Holding Out Hope: The Latest News
During the week 75 of the 88 residents went out at least once including some of the guys that need wheel chairs. The remaining 13 residents were not well enough or had behavioural issues.
During the week we took around 20 to the pizza place, we had a BBQ by the lake and took lots of balls with us. We didn't have the shed we had lastt time and I was very concerned about some of them burning because the sun was very hot. We had a lovely day in Varna whereby around 14 residents spent the day on the beach. For many, this was the first time at a beach.They had swim wear and most had a paddle. Unfortunately the staff let everyone get undressed on the beach which caused the public to stare. We were given free use of the umbrellas though from the guy that hires them out which I was impressed with. We had two visits to a cinema, one in a local town which was a very dated cimema. We watched Mission London which is a Bulgarian film and filmed in London so some of it was in English. We had another day in Varna but it was raining so we went to see the dolphin show and then we went to a huge Mall and watched Marmaduke; an American childrens film which was dubbed. Everyone seemed to enjoy it including the staff. The staff seemed overwelmed with the Mall and were filming it. I don't think they had seen one before. We went shopping with 2 of the guys and bought games and paper and pens and socks which were requested. We also bought food and drink and had a party for the whole institution where most people danced.
On the Wednesday evening, we were invited to the bar in Samuil and watched the football with The Director, The Mayor and his deputy and were discussed the differences in the care we deliver. They thanked us for what we had done.
I felt that some of the carers did not want us there and were aware of us observing them. Each day the residents that came out on day trips were dressed in similar clothes, many that didn't fit including their shoes. I witnessed a nurse hitting a resident and the maintenance men being used to control the residents using force. Mady and I explained to the staff what would happen if people did this in England.
The extra wing on the building looked good but I think the money should have been used to improve the old part of the building. The supported living building was lovely and the residents seemed very happy. The relaxation room looked good and we told it is used by the residents.
