Bramble Cottage recently welcomed families for a special Easter Afternoon Tea last month, bringing people together for an afternoon focused on inclusion and spending quality time together.
The idea for the event was first suggested by Zena Winstone, Regional Director, and was quickly embraced by the team. Chloe Williams, Team Leader, said, “As soon as the idea was shared with me, we knew it was something special. It felt like the perfect way to bring families together at Bramble Cottage, so we embraced it and turned it into a full event.”
Hosting their first family event was an important step for Bramble Cottage. It created an opportunity for families to come together in a relaxed setting and spend meaningful time with their loved ones. Chloe explained, “It gave families the chance to share positive experiences together and allowed us to show the warm, welcoming environment we’re proud of.”
Planning started early, with families contacted in advance to make sure the timing worked for them. Chloe said, “We wanted to build the day around families, not expect them to fit around us. That early communication really helped people feel included from the start.”
In the lead-up to the event, the team focused on making the space feel welcoming and personal. Decorations were carefully chosen, and thoughtful details were added, including personalised gift bags and thank you cards for each family. Chloe reflected, “It was about creating something that felt genuinely warm and thoughtful for everyone.”
The people we support were also involved in preparing for the day, helping staff choose decorations and items for the event. This created a shared sense of excitement and pride ahead of the afternoon.
On the day itself, families were welcomed into a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where they could spend time together and enjoy the surroundings. Chloe shared, “It went even better than we expected — everyone had such a lovely time.”
One of the most memorable parts of the day was seeing families chatting, getting to know each other, and enjoying the space. Chloe said, “Seeing families spending time together like that, in a relaxed way, was great to see.”
Reflecting on the event, Jo Bryant, Registered Manager, said: “What an incredible day we all shared during our very first family gathering at Bramble Cottage. It truly was a wonderful experience — one of the best I’ve had since joining the company. Watching families connect, chat, and form new friendships was really special. As you can see from their comments, the day felt just as magical for them too.
It was also especially appreciated that members of the team came in on their day off to support the event, demonstrating the commitment and dedication of the staff at Bramble Cottage.”
This was reflected in the feedback left afterwards. Chloe noted, “The comments in the compliments book were really heartfelt. Families shared how much they appreciated being included and how special the afternoon felt.”
The event also helped strengthen relationships across Bramble Cottage. Bringing families, staff and people we support together in a more informal way created opportunities to spend time together and get to know one another better. Chloe explained, “It really helped build relationships and trust — it felt like everyone was part of something shared.”
For the people we support, the impact of the day could be seen through their engagement and enjoyment. Chloe added, “Even without words, you could see how much they were enjoying being part of the day and spending that time with their families.”
Events like this play an important role in supporting meaningful family relationships. They offer opportunities for shared experiences and help create a sense of belonging for everyone involved.
Reflecting on the day, the team felt a real sense of pride. “It showed us just how valuable these opportunities are and why it’s so important to keep creating them,” Chloe said.
Following such positive feedback, there are already plans for more events in the future. Chloe added, “Families really enjoyed it, so we’re already thinking about what we can do next — a summer get-together could be a nice next step.”
The team would like to thank everyone who helped make the day such a success. As Chloe shared, “The families were so supportive, the team worked brilliantly together, and the people we support were at the heart of it all. Seeing everyone come together made all the planning worthwhile.”
A fantastic first event for Bramble Cottage — well done to everyone who made it happen.
