When I take prospective residents or visiting professionals around our services, I often start the tour in the garden. As well as being arguably the nicest part of the home, they contain marvellous examples of resident voice in action: our gardening areas.
These plots are often cleared by residents and form the foundation of a gardening club or are centres of social activity. A few years ago, at Raymond Avenue raised beds were added and the space was improved further with sensory plants. Over the years, the gardens wax and wane depending on the interest of residents and staff. As the weather improves, many will enjoy planning and planting and working as a team to grow their crops. I strongly believe that a good home should continuously evolve according to the needs and interests of the residents and, in a post-COVID world there has been unprecedented demand for garden space.
This demand comes to light through usage and Service User Forums. These forums consist of representatives from each home who meet and discuss ideas they canvas from their fellow residents. As a direct result of their feedback, we take steps to improve their lived experience. Alongside these formal mechanisms for resident voice, service users often pitch their ideas and thoughts to us directly. It is usually within a few minutes of entering a service that a resident puts forward a suggestion or requests a conversation about something they feel can improve their home. Earlier this year, a group of residents at Noble Manor asked for a covered area outside in which they could relax and socialise and we were happy to oblige.
At Gloucester House they have recently acquired new parasols to ward off the heat from the sun-drenched patio. We will continue to accommodate new initiatives that improve the quality of life for the people we support.