Maple Fest returns to Cygnet Maple House
This year the people we support chose a cowgirl theme for the festival. Local artists including Paul Warburton, an acoustic act that has toured Europe and the lead singer of Mercury Tribute Band, played at the festival.
The event was part of the service’s fundraising efforts to support 4Louis, their chosen charity of the year, taking the total raised to £1,683. A 4Louis volunteer Sophie attended the event to promote the charity and also meet our team of staff and people we support who have been fundraising all year.
The amazing kitchen staff provided a BBQ and a buffet lunch and there was also a rodeo bull, as requested by our service users. Maple Fest also featured a bouncy castle, raffle prizes, an awards ceremony, ‘Soak the Staff’ in stocks, its own merchandise and a mocktail bar.
Head of Care Andrew Hemmington-Page said: ” The event was a huge success. Maple Fest is more than just an annual festival, it is an event promoting inclusion from service users, hospital staff, external professionals, family, friends and carers. We had really positive feedback.”
A previous service user returned following performing at Maple Fest 2024, she spoke to staff and said: “Cygnet Maple House’s unique approach has helped me massively, I have been on holidays abroad and am doing really well, I never thought it would have been a successful discharge and can’t believe how much Maple helped.”
The mother of a person we support said: “The day was absolutely fabulous and the nicest place my daughter has ever been, this was the best day out she has had in a long time. I cannot believe how nice all the staff are and Maple Fest was amazing.”
That evening Cygnet Maple House hosted its first camp out on the grounds with an outdoor cinema. The classic film, The Goonies, won the vote and everyone relaxed watching the film armed with popcorn, hot chocolate and extremely large marshmallows before heading into tents to sleep.
One service user said: “I have never had a day like this, never been to a festival but I want to now so I went to the camp out the night of the festival and want to go on a camping holiday.”
Another individual we support explained: “Camping after the festival made it feel more real, I’m looking forward to the upcoming camping trip, it will be so much fun.”
