Folks at Woodland View enjoyed a morning of drinking tea, coffees and chit-chatting amongst themselves, which was not only interesting and fun, but varied and, at the very least, diverse! Topics of discussion included International Donkey Week, ideas for the upcoming Film Week and the impending local elections.

You’d think that would make for an interesting enough scope, but at Woodland View, we like to think we can always go that extra mile. On this occasion, it was considerably more than an extra mile, as residents watched in amazement the live broadcast of a SpaceX rocket launching from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida!

Residents watched the countdown in excitement as the Falcon 9 rocket launched from the historic pad, 39A, used for the Apollo and most space shuttle missions. The live broadcast also included the re-entry and landing back at the Kennedy Space Centre.

Residents were given background information on SpaceX, the launch process, the stages of a launch, re-entry and landing. Residents were able to witness something that was once science fiction becoming science fact. 

What a great way to spend a Saturday... decorating cakes and then eating the evidence!

Woodland View residents had a wonderful time as they transformed a number of plain fairy cakes into multi-coloured delights using buttercream, marshmallows, chocolate buttons, jelly babies and other squishy, tasty things. Residents were joined in their efforts by volunteers, Sophie and Ami, who are students at The Gilberd School in Colchester.

The concentration on everyone's faces was intense; they all had the finishing line in mind. Well, more specifically, the reward of being able to eat their creations with a nice cuppa!

The ladies at Woodland View have been working hard to produce a range of items for the Neo-Natal unit at Colchester General Hospital.

Head of Community for the Neo-Natal unit, Karen Moss, was invited to Woodland View to accept a box containing a wide range of cardigans and bonnets, specifically for the unit. 

The Woodland View Craft Workshop is still producing blankets for the Catherine Bullen Foundation, who do aid work in Namibia, but are now expanding their portfolio to include cot blankets for the Neo-Natal unit following a request by Karen Moss. The ladies will also be producing crochet-based octopuses, which will be used in Woodland View's Memory Lane community.

A few months ago, Woodland View started a 'Gentlemen's Club' at their little bar, the Woodland Arms.

Now, the ladies have their own little club called 'The Ladies Lounge'. It's a ladies only environment, where they can chat about anything that's on their mind whilst enjoying some background music and a light drink. Port and Lemon is a popular tipple!

Once a week, there is also a 'Happy Hour', when both genders can enjoy each other’s company. I think it's safe to say that Woodland View has it all covered now!

Woodland View have been slowly and steadily recruiting a team of volunteers.

Barchester celebrated Volunteer Recognition Day to honour the work and contribution volunteers make to our homes. Woodland View marked the occasion by advertising for more volunteers on a local community website and raising awareness in the local community about the good and valued work already being done.

Woodland View will be having its own celebration day on Monday June 5th as part of Volunteers' Week. Existing volunteers have been invited to attend an afternoon tea on that date.

If you read this and are curious about volunteering and contributing to the well-being of those living at Woodland View, please contact Kevin Riley on 01206 855390 or email him at kevin.riley@barchester.com

Residents at Woodland View had to 'paws' for thought when they were visited by a number of dogs from Dedham Animal Therapy Farm.

New friendships were forged as Tom, Mila, Badger, Bumble and Skye met Mo, Sylvia, Mary, Margaret, Marion, James, Willy and Bobbie (the latter being the residents). Both animals and residents were very relaxed together, enjoying each other's company. There were more smiles around the room than you could shake a bone at.

Residents will alternate each fortnight between visiting the Animal Therapy Farm to see a wider selection of animals, and return visits from dogs, rabbits and more to Woodland View.

It's been a long term aim to find an organisation to form a regular working relationship with and the early signs say that this will be a wonderful partnership.