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Arnold Lodge - Summer Fete

Posted By Moheq48

"Arnold Lodge - Summer Fete"

About: Arnold Lodge Regional Secure Unit

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

Hi,

I am an in-patient on Cannock ward at Arnold Lodge. I really enjoyed the carers day event. I have been in hospital for 13 years and I haven't experienced anything like this before. I had two carers came to the event, my aunty and uncle. It was good to see them for longer as the event was for 4 hours. I wasn't clock watching counting down the minutes until they have to leave which added to the relaxed atmosphere.

There were a lot of stalls with different things to do and the BBQ was nice over all. It was a brilliant day and I remember thinking I could easily at home in my back garden sitting with my family.

I have known and lived with some of my peers on Cannock ward for 10 years or more. So it was a good opportunity to also meet each others carers in person and put a face to the name. The day would not have have been so much success if it was not for the staff they made it happen. So a big thanks to them.

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Responses

Response from Caroline Forster, Caroline Forster – Ward Manager (Cannock), Arnold Lodge Medium Secure Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 2 months ago
Caroline Forster
Caroline Forster – Ward Manager (Cannock), Arnold Lodge Medium Secure Services,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 22/07/2025 at 11:13
Published on Care Opinion at 11:59

Hi. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the day and it's really good to hear how much you valued the time with your family. Hopefully there will be more events like that to come.

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Response from Grace Gondo, Social Work Manager, Arnold Lodge Regional Secure Unit, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 2 months ago
Grace Gondo
Social Work Manager, Arnold Lodge Regional Secure Unit,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 22/07/2025 at 15:25
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25

Thank you so much for sharing your experience—it’s truly touching to hear how much the Carers Day meant to you and many others too/ staff included. It sounds like a really special and meaningful event, not just for reconnecting with your family, but also for strengthening the bonds within the Cannock ward community.

Spending time with loved ones without watching the clock must have felt like a breath of fresh air, and your reflection about feeling like you were in your own back garden is so powerful. It’s wonderful that you and your peers had the chance to meet each other's carers and celebrate together.

Huge credit to the staff for making it all happen—they clearly went above and beyond to create such a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Here’s hoping there’ll be more days like this in the future! Another applause to the patients who helped make this day a success too.

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Response from Kate Adams, Deputy Head, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 2 months ago
Kate Adams
Deputy Head, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 22/07/2025 at 18:26
Published on Care Opinion on 23/07/2025 at 06:53

How brilliant to hear about the carers and family day at Arnold Lodge - it sounds fantastic to meet the family and carers of the other people who you live with, as well as being able to spend time with your family outside enjoying the summer weather and a BBQ. I know all the patients and staff worked hard together to make the day a success and thanks for sharing on Care Opinion.

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