Winnersh residents keep their cool on the ice

Winnersh Winter Olympics

At Abbeyfield, we believe that age should never be a barrier to adventure. This week, residents from Abbeyfield Winnersh, our specialist dementia care home near Wokingham, proved exactly that by swapping the lounge for the rink!

In what has been affectionately dubbed the "Winnersh Winter Olympics," our residents enjoyed a truly unique skating experience at the Ozone Ice Rink in Bracknell.

A Day of Magic and Movement

The atmosphere was electric as residents, supported by dedicated staff and family members on skates, glided across the ice in their wheelchairs. For many, it was a nostalgic return to a past hobby; for others, it was the thrilling first-time experience of feeling the cool air and the smooth glide of the rink.

The event was brought to life by Activities Coordinator Michelle Hawkins, whose vision was fully embraced by the home’s management team to ensure our residents could experience the joy of the ice safely.

“We wanted to give our residents the opportunity to get out into the community and try something a little different,” says Alice Dunning, Abbeyfield Winnersh Home Manager. “Ice skating gives people a sense of freedom, enjoyment, and connection. It just proves that you’re never too old to get active and have fun.”

Breaking Barriers to Inclusion

This visit wasn’t just about fun; it was about inclusion. Matt Lock, Operations Manager at Ozone, noted that welcoming a dementia care home onto the ice was a first for the rink, but one that aligns perfectly with their commitment to wellbeing.

He described the day as “a moment of happiness, confidence, and shared enjoyment” that will stay with the residents and their families for a long time to come.

The Power of Unstoppable Spirits

Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter on the ice reminds us why we do what we do. Whether it’s a geography lesson over a jigsaw puzzle or a high-energy "competitive roll" on the ice, life at Abbeyfield is about making every moment count.

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