We are proud to be supporting a fantastic and groundbreaking initiative – the first ever Mixed Ability Rugby Tour for the Chippenham Cavaliers Mixed Ability Rugby team. The Chippenham Cavaliers Mixed Ability Rugby team is truly inclusive, it’s a place where everyone can play from ex-players to those with additional needs naturally and without distinction.

This isn’t just a weekend away – it’s a chance to set an example in inclusive sport, build lifelong friendships, and give people with learning disabilities and autistic people the opportunity to experience something they might never otherwise be able to.

As the sunshine returns, we've been making the most of the lovely weather by hosting our much-loved Friends and Family Coffee Afternoons! These events are a reminder of the joy that comes from bringing people together— stories, laughter, and of course, cake.

At our home, we believe every person we support deserves to feel celebrated, included, and truly valued—especially on their birthday. This year, we had the joy of celebrating a very special day for Owen, who has been part of our community for over 30 years. Everyone was excited to make sure his birthday was one to remember.

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.

Having roles and responsibilities within the home is essential in fostering a sense of shared purpose, accountability, and community. By allowing individuals to take ownership of different aspects of daily life, they develop greater independence and pride in their living environment. These roles not only keep the home running smoothly but also provide opportunities to learn new skills, increase independence, build confidence, and strengthen relationships within the community.

We were fortunate to attend a Healthy Living Course organised by Wiltshire Council. One of the key partnerships at the course was with the Bath Rugby Foundation and the Chippenham Cavaliers, a Mixed Ability Rugby team. What started as a fun, educational morning has flourished into life-long friendships with health and wellbeing benefits by building a sense of team, self worth, improved fitness and personal growth.

For one of the individuals we support, travelling to Ireland was more than just a holiday—it was an opportunity to connect with family heritage. With a mother originally from Ireland, visiting the country had always been a personal aspiration and one year Peter asked if he could be supported to visit Ireland and see where his family was from. Having previously travelled abroad twice, there was already some experience with flying, but making this trip a reality required careful planning and support.

Robin has been a valued member of our care home for many years. Over time, as he has aged, his mobility has declined, creating new challenges in his daily life. However, Robin’s desire was to remain in his home, surrounded by familiar faces, housemates and his established routines. To support this, we adapted our service and environment to meet his evolving needs, ensuring his comfort, safety, and independence.

At Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes, we believe that fostering a sense of hope, motivation, and self-expression is just as important as providing physical care. The Wish Tree was created by one of our members of staff as a way for residents to share their dreams, aspirations, and positive thoughts in a creative and heartfelt way. This initiative encourages personal reflection while also promoting a strong sense of community, as residents inspire and uplift one another through their shared wishes.

At Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes, we believe that holidays play a vital role in enhancing well-being and bringing joy to the people we support. Recognising that everyone has unique preferences, we work closely with individuals to design holiday experiences tailored to their needs and desires. Through discussions, we explore key factors such as trip duration, destinations, companionship, and the activities that bring them happiness.

By taking a person-centered approach, we have successfully supported a range of holiday experiences, ensuring that each individual has the opportunity to enjoy trips that align with their interests. Every year, everyone we support goes on holiday. These can either be as a group, or solo adventures, all designed to achieve their holiday goals.

At Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes, we believe that a home should be more than just a place to live—it should reflect the personalities, preferences, and needs of the people who reside there. That’s why we continuously strive to improve our services, designing our care and environment around the individuals we support.

To be fully included in a democratic society, we should all have the power to affect who is elected to govern us. This is enshrined within the Human Rights Act (1998) but can easily be taken for granted.

Thanks to our Registered Manager, who is currently undertaking a Masters degree in Inclusion, we were able to undertake a six week programme to educate the people we support in an unbiased way, so that they could come to their own conclusion about who to vote for and why.

Attending college is a vital step for adults with learning disabilities and autism to build their skills, independence, and confidence. It provides an opportunity to learn in a structured environment while also gaining valuable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. College can be a place where personal growth flourishes, helping individuals achieve greater autonomy. By developing new skills and discovering passions, students can unlock their potential and become more self-sufficient, while also gaining a sense of purpose and belonging.

Fundraising is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the community, supporting charities that work tirelessly to improve lives and create meaningful change. It’s not just about raising money; it’s about raising awareness and showing support for causes that matter. That’s why we’re so proud that our residents are actively involved in taking on challenges to support these charities. By participating in fundraising events and challenges, they’re not only contributing to important causes, but they’re also developing a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, and connection with others. It’s a wonderful way to give back and make a difference, while also bringing our community together for a shared goal.