Easter has come and gone. We waved goodbye to our 10 chickens, off to a happy farm life. We have made some new friends, Clive stayed for some respite and Nan has come to try us out for size and fit. She quickly settled in and has made friends with Pauline and offered to help with the washing up. Her offer was accepted and short work was made of the afternoon tea cups.

Our decision to try and keep a bed available that can be booked for respite is working amazingly well, with regulars taking up the offer and making repeat visits. As the closure of day care at Nettleham gets closer we have had some enquiries for day care as well.

We look forward to the weather warming up and the residents being able to get out in the garden

At the end of March Helen will be retiring. Helen has worked as a senior carer at Willan on both days and nights. We wish her well. Residents presented her with a bouquet and enjoyed cake and bucks fizz for afternoon tea on her last day shift.

Soundlincs are working with residents for six weeks. Music workshops each week are opportunites not only to listen to music but also to create their own sounds and beat – two down, four more to go and each one gets better! We have an art session with water colour paints and flower arranging.

Lincoln County Council are closing one of their centres in Nettleham and we attended a market place event at the end of February. We gave out brochures and explained services available. Its a short journey from Stainfield to Nettleham, largely traffic free which is a great boon these days. We are only  a few minutes from Fiskerton and Cherry Willingham making us an alternative for day care. Respite bookings are increasing and coming not just from local people. One lady travels from Ruskington to stay with us, and another is coming from Lincoln on a regular basis.

We are looking forward to Happy Chicks coming, and will be watching the hatching in Holy Week.