There are some experiences that are over in a matter of minutes but stay with you forever – and for five residents at Madley Park House, watching the eclipse at White Horse Hill was certainly one of them.

When Activities Coordinator Janet and Care Leader Karolina heard about the opportunity to see the eclipse, they spoke to residents to find out if it was something they would like to experience. The response was enthusiastic, particularly from those who had never seen an eclipse before.

Patricia Law, Andrew Havey, Barbara Armstrong, Susan Jones and Eileen Gibson headed out in the Madley Park minibus for a special evening together. With snacks and drinks packed for the trip and their eclipse glasses ready, there was a real sense of excitement.

White Horse Hill was busy with people who had come together for the same reason, creating a fantastic atmosphere as everyone waited for the moment the moon began to pass across the sun.

Wearing their special eclipse glasses, the residents were able to safely watch this spectacular natural event unfold. While the eclipse itself lasted just a few minutes, it was an experience that left a lasting impression.

Home Manager Regina Topalli said:

“It was such a lovely evening and wonderful to see how much the residents enjoyed themselves. Some had never experienced an eclipse before, so it was a really special opportunity for them.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere at White Horse Hill, with so many people gathered together to watch it. The residents came back full of excitement and talked about the experience throughout the following day.

“Although the eclipse lasted only a few minutes, the memories will last forever.”
The excitement was shared across Madley Park, with those who had been on the trip telling other residents about their evening. 

For the team at Madley Park, the evening perfectly captures what meaningful activities are all about. The trip came from an idea, but it was the residents' enthusiasm that made it happen. Photographs were also printed and shared around the home, allowing everyone to see the experience for themselves.

Activities are shaped around what residents want to do, whether that's enjoying a new experience, exploring somewhere nearby or simply spending time together. By listening to residents and their interests, Janet, Karolina and the wider team create opportunities that are personal, purposeful and enjoyable.

And while the eclipse may have disappeared from view after just a few minutes, it left Madley Park with something much more lasting – a shared memory, plenty of stories and photographs to look back on for years to come.