This is the story of an Alice in Wonderland-themed party which brought neighbours, people we support and staff together for a very special celebration.

The Hutton Avenue team are no stranger to big and bold creative projects. Last December, they transformed a garden shed into a grotto to lift everyone’s spirits ready for Christmas.  

Building Wonderland  

Inspired by a ‘We’re all Mad Here’ Vinyl sticker, Mandy and the team began finding objects, carving signs and building tables. Everyone pitched in, even paying for things with their own money when they needed to. 

The garden even had its very own Alice – who was clearly stuck in Wonderland as just her legs were sticking out! Lead Senior Support Worker Mandy Nichol said:

People were happy to pitch in because we all knew the effect that it would have and the impact of the joy it would bring to everybody.  

A Wonderland scene complete with Alice, caterpillar, toadstool mushrooms, butterflies and playing cards
The table for the tea party

Jubilee Day  

Recognising the link between the Queen’s Jubilee and the Queen of Hearts, Mandy invited everyone to dress up for the celebrations. The team raised nearly £200 and neighbours and people we support at other services joined in:

A local lady told us the welcome she received from the people we support and staff was an absolute miracle, the day was a breath of fresh air, like coming home. Nobody wanted to leave the party!

Support Worker Mark Thompson (who previously dressed up as Santa) came as The Mad Hatter and brought a croquet set for everyone to play!

The laughter was beautiful. It just brought everyone together. After the Jubilee a 6-foot rabbit came running around the block and gave me a massive hug – he was so excited and full of beaming smiles.  

The rabbit was a parent of a young person supported by United Response. The day brought joy to everybody – not just the people we support, but their families and staff too.  

Four people smiling, having fun, with Jubilee decoration behind them

It all started with a rainbow  

The team have now hosted two magical celebrations in the last twelve months, with another Halloween party coming up soon – but everything was inspired by one very special lady and her rainbow.  

Noticing that one of the people we support didn’t have a very nice view, Mandy and the team put up a model rainbow and decorated it with flowers and twinkling lights. They painted the word ‘hope’ on the side of the rainbow that faced the lady’s window:

 We chose that word because we never gave up hope on her and she never gave up hope on us.  

Although the lady is no longer with us, her impact is still felt across the Hutton Avenue projects:  

The rainbow cheered everyone up. But I always think that was because of the lady we supported. She inspired us and helped us make everybody smile. So that rainbow is always going to remain there. It might take on many different faces, but it will always be her rainbow. 

Three people, and a very posh bear, stood in front of the rainbow

Are you the type of person to go the extra mile to make someone smile?

We’re recruiting in locations across England and Wales for support workers for people with disabilities and autism.

See our latest vacancies here.

  •  Ali Mills is Communications and Engagement Officer for United Response.