Watling Street Road in Preston, Lancashire, held a ‘I’m a Celebrity’ style event at their service in December with lots of animals and critters coming to the service – they even had a bushtrucker trial!
Manager Vanessa Carr explains:
“Service User Liam had looked at the Potens website and saw Potens’ Elm Road in Wirral having “critters” attend their service. Liam attended the monthly empowerment meeting and asked if it was possible for us to do something similar here. Staff member Anne Marie took this request away and helped to organise a ‘I’m a Celebrity’ themed day for service users at 185 and our local sister homes.”
Anne Marie discovered that the “Critters” belonged to staff member David Curl from Elm Road, he agreed to travel his menagerie of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids with the help of our staff transport to 185 for the day.
Vanessa Adds: “Service users were introduced to a range of animals, during this David took the time to explain about each species and engaged everyone that attended with his wealth of knowledge and also expressed his skills as a support worker. Everyone who was willing was given an opportunity to handle them and take part in various ‘Bushtucker Trials’ collecting stars throughout the day to enjoy a feast at the end of the session. This included a quiz and a “Guess what’s in the box” providing sensory stimulation and also an Eating trial!”
The day was a fantastic success and feedback from service users was that the day was enjoyed by all.
A huge thank you to David for assisting the team to hold the event and for all his knowledge throughout the day.
