The Blamsters Cabin: A Story of Creativity, Community and Strive

The Blamsters Cabin: A Story of Creativity, Community and Strive in Action in Halstead

From recycled wood to award-winning innovation, discover how the Cabin at Blamsters Farm grew into a thriving hub where people we support build skills, friendships and confidence through our Strive model of support and excellent creativity from the team!

On the edge of Halstead, in the peaceful grounds of Blamsters Farm, there’s something remarkable – Blamsters Cabin. It didn’t start with grand plans or big budgets – just recycled wood, an idea and a belief that creativity can change lives.

In 2018, Support Worker Sam had a vision. Together with one of the people he supported, he began collecting discarded pallets and donated timber from the local community. Piece by piece, they transformed what others saw as scrap into something extraordinary!

What started as a simple workshop has blossomed into a vibrant social hub for everyone living across the Blamsters homes. Today, the Cabin is much more than four wooden walls in the centre of the grounds, it’s a place where confidence grows, friendships flourish, and people have space to thrive.

Life at Blamsters is all about community, and the Cabin has become the heart of it. Tucked away in the grounds, it’s a place people can wander down to when they want company, creativity, or simply a change of scene. It isn’t just a building – it’s a destination, a shared space that belongs to everyone across the Blamsters services.

Step inside and you’ll see just how much it has grown over the years. What began with recycled pallets has blossomed into something truly unique, with a workshop, a rustic bar, a bowling alley, a ping pong table, swings, log stores, and even a vegetable patch. Every corner tells a story of hard work, imagination, and care.

The Cabin brings people together in ways that feel natural and joyful. It’s the go-to spot for summer BBQs, seasonal celebrations, and spontaneous get-togethers. Some people enjoy woodwork or gardening projects, while others like sitting with friends, sharing food, and soaking up the atmosphere.

The impact is powerful. For some, it’s about learning practical skills and building confidence. For others, it’s the friendships and sense of belonging that matter most. One person has even found that working in the Cabin helps them manage frustrations and behaviours of concern, giving them a constructive outlet and a renewed sense of purpose.

In every sense, the Cabin is more than a space – it’s a community hub where people feel connected, creative, and proud of what they’ve achieved together.

As Sam reflects: “The Cabin isn’t just about what’s been built – it’s about what’s possible. Confidence, independence, and belonging. That’s what really matters.”

At ivolve, our Strive model of support is the golden thread that runs through everything we do – and Blamsters Cabin is a perfect example of it in action.

The foundations of Strive are all about creating safety, trust, and consistency. That’s exactly what the Cabin offers: a welcoming space where people know they can explore, take part, and be themselves. With the right environment, supervision, and encouragement, people feel secure enough to try new things. Whether that’s picking up a saw, planting vegetables, or joining a BBQ with friends.

From these foundations, the pyramid naturally begins to build. Wellbeing sits at the base, and the Cabin plays a huge role here. Its somewhere people can connect, be active, and share laughter. The activities aren’t just hobbies – they’re meaningful moments that spark creativity, build purpose, and make life feel richer.

As confidence grows, so does independence. Some people take the lead in planning BBQs or showing their peers how to use the tools safely. Others enjoy growing vegetables, learning to cook, or keeping the Cabin tidy. Each of these achievements – big or small – helps people feel capable and valued.

At the very top of Strive’s pyramid are flourishing lives. That’s what shines through every time someone leaves the Cabin smiling, more confident, or proud of something they’ve created. The Cabin isn’t just a project; it’s a place where people discover what they can do, how far they can go, and how much they can thrive.

What makes the Cabin even more special is the recognition it has received beyond the Blamsters grounds. In 2019, the project won the Best Innovation in Care Award at the Essex Care Sector Awards, as well as being Highly Commended in the Activities & Wellbeing Award.

For those who built it, the awards were never the goal – the real reward was seeing the difference the Cabin made to people’s lives. But the recognition meant a lot. What started as a few recycled pallets, is not only valuable, but is as a shining example of how innovation in social care truly changes lives.

The judges described the Cabin as a creative and inspiring way to empower people. They highlighted how it encouraged skill-building, friendship, and independence. For the team at Blamsters, it’s confirmation the Cabin has grown into something with a lasting, transformative impact.

The Blamsters Cabin is proof of what happens when care goes beyond meeting needs and instead focuses on enabling people to thrive.

The Cabin wouldn’t exist without the generosity of the local community. Businesses and individuals in Halstead continue to donate pallets, recycled wood and materials to keep the project alive. The maintenance team and colleagues across Blamsters have also played a huge role – supporting with tools, safety, and encouragement every step of the way.

It’s this spirit of collaboration that makes the Cabin more than just a building. It’s a shared achievement – proof of what can happen when people, colleagues, and communities come together with creativity and care.

The Cabin is still evolving. There are plans for more projects, more activities, and more opportunities for people to express themselves. Each new idea builds on the foundations of what has already been achieved. It’s a place where people can feel proud of what they’ve created, and where every visit offers a chance to learn, laugh and connect.

What began as an experiment in recycling and creativity, today stands as a beacon of innovation, community, and care. It proves that when you combine imagination, support, and the Strive model, truly amazing things can grow.

As one colleague beautifully summed it up: “It’s more than just a cabin – it’s a place where people find purpose, joy and belonging.”

When thousands of colleagues across ivolve took part in this year’s annual colleague survey, they weren’t just sharing feedback about their workplace. They were helping support something much bigger.

Thanks to record participation in our annual colleague survey fundraising initiative, we’ve proudly donated funds to both Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK, turning colleague feedback into meaningful support for two charities that touch the lives of millions of people across the UK.

The donations were formally presented during a special cheque presentation event attended by representatives from both charities, celebrating the collective impact that can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

At ivolve, listening to colleagues isn’t simply something we do once a year. It’s part of how we shape our culture, improve experiences and create a workplace where people feel valued, heard and empowered to make a difference.

This year, however, the survey delivered something even more powerful. For every completed survey response, we pledged to donate £1 to charity, giving colleagues not only the opportunity to share their views but also a direct say in where the money would go.

The result was our highest ever level of survey engagement, with thousands of colleagues from across our nursing, residential care and supported living homes in England and Wales taking part.

Together, those individual responses created a collective contribution that will now help support people affected by dementia and fund life-saving cancer research.

How Colleague Survey Fundraising Made a Difference

At ivolve, we believe that every voice matters. Our colleague survey plays a vital role in helping us shape the future of our organisation.

The insights colleagues share influence decisions, improvements and priorities across the business, helping us continue building an environment where people can do their best work while delivering meaningful care to the people we support. The colleague survey fundraising initiative was designed to reinforce that belief.

By linking survey participation directly to charitable giving, colleagues could see first-hand how sharing their views could make a difference beyond their own workplace.

The response exceeded expectations. Thousands of colleagues took the time to provide feedback, demonstrating not only their commitment to improving ivolve but also their desire to support causes that matter deeply to them.

When it came to selecting the charity, colleagues were invited to vote for the cause they wanted the donation to support. The result was incredibly close, so rather than selecting a single winner, we chose to split the funds between the two charities that received the highest number of votes: Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK.

The decision ensured that both charities would benefit from the generosity and engagement of colleagues across the organisation. It’s a simple idea, but one that reflects something important about our culture.

We know that meaningful change often starts with small actions. Completing a survey may seem like a small act on its own, but when thousands of people come together, those actions can create a powerful impact.

That principle sits at the heart of our employee value proposition and the culture we’ve worked hard to build. It’s also one of the reasons ivolve has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work by The Sunday Times for three consecutive years. We know that when colleagues feel listened to, valued and involved in shaping the future, everyone benefits.

"We simply can't reach those who need us without support from incredible fundraisers like ivolve Care & Support."

Jodie Jarecki,
Regional Fundraiser – Alzheimer’s Society

Supporting Causes Close to Colleagues’ Hearts

The charities selected by colleagues represent causes that affect countless families, communities and colleagues across the UK.

Alzheimer’s Society works tirelessly to support people living with dementia, fund groundbreaking research and campaign for change.

Speaking following the cheque presentation, Jodie Jarecki, Regional Fundraiser for the East Midlands at Alzheimer’s Society, highlighted the difference the donation will make.

“We are so grateful that ivolve Care & Support chose to support Alzheimer’s Society. We provide vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be. It will take a society to beat dementia.”

She continued, “There are around a million people living with dementia in the UK including 14,006 in Derbyshire. We all have a role to play in ending the devastation dementia causes. We simply can’t reach everyone who needs us without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like colleagues at ivolve Care & Support.”

"Thank you so much for choosing to support Cancer Research UK. Every penny raised goes towards vital life-saving research."

Joyce Clifford,
Alfreton Representative – Cancer Research UK

The donation will help Alzheimer’s Society continue providing vital support services while funding research aimed at improving lives and finding solutions for future generations.

Cancer Research UK, meanwhile, remains the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving and improving lives through research, influence and information.

Representing the charity at the presentation event was Joyce Clifford, Chairman of the Alfreton and District Committee for Cancer Research UK.

Reflecting on the occasion, she said: “A lovely morning to celebrate, and so well organised. Thank you so much for choosing to support Cancer Research UK. Every penny raised goes towards vital life-saving research.”

This is why initiatives like this matter. Behind every donation is the potential for hope. Hope for better treatments. Hope for greater understanding. Hope for brighter futures for individuals and families facing some of life’s toughest challenges. And we’re proud to be part of that in some small way.

A Workplace Where Feedback Matters

The success of our colleague survey charity donation initiative is a reflection of the culture we continue to build.

Across our organisation, we support more than 1,150 adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and complex support needs through more than 185 homes and support services across England and Wales.

Delivering high-quality support starts with having engaged, motivated and valued colleagues. That’s why listening matters.

Every year, our colleague survey helps us better understand what’s working, where we can improve and how we can continue making ivolve a great place to work. The feedback we receive directly informs actions, priorities and improvements across the organisation.

Divisional Head of People for England, Keeley Denman, believes this year’s initiative demonstrates the power of collective action. “The response from our colleagues demonstrates their shared commitment to making a difference and shows that small individual actions – such as completing a survey – can come together to create a significant collective impact.

“The success of our colleague survey fundraising initiative reflects the culture we continue to build, while also reinforcing our commitment to giving back. Our annual survey remains a key part of how we gather insight and shape our future and we have been delighted it has further benefitted not one, but two charities close to the hearts of our colleagues.”

That commitment to listening has helped shape a culture where colleagues feel able to speak up, share ideas and influence positive change. We’ve recently been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year, reflecting the experiences and feedback of colleagues across the organisation. While awards are never the goal, they provide a valuable reminder that listening to colleagues and acting on what they tell us makes a real difference.

Whether it’s supporting people to achieve personal goals, volunteering within local communities, raising money for important causes or sharing ideas that help improve our organisation, our colleagues consistently demonstrate the values that make ivolve special.

"The success of our colleague survey reflects the culture we continue to build, while also reinforcing our commitment to giving back"

Keeley Denman
Divisional Head of People for England at ivolve

Small Actions, Lasting Impact

The cheque presentation marked the end of one fundraising initiative, but it also highlighted something much bigger.

When people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they contribute. And when thousands of people contribute together, remarkable things can happen.

What began as colleague survey fundraising became an opportunity to support two incredible charities, fund important work and demonstrate the positive impact that colleague voices can have both within and beyond the workplace.

At ivolve, we’re incredibly proud of every colleague who took the time to complete the survey, cast their vote and help make these donations possible. Their feedback will continue helping us shape the future of ivolve.

Their participation has already helped make a difference to two charities doing extraordinary work. As we begin reviewing this year’s feedback, we’ll continue using those insights to strengthen our culture, improve colleague experience and ensure ivolve remains a place where people can thrive.

Because when colleagues feel heard, supported and empowered, positive things happen – for our teams, for the people we support and, as this initiative has shown, for the wider communities around us too.

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