holiday. It is included in their care plan as we believe that it’s an important part of the therapeutic regime at Richardson Care. For people who have an acquired brain injury in particular, it can help them connect with their former selves and provide some welcome normality after spending years in clinical or institutional settings.

The East Coast is a popular holiday destination for our guys as it’s easily reached from Northampton and there are some great beaches and places to stay.

One of our service users who has an acquired brain injury and uses a wheelchair went on holiday to Norfolk recently with some other residents and staff. We hired a beach wheelchair so that everyone could go on the beach together. They also visited the aquarium and other attractions. He had such a good time that he didn’t stop taking about it when he returned home. So we took him back again a couple of weeks later and he loved it just as much the second time around.

Service users are supported 24/7 while on holiday. It’s hard work, but it gives the care staff a boost too. They gain a lot of satisfaction from seeing the service users enjoying themselves so much, and in supporting them to live their best lives.

In addition, we offer supported home visits to service users. They are supported to travel and stay with, or near, their families. This can be beneficial for all concerned, helping them to spend quality time together without full-time caring responsibilitie s.