RESIDENTS DO THEIR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

We’ve been doing our bit for the environment at Chestnut Lodge by using items which would otherwise have been recycled in our arts and crafts.

Activities coordinator Gary Shackle said: “My colleagues and I, as well as many of our residents, try hard to minimise our impact on the environment.

“So one of our recent craft sessions involved residents working together on an amazing ‘scavenger’ collage.

“The resulting image of a zebra (pictured) is genuinely beautiful, although what it’s made from is a collection of old broken or unused bits and pieces such as bottle tops and ring pulls.

“Residents wittily named the zebra Winnie, and insisted she should have pride of place on the wall in our newly refurbished lounge.

“The task of creating her, and now admiring her, is giving our ladies and gents such pleasure.”

Another recent creation at Chestnut Lodge was a friendship wheel, created from an authentic bicycle wheel that had been discarded.

Gary Shackle explained: “Fostering friendships among the people we support is an important focus for my team, and our residents were very receptive to the idea of creating a friendship wheel, and intrigued by the idea of using a proper wheel for making it.

“We cleaned the wheel thoroughly and then everyone contributed in their own way to the decorations that now adorn it.

“Doing this project together turned out to be a wonderful way to celebrate our Chestnut Lodge community.”