Residents from Diagrama Foundation’s Supported Living Service in the London Borough of Bromley. recently enjoyed a memorable day out aboard a steam train on the Spa Valley Railway, celebrating individual interests and the joy of shared experiences.
The trip included three residents, David, Michael and Peter accompanied by two members of staff, Sanjay and Olano. The group arrived at Tunbridge Wells West Station, where they boarded the historic standard-gauge heritage steam train for a scenic one-hour journey to Eridge, in East Sussex and back.
The experience was particularly meaningful for David, who has a special love of trains and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the journey, from the sights and sounds of the steam engine to the atmosphere of the heritage railway.
Diagrama Support Worker Olano, who accompanied the group on the train trip and has known David for many years said: “David has always been fascinated by trains and transport. Whether it’s the iconic hop-on hop-off buses in London or steam trains. David loves the feeling of being on the move and having someone to chat with about the good old days and the things he sees along the journey.
“This interest started when David was younger, going on trips with his family. Even though he isn’t quite sure what first sparked his love for stream engines, those early memories stayed with him. Today, he continues that tradition by taking train trips to places like Kent and Bath. David doesn’t have a huge collection of model trains, but he has a favourite one that he keeps on his windowsill, so that he sees it the moment he wakes up. Every time David visits a new place, he finds a keychain to add to his collection. To David, these aren’t just souvenirs, they are proof of the places he has visited over the years.”
Following the train ride, the group headed to a local pub to relax and enjoy a meal together, rounding off a day filled with connection, enjoyment and new memories.
Beth Maina, Registered Manager, Diagrama Supported Living said: “Supporting people to pursue their hobbies and passions is incredibly important. Experiences like this help build confidence, independence and wellbeing, while also recognising what truly matters to everyone. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the day, especially experiencing something that means so much to David.”
The outing reflects Diagrama Foundation’s commitment to person-centred support, ensuring people are empowered to engage in activities they love and live fulfilling lives within their communities.
To find out more about Diagrama’s Supported Living Service which focuses on supporting vulnerable people to develop the skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others so they can lead independent, fulfilled lives visit https://diagramafoundation.org.uk/learning-disability-support/supported-living
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.
- Diagrama Care Home at Duckyls Farm, is a residential care home in West Sussex on a 100-acre farm for residents with learning disabilities, which 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 Community Services at Duckyls Farm is a day care provision 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, 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.
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