Headway Plymouth

24 hours ago

Letters from Louise - April 2026

Here's the latest blog our wonderful client, Louise - who's updated us on activities at Headway Plymouth in April 2026.

Wednesday 1st April 2026 – Chill Time at Headway

As you already know, this isn’t one of my usual days here. However, as it’s Good Friday in a couple of days and Headway will be closed, I thought it best to catch up with the blog, start on a new letter to my Dutch pen pal and play some games.
Jo was her usual crazy self. Apparently, she much prefers being called ‘crazy’ than ‘weird’, which is fair enough.

Tuesday 7th April 2026 - Blossom Walk and Blossom Bunting

This session was “exactly what it said on the tin”. I was in the middle of a game of Scrabble when a group of clients, Laura and staff left on the walk around Devonport Park to identify new plants, but I caught up with them eventually, and certainly got my steps in. Daisies are apparently called that, because they only open for a day and then close. I’m sure that Laura provided many more interesting facts about various blossoms, but I wasn’t present for most of the walk.

After the walk, clients either wrote what Spring meant to them, or they drew a Spring inspired design and, in some cases, did both. I always look forward to Spring, as it means new life and lighter evenings.

Laura also told us of a festival called Blossomize, which is a new annual festival, celebrating blossoms. This festival works in conjunction with the National Trust and runs from March to May. It will be following the blossoms as they bloom throughout the country, beginning in Plymouth.

Apparently, this festival is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Hanami, which encourages people to connect with nature through the beauty of Spring.

Friday 10th April 2026 – Quiz Time

I missed most of the quiz as I met up with a friend before coming to Headway. The exercise session with Megan that was meant to be on had been cancelled, so I stayed with my friend for longer. To be honest with you, I’ve had quite a busy week despite not being able to go to the gym, so it was nice to have a rest today.

Unfortunately, I left my reading glasses at home today, so I can’t look at my phone which is probably a good thing at the end of the day. I can see the laptop buttons so all’s well in that respect.
Jo did a word wheel on the white board with us and we all participated. I’m not that good at those puzzles but I enjoy having a go at them. I’m more into Codebreakers but it’s good to have a change every now and then.

I caught up with my blog, ate a lot of chocolate (I’ve got to have a vice!) added to my pen pal’s letter, chatted with a few people and played Scrabble, whilst also managing to annoy Brian, which doesn’t take much if you know how to. I’ve known Brian since I first started at Headway back in 1998, so I know all the tricks!

Tuesday 14th April - Plymouth Neurophysio

We all made our way, separately in some cases, to see the new Plymouth Neurophysio building at Queen Anne’s Battery. It was initially difficult to find, but we got there in the end. We did some seated Pilates, in addition to trying out their gym equipment.

A Tuesday at Headway Plymouth is usually relatively quiet, so it was good to see that more people had chosen to attend today. Charlotte led the Pilates session and Jo and James showed us how to use some of the gym equipment, some of which I’d not seen before. I particularly enjoyed peddling on the hand bike, both backwards and forwards.

The session was so popular with the Headway clients, that it’s extremely likely that we’ll be going there again, possibly once a month which would be great.

Friday 17th April – Food is Fun with Tami

Tami was back with her crew to help to enable us to make a delicious meal consisting of pasta, turkey mince meat balls, with a rich tomato sauce. I did quite a bit of chopping and stirring for the savoury dishes and stayed to help until the end.

Other clients also helped prepare the meat balls etc – I much preferred contributing towards the savoury dish than the fruit crumble, as it’s more likely that I’d make that at home – if I was able to. I’ll take the savoury recipe home with me. The crumble was also nice and some clients had seconds, as well as staff. Now I’m feeling too stuffed to have any chocolate – shocking!

21 April – Stitch & Splodge with Louise

I met the other Headway clients and staff at Louise’s new studio, which made for a nice change. We did block-printing onto napkins which we then glued onto shells, which were provided by Louise. We will trim the edges of the napkins when they’re dry. As you know, I’m not that creative but I was very pleased with what I produced today.

Apart from that, I continued with the letter to my Dutch pen pal, which seems to be taking forever! The other day, I found another letter that I should have posted the previous week to my Swedish pen pal, so I finally posted it a couple of days ago. Postage has gone up yet again!

Friday 24th April 2026 - Gentle Fitness with Megan

Headway welcomed Megan back into the fold again today, after her holiday. It was good to get moving again and everyone seemed happy in the warmth. Apart from that activity, I also played some Scrabble with Brian to keep my grey matter going.

Tuesday 28th April – Plymouth Community Dental Services

Rachel and Kerry paid us a visit this morning to introduce Headway clients to the free dental access provided by Plymouth Dental Community Services. They also gave us pamphlets on how to care for our teeth on a regular basis, along with toothbrushes, timers, tepees and toothpaste.

This company also caters more for people with learning disabilities and any medical issues they may have, so that they feel understood, whereas some dentists don’t make the time for that.

For more information please contact : www.plymouthcommunitydental.co.uk or ring them on 01752 434664.

I do try to have a reasonably healthy diet. I make stews and eat salad and chicken, but I do like to eat chocolate in-between meals, which I know is frowned upon. Chocolate is my only vice these days and I haven’t drunk fizzy drinks, apart from the occasional orange and soda, for many years.

Laura and Carys from Green Spaces also popped in to give us a green questionnaire to complete.

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