The Daisy Chain Journal
Welcome to The Daisy Chain Journal – a space where we celebrate the everyday magic of supported living. Here, you’ll find stories, snapshots, and reflections from our adventures, outings, and community events. From seaside holidays to disco nights, this page captures the joy, connection, and confidence that grow when people are supported to live life to the fullest.
❄️ Winter Ball 2025: A Night to Remember at The Pier House
On a crisp January evening, the Daisy Chain team came together for a truly unforgettable celebration: our Winter Ball 2025, held at the stunning Pier House in Westward Ho!. With the sea just beyond the windows and the warmth of good company filling the room, it was a night that reminded us all of the power of connection, gratitude, and joy.
✨ Behind the Scenes: A Team Effort
The event was brought to life by three incredible ladies—with a few extra helping hands—who planned, decorated, and set the tone for the evening. Their attention to detail and creative flair transformed the venue into a winter wonderland, and we’re so grateful for the time and care they poured into making the night special.
🎶 Music That Moved Us
A huge thank you to Soul Intention, whose live music kept the energy high and the dance floor full from start to finish. Whether it was classic hits or soulful grooves, their performance brought people together in laughter, movement, and celebration. It’s safe to say the dance floor was never empty!
🍽️ Food, Service, and Atmosphere
The Pier House team delivered exceptional food and service throughout the evening. From the first welcome to the final farewell, their professionalism and warmth helped create a relaxed and festive atmosphere. We’re proud to partner with such a fantastic local venue and grateful for their support in hosting our event.
📸 Moments That Matter
The night was filled with smiles, dancing, and heartfelt conversations. We will be sharing a few photos, capturing the spirit of the evening—but the real magic was in the moments that can’t be photographed: the laughter, the hugs, the sense of belonging.
💙 Why It Matters
Events like our Winter Ball aren’t just about celebration—they’re about recognising the people who make Daisy Chain what it is. Whether you’re a support worker, a client, or a family member, or simply a friend or Daisy Chain, you’re part of a community that values kindness, teamwork, and joy. This night was for you.
🏁 Soapbox Derby 2025 – Speed, Smiles, and One Slightly Grazed Knee!
The Daisy Chain team hit the tarmac once again for this year’s Soapbox Derby, and what a ride it was! From the first push-off to the final cheer, the day was packed with laughter, adrenaline, and just a touch of chaos – exactly how we like it.
There was one crash, one slightly grazed knee, and a toppled bear (we’re looking at you, Daisy Dave 🐻😂) – but nothing could dampen the spirit of the team or the excitement of the crowd.
🔧 Built with Heart and Ingenuity
A massive thank you to our brilliant mechanics and designers, Frank and DA, whose creativity and expertise brought our soapbox to life. Without your hard work, this unique and inclusive event wouldn’t have been possible. You made sure everyone could be part of the action – and we’re so proud of what you built.
🚚 Getting There and Back
We’re also incredibly grateful to HLH for transporting our soapbox to and from the course. Your support behind the scenes helped everything run smoothly, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
💙 Community in Motion
Events like this remind us why Daisy Chain is more than just a service – it’s a community. Whether you were racing, cheering, building, or simply laughing from the sidelines, thank you to everyone who was involved. You helped create a day full of joy, movement, and shared achievement.
🎶 Bideford Music Day – Daisy Chain Takes the Stage!
We couldn’t be prouder of our incredible Daisy Chain gang who stepped onto the stage at the Rainbow Trust Bideford Music Day! From the first note to the final applause, their energy, courage, and joy lit up the event – and reminded everyone what inclusion and celebration truly look like.
Whether singing, playing, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, our team brought heart and harmony to the day. It was a moment of pure pride for everyone involved.
🎤 A Huge Shout Out to Daisy Dave
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and musical magic of Daisy Dave, who not only taught and rehearsed with the team, but also arranged this incredible opportunity. Your passion and belief in our gang made this moment happen – and we’re so grateful.
💙 Why It Matters
Events like this aren’t just about music – they’re about confidence, connection, and community. Watching our team take the stage was a powerful reminder of what happens when people are given the chance to shine.
To everyone who supported, cheered, and helped behind the scenes: thank you. You helped create a memory that will stay with us for a long time.
🏖️ A Week of Joy: Our Butlins Holiday, 1st–5th September
This September, we had the absolute pleasure of spending a week at Butlins Minehead with a group of our clients—and it was nothing short of magical.
From the moment we arrived, the excitement was palpable. This was the opportunity for many to have a holiday with their friends. The chance to relax, explore, and enjoy new experiences was deeply meaningful.
🌞 What We Got Up To
- Daily Shows & Entertainment: From tribute acts to comedy nights and pantos, our group was front row and loving every minute.
- Swimming & Splashing: The indoor pool was a huge hit—especially the lazy river and water slides!
- Arcade Fun: We had friendly competitions, lots of cheering, and a few surprise wins!
- Evening Discos: Dancing, laughter, and a few unforgettable moves on the dance floor
This wasn’t just a holiday—it was a celebration of independence, friendship, and joy. Our clients had the chance to make choices, try new things, and simply enjoy being themselves in a safe, supportive environment.
We’re incredibly proud of how everyone embraced the week, and we’re already dreaming up ideas for the next adventure.
🎪 Bideford Carnival – To Daisy Chain and Beyond!
On September 13th, the Daisy Chain team brought colour, character, and a whole lot of heart to the Bideford Carnival—this time with a magical Toy Story theme that turned heads and lifted spirits all along the parade route.
From Woody hats to Buzz wings, our gang embraced the theme with creativity and joy. The streets of Bideford came alive with music, movement, and laughter as we marched, waved, and danced our way through the crowds. It was a day full of smiles, shared pride, and unforgettable moments.
🧸 Characters Come to Life
Our clients and staff transformed into beloved Toy Story favourites, bringing the magic of friendship and adventure to life. Whether you were cheering from the sidelines or walking in costume, you helped create a moment of pure joy for the whole community.
🚶♂️ A Parade of Inclusion
Events like Bideford Carnival aren’t just about dressing up – they’re about belonging. Daisy Chain’s presence in the parade was a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, celebrated, and included. We’re so proud of every person who took part.
💙 Thank You to Our Team
To the staff who helped with costumes, coordination, and encouragement – thank you. Your creativity and care made this day possible. And to our clients who stepped into character and into the spotlight: you were amazing
We’re already dreaming up next year’s theme – but for now, we’ll hold onto the joy of this one. As Buzz Lightyear would say: To Daisy Chain and beyond!
Butlins, Take Two – 6th-10th October 2025
Our second Butlins adventure of the year ran from the 6th to the 10th of October, and although the destination was the same, the experience couldn’t have been more different. With a new group of clients joining this trip, the whole break took on its own personality – fresh routines, new favourite spots, and plenty of moments that will be talked about for a long time.
From the first morning, the group settled into holiday mode. Some gravitated straight toward the shows and entertainment, others made it their mission to sample every food option on site, and a few discovered the joy of simply wandering, exploring, and soaking up the atmosphere at their own pace.
One unexpected highlight was the mobility scooter hire. For certain members of the group, it became the ultimate symbol of independence – the freedom to zip around the site with confidence and a huge smile. We quickly learned to keep a respectful distance during “practice laps,” especially after one particularly enthusiastic driver demonstrated just how sensitive the accelerator can be. Frank’s van ended up being part of the learning curve, but thankfully, the only thing dented was everyone’s composure from laughing.
The rest of the week unfolded in that easy, relaxed rhythm that only comes with a longer break. There were competitions, evening shows, leisurely strolls, and more than a few moments where staff and clients alike forgot what day it was – always a sign of a good holiday.
By the time we packed up on the 10th, the group had created their own set of memories, completely distinct from the first trip earlier in the year. Different people, different dynamics, same sense of joy. And as always, the journey home was filled with talk of what they want to do “next time”.
🎃 Halloween Fun & Frights – 31st October 2025
Halloween at the Day Centre is always lively, but this year’s celebrations took things to a whole new level. We started the day with a full line‑up of traditional Halloween games. The room was full of laughter, friendly rivalry, and the occasional dramatic shriek when someone got a little too enthusiastic with the props (Neil).
We had an unexpected visitor: BooBoo the Clown, who arrived with a suitcase full of face paints and a grin that suggested mischief. Within an hour, we had a small army of clowns roaming the building – some cheerful, some spooky, some… creatively abstract. Spirits were high, and BooBoo’s ability to turn anyone into a character was a highlight of the day.
As evening rolled in, the atmosphere shifted from playful to properly spooky. Our Halloween disco transformed the space with lights, music, and more costumes than we could count. Everyone put in an incredible amount of effort – witches, zombies, vampires, skeletons, and a few costumes that defied categorisation entirely. The dance floor was full from start to finish, and the energy was infectious.
By the end of the night, we had tired feet, smudged face paint, and a building full of happy memories. Halloween is always a favourite, but this year’s mix of games, surprises, and creativity made it one to remember.
🎄The Festive Season!
The festive season is always a special time at Daisy Chain, and this year was no exception. December arrived with a full calendar of celebrations, outings, and more sparkle than we could count.
We kicked things off with our annual trip to the Christmas pantomime, where the cast delivered all the classic chaos we hoped for – loud boos, louder cheers, and plenty of “he’s behind you!” moments. The group loved every second, and a few of us were still quoting lines days later.
Back at the Day Centre, we hosted our traditional Christmas dinner, complete with all the trimmings. The tables were decorated, the crackers were pulled with great enthusiasm, and the room was filled with that unmistakable mix of laughter, paper hats, and the smell of roast potatoes. It was a lovely chance for everyone to slow down, share a meal, and enjoy the build‑up to the big day.
But the highlight of the season was our Christmas Party Day, which brought together everything we love about this time of year. Captain Coconut returned with his signature brand of bubbly fun, filling the room with foam, laughter, and a few very damp people. Pete Kirk kept the energy high with music and dancing, and the buffet lunch full of some lovely, deluxe, picky bits, was quickly (and happily) demolished.
Our big prize bingo was as competitive as ever, with cheers, groans, and a few dramatic near‑misses. And of course, no Christmas celebration would be complete without a visit from the Famous Mr Claus himself, who arrived with his usual charm and a sack full of surprises. The smiles said everything.
By the end of the day, we had tired feet, full stomachs, and a building full of festive joy. It was the perfect way to wrap up another year of memories, laughter, and community.
Daisy Chain Social Activity Group Ltd
A warm, friendly and supportive place for meaningful activities and social connection.
☎️ Phone: 07511954276
📧 Email: daisychainsag@hotmail.com
📍 Address:
Daisy Chain Social Activity Group
Unit 7, Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Caddsdown Industrial Park, Bideford, EX393BE
🕒 Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm
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