Residents of Cabrini House in Orpington, a care home run by Diagrama Foundation for adults with learning disabilities, are discovering freedom, joy, and confidence each week through the simple but powerful act of sailing.
Each week, residents travel by minibus to Chipstead Lake near Sevenoaks, where they take part in sailing sessions that have become one of the most popular activities on offer at the home. While Cabrini House offers a wide range of weekly outings, from cycling at Norman Park and indoor bowls to cinema trips and dance parties, sailing holds a special place in the hearts of many.
Support Worker Leah Mallows explains: “Regular activities like sailing help our residents build independence, physical fitness, and social confidence. More than that, they bring joy and a sense of purpose. It’s incredible to see how much our residents grow when given the opportunity to try something new and challenging.”
Some residents enjoy the lake’s sailing club in small groups, supported by staff and experienced Chipstead Lake sailors, but two residents have gained so much skill and confidence that they now sail solo.
One of those is Ian, a long-time sailing enthusiast with a personal certificate to prove his dedication.
“I love sailing,” he says with a big smile. “I like collecting sailing things.” Ian has been enjoying this activity for many years and shows no signs of slowing down. Another of his favourite parts of lake visits is Jess, a lively dog who loves chasing a ball into the water and swimming to retrieve it.
Leah Mallows continued: “Ian doesn’t like wearing hats, even though sun safety is essential on the water so we’d like to put out a special request – If you have a cap with a boat on it, please consider sending it to Ian at Cabrini House we think he might just wear one he likes!”
Meanwhile, new resident Laurie has quickly fallen in love with the activity.
“I like being outside,” she says and adds, “I love the coffee and cake. Coffee cake is my favourite!”
The Diagrama Foundation is proud to offer meaningful, engaging activities like sailing that build life skills, create memories, and bring happiness to residents every day.
If you would like to send Ian a cap please post to: Diagrama Foundation, Ian, C/O Suite 20, Kent Space, 6 – 8 Revenge Rd, Chatham ME5 8UD.
If you would like to contribute to the costs of the activities please contact the Fundraising Officer Zita Whalley zita.whalley@diagrama.co.uk or alternatively to buy something for Cabrini House you can view their Amazon Wishlist here https://linktr.ee/diagramaamazonwishlist
About Diagrama Foundation
Diagrama Foundation is a Kent based charity that supports vulnerable children, young people, and adults to live their best life.
Diagrama has a Supported Living Service across Bromley and Mid Sussex, three homes for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington, an eight-bed care home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex with a Community Services Programme a fifty-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex, and a fostering and adoption service in the southeast. Plus, a 100 acre property offering farm and craft day Services cross West Sussex.
- The Supported Living Service, cares for 33 adults with learning disabilities, in seven schemes across Bromley and one scheme in Mid Sussex, helping them to develop skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others.
- At Cabrini House in Orpington the charity promotes the development of core skills for 23 adults with learning disabilities so that they can lead independent lives integrated within their community.
- Duckyls Farm, a 100 acre residential care home in West Sussex for residents with learning disabilities, allows the charity to explore the physical, mental and social skills and benefits that working with animals and in nature can offer to people with a learning disability.
- Diagrama Day Opportunities operates at Duckyls Farm and across Sussex. This is a day care provision Hub and Outreach Support for people with a learning disability, physical and sensory impairment, acquired brain injury and/or autism.
- The team at their nursing and dementia care home, Edensor Care Centre in Clacton on Sea, support vulnerable residents to live life to the full.
- Diagrama’s voluntary adoption agency and not-for-profit fostering service cares for children who wait the longest for homes in London, Kent, West and East Sussex and Surrey.
Many vulnerable children and adults don’t get the support they need to develop their true potential, but the Diagrama team know that when someone has time and belief invested in them, they come alive, because that investment has made them feel valued and worthy.
X @diagramauk
Facebook @diagramafoundation
Instagram @diagrama.foundation
LinkedIn @diagrama-foundation
