For many people living in UK Care, Nursing and Rest homes, opportunities to enjoy a change of scenery can be few and far between; Activities Co-ordinators are faced with the often difficult task of catering for older people with wide-ranging needs and differing levels of dependency.
Fenstanton, UK, January 14, 2010 — For many people living in Care, Nursing and Rest Homes, opportunities to enjoy a change of scenery can be few and far between; Activities Co-ordinators are faced with the often difficult task of catering for older people with wide-ranging needs and differing levels of dependency. The charity NAPA (National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People) works with and supports Activities Co-ordinators to promote best practice and ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy a varied and stimulating lifestyle As part of its recent expansion into the Care sector, Inside2Outside has been working towards introducing the same benefits enjoyed by schools namely an outdoor covered area for complete rain and UV protection – to Care homes. In addition, I2O is working with NAPA to promote the use of canopies in activity provision, making outdoor areas more accessible to residents.
One of the first Care homes to invest in a Qube outdoor weather shelter was Arbrook House in Esher, Surrey, and members of Inside2Outside’s team joined local Mayor James Vickers, along with staff, residents and friends of Arbrook for the official unveiling of their new outdoor area on 28th September.
Jo Trout, Activities Co-ordinator for Arbrook House, commented; “We have always had a problem sitting by our lake as there is no shade or shelter. Now we won’t have to worry about sunburn or finding shelter from summer showers.
We have a project called Wildlife Watch which the residents really enjoy.”; We try to identify and log all the wildlife we see in the grounds. We will now be able to do that from under the canopy which is away from the house and we might see some different things.
We are also buying a table to go under the canopy so we can have afternoon tea down by the lake.
“Back in August, Inside2Outside offered Care facilities a trial scheme whereby they would install a suitable structure in a location of their choice for free in order for their staff and residents to take activities outside and see if they felt that the covered outdoor space made the role of the Activity Co-ordinators any easier in catering for everyone.” If after 6 months they felt the canopy had made a difference, they were given the chance to buy it at a reduced cost.
Among others, Cedar Lawn Care Home in Straford-Upon-Avon was selected to take part in the trial and opted for one of Inside2Outside “brand new timber framed weather shelter,Octagon, which was installed in October. Social Care Facilitator Sonia Hunt feels that the trial has been a complete success. She says, “The offer of six months was too good to miss – the information Inside2Outside gave was clear and the pictures helped, especially because they showed different locations and uses. Since it’s been installed, the canopy has offered the opportunity to try out another outdoor space and to consider how we could use this facility.
Care2Cover canopies are now being installed across the country, and some facilities have even bypassed the trial scheme to go ahead and invest in outdoor covered areas because they’re so sure of the benefits they will continue to experience on a permanent basis. Inside2Outside continues to receive excellent feedback from the Care sector and are delighted by the chance to help their customers improve their activity provision and maximise the potential of their outdoor space.
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Conatct :
Rob Carpenter
Inside2Outside Ltd
Manor Farm, Low Road
Fenstanton, Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE28
+44 (0)1480 498297
[email protected]
http://www.inside2outside.co.uk
