Chichester Canal Cruise Adventure
Sunshine, Smiles & Scones
What a glorious June afternoon for a Kingsway Care adventure! After weeks of careful planning by our MD Vicky, (and checking the weather forecast daily!) Kingsway Care whisked several of our lovely elderly clients away from their homes for a special treat. A cream tea cruise along the beautiful Chichester Canal.
Thankfully, the sun shined on Kingsway Care, as both Clients and CareGivers alike were saying they “couldn’t believe their luck!"
The excitement was written all over their faces with big smiles worthy of a dentist's advert. Clients who had never met before struck up conversations and of course, the cream scones & tea went down a storm!
Boosting Happiness & Wellbeing
We organise fun outings like the Chichester Canal Cruise because we know how much joy they bring to our Clients, many of whom spend much of their time at home. These special trips offer a welcome change of scene, a chance to connect with others, and a boost to wellbeing that lasts long after the day itself. It also gives our CareGivers an opportunity to spend time with Clients without tasks, just lots of fun and laughter.
Let's find out what our happy Clients had to say:
Such a wonderful day,” said Glen. “All Kingsway’s carers are so kind.” Pat echoed the sentiment, sharing that she had a “lovely day” and really enjoyed “meeting more Kingsway clients” — something that’s especially meaningful for those who don’t often get the chance to socialise.
Happy Kingsway CareGivers
For CareGivers, these moments mean the world too. It’s not just about providing care, it’s about creating experiences that uplift and connect.
Bruce sent a lovely WhatsApp to the team:
"I just wanted to say a big thank you for such a lovely afternoon. It was so nice to see you all and spend time with the Kingsway clients in such a different and relaxed setting.
I genuinely love this job. It really feels like we’re making a positive difference in people’s lives, and that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?"
I had such a lovely afternoon,” said Senior CareGiver, Peta. “It made my day seeing their smiles. Some of our clients don’t get out very often and to see them enjoying themselves was wonderful.
Kerry, our Client Coordinator shared that Derick and Nina were full of thanks after the trip. They were surprised they had never discovered the canal before, even though they used to visit Chichester regularly.
Kerry laughed, “As for me? A canal boat, sunshine, a group of fabulous people all dressed in yellow… how much better can life get?”
Jonathan, Kingsway Care's trainer and dementia expert, reflected on how valuable moments like this are for everyone’s wellbeing:
From a personal point of view, seeing Pat and Derick nattering away was just so lovely. And what a wonderful way to spend 75 minutes detached from the very scary world we live in — on that beautiful canal with a fantastic bunch of colleagues and clients.
Why Do We Plan Fun Trips?
And finally, a huge thank you toVicky,Kingsway Care’s Managing Director and chief trip organiser, who pulled it all together: She confessed, it’s always a bit of a challenge organising client events in advance, as things change. There needs to be just enough time to make the plan but not too much time for circumstances to prevent clients from joining. Also, taking CareGivers out of the roster can be tricky.
"BUT… it is always SO worth it. Our clients thoroughly enjoy their time together, meeting other Kingsway clients and carers that they don’t usually see. And to see them in real-life situations is just a wonderful reminder that they are not simply a combination of tasks and medication, but real, fabulous, excitable people, who just want to have a beautiful life.”
And that’s exactly what this day delivered. Moments of joy. New friendships. Nature, laughter, and connection. And a little reminder of just how special life can be for Clients and CareGivers alike.
Could You Be A CareGiver?
