Residents at MHA Hampton Lodge sail The Solent thanks to boat trips

Residents at MHA Hampton Lodge care home were given the opportunity to sail The Solent thanks to boat trips arranged by an organisation.

Residents from the Southampton home were given the opportunity to have a two-hour boat ride along The Solent.

Four sessions were arranged, between June and August, where two residents at a time were given the opportunity.

The sessions were arranged by Solent Dolphin- Alison McGregor, a charity which operates the boat, The Solent Dolphin and arranges for members of the community to partake in the boat trips.

The residents were accompanied by staff members Catherine Brun and Magdalena Jurczak.

The idea came off the back of a resident's family member who works for the charity and suggested the idea to the home.

MHA Hampton Lodge provides high-quality nursing and residential dementia care for up to 44 people.

"It was a magical experience to see the residents out on the water, we had one resident that used to work in the Merchant Navy and I have never seen him as happy as when we were boarding the boat."

Catherine, who works as an activity coordinator said: "We had three sessions like this last year and the residents really enjoyed them.

"The sessions enable us to collaborate with other organisations in the area which is very positive.

"It was a magical experience to see the residents out on the water.

"We had one resident that used to work in the Merchant Navy and I have never seen him as happy as when we were boarding the boat.

"With the weather being very nice, it makes for a very pleasant activity and one that we all enjoyed.

"All the residents had a great time and it's something we are keen to continue with next year and we are already looking forward to them."