The event was held in our welcoming Central Park Hub. The atmosphere was warm, vibrant, and filled with connection.

One of the most powerful sessions invited participants to reflect on the experience of being fed, especially when you’re unsure whether the food is hot, cold, soft, or hard. This food tasting activity sparked deep conversations about sensory awareness, dignity, and the importance of communication in care.

Over the past two years, we’ve been filming our progress, documenting real moments, voices, and growth. These videos were shared during the conference, and we will continue to be used as training resources for the individuals we support and our staff, helping reinforce learning in a completely person-centred approach.

A heartfelt thank you to Sharon, Julia, and Jerome from the NHS for their continued support. Appreciation also to Penny, Lisa, Aaron, and the management team @ThePark for their creativity, care, and commitment in bringing this event to life.

This conference was a celebration of what’s possible when we collaborate. With compassion, creativity, and commitment. Here’s to continued growth, deeper connection, and a future where every individual feels empowered to thrive.

On Tuesday, we welcomed Gemma and the fantastic team from Rhythm Sticks for a musical extravaganza. The room came alive with the beat of drums and the joyful sounds of a wide array of instruments they brought along. Everyone had a chance to join in, explore rhythms, and feel the music together. It was loud, lively, and absolutely brilliant.

Friday marked the highlight of our week, the Carnival Procession around the gardens. Everyone joined in with colourful costumes, music, and plenty of cheer as we paraded around the gardens in true carnival style. The atmosphere was great, filled with laughter, clapping, and proud smiles.
To wrap up the celebrations, we held a judging ceremony where different groups were recognised for their creativity, spirit, and participation. Certificates were awarded.

Robin grew up gardening with her parents; her mother had a passion for flowers, while her father focused on vegetables. Wanting to pass on this knowledge, she used the opportunity to chat with James about how everything in nature is interconnected, from seeds to bees and butterflies. That built on the things James had learned from Duchy College. Together, Robin and James prepared the plots, each around 3m x 1m in size. They raked the soil to create a suitable seedbed. Robin brought in a variety of seeds that had been a Secret Santa gift from her colleagues, ones she hadn’t found space for at home. James scattered the seeds across the prepared plots, and at first, they used milk bottles filled with water to keep the soil moist. However, they quickly realised this wasn’t practical and decided to get watering cans.

Robin expressed how much she enjoys working at @ThePark, especially when she can support individuals through activities which she’s also passionate about. For her, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the joy it brings to the people who live at and visit @ThePark, and the environmental impact.

Inspired by the positive response, Lisa proposed the idea of starting a signing group with her colleagues and the people we support here at @ThePark. After just a couple of sessions, a new and exciting concept began to take shape. Lisa approached our management team with the idea of forming a Sing and Sign Choir—a group that would combine music and keyword signing. The team loved the idea and offered their full support.
To bring the vision to life, Lisa enlisted the help of our Intensive Interaction and Activities Coordinator, Penny. Together, Lisa and Penny collaborated with Sharon to choose a selection of songs suitable for signing, including Country Roads and Red Light. The sessions were a resounding success, with both colleagues and the people we support thoroughly enjoying the experience.

The Choir has continued to grow from strength to strength, performing at a variety of events, often being told they were the highlight of the day. The weekly Sing and Sign practices, held every Thursday at 2 pm at @ThePark, have become a cherished part of the week for everyone involved.

The choir is also open to anyone who would like to come along and join in. For more information, feel free to give us a call on 01566-880360 or send us a message at www.bowdenderra.co.uk

The day featured some fantastic performances. Our @ThePark Choir kicked things off with their usual energy and charm, receiving great support from visitors. Adam gave an amazing set on his guitar, performing a mix of contemporary and new songs.

Zalek (Pete and Zoe Zalek) brought a rock vibe with their electric guitars, delivering a high-energy set across various genres. Roland followed with his own performance, showcasing both his guitar skills and vocals across a diverse musical selection.

Everyone enjoyed a lively and fun performance from Kerry and her Lifton Line Dancers — they were a joy to watch and even had some visitors joining in! Cycling Without Age brought their Trishaw, offering free rides to visitors and sharing information about their wonderful volunteer service.