April saw our residents with autism and learning disabilities taking part in a wide range of enjoyable and enriching activities, both out and about and at home.
Fun on three wheels
It was fun in the sunshine for Harry, as he returned to Wheels for All, a programme offering a variety of specially adapted cycles so everyone can take part, regardless of ability. He’s really making great progress and is getting quite speedy!
You can read all about our residents’ bike adventures in our blog, ‘Out & About… Wheels for All’, and see photos of them enjoying their time on the track 😊
Princes Park
Harry also spent a lot of time at Princes Park, where he loves to feed the birds and take a stroll around the lake… and he’s not the only one!
Stephen and Charley also enjoyed a walk around the lake. It’s one of our residents’ favourite places to spend time – not only for the lake and the birds, but also for the play equipment… especially the nest swing!
You can catch a video of Ellie enjoying it in our mini blog, ‘Out & About… Princes Park’
Out & About…
Ellie
Ellie and Laurinda headed out on an adventure!.. a trip to Eastbourne’s harbour for a stroll along the waterfront.
You can read all about our resident’s trips there and see more photos in our mini blog: ‘Out & About… Sovereign Harbour’ 😊
Even though the sun was shining, Ellie couldn’t resist getting a hot chocolate at Costa 😊
Matthew
Meanwhile, Matthew, Emilie, and Laurinda enjoyed a perfect day strolling along the beach during their trip to Pevensey.
And it didn’t stop there!.. from parks and bowling to a night at the theatre, Matthew had a wonderful, action-packed month.
Head over to our latest blog post, ‘Out & About… Bowling’, to find out more about Matthew’s trip and the positive impact of bowling on resident well-being.
Next adventure… Hailsham Park, Matthew and Rachel’s destination – they spent an fun afternoon walking around, soaking up the sunshine and the sounds of nature 🩷
Going for a walk is a great form of exercise, and green spaces can provide soothing sensory experiences for our residents. The birdsong, fresh air, and peaceful surroundings can create a calming environment, supporting wellbeing and relaxation.
And, when The Gruffalo came to town, he brought the mouse, fox, owl and snake with him!
Matthew and Emily went along to Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne to see them at the musical adaptation of The Gruffalo on the big stage and had a fantastic time 😊
Sammy
Sammy let the train take the strain! 😊
He headed to Bexhill for lunch at Wetherspoons. Located in the former Picture Playhouse cinema, it’s a lovely spot to sit back, relax, and enjoy a bite to eat.
You can find out more about its history here.
Going on a train can have many benefits for adults with autism. The sensory experience of the train, including its movement, sounds and steady rhythm, can be calming, enjoyable and comforting. Travelling by train with our support can also help our residents develop independence. It provides opportunities to practise practical skills, such as finding platforms, following directions and understanding how train journeys work. Working together, completing a train journey can build confidence and give a sense of achievement, especially when there’s lunch at the end of it!
Stephen
It was mummy Kim’s birthday this month, so Stephen went shopping with Aravindh to choose something special.
On his way to Ten Pin Bowling in Eastbourne, Stephen stopped by the new arcade game. He was over the moon to win the top prize of 1,000 tickets after achieving an amazing score of 1,153! Well done, Stephen! 🎉
He also had a wonderful break at Jemini’s caravan at Combe Haven Holiday Park. Staying in a caravan on a holiday park can give adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to enjoy a change from their usual surroundings while still having a familiar and comfortable space to retreat to… and our caravan does just that!
You can read more about our residents’ holidays in our blog 😊
At Home
While the sun shone, Harry went out in the garden practising swingball. It’s a great activity for adults with autism, as it combines coordination, focus and rhythmic movement – and most importantly, it’s good fun!.. and at the end of a session, there’s always time for the trampoline.
Matthew has had a lot of fun at home with Emilie… and enjoyed a spot of singing. There’s nothing like making some noise and getting air into the lungs!
Every resident enjoys their time at home in their own unique way. Whether it’s singing, cooking, doing puzzles, dancing, getting creative with painting, or just chillin’, our team is always there to encourage and support them to explore the activities they enjoy and make the most of the opportunities available to them. 💛
And one of the latest opportunities is our ‘happiness projector.’ It’s an interactive projector used to create a calming and enjoyable atmosphere. It projects images, colours, patterns, stars, moving lights… to walls and ceilings, providing sensory stimulation for our residents.
So far, the balloon-popping game has proved to be a huge hit! 🎈 Not only does it help develop hand-eye coordination and concentration, but it also encourages our residents to stay active and engaged. Most importantly, as with everything we do, it’s all about our residents having fun, enjoying themselves and making the most of every experience! 💛
We can’t wait to see what fun and exciting games and activities Michael, Stephen and the rest of the residents come up with next!
Keep checking out our monthly roundups to find out!