Chestnut Lodge residents kept busy with summer full of outings

Residents from our Chestnut Lodge Nursing Home in Yeovil have had a busy summer filled with day trips aimed at supporting their emotional wellbeing.

Staff have assisted residents on shopping trips, outings to local coffee shops as well as a trip to a local tractor festival. One resident and his partner celebrated a special wedding anniversary with a visit to Montacute House National Trust Home, whilst the unofficial ‘Head Gardener’ at Chestnut Lodge enjoyed an outing to the local garden centre, so she could buy seeds to plant in the Chestnut Lodge garden.

Day trips are a vital part of person-centred care, providing opportunities for social interaction, gentle physical activity and sensory engagement.

Gary Shackle, Activities Manager at Chestnut Lodge, said: “Excursions are an integral part of the care we provide at Chestnut Lodge. Our residents have such a wide range of passions, so we always do our best to engage them with those interests.

“We recently took two of our residents, Patricia and Peter, to the Ninesprings Country Park. Patricia enjoys being in the countryside and it was her birthday the day before, so it was a lovely belated celebration for her. Peter has always kept himself fit so he was pleased to be able to take a walk around part of the park.

“We all went for a coffee and then took a stroll to the ponds. Patricia was thrilled to see the ducks, moorhens and fish. When she was on her way back, she said it had been “the best walk ever” – we’re just so pleased she had such a great day.”

Staff at Chestnut Lodge are now busy planning ahead for the autumn and winter season which will include a focus on Christmas-themed day trips.