Cherry Trees is a residential service in Burnham-on-Sea for nine adults with autism. Our safe low-arousal environment and fully-trained and experienced staff help people to learn, release their potential and work towards more selfsufficient living.
Environment and facilities
Cherry Trees is near the seafront in Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset. There is plenty to do nearby and we can walk to supermarkets, a health centre, dentist, library, theatre, cinema and many other community facilities. We have our own transport for trips to leisure and tourist attractions and areas of natural beauty in the surrounding area as well as to larger towns: Bridgewater, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, and Bristol are all within easy reach.
Cherry Trees is a detached Victorian house with large gardens which has been extensively modernised. We have a well-equipped communal area and large kitchen and an exercise area outside.
Leisure and learning activities
At Cherry Trees we help people to build their skills and independence – and to enjoy themselves – by providing a mix of learning and leisure. Everyone has their own programme with individual goals. Our overall aim is to encourage people to become more self-sufficient, so each person has a timetable at home which we create with them to reflect their needs and likes. It includes home chores such as shopping, cooking and independent living skills, and social activities in the local community such as visiting clubs, pubs, restaurants, theatre, cinema and sports.
Everyone has a full programme of day activities that can include an extremely wide range of opportunities such as vocational skills training at our Lynx resource centre, supported employment, or further education at a local college.
At Cherry Trees itself we offer a range of activities including art and craft, music, games and puzzles, cooking and IT. We also have exercise equipment, a trampoline and table tennis.
Without a doubt the service set a much higher bar for our son than we as a family would ever have dreamed of – we are constantly amazed by his new achievements.
Parent
Person-centred approach
We make sure that everyone who lives at Cherry Trees has the chance to participate in all activities that are important to them, and that they are in control of their own life choices. We work closely with each person to develop their care and support plan so that it meets their needs, preferences and aspirations. Everyone who lives at Cherry Trees has a key worker and a link worker who work closely with them, learning about their ambitions and helping them to achieve their goals. Family, carers, friends and staff are also full partners in the planning process.
Our team
Our staff are all experienced and qualified in supporting people with autism and learning difficulties. Communication can be difficult for people with autism and our staff are trained to use a variety of communication methods including spoken language, sign language and visual strategies, with the aim of communicating clearly with each person and ensuring their views are heard and understood.