Denmead care home travel event is hailed as a success

Called ‘Yes You Can; Travel and Adventure’ the event was the brain child of Alison Smith, General Manager from Mobility at Sea and Nikki Shepherd, Home Services Advisor at Denmead Grange. They had previously collaborated to facilitate attendance of a large number of residents from a sister care home, Wimborne, at the Remembrance Sunday parade on Hayling.

As we all know, from acorns, oak trees grow. For Denmead Grange the invitation to welcome the community in is a warm and open-ended invitation. Too few people have experience of what a modern high quality care home setting provides for residents so sharing space to facilitate interesting opportunities is always a well received consideration. For ‘Mobility at Sea’ the opportunity to gather like minded experts for a supportive travel discussion and networking opportunity was an idea that ‘had wings and soared’!

The appeal for the event was broad, anyone with any challenge – age, any disability, the experts were able to demonstrate just how to overcome difficulties, problems and challenges.

The experts from Mobility at Sea were able to speak about the hire of all types of equipment from wheelchairs to profiles beds, they work particularly closely with all major cruise lines. Cavendish Health care are a Waterlooville based supplier who have a retail shop where ‘try before you buy’ enables well considered purchases and free advice is always on hand.

Wallops Wood, local 5 star cottages were able to show off their unique accessible provision. The O2 store had an oxygen condenser and offered advice on living and travelling without oxygen cylinders. Fusion holidays are Dream Holiday experts and can help in the planning and execution of a remarkable trip.

Wet Wheels Solent were also represented – they offer trips on speedboats where participants have the chance to drive the boats. Whether a fishing trip or an adrenalin filled journey this charity is uniquely offering ‘full access – there are simply no barriers. They already work with Dementia Adventure, another of the organisations present. Dementia Adventure offer small group trips where there is a volunteer per couple, ensuring that both participants have a full holiday experience.

Disabled Holidays travelled from Liverpool in order to attend and brought the sunshine with them! They have expertise in facilitating travel and adventures for those living with a disability and have high client retention. The final organisation present were Driving Miss Daisy, a local supportive travel / taxi experience whereby a journey is made with support, making the difference ‘when family can’t be there’.

The event was a great success, attendees reported high satisfaction; ‘I learnt so much and they understood what I needed to know’, ‘ I wanted to explore my travel options and I’ve lots of ideas now’, ‘Mum has dementia and I want her to have some fun whilst she can, this has been brilliant.’

Denmead Grange General Manager Abbie Johnston said ‘It has been a really tremendous event, we are delighted to welcome so many people into Denmead Grange and for them to leave with useable ideas for travel and adventure.’

Denmead Grange care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Denmead Grange provides residential and dementia care for 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.