Gloucestershire Organisation Finalist in Great British Care Awards
As a result of their devotion and support to vulnerable adults, Merry Den Care in Gloucestershire has become a finalist in the South West heat for Care Home Activity Organiser Award at the Great British Care Awards 2011.
Husband and Wife Dave and Denise Leighton provide supported living and specialist community services for adults with physical and learning disabilities as well as the elderly. Through this work they’ve found that planning the day-to-day activities of each service user to be an integral part in allowing them to grow and develop to reach their own maximum potential.
Having to compete against larger organisations such as The Orders of St John Care Trust which operates 73 homes around the UK, Denise from Merry Den Care was thrilled to be a finalist for the award and commented, “I am so proud to be considered for such an award and never imagined that we would become finalists. It’s not just up to me to take all the credit as I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for Dave and the rest of our dedicated staff.”
Merry Den Care plan daily activities for each individual service user, such as art, swimming, volunteering and activity books; each service user’s week involves a wide variety of activities specific to their individual preferences and abilities.
Merry Den also ensures that the service users get to go on holidays, other trips and to events. Past events have included a Royal Wedding party earlier this year and a week’s holiday in Spain.
Merry Den Care currently has five supported living homes, with a sixth development of independent flats on the way. Each house has no more than three residents at any one time, thus promoting a real sense of community between service users.
