Carnival at The Orchard

Tuesday 17 March 2026

Katherine* was 15 when she moved into The Orchard, one of our residential children’s homes based in Somerset and has since demonstrated significant progress in developing a sense of safety, stability, and belonging. She quickly settled and formed trusting relationships with the team and began engaging positively with her peers, which indicated we were meeting her emotional and relational needs. Katherine took pride in decorating her room, which reflected an increased sense of ownership and suggested she felt secure and at home enough to express her identity.

As relationships with staff strengthened, Katherine began to share historical experiences, demonstrating growing trust and emotional openness. This is a positive outcome in the context of her previous experiences of abuse and reflects her confidence that adults will respond with care, consistency, and respect.

Several members of The Orchard team are part of The Bridgwater Carnival, and they invited Katherine to work in the carnival Shed, which is where they paint their carts. Katherine’s engagement with the carnival activities has further enhanced her sense of belonging and identity. Being introduced to the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes procession and subsequently joining Newmarket Carnival Club has provided her with a positive community connection beyond the home.

Katherine continues to enjoy the carnival, and the team has welcomed her, gifting her a carnival jumper, which has made Katherine feel like part of the team. Katherine has said that being part of the carnival has given her a sense of belonging, offering a space where she feels welcomed and free from judgement.

Whenever a new child moves into The Orchard, we take the time to get to know them and what sparks their interest then we build on that to help grow their confidence. When Katherine discovered the carnival shed, she really came out of her shell.

Seeing a child truly feel that they belong is one of the proudest moments you can experience in this role. When they begin to relax, form friendships, and believe in their own abilities, you can almost see their confidence and self-esteem growing day by day. Knowing that we’ve helped create a space where they feel safe, valued, and understood means everything. Watching that transformation unfold for Katherine, was incredible, and it’s moments like that which remind me why I come to work every day. – Daniel Wright, Registered Manager, The Orchard

Her enthusiasm and excitement about taking part in the carnival highlights her renewed sense of confidence, and it has given her a fresh outlook on life. Katherine has also shared this experience with her mother, which has improved their relationship, allowing Katherine to create new positive memories within a safe and supportive space.

Overall, Katherine’s experiences at The Orchard demonstrate positive outcomes in relation to emotional wellbeing, identity development, community inclusion, and a growing sense of belonging. These outcomes contribute to her resilience and support her longer-term stability and personal development.

At school, Katherine was a set a descriptive writing assignment as part of her English studies, and Katherine chose to write about her experience in joining the carnival.

Katherines piece:

It was Halloween night, and I couldn’t sleep. The thought of the big day being just around the corner made me feel so excited. I was brimming with energy as I was awoken by the sound of birds twittering. I began to get dressed, and I put on my comfy Newmarket Carnival Club jumper and impatiently waited to go. I danced as I made my way down the stairs; it was time to head to the carnival. We began our adventurous trek down to the hotel and after three long hours of waiting around in the blistering rain, the first cart came along. My whole body fizzed with adrenaline and excitement.

My favourite cart was probably Ice Harvest by Harlequin; it was inspired by Frozen. They had a snow machine attached to the front, making me imagine Christmas morning.

After watching for some time, Ghost Chickens by Newmarket Carnival Club passed me. This made me feel really happy and filled me with so much joy. They recognised me as they passed by me and they waved and smiled; this made me feel like part of the team. Carnival was fun to experience because I’m not just watching, I’m in the club. Seeing my hard work on show for everyone to see made me feel proud of all my hard work.

Name has been changed*