May Round-Up: Growth, Community and Achievement Across ISL

May has been a fantastic month across Independence Support, with clients and colleagues embracing the warmer weather, developing new skills, supporting local communities, and celebrating personal achievements.

Across our services, gardening projects flourished, fundraising efforts made a real difference, and clients enjoyed a wide range of activities designed to promote wellbeing, independence, and social connection.

Growing Together in Stoke

One of the standout projects this month has been the development of Stoke’s new allotment space. Clients and staff have worked together to build planters, prepare soil, learn about composting, and plant a variety of vegetables and flowers.

The newly launched Gardening Club has already seen participants planting everything from lettuce, radishes and spring onions to courgettes, cauliflower and broccoli. Alongside practical gardening skills, clients have learned about companion planting, composting, soil health, and sustainable growing techniques.

Supporting Mental Health and Raising Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Week was marked across several services through meaningful conversations, creative activities, and the sharing of lived experiences.

Clients in Crewe created a display highlighting what they wish others understood about mental health, while individuals shared personal experiences of living with mental health conditions, deafness, OCD and schizophrenia.

Cross Green clients worked together to create cupcakes and a communal wellbeing collage featuring positive quotes and coping strategies, helping to promote mental health awareness and support.

At Rathmell, a client courageously shared her own mental health journey, helping to encourage understanding and reduce stigma.

Celebrating Community and Culture

Services across ISL embraced opportunities to celebrate culture and bring people together.

Clients at Rathmell and Hillcrest enjoyed Eid celebrations, learning about traditions while sharing food, games and activities. Chester’s Indian Food Day provided an opportunity to celebrate culture, heritage and cuisine, bringing clients and staff together through food and conversation. In Macclesfield, residents sampled some home cooked Jamaican food made by our very Talented Support Worker, Andre.

Making a Difference Through Fundraising

Alsager demonstrated the power of community partnership this month through a successful fundraising event in support of Alsager Foodbank.

Working with Hub & Health, Deputy Service Manager Lizzie, community volunteer Mia and clients hosted a fundraising stall which raised an impressive £101. The event coincided with Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, with a cardboard cut-out proving a popular attraction throughout the day.

Celebrating Personal Achievements

This month has seen several inspiring personal milestones.

At Alsager, client Hayley celebrated one year self-harm free, crediting the support she has received from staff for helping her reach this significant achievement.

In Chester, client Jamie is preparing for his first-ever solo trip abroad to Barcelona, a remarkable milestone that reflects the confidence and independence he has developed through ongoing support.

Hillcrest client SM attended an applicant experience day at Leeds Trinity University, taking part in practical experiments and exploring future educational opportunities.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

The warmer weather has encouraged services to spend more time outdoors, with clients enjoying trips, walks, gardening, sports and social activities.

Highlights included visits to Wales, Sefton Park and local community events, tennis sessions at Chapel, ice cream outings in Sandbach, a country fair in Macclesfield, and outdoor games at Hillcrest.

Meanwhile, York clients enjoyed a social carvery outing, while Tranmere clients hosted candlelit dinners and board game evenings that brought people together.

Food, Fitness and Wellbeing

Food continued to be a fantastic way of bringing people together throughout May.

Crewecial’s baking groups created everything from lemon drizzle cake to millionaire’s shortbread, while Macclesfield clients enjoyed a summer BBQ and authentic Jamaican cuisine prepared by a talented support worker.

Morley’s healthy cooking club continued to thrive, with clients preparing nutritious meals including grilled chicken and halloumi salad with tzatziki.

Middlewich also celebrated the creation of a new communal gym space, made possible through generous donations from the local community, providing clients with new opportunities to improve their physical wellbeing.

Looking Ahead

As we move into summer, it is wonderful to see so many examples of clients building confidence, developing skills, supporting one another, and engaging with their communities.

Thank you to all clients, colleagues, families, volunteers and community partners who helped make May such a positive and memorable month across Independence Support.