Service User Group Activities

The funding received has enabled our Group to purchase equipment for the various in-house projects, and assist towards holding social events at 9 Oxford Road for the Service Users.

The garden here at Oxford Road was one of our first projects. Many of our members have participated in this on-going project, which not only gives those actively involved a rewarding challenge, but also enhances the surroundings for all Service Users.

The existing small pond has been given a makeover and boasts a larger pond now stocked with a variety of fish and a new waterfall tumbling down a colourful rockery, which gives movement and sound to the area.

This has provided the Service Users with a tranquil space to sit quietly and relax. Equally it is a comfortable place to gather for socializing. A table-tennis table and games, such as boulles, quoits and croquet, have been purchased by the Group to provide additional facilities for the members


The garden has been a great venue for the numerous barbecues we have held for the members and their guests.

One end of the garden has now been established as a vegetable plot where the seedlings raised in our greenhouse can be grown on. The fresh and tasty produce is available to our members for a small donation, which goes back into the kitty.

Another of our projects in the garden is the conversion of an existing large shed into a workshop where service users are able to enjoy the pursuit of woodwork and craft based projects.


The vegetable garden is flourishing, and the workshop conversion has provided another facility for members

Indoor facilities include the computer purchased by the group for use by its members and there is advice for the beginner available. A dartboard and chess set provide members with additional activities.

The Service User Group holds its meetings monthly, which are followed by an event such as Bingo with a Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper.

In addition we stage a monthly social event which are usually themed activities. During the winter months popular examples include our Halloween Supper, Curry Night, Chinese New Year Supper, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Guy Fawkes’ Quiz, Haggis Racing, Shamrock Hunt and April Fool’s Folly. In the summer we take advantage of the garden to hold our barbecues, which include more fun and games, such as, a Madcap Sports Afternoons, L’Escargot Racing and a Boulles Tournament.

Another aspect of our Group’s activities is to regularly attend meetings with staff, and with the Phoenix Homes Colchester sub-committee, where we are able to represent the views of the service users. We are also invited to the annual Staff Away Day where the Day Care Programme is reviewed and plans for the future of the Project are considered.

Representatives of the Service User Group may attend various meetings such as those held by; the Colchester Service User Forum, the Essex-wide Service User Network steering group, Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), DARG (Drug and Alcohol Reference Group), Alcoholics Anonymous Conferences, Service Users Conferences. They then report back to the Group on news from these organisations