On 6 November 2026, the team at Arbour Companions and Care will attend the Surrey Care Awards after being shortlisted as finalists in two categories. One of these is Excellence in Home Care Practice, recognising the impact of our Enrichment Programme, a unique and personalised service developed by Jane Vincent, Recruitment and Enrichment Lead.
But what does enrichment really mean for the people we support?
For Dr. P, it means much more than having activities to fill the day. It means having purpose, creativity and something to look forward to.
Every six weeks, Jane visits Dr. P and spends time working on projects chosen by her. Following deep brain surgery, Dr. P wanted to focus on activities that would make her surroundings feel more personal and reflective of who she is.
During a recent enrichment session, Dr. P shared that her hospital bed felt clinical and institutional. She wanted it to feel warmer, more homely and more connected to her own life and experiences.
Jane explains:
“Dr. P had the wonderful idea of using a beautiful batik fabric she bought while travelling in Ghana to create a decorative cover for her bed. Together, we spent the afternoon measuring, cutting and preparing the material to make a removable sleeve for the headboard that can be easily washed.
The finished piece has completely transformed the appearance of the bed, making it feel far less clinical and bringing something personal and meaningful from Dr. P’s travels into her room. Dr. P was absolutely delighted with the result.
We’re already planning the next stage of the project, creating a matching cover for the footboard using the remaining fabric during a future visit.”
While the project transformed Dr. P’s surroundings, its impact went much deeper.
Since taking part in the enrichment sessions, Dr. P has become increasingly engaged, enthusiastic and full of ideas for future projects. Dr. P says: . “ To get the “elephants” project mobilised feels like a massive progress in taking back control over my life. It was fun to do and I enjoyed my afternoon immensely”
Dr. P has now created her own list of activities to work on independently between visits. Together, Jane and Dr. P have broken these into manageable 30-minute “bite-sized” projects, giving Dr. P the confidence to continue creating without feeling overwhelmed or overtired.
Dr. P’s carer, Anna*, has noticed a remarkable difference:
“Dr. P is looking and sounding absolutely amazing. She has told me that she feels like a brand-new person, with a renewed vigour and love for life.”
Stories like Dr. P’s are at the heart of our Enrichment Programme. It is not simply about activities; it is about helping people reconnect with their interests, build confidence, express themselves and rediscover joy in everyday life.
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