Bernard Sunley, our Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home, is pleased and proud to announce that it has become the first sponsor of Woking’s new Buddy Bus, a community transport bus which is available for use by voluntary sector organisations in the local area, to help bring the community together.
“We have an ongoing and dedicated commitment to the residents, to keep them an active part of, and involved with, the local community,” said Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley. “Through our existing relationship with Sandra Smook of Woking’s Silver Friends, a not-for-profit charity which, like Friends of the Elderly, is passionate about supporting older people, we learned about The Buddy Bus and recognised that it was a perfect opportunity for us to utilise for the residents’
excursions, and also to further connect with the isolated elderly people in the local community. We now have the means and partnership to transport Woking’s elderly citizens to Bernard Sunley where they can join in with our events and activities, meet the residents and make new friends and connections.”
As a sponsor of The Buddy Bus, Bernard Sunley Care Home is able to have exclusive use of the 13-seater, fully accessible vehicle once a quarter to take the residents on exciting day trips. “The residents adore being out and about,” continued Andy. “They love our trips to the seaside, historic venues, the theatre, Royal Horticultural Society gardens and other interesting places. Having regular exclusive access to, and use, of The Buddy Bus will enable us to take them further afield and discover new, fascinating and motivating destinations.”
“Day trips and excursions are an important fixture on our wide and varied activities calendar as they are a wonderful way for the residents to stay active,” added Ewelina Wagner, one of the Activity Coordinators at the care home.
“Whether they are visiting and exploring a nearby town, enjoying a gentle river boat cruise along the Basingstoke Canal or visiting a garden centre, each enjoyable journey helps to promote balance, coordination, mobility and improve strength,”
“Ensuring the residents are able to go out on day trips is vital as they provide cognitive stimulation, encourage gentle physical activity, improve mobility, flexibility and stamina and, a change of scenery can boost emotional wellbeing, and give the residents another thing to look forward to, which can significantly improve their overall quality of life,” added Andy.
“Simple things like chatting with a Museum Guide, a person in a café or a fellow day tripper on a group tour can lead to new friendships, sharing experiences and reminiscing conversations,” continued Ewelina.
“It’s great that Bernard Sunley Care Home is the first sponsor of The Buddy Bus, and it’s extremely heart-warming and rewarding to hear what a wonderful addition the bus will be to the residents’ existing activities calendar,” said Hamish Macdonald of Silver Friends, who also act as the Custodian of the bus.
“We are also working closely with Andy and the Bernard Sunley Care Team to expand the residents’ outings even further by using The Buddy Bus to bring them along to Silver Friends’ regular gatherings, such as our very popular Saturday Cuppa and Cake Club, our weekly Friendship Lunches and to join others on our monthly outings as we are passionate about bringing older people together and making a real, positive difference within our community.”
“Being the first sponsor of The Buddy Bus – and our great partnership with Silver Friends – we are looking forward to not only enjoying more great days out with the residents, but also welcoming the elderly community of Woking to our events and activities – it’s a great ‘two-way’ street which is a wonderful way for us to drive community engagement and interaction for the residents and Woking’s elderly ladies and gentlemen.
“As the saying goes, ‘A change of scenery can do you the world of good and help everything’, and I know that will be true for the residents and Woking’s elderly community,” concluded Andy.
Find out more about Bernard Sunley care home by calling 01483 764 300 or emailing [email protected].