January – March: Celebrating Growth, Inclusion and Joy
The start of the year has been full of energy, goal achievement and meaningful moments across Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes. From personal milestones to shared celebrations, it has been a wonderful few months of growth, connection and plenty of joy.
Inclusion in Action: Rugby Success
This quarter, our partnership with Chippenham Cavaliers has continued to go from strength to strength. The team was recently featured on ITV News, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in sport. We were incredibly proud to see three of the people we support speaking so confidently on television about what mixed ability rugby means to them.
Dom has also taken exciting steps forward, beginning his coaching qualification. Recognising that coaching is a skilled and meaningful role, we worked collaboratively with the Cavaliers to create a structured pathway tailored to him. This has included shadowing experienced coaches, learning how sessions are structured, understanding health and safety, developing communication strategies, gradually leading parts of sessions, and receiving ongoing feedback and encouragement.
The impact has been clear. Dom now identifies as a leader within his team, has built a wider friendship circle, contributes to decision-making, and has grown in confidence. He is developing a respected skillset and working towards a clear pathway for progression.
Jim has also achieved something special this season. After setting a personal goal during a 1-2-1, “I want to learn to kick”, he has worked consistently with the coaching team to build his skills. Week by week, with focused practice at the end of sessions, Jim has developed his technique across a range of kicks, from conversions to tactical play.
Testimonial from Coach, Lee Ryan:
“Jim’s progress this season has been brilliant to watch. What started as a goal to ‘learn to kick’ has turned into him confidently stepping up as the Cavaliers kicker during match days—proving all that extra practice (and patience!) has paid off. Whether it’s conversions or clever kicks for territory, Jim has brought both skill and a great sense of fun to the pitch. His determination, positivity, and willingness to give anything a go make him a real asset to the team and an absolute joy to coach.”
Creating Spaces That Matter
Listening to the voices of the people we support continues to shape what we do. During a housemates meeting, a request was made for an additional quiet outdoor space. In response, we worked alongside Wiltshire College to bring this idea to life as part of the college curriculum.
The result is the “Peaceful Perch”, a beautiful, reflective outdoor space that has been built and decorated by the people we support. It’s already become a valued place for relaxation and quiet time.
Celebrating Together
The past few months have also been filled with celebrations, each shaped by the people we support:
Burns Night – Planned together in a housemates meeting, we enjoyed a pub night with a mezze of Scottish food. Tattie scones and biscuits were a big hit, while the haggis was more challenging!
Valentine’s Day – A chance to celebrate friendships, kindness and connection across our homes.
Pancake Day – A particular highlight, as Dougie achieved a personal goal of learning to make pancakes from scratch. After sharing in a feedback session that this was something he wanted to do, he worked towards it and had a fantastic time gaining a new (and delicious) skill. We also enjoyed pancake races, flipping competitions and plenty of creative toppings!
Chinese New Year – We explored Chinese culture through crafts, including dragon-making, and shared a delicious meal together.
International Women’s Day – A meaningful opportunity to reflect on women’s rights, celebrate progress, and recognise the importance of equality. Conversations included the significance of voting rights, with Karen sharing: “I voted last year, I liked doing it.”
Spring Party (St Patrick’s Day) – We combined our Spring Party with St Patrick’s Day, bringing everyone together for a fantastic evening of live music, singing and celebration. It was wonderful to see friends, family and our wider community come together—Robin’s dancing was a definite highlight!
Looking Ahead
These moments are a reminder of what can be achieved through listening, collaboration and a focus on meaningful opportunities. Whether it’s stepping into a leadership role, learning a new skill, or simply coming together to celebrate, each experience plays a part in building confidence, connection and a strong sense of community.
We’re excited to see what the next few months will bring.