Residents at Isis House, along with friends from Marston Court and Longlands—all part of The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT)—came together for a day of fun, laughter, and community spirit at its inaugural St John’s Fair, OSJCT’s own take on the much-loved St Giles Fair.

The fair brought all the excitement of the traditional event onto the grounds of Isis House, making it fully inclusive for residents, including those who may not have been able to visit Oxford itself. The aim was simple: to make residents’ wishes come true and ensure everyone could enjoy the fair together.

The day featured classic fair games such as coconut shy, hook-a-duck, splat the rat, bean bag toss, and ball in a bucket, all run by enthusiastic staff with help from some residents. One of the Activities Coordinators even delighted everyone by dressing as an upside-down clown.

Kelly Allen, Home Manager at Isis House, said, “It was wonderful to see residents from different OSJCT homes coming together and enjoying themselves so much. Bringing all the fun of the fair to our own grounds meant that everyone could take part, make memories, and have a fantastic day—just as they wished.”

Music played throughout the event, encouraging dancing to old favourites, while hot dogs, sweet treats, and plenty of refreshments kept everyone energised. Families commented on the joy of seeing their loved ones laughing and joining in all the festivities.

Olga Hammerschmidt, a resident from sister home Longlands, shared, “I haven’t had this much fun in ages! It felt just like being at St Giles Fair again, and I loved joining in with all the games and dancing.”

The St John’s Fair was a resounding success, full of fun, energy, and a strong sense of togetherness, reflecting OSJCT’s commitment to creating experiences that make residents’ wishes come true. Until next year...