Shannon Court residents enjoy a beach trip 

Above: Activities Coordinator Leah Oliver and resident Peter quietly throw pebbles while enjoying the splashing and murmuring of the waves.

Residents at Shannon Court, in Surrey, have recently enjoyed a day trip to the seaside. Accompanied by the Home’s Activities Coordinators, the residents were able to enjoy the weather, watch the boats and feed the seagulls at Southsea Beach, in Portsmouth.

Resident Peter says:

I was determined to dip my toes in the sand. I had so much fun throwing pebbles! That’s what I used to do as a child.

Resident Peter and Activities Coordinator Kata Beauchemin have fun on the shore.

Spending time at the beach can have many benefits for older people. Moderate exposure to sunlight help their bodies make vitamin D, which helps boost the immune system. They are also able to unwind by taking in the scenery and hearing the rhythmic sound of the waves. Residents with breathing difficulties may also feel more comfortable at the beach, as it’s easier for their lungs to absorb oxygen.

The benefits for their mental health are also obvious. Kata Beauchemin, one of the Activities Coordinators, says:

These trips always spark some reminiscing. It helps the residents bring back memories from their beach days when they were younger, which is fantastic for their mental health.

Furthermore, out-of-home activities allow residents to have a presence in their local communities. Thanks to these initiatives, they are able to remain independent which has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Residents Joan and Jenny enjoy their ice-creams to keep the heat at bay.

[Summary: Residents at Shannon Court, in Surrey, enjoyed a day trip to the seaside. They were able to enjoy the weather, watch the boats and feed the seagulls at Southsea Beach, in Portsmouth. The trip had many benefits on the residents’ mental health and wellbeing.]