Activities

Stallcombe Gardens

Stallcombe Community has its own gardens and orchards, the people we support are encouraged to engage in the growing, harvesting, preparation and maintenance of the gardens, supported by the Estates Support Team.

In the gardens the residents follow a seed-to-table programme, with special focus and connection to each season. In the gardens we celebrate natures rhythms through the activities we provide, this includes occasional cooking and preserving of produce as well as storytelling, craft and music to celebrate the seasons.

Walks in nature draw attention to the changes in our surroundings through the various seasons, we use all of our senses to notice what is around us, the garden spaces include open fields, woodland, orchards, vegetable and flower gardens, poly tunnels and wildlife areas.

We link our work in the gardens to the local community through visits to local gardens, wildlife centres and community gardens. Stallcombe gardens are part of the Seed Guardian programme for Exeter Seed Bank, this is a free community initiative.

We believe that being outside and in nature has a positive impact on both our physical and mental well-being.

The Farm

Stallcombe Community has a small working farm, home to Chickens, Ducks, Alpacas, a Barn Owl and a tortoise named Steve.

Our chicken eggs are sold to local businesses through our weekly egg round, the people we support help to collect, grade, clean and box the eggs before they are delivered to customers each week.

The Alpacas, Rama and Miguel came to live at Stallcombe in the late summer 2023, they can often be seen being taken on leads for walks through the grounds by the people we support.

We also have a resident cat called Bud, who likes to spend his days snoozing on the sofa and his evenings out catching mice!

The Estates team maintain the 55 acres in which Stallcombe House and Willows are set, this involves the management of the land, hedgerows, ponds, woodland, and many outbuildings. Some of the land is let to local farmers who keep sheep on the land and to local people who keep their horses on site.

Late in 2023 Stallcombe Community began a project to transform the Round House, this space had many uses since it was built at Stallcombe. We wanted to make the space warm and inviting, functional and accessible. The Round House now has a kitchenette and accessible bathroom facility, the space is multi functional and will be used for activities for the people we support, hosting training sessions and as a meeting space when required.

The Creative Arts Studio

The Creative Arts studio is a purpose built space where the people we support are able to express themselves through being creative. Being creative through various forms of artistic activity may have many benefits including:

Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving cognitive skills and coordination
Facilitating intellectual stimulation
Boosting self confidence

A few of the activities on offer in The Creative Arts Studio:

Weaving- There are several types of looms in use and the residents that use them particularly enjoy the repetitive actions and the comfort of knowing exactly what they are doing, this enables them to be independent which in turn raises self-esteem and confidence. Weaving also exercises both sides of the brain and acts like a workout for the mind, helping to focus and relax at the same time.

Pottery- This is a very popular activity, pottery and the use of clay promotes manual dexterity and exercises the hands, it is also a very tactile activity, providing lots of stimulation for the senses.

Being part of a group where everyone is taking part in the same project helps to strengthen bonds, promote conversation and again this activity raises self-esteem and builds confidence. There is often lots of laughter and fun at the pottery sessions! We use a multipurpose stoneware clay which can be used for indoor or outdoor creations.

Stallcombe Community have exhibited our creations in a few local exhibitions and at local craft fayres, this helps to raise awareness and promote arts for adults with disabilities in the local community.

Felting- Needle Felting with wool is very popular because of its repetitive nature. Wet felting provides a safe tactile activity which has fast results and provides a finished product in a short time frame.

Community Activities

The people we support are offered the choice to attend local groups, activities and trips out in to the community, some of the activities that are enjoyed include:
Horse riding
Climbing
Swimming and Gym Membership at Woodbury Park, the people we support also have the choice to attend classes such as yoga, aqua areobics and guided meditation.
Sailing with Exe Sailing Club
Visits to local garden centres, parks, beaches and Woodbury Common
Attending church service
Visiting attractions like Raceworld, The National Marine Aquarium, Pecorama, Bicton Gardens, Ocean Bowling in Exmouth
Attending Exmouth Gateway Club or 7-9 Club in Honiton
Playing Cricket at Whimple Cricket Club.

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