This month at  James’s Place has been full of joy, smiles and laughter.

We hosted our Easter Party for the members including Basingstoke JP joining us too which was fantastic!

The day included a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, photo booth,face paint, temporary tattoos, bonnet decorating and homemade cakes which were baked by our members for the party. We had a sensory table which had different materials, scents, and textures. Several of the members helped create the sensory rainbow rice and porridge in preparation for Easter.

The day from start to finish was full of smiles in every room and the atmosphere was amazing!

A few of our members said their favourite part of the day was when everybody came together at the end of the  day and we all had a boogie to One Direction Songs.One of the members sang their  favourite song to us on the karaoke, it was great!

we captured some lovely photos from the day which you can find on Facebook!

Sarah, our deputy location manager, made an incredible Easter themed cake as well as nearly 50 cupcakes!The  members have also been visiting the village pub enjoying the sunshine, and taking walks to the park in the mornings.

We have gone  on several shopping trips this month to collect ingredients as well as popping to charlton lakes to take a stroll, keeping fit and enjoying playing a nature scavenger hunt.

As spring has  arrived Mel has been planting and potting lots of veggies with the  members and organising exciting activities for the  following weeks  ahead. The members have been helping Mel to fill the veggie beds with compost, while some created scarecrows which were made in the  craft  room!

During the Easter period the members also walked over to the village church in Hatherden and came together, singing and dancing.A few of the members have been helping Phoebe decorate and organise  the  craft room, filling it with beautifully crafted, handmade projects made by the members so that we can see it everyday!

One of our members spent a few weeks painting the craft room and upcycling the furniture there. They worked so incredibly hard and were thrilled when they could see how different the desk area looked and our new bright pink chairs! All the staff were very proud.

We took a group to Riverbourne Farm, the sun was shining and we captured some lovely photos while looking around.

We went on a trip during our carnival themed week to Winchester theatre. The members made their own carnival masks out of craft material with their friends from basingstoke, as well as creating their own characters. Everyone had a lovely time.

This month at JP Wendy has been running her brilliant cooking sessions In the morning and  bingo, snakes and ladders in the afternoon.

The members enjoyed making pasta and meatballs alongside homemade garlic bread , which tasted fabulous. We also cooked chicken stir fry and Eton mess with fresh whipped cream for dessert. Turkey and apricot burgers with potato wedges and bananas and custard for dessert. During emergency services week we had an exciting visit from local police and the fire services.

We look forward to next month!