The hot weather continued, with temperatures reaching the mid 30s °C in some parts of county. On the cooler days, our residents made the most of the sunshine outdoors, while on the hottest days, they kept cool and comfortable at home. ☀️❄️
July was also a cause for major celebration! On 17th July, we commemorated our 23rd birthday with cake and lots of laughter!
Adam
Adam had a change of scene and travelled over to Bodiam to explore the grounds of its 14th-century moated castle. With lots of paths and trails to wander along, fields dotted with sheep and plenty of ponds and trees, there was so much to see and enjoy!.. especially with his favourite decaf latte in hand 😊
Aisling
Meanwhile, while Adam was out walking, Aisling made herself comfortable in front of the shelves! She went to the charity shop, shopping for books, but, with so many to choose from, it was a difficult decision.
… but once she’d decided, with Rebecca’s support, Aisling went and paid for her purchases… and then hurried home to get reading!
At Jemini we help our residents to lead meaningful lives, focusing on control, choice and independence.
Ellie
Out and about
Ellie has been enjoying the sunny weather – playing football with Hysam and off with Sona to see the horses…
… and of course to the park, for the nest swing – the fun and safe way to experience the joy of speed and movement.
There was also time to go out for a drink. Ellie visited a couple of different venues to broaden her experience. Eating and drinking out can be daunting – the smells, sounds, and tastes vary, as does the layout of each place. Our team was on hand to support Ellie in navigating these new environments, so she was able to enjoy the experience.
This month Ellie also went shopping – she went off to Tesco’s to get a few treats… her trusty Peppa Pig bag at hand to bring everything home.
Shopping can present challenges for some people we support – it can be crowded, noisy, bright… a complete assault on the senses. That’s why we support our residents every step of the way, from putting together a visual shopping list, to visiting during quieter hours. Some find it useful to wear ear defenders to block the noise, others have fidget aids to distract them – we never forget that each person is different and requires different levels of support.
And, Ellie rounded off the month with a visit to Hastings Aquarium with Paige and Lauren – read all about her trip.
At home
Ellie wasn’t just out and about though this month, she still found time to relax at home 😊 with Hysam, Megan and Tegan… and of course with Dora (read all about the Curious Case of the Missing Monkey!)
Harry
Harry has had a busy month, he spent an afternoon or two out in the garden jumping with Paige…
Trampolines can offer wonderful benefits for adults with autism. They provide an excellent form of exercise, improving heart health while also developing both balance and coordination, since bouncing centres on the core. One of the greatest benefits of jumping however, is the release of endorphins – it makes Harry happy – he has fun – and that’s the most important thing of all.
He also joined in the 23rd birthday celebrations with Narida, Corrie and Laurinda… and cake! What’s more, he’s been away on holiday!
Matthew
Matthew enjoys spending time outside, be it cycling, off on an adventure on the bus… or a walk to Sovereign Harbour. He made a few trips to Eastbourne, enjoying the sunny weather and the wide, open promenades – and he was not alone – several of our residents put the Harbour on their chosen list of activities – read all about their trips.
At Home
… but there’s no place like relaxing and having fun at home 😊
Michael
A busy month for Michael too, he walked to the bus stop with Kayleigh to go swimming. He well and truly earned his treat of a KFC on the way home 😊
Sammy
Lots of new experiences for Sammy this month too – both inside and out. He’s enjoyed his weekly trips to Sweet Circus and his new sensory tool.
But a really big first… Sammy went to his first concert! He went to a Michael Jackson tribute at Eastbourne Bandstand, where he danced to some of MJ’s greatest hits.
Attending concerts can be challenging for adults with autism, as they can be overwhelming sensory experiences – with loud noises, bright lights, and large crowds. But Sammy was able to overcome these challenges with support and had a wonderful time dancing.
He also went strawberry picking with Stephen. Here he is enjoying the sunshine, before collecting the fruit 😊
Stephen
Out and About…
With Ellie’s help, Stephen filled his basket to the brim with juicy strawberries! Tibbs Farm, just five minutes from Rye, is such a fun place to explore – there’s loads to see and even more delicious fruit to pick. After a morning in the fields, it’s the perfect treat to relax with a cold, refreshing drink in the café!
Stephen also made his way to Treasure Island in Eastbourne to play mini golf – here he is almost getting a hole in one! The Pirate’s Adventure golf has 18-holes and is an adventure in itself, as you have to go over and under bridges and through caves… all while avoiding the alligators!
He returned to Eastbourne again with Ellie to buy some aftershave at The Perfume Shop in the Beacon shopping centre. Stephen took his time choosing the perfect scent before heading to the till to pay for it himself. As we’ve said before, we’re proud to support our residents in living their best lives and being as independent as they feel comfortable.
At Home
Stephen has also been keeping busy back at home… firstly taking on target practice, as part of his sensory circuit and then moving on to a game of table tennis. He took on Danni using bats he made out of cardboard – he’s so creative, just check out our other monthly blogs and you can see his iPad holder and Wheel of Emotions.
July was such a busy month for our residents… roll on August, let’s see what that brings!