Tonight is the night where humans transform into monsters ready to munch all of the neighbours’ sweets and dance the night away. Our services have been getting in the mood all month, making spine-tingling creative creations that are sure to win over any vampire, zombie or werewolf.

Hutton Avenue, Darlington

Did you read about Hutton Avenue’s Alice in Wonderland display in the summer? A few things have changed since then…

Alice transformed into a Witch, and got herself trapped in a bush full of spiders. The signs that once pointed to Wonderland now point to the fiery trappings of hell, and the Mad Hatter’s dining table has been replaced by a couple of spooky coffins.

A life-sized spiders web, big enough to trap any human, stretching across a patch of grass at Hutton Avenue.
One very spooky spiders web

It’s like the evil side of Alice in Wonderland, where she goes down the rabbit hole and into the zombie world.

Mandy, Lead Senior Support Worker

The Halloween display has brought a lot of joy (and a few shivers!) to members of the local community. Reflecting on all the attention, Mandy said:

It’s obviously lifting people’s spirits and doing what it’s made for. When the families come they absolutely love it. Families are starting to bring items for the displays and we’ve had people we support painting for us. Everyone joins in.

The team are getting quite famous for their life-sized projects, and even caught the attention of our Chief Executive Tim Cooper.

CEO Tim Cooper, posing in the Zombie Zone. Tim is stood in between two coffins, and there is a giant table with a skeleton in a body bag to his left.
Chief Executive Tim Cooper, posing with two life sized coffins in the Zombie Zone

The team went above and beyond, mainly building the Zombie Zone in days off and time after work. So where did the original inspiration come from? Well, it all started with one special lady and a rainbow, which you can read about here.

The Boot Shop, Easingwold

The gardening group at the Boot Shop have been very busy carving up spooky pumpkins to celebrate Halloween. To keep up the magic, the group have kept hold of the seeds and will plant them next year. People we support had a fantastic time making the pumpkins, and today they are decorating Halloween biscuits!

Three scary carved pumpkins.

York Autism Hub and The Base at Burnhome

Nothing beats getting creative to celebrate the magic of the season. Over in York, our services have been getting extra arty, transforming the walls into celebrations of Halloween, Bonfire Night, and all things autumn!

Keen to keep a person-centred approach to Halloween, Lisa, Support Worker at the Hub, said:

We started with an autumn-themed display which seemed to naturally progress into a Halloween board. Those that weren’t keen on Halloween researched mythical creatures or created an autumn tree and mini camp fires. We were led by the people we support.

We also adapted our baking activities to include Halloween biscuits and buns that were decorated as ghosts, spiders and cats.

Staff have been dressing up all week but again we have remained mindful of the likes and dislikes among the people we support.

Halloween-themed wall designs from the York Autism Hub, including a bonfire and some monsters.
Seriously spooky wall designs from York Autism Hub
A collage of three pictures - a witches pot, Halloween cats and people sat behind a table doing some painting.
Halloween cats, magic wall displays and more at The Base.

St Alphege, Dover

Scary movies weren’t enough for the team in Dover!

To prepare for their Halloween movie night, the team transformed the service into a spooky cemetery with giant spiders, skulls and ghosts. With frights and fun round every corner, this is one great Halloween.

A collage containing 4 images, including a service lounge where life-sized decorative skeletons are having a wedding, a door decorated with a skeleton and cobwebs, little skulls on a dining table, and an outdoor setting with a giant spider and fake grave.
Movie night magic

Bradford

Three people we support in creepy costumes!
Decorations and cakes from Halloween celebrations in Bradford

Our team work hard to brighten the lives of people up and down the country. Do you want to make a difference to someone’s life?

We’re recruiting in locations across England and Wales for support workers for people with disabilities and autism.

  • Ali Mills is Communications and Engagement Officer at United Response