With Somerset basking in sunshine, residents from The Rectory enjoyed a day trip to two of the county’s garden centres, taking lunch at Blackdown Garden Centre in Wellington before returning to Taunton for afternoon tea at Monkton Elm Garden Centre.
At Blackdown, residents enjoyed feeding the tropical fish and couldn’t resist a close-up encounter with a super-size woolly mammoth soft toy in the gift shop.
Later, they visited the newly refurbished Elm Tree Restaurant at Monkton Elm Garden Centre – an independent family-run centre managed by the Bellman family for 40 years – for tea and cakes.
“It’s so important for residents to get out and about,” said The Rectory’s manager, Abbie Foster.
“Trips like this let everyone enjoy the sunshine, stretch their legs, and have some fun together. Being outdoors and active is great for wellbeing, and it’s lovely to see people engaging with each other and their surroundings.
“Our residents are very much a part of the local community, and experiences like this help them feel connected and included.”
