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Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

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Friends of Oaklands

A photo of Oaklands care home reception area

The Friends of Oaklands were founded to support the residents and staff at Oaklands Care Home. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Friends host a Dementia Café at Oaklands. This free event encourages residents with dementia to come, enjoy tea and biscuits, and have a nice chat with each other and the volunteers. There are also additional activities that are organised during the month, creating a positive social environment for residents who do not always have the opportunity to come together. By supporting residents, family, and staff, the Friends are committed to improving the quality of life for people that are living at Oaklands.

2015

The Friends of Oaklands is formed.

2017

A photo of the garden gazebo and garden furniture

Friends Of Oaklands celebrate National Care Homes Day by creating fun environments inside the home for residents who do not feel comfortable leaving, including a refurbished dining room and a trolley service through the home that allows residents to purchase food and gifts throughout the home, in partnership with a challenge team from Fords. The team also built a zen garden with a pergola to provide shade.

2018

The Friends started the Dementia Café. They hold monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month for people have been affected by dementia, either themselves or as a carer, to come together for some tea, biscuits and conversation. The café still continues to this day!

2018

The Friends held a Christmas themed Dementia Café for the month of December. Residents enjoyed decorating gingerbread men and singing carols.

2019

The Friends of Oaklands received a financial donation from Basildon Coop Funeral Directors, which went towards much needed sensory equipment for the residents.

2022

An image of the courtyard area showing garden table and chairs

The Friends create a Garden Challenge Team that comes in every season to keep the courtyard garden a welcoming space for residents to get fresh air outside.

2023

Challenge volunteers of the Friends of Oaklands upgraded the gardens at Oaklands, planting beautiful new flower and bushes in the beds.

2024

The Friends of Oaklands spent a Saturday beautifying the garden area outside of Oaklands. This Garden Challenge Day produced beautiful flower beds for the residents and staff to enjoy leading into the spring.

The photo shows the seating area in the garden and the gazebo

Stories from Friends of Oaklands

Recently retired, Kennedy decided to spend his newfound free time volunteering at the Friends of Oaklands Dementia Cafe.

Listen 00.04.11

Story: Kennedy Rath - Essex, Laindon

"I'm getting to the age where things happen...and I think it's good, it keeps your mind young."

Listen 00.04.21

Story: Marie Pearson - Essex, Laindon

"They're enjoying having visitors in their home, like you would in your own home. And they love the social interaction. They love having a chat about what's happened in your life."

Listen 00:11:17

Story: Catherine Wood - Essex, Laindon

"It has a significant difference in the life of this place when they're not here, the things that the Friends does, it's just tremendous."

Listen 00:08:16

Story: Robert Hackett -