What a good life this is. Whilst we are on isolation, and have locked down our care home, we are still so thankful for many things.
- Our vast estate which stretches to 48 acres, so that our staff and Residents can enjoy the outdoors together but at a safe distance from each other.
- Our strong team who continue to amaze us. They all hold things together and come up with new ideas to ensure our Residents are informed and supported during this time.
- Our Residents attitudes, and all who are showing the faith they have in us. They are thankful and supporting us as we try to do our best to keep everyone safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maximising wellness with the outdoors
There is much we can do, but what remains one of the simplest yet most effective things for general well-being and happiness, is one of the simple things in life, the ability to get outside. To feel yourself relax whilst soaking up the Vitamin C and enjoying the fresh air. Along with the scents, the sights, the sounds, it’s the most perfect type of Holistic Therapy. The budding spring flowers and freshly cut lawns, and soon the new ducklings which will hatch as they do every year.
The size of our grounds allow us to provide a variation of gardens for our Residents. These include wild flower walks and neatly tapered flower displays. A rose garden, an apple orchard, a kitchen garden, a stunning array of seasonal flowers which sit along-side the carp pond, and also our active woodland.
Utilising the Gardens
We utilise each garden spot throughout the year for so many things. Our Woodland is home to a number of outdoor businesses from the local Surrey Hills. These include the Surrey Hills Adventure Company (SHAC) and the Surrey Hills Forest School for pre-school ages. We also have space for outdoor yoga instructors, willow weaving, woodwork crafts and stone carving. Our woods are a hive of activity, bringing in local families and businesses. Some will then come into the care home and share their crafts with our Residents, providing them with opportunities for new experiences. We are very much looking forward to being able to continue this area of our business. As well as our visits from the Forest School children who visit for inter-generational activities.
Welcoming the BBC
It is no secret that the outdoors are good for you, and in December we were lucky enough to host the BBC filming a documentary in our Woods which is due for release later this Spring. Participants swam in the lake and worked with local charity The halow project. Together they explored the idea of Forest Bathing in the Woods and Sacred Drumming around a fire. All therapeutic outdoor activities, good for the mind and spirit.
