Bridgewood Mews help Shannon to be the ‘Belle of the ball’

Exemplar Health Care’s desire to make every day better often inspires our homes to go to extraordinary measures to create special milestone moments for residents.
Shannon, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, following a devastating brain injury at only a few months old, was given a day to remember when the team at Bridgewood Mews recreated her school prom day, which she had missed due to ill- health.

Shannon was given the best care throughout her childhood by her foster parents who helped to find the perfect school for Shannon which allowed her to develop into a lovely young lady. As Shannon reached her teenage years and adulthood she was moved into adult services. Sadly, her first experience was not good and due to illness she was unable to attend her last year at school. Shannon then moved to Bridgewood Mews who were able to meet her complex needs and worked to give her the best care available every day.

Knowing how important her schooling was to her and her parents, the home worked closely with her teaching assistant to facilitate home schooling. Unfortunately, just when everything was going well, Shannon became ill with a serious chest infection and was unable to attend her final leavers prom.

However, undaunted Shannon smiled her way through everything and with the team’s help came through this difficult period. With the help of her respiratory clinic and physiotherapist the team started to provide Shannon with an intense schedule of care that one year later saw her able to get out of bed again and spend time with others.

Determined that Shannon would not miss this important milestone in her life, the Bridgewood Mews team set about recreating the prom that she had missed.
Naomi Jones, Home Manager at Bridgewood Mews said “We felt this was really important, because the team at Bridgewood understand that there is so much more to life than the day to day, it’s also about helping people to reach their milestones and have the same opportunities as anyone would.”

Bridgewood Mews was turned into prom planning headquarters and the theme became “Beauty and the Beast” which is Shannon’s favourite film. The catering team developed an amazing menu for all dietary needs from puree meals to buffets whilst the life skills team began making the decorations and co-ordinating the day. The team wanted this to be a day for everyone and all the residents were encouraged to get involved and enjoyed dressing up in their best suits and dresses. Shannon’s friends and family were invited along with her friends from school. All the team dressed up in costumes and Shannon was the ‘Belle of the ball’ in a beautiful yellow gown.

Naomi said “It was an emotional day from start to finish and all the hard work was completely worth it when we got to join in with Shannon, her family and her school friends dancing and singing. There was not a dry eye in sight when Shannon’s school friends took her hand and they danced together as it should be for any young teenager. We ended the day with music and entertainment for all and were even joined by residents from other homes who really made the night something to remember.”

Bridgewood Mews provides specialist nursing care for people living with neuro-disabilities, brain injury and stroke, mental health conditions, and learning disabilities. and is one of Exemplar Health Care’s 27 specialist care homes across Yorkshire, the North West and Midlands caring for adults with very complex needs.