Residents from Longview care home, part of the Runwood Homes group, embarked on a delightful bus trip to Scotts Garden Centre in Southend on the 15th of October. The outing, organised by the home’s lifestyle coordinators, provided residents with a chance to enjoy the garden centre’s festive Halloween displays, savour a delicious lunch, and conclude the day with a scenic drive along Southend’s iconic seafront.
Upon arrival, the group was welcomed at Scotts Garden Centre, where they explored the autumn-themed displays, trying on Halloween hats and props with plenty of smiles and laughter. For lunch, residents enjoyed a variety of freshly prepared options, including wraps, honey-glazed ham and smoked cheese toasties, and hearty jacket potatoes with hot fillings. The excursion ended with a scenic drive along the seafront, where they stopped to enjoy hot doughnuts while gazing out at the ocean.
Jessica, the Lifestyle Coordinator at Longview, organised the outing with support from carer Nikki, and together they accompanied residents Doreen, Stan, Jim, Barry, Vicky, and Pat. Jessica shared that outings like these are invaluable to the residents. “The residents absolutely love these outings. Being able to walk around the garden centre, interact with the public, and even share moments with children brings a lot of joy and stirs up fond memories from the past. Dining out also gives them a sense of independence and normalcy,” she commented.
Longview resident Doreen expressed her enjoyment, saying, “I had such a lovely visit to the garden centre. It was nice driving along the seafront and looking out at the sea. The food was delicious, and I can’t thank the staff enough for taking me out on such a nice trip.”
This outing is part of Longview care home’s ongoing commitment to providing enriching experiences that foster social engagement, connection with the local community, and the enjoyment of life beyond the home.
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