A full programme of activities

Say what you like about Paradise House, but nobody could claim that there’s not enough to do. In fact, the main problem is finding enough time to fit everything in.

A wide range of indoor and outdoor activities are available both on-site and in the local community. From physical activities such as Zumba, swimming and horse riding, to more creative and practical activities such as pottery, gardening and baking, Paradise House offers something for everyone. Each resident has a weekly timetable of activities which reflect their hobbies and interests and our team of Activity Leaders are on hand to provide additional support and guidance.

Our excellent on-site facilities offer plenty of opportunities for residents to pursue a variety of activities and interests. At the last count, we had a total of 19 different craft, educational and training activities to choose from – everything from arts, crafts and textiles to pottery, music, drama and baking. Activities are run every weekday throughout the day and all residents contribute to a weekly house meeting in order to plan their timetable and to discuss any changes that they would like to be made.

Whilst some residents choose to pursue a particular activity simply for the pleasure and satisfaction it gives, others elect to work towards gaining an accredited AQA qualification. Whatever the reason, the activities on offer all provide an opportunity for our residents to build their self-esteem and to develop the necessary practical, social, relational and communication skills to enable them to live as independently as possible and to lead a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Physical activities

Paradise House’s location means that that it’s ideally suited for a variety of healthy outdoor activities.  For those who enjoy walking (with or without a dog), there are plenty of fantastic countryside walks on our doorstep.  Those who prefer horse riding can go on group hacks or make use the riding arena at our local stables.

We also offer Zumba sessions either on-site or as an offsite evening activity at a local primary school with members of the local community.  Other indoor physical activities include Tai Chi, aerobics and dance.  For those who prefer to be in the water, swimming is available at Cirencester Leisure Centre and water fitness classes are on offer at the Pulse in Dursley.

Paradise House has a proud history of creativity and we are fortunate to have excellent on-site workshops and facilities which offer plenty of opportunities for creative activities and hobbies including arts and crafts, textiles and pottery.   Daily workshops are run by our talented and creative team of Activity Leaders.

For our green-fingered residents, our extensive gardens and apple orchard provide opportunities for gardening and fruit/vegetable growing.   For those who wish to improve their culinary skills, baking sessions are held on a regular basis either in the Eden Café or in the kitchens in each of the houses.

At Paradise House we pride ourselves on our friendly and inclusive environment and all our houses offer a sociable environment for residents to enjoy spending time with each other and with our staff members.

Aside from the social activities and games that occur in all the houses on a daily basis, all residents are welcome to attend the evening social group that is held each week on the upper floor of the Coach House.  We also have a weekly ‘movie night’ every Sunday evening when residents get to enjoy a film together (with popcorn of course!).

There are also opportunities for residents to make friends in the local community – for those who like to strut their stuff on the dancefloor there’s the amazing ‘Treasure Seekers Disco’ (a disco specifically for adults with learning disabilities) held at Kingfisher Church in Gloucester. In addition, there are plenty of great local pubs and cafés where residents can enjoy time away from Paradise House with each other and staff in a social setting.

A day seldom goes by at Paradise House without some form of musical or singing activity – as well as being a fun and bonding experience, the mental health benefits of music are well known.  Residents are also supported to attend local music concerts and performances.

Other activities include drama workshops and trips to the local cinema and library. Residents are also supported to go on educational outings – either chosen because they relate to a topic of particular interest to one or more residents or because they are based on a workshop project. Literacy and numeracy classes are also held for those residents who wish to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful countryside in the country on our doorstep along with many places of interest. Various activities are on offer including trips to local farms, gardens, cathedrals and historic buildings.  We are also within easy reach of attractions such as the National Arboretum at Westonbirt with its amazing variety of trees and plants.

For those residents who feel the need for a bit of ‘retail therapy’, Paradise House is within easy reach of Cheltenham and Gloucester, both of which offer a wide range of shops, cultural activities and places of interest.  A little further afield is the city of Bristol with everything that a large city has to offer.

At Paradise House we have a long tradition of celebrating seasonal and religious festivals such as Michaelmas, Christmas, Easter and Whitsun.

Festivals are a way of celebrating our heritage, culture and traditions and play an important role in providing structure and a rhythm to each year and make a valuable contribution to the already strong sense of community at Paradise House.

We offer a variety of training courses to residents in order to improve practical and other skills aimed at developing their ability to live as independently and safely as possible.  Courses on offer include first aid, equality and diversity, food safety, personal safety, safety in the home, interviewing staff and adult safeguarding.

As well as offering opportunities to gain work experience within the Eden Café and the Halfway Café based next to Cotswold Chine School, there are opportunities for residents to undertake work placements at local businesses and organisations including a local plant nursery and charity shop.

Even though Paradise House is a wonderful place to live, we all like a bit of a break every now and then.  With that in mind, we organise some fantastic holidays for residents both in the UK and abroad.

Recent holidays have included taking a group of residents to stay in lovely country cottages in Devon and Cornwall as well as trips to Italy, France, Cyprus and Spain.  All holidays are supported by experienced staff members who go the extra mile to ensure that each trip is a truly memorable experience.