Rose Cottage: A Memorable trip to Tenby

The team wanted to create an opportunity for the five men to step away from their familiar surroundings, explore somewhere new and spend time doing the things they enjoyed. With each of their needs, interests and support requirements carefully considered, the team set about turning the idea into reality. And so, the adventure began!

Choosing Tenby

Tenby, a beautiful seaside town in Wales, was chosen for its variety of activities and opportunities. With the main holiday season coming to an end, the quieter surroundings helped everyone to enjoy themselves at their own pace. The team arranged a holiday cottage, providing a comfortable and cosy environment while allowing the gentlemen to experience something new away from the service.

Planning and Personalised Support

The holiday was organised so that all five men could enjoy three days away from Rose Cottage individually, taking turns to stay overnight with dedicated two-to-one support from staff who knew them well. This gave everyone the opportunity to enjoy personalised attention, with activities tailored to their interests and the reassurance of familiar support throughout their stay.

An important part of the planning was knowing that if the experience became too overwhelming for anyone, there was always the option to return home. Having this safety net in place helped alleviate the pressure on both the residents and staff, providing reassurance that nobody had to continue if they became uncomfortable. Knowing this helped everyone approach the holiday with greater confidence, allowing the team to focus on making the experience as enjoyable and positive as possible.

Activities and New Experiences

The support team knew that everyone had different preferences, and Tenby could provide just the solution. Those who enjoyed socialising had opportunities to visit local pubs for a chat, while those who preferred quieter experiences could enjoy walks along the beach and take in the seaside views.

During their time in Tenby, the individuals enjoyed a variety of activities, including a visit to Folly Farm petting zoo, trips to the beach, and even a pottery painting class!

This was an amazing success, and these activities provided a sense of accomplishment and confidence to explore new hobbies, enjoy different activities and spend time away from their usual routines.

Supporting Individual Interests

The staff also made sure individuals who were not too keen in exploring the local area could continue enjoying the things they already loved without venturing out of the home. James* who enjoys Lego brought one of his sets along, allowing him to spend time on a favourite hobby while away from Rose Cottage. The team are now looking into purchasing additional Lego sets for Christmas to encourage his interest.

Alfie* has lived at Rose Cottage for 21 years, meaning the service has been his home for a significant part of his life. The holiday offered an opportunity to experience a different environment and explore everyday activities and new surroundings, and this was a huge milestone for him.

During the stay, the staff noticed that he was spending more time in the kitchen and showing an interest in cooking. This provided a valuable opportunity to build on an interest that could continue to be encouraged back at Rose Cottage.

Communication and Positive Outcomes

All five men experience significant communication difficulties and are non-verbal with Autism diagnoses. Despite this, everyone was able to convey that they had enjoyed their time away and had extremely positive interactions with staff.

Challenges and Learning Opportunities

Although the holiday was a positive experience, the team also recognised that unfamiliar surroundings could bring challenges.  Ian* found it difficult to settle at night in the new environment. Fortunately, staff brought familiar sensory equipment and cuddly toys to provide comfort and reassurance, helping him feel more settled away from home.

The team also identified an accessibility challenge involving the stairs at the cottage. One individual was accustomed to using two bannisters when going upstairs and downstairs, but the cottage had only one. This affected their confidence and highlighted the importance of considering individual accessibility requirements when choosing accommodation in the future.

Returning Home

When it was time to return home, everyone was able to make the transition without signs of distress. The team planned to stop at McDonald's along the way, making the journey home more enjoyable and helping provide a positive transition back to familiar surroundings.

For one individual who had previously experienced difficulties returning to Rose Cottage after long periods away, the shorter stay was particularly valuable. The success of the Tenby holiday has already inspired the team to begin looking ahead to next year's trip. The time away was an incredible achievement for all, and the team could not be prouder of the progress and achievements the residents had made.