RESIDENTS from a dementia care home took part in a beach clean after a summer seaside visit prompted action from the group.
Four residents and three team members, travelled from Colten Care’s Fernhill in Longham to Swanage seafront to carry out the beach clean.
Kitted out with litter-pickers, the residents were enthusiastic about removing dumped plastic, cigarette ends and items of rubbish.
The group made the 50-mile round trip to support the Great British Beach Clean Week, an initiative by the Marine Conservation Society aiming to preserve coastlines and protect wildlife.
The activity was arranged after residents told staff they were keen to be involved in a beach clean, following a summer outing to the seafront.
“It’s so important to keep our beaches clean and free from rubbish,” said Elizabeth Wilson.
Ron Heyler added: “The Dorset coast is the most beautiful place in the world, and we should all be taking care of it.”
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June Welford emphasised the fun she had on the trip saying she was just excited ‘to be by the seashore’.
Companionship team members, Miezy Reynolds and Evie P Thorburn, accompanied the residents along with minibus driver, Karen Sears Dawson.
Miezy said: “This was a great opportunity to have fun at the seaside while involving our residents in awareness about beach pollution and the importance of keeping our environment clean.
“As it turned out, we were pleasantly surprised to find Swanage was relatively clean and friendly and there wasn’t a large amount of rubbish lying around.
“We did pick up cigarette ends and plastic but we were joking that we should perhaps have chosen somewhere else less relaxing and more in need of a clean.
“To reward our residents for their morning’s efforts, we all enjoyed a lovely lunch at a seaside restaurant basking in the warm sun and the sound of waves.
“As we sat there, residents couldn't help but feel proud of their contribution to the pristine beauty of the beach.”
Colton Care owns and operates 21 care homes across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and West Sussex.
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