We are dedicated to giving residents as much choice as possible in all areas of their life, outings and holidays are no exception.
Our holiday planning starts early in the year, January in fact. “Get- togethers” are organised so everyone can have their say, look at what’s on offer from what seems like hundreds of brochures and make the big decision of where to go on holiday. Holidays include: cruises, canal boats, hotels (themed weekends) camping, self-catering caravans, pilgrimages to Lourdes, Euro- Disney, Jubilee Sailing Trust (tall ships), Blackpool Illuminations, Centreparcs and many more. Some residents go away with a carer, some on their own. Wherever you go transport is not a problem as we have our own vehicles and drivers. Whatever holiday is chosen you can be sure of a great time.
Searchlight has a number of “sporty” residents and we enter a team in the County Sports for Disabled. Sports include, Boccia (similar to boules), darts, bowls, snooker and weight-lifting. This is a very enjoyable day out for all concerned and medals are proudly worn by all who win them. We also belong to a sailing club, mostly we do “fair weather” sailing but whenever we go we have a good time. There are small dinghys for a resident and carer, a large sailing boat that takes six people and is ideal for residents that need to be hoisted into it. The club has a bar and restaurant and holds different social occasions throughout the year which are very popular with everyone.
Throughout the year we go on many theatre trips and see a wide range of shows, rock, pop, ballet, classical music, comedians, tribute bands. At Christmas we go to Carol Concerts and the pantomime. If there is something particular someone wants to see then we can arrange it. During the summer months we go to the Bandstand along the seafront in the popular seaside town of Eastbourne. The Bandstand offers a wide range of concerts by many different military bands.
There are also on offer different weekly outings to local places of interest, walks along the nature trail and seafront, pub visits, restaurants, tea-rooms, shopping to name a few. Ten pin bowling is a favourite so too is a visit to the greyhound track.
One weekend in May we go to Crawley Sports and it is fun to compete against other people with disabilities like mine. It is so much fun. It is a good day out and the other people in Searchlight can see what the Searchlight team has achieved on the day. It’s nice to go out and do something good for Searchlight and come away feeling proud.
John Jeffery (Resident)
We have an active Social Club with a bar located in the Administration building. It has its own committee made up of staff and resident members and functions are held every Wednesday and Friday evening from 7.30 to 10.00 or 11.00.
