At Upper Ford Lodge, we strive to involve our residents in activities that cater to their interests and needs, promoting their overall well-being. In doing so, we organise trips to Acton Mill Care Farm on Fridays, where our residents can engage in an array of activities and explore new experiences.
For example, one of our residents loves caring for the animals at Acton Mill. She finds brushing the horses and donkeys to be a soothing activity that helps her feel relaxed. Taking care of the smaller animals, like cleaning their enclosures and giving them food and water, helps to further develop compassion and a sense of responsibility. This task also creates a sense of predictability and structure, as this is the first task we engage in after we arrive. Stroking the animals also helps to develop social skills and boost her mood, which in turn, can reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, she also enjoys taking part in arts and craft activities like diamond art and colouring, which helps her to stay focused and express her creative, artistic side.
Another one of our residents enjoys going for walks around the farm, taking in the peaceful surroundings. This activity is beneficial for mental health as it allows them to experience different sensory inputs and connect with nature, whilst also providing a form of exercise. This individual also likes to partake in woodworking, which is a creative and hands-on activity. They are given the opportunity to follow instructions carefully and receive support to learn new skills.
Another resident of ours engages in a new activity at Acton Mill and now enjoys fishing, which provides an environment to be mindful, focusing on the now by waiting for a fish to tug on the line and knowing the right time to pull it up. This also allows him to connect with nature and the other members of Acton Mill and enhance his social interactions.
By offering different activities like animal care, gardening, arts and crafts, woodworking, fishing, or walking in nature, we empower our residents to make their own choices. This gives our residents more control over their experiences and avoid those they do not wish to engage with. All the activities provide opportunities for them to build on social skills in a safe and supportive environment, taking part in team activities or just being surrounded by other individuals to enable social connections.
One crucial factor is the option of flexibility in the activities offered; if our residents need one-to-one time away from other members of the group, then they are allowed that flexibility to go off and do another activity, or a different environment to continue their activity in a quiet space. This helps our residents to get involved in activities that interest them and foster a sense of purpose and engagement, boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem, and creating a sense of capability and achievement.
