A Boat-iful day! Care home residents enjoy shipshape trip after raising money for local narrowboat company

All hands were on deck as care home residents set sail along Britain’s historic canals after raising money for a local narrowboat company. 

South Staffordshire Narrowboat, a local narrowboat experience company, recently invited residents from Care UK’s Foxland Grange, on Wergs Road, to push the boat out and raise funds for a defibrillator for the boat, while enjoying the Great British countryside. 

Throughout the summer, residents have been fundraising for local charities, including the South Staffordshire Narrowboat company. After plenty of raffles and cake sales, residents were delighted to have raised enough money to contribute for the narrowboat to be fitted with a defibrillator. 

The defibrillator, which is a life-saving device, will provide an added element of safety to any passengers onboard should they ever need it. 

To celebrate, the team from South Staffordshire Narrowboat company invited residents onboard for an exciting day out on the narrowboat along Wolverhampton’s canals. On the day, residents arrived at the quayside by Castle Croft to embark on an end-of-summer journey and enjoy all that the Midlands canals had to offer. 

Along the way, residents enjoyed learning about the different canal networks and how they have become important historical sites for maintaining biodiversity, being home to an array of rare and endangered species. 

A trip to the chippy marked the halfway point, where residents enjoyed freshly cooked fish and chips smothered in salt and vinegar and topped with mushy peas – a traditional waterside favourite. 

Last but ‘naut’ least, the narrowboat, named Ernest Thomas II, headed towards Compton to continue the residents’ adventure around the classic town, before returning back to the quay at Castlecroft lane.

Katy Anderson, General Manager at Foxland Grange, said “We certainly made the most of the last of the summer sunshine with our recent trip along the canal – all while supporting a worthy cause too. 

“Here at Foxland Grange, we’re always looking for ways to give back to the local community. We’d like to say a massive thank you to all involved and to all the volunteers and team members who made the experience extra special. 

“The residents thoroughly enjoyed their day out and are already asking when they’re next jumping onboard!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Foxland Grange, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.