At Abbeyfield we are guided by our motto ‘Where people come to enjoy later life’. This includes making sure that regardless of mobility issues, all our residents are given opportunities to get out and about to do things that others take for granted.

This month we enjoyed a trip to The Shepherd & Dog, a family run pub situated in Crays Hill, between Billericay and Wickford. By using a minibus service fitted with a tail lift, we were able to transport all of our residents, staff and volunteers to the pub for a lovely lunch.

Fifteen of us tucked into traditional favourites from the menu such as beer battered fish and chips, gammon steak with pineapple, liver & bacon with mash potato and cabbage, or chicken tikka masala & rice. This was followed by dessert and all washed down with a tipple of choice from a selection of real ales, wine or other beverages from the bar.

With the staff helpfully delivering the drinks to the table for us, we all passed a very relaxing and pleasant few hours chatting, before returning happy and full, to Octagon after 3.30pm.