Celebrating Green Week at Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes Small Steps. Big Impact.
This past week, we’ve come together as a community to celebrate Green Week—a time to reflect on how our everyday choices can positively impact the environment. Through a variety of fun, thoughtful, and engaging activities, the people we support showed how small actions can make a big difference.
How did we prepare for Green Week?
During our weekly housemate meetings, we have been discussing Environmental Sustainability, gathering thoughts and opinions on how people would like to help and things we could get involved in. Everyone was very excited about swapping van trips for bus trips to embrace public transportation; and everyone was keen to get together for litter picking.
We planned the week together, and fully embraced small steps to make a big impact.
What we did in Green Week:
Monday – Litter Picking in Monkton Park
We started the week by stepping out into nature with a community walk in Monkton Park. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in, collecting litter and helping clean up our beautiful local area. It was a rewarding way to contribute to our community while enjoying fresh air and good company. A few of the people we support liked it so much that they asked to do litter picking on Friday too!
Tuesday – Wardrobe Clear Out & Charity Shop Drop
Tuesday was all about sustainable fashion. The people we support looked at the clothes they no longer wore or wanted and donated them to a local charity shop. Not only did we clear out some space, but we also gave our garments a second life and supported a good cause in the process.
Wednesday – Well Boring Talk
Midweek, we gathered for our residents' feedback meeting—with a twist! We were joined by a guest speaker who taught us about "well boring"—a fascinating and sustainable way to source water. We enjoyed it so much that we have decided that our fundraising coffee mornings this year will help to raise money for the charity. For every £7 that we can raise, we can source clean water for someone.
Thursday – Taking the Bus & Exploring Sustainably in the Sensory Garden
During our weekly housemate meetings, we have been discussing alternatives to car travel, so on Thursday, we hit the road—on the bus! Some ventured to Malmesbury for a museum visit, while others took a trip to Bath to enjoy shopping, coffee, and an insightful visit to an art museum focusing on recycling and sustainability. It was a great way to embrace public transport and reduce our carbon footprint.
A few of us also went to meet with the Head Gardener for Wiltshire Council. A few of us love to garden, and Tony in particular was keen to do more to help those in our community. We met with Will from Wiltshire Council who is kindly going to let us create a Sensory Garden in John Coles Park for everyone to enjoy.
Friday – Environmental Arts & Crafts - more litter picking
We wrapped up the week with a creative afternoon making green leaf crafts. We decorated leaves with their personal environmental wishes and created a stunning art board full of trees, hopes, and ideas for a greener future. Steven embraced recycling and wants to continue being in charge of recycling in his home.
What did everyone think of Green Week?
“I liked litter picking, getting the bus and recycling. I want to get the bus again” Steven
“The van had to come and get us as there was no space [for the wheelchair]” Steven
“Bus, got it from down there” (with a big thumbs up) Jim
“Green week was very good. I got the bus and I donated my clothes, I have more clothes to drop off” Karen
“Bus trips again” Renae
“I did litter picking again” Jim
'I’m going to raise money [for well boring]” Ann
Green Week reminded us that being kind to the planet can be meaningful and enjoyable. Thank you to all of the people we support and the staff who took part—you’ve shown how collective action leads to real change. Here’s to many more green moments ahead!