Seaton Carnival Victory at The Check House
In early September, The Check House in Seaton took part in the Seaton Carnival for the very first time, and what an extraordinary experience it was! Held as part of the annual celebrations in Seaton, Devon, where the illuminated floats, costumed walking entries and community clubs light up late-summer nights.
Our Carnival Journey
Our wonderful activities staff went above and beyond, they transformed our minibus into a vibrant spectacle with a Mexican Fiesta theme, reflecting the fun we’d had earlier this summer at our own Fiesta event. The colourful decorations, festive music and lively atmosphere made us feel part of something truly special.
When the time came to parade through Seaton, we entered the wheeled / walking with motorised support category and we’re thrilled to share that we won 1st place! The sense of pride after hearing our name announced as winners was immense. Alongside that honour came a trophy for us to display with pride at the home and a prize of £55, which we were delighted to donate to Make‑A‑Wish UK, bringing goodwill beyond our own home.
Why This Event Truly Mattered
Beyond the bright lights and winning moment, taking part in the carnival had meaningful impacts for our residents and our community:
Connection to community life: Participating in Seaton’s established carnival week allowed our residents to be visibly engaged with a large local event, rather than remaining behind the scenes. Seaton’s carnival is a full week of activity culminating in a procession of floats, bands and clubs.
Boost for morale and identity: Being part of the parade gave our residents a real sense of self-worth, teamwork and celebration. Winning the category brought extra joy and recognition, not just for the staff’s effort, but for the entire home.
Creative expression & fun: From helping to plan and decorate the minibus, to enjoying the parade atmosphere, residents had a chance to express creativity, share laughter and feel excitement.
Charitable purpose: Donating our prize money to Make-A-Wish UK added a purposeful dimension, highlighting kindness, empathy and connecting our home’s success to a worthwhile cause.
Memorable shared experience: These kinds of outings and achievements become stories people remember. For our residents, especially those who may have limited recent opportunities for community outings, this event will be a highlight to talk about, relive and cherish.
Inclusivity and mobility support: Entering the “wheeled / walking with motorised support” category showed that participation was accessible and inclusive, recognising that mobility needs shouldn’t limit fun, community involvement or achievement.
What’s Next for Us?
With that trophy now proudly on display and the cheers still echoing, we’re already buzzing with ideas for our next theme, decoration and community appearance. Will we defend our title next year at Seaton Carnival? We’re certainly up for the challenge!
In the meantime, we’ll continue reflecting on our Mexican Fiesta theme and looking forward to more opportunities to join local events, celebrate together and create well-loved memories.
A Big Thank You
We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this venture, our activities team for their creativity and dedication, our residents for their participation and spirit and the organisers of Seaton Carnival for making it such a vibrant and welcoming event. Together, we made something wonderful happen.
Here’s to many more community celebrations, colourful parades and shared triumphs at The Check House!
