At Daubeney Gate we do it like this:
Everyone comes home from work and settles down with a cup of tea or coffee and the all important biscuit – it helps us think!
People are spread out throughout the house - in the lounge, dining room or their own room. We start encouraging conversations by talking about the day and once people are engaging with us, we move onto what people might want to have for dinner next week.
One staff member will sit with each person going through the box of pictures and people choose what they would like. This happens anywhere in the house, wherever the person is most relaxed. Nobody is rushed to make a decision and lots of conversations take place over the endless possibilities. Having an idea of people’s likes and dislikes really helps, but we make sure that we don’t make assumptions as people’s preferences can, and do change.
they check that they have understood each choice. There is always lots of laughter and banter between everyone.
Everybody who lives at Daubeney Gate enjoys planning what they eat and we have found that when people are fully involved in choosing their meals, they also show more interest in cooking them. There is a real sense of pride from people, when they show what they have made.