Decorated by members of Peppercorns Day Centre in Dartford, Peppercorns Cub celebrates friendship, inclusion and the lives of two former members, Delvinder (Del) and Joan, who were both supported by ellenor before they died.

For manager Allison Baker, it is a way of making sure neither of them is ever forgotten.

“It’s about being social and being included,” she says.

Peppercorns Day Centre, part of Choice Support, provides day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism, helping people build confidence, friendships and independence through activities ranging from sports and community outings to drama performances and creative projects.

Members recently created and performed their own interpretation of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and regularly take part in drama sessions, community activities and outings across Dartford.

“One of the highlights of the project has been welcoming the Peppercorns Day Centre to ellenor. When I first saw their performance, I knew our Wellbeing patients and staff would love it. Their energy was infectious. They threw themselves into the performance and are so excited to be involved. Their enthusiasm, creativity and confidence brought smiles to everyone who watched, and those qualities shine through in the bear cub they have created for the trail.”

“We support adults to be the best that they can be,” says Allison.

“The lovely thing about having a learning disability and autism is they are happy for each other. Everybody is equal.”

That spirit of community inspired the design of Peppercorns Cub.

Alongside the handprints of people who attend the centre are portraits of two much-loved former members, Del and Joan, both of whom received support from ellenor before they died.

“They were such wonderful people and they needed to be remembered,” says Allison.

Del was one of those people who seemed to be everywhere. He brought energy, humour and kindness wherever he went.

“He actually thought he was a member of staff,” Allison laughs. “We used to have to push him out of the door at the end of the day because he always had one more job he wanted to do.”

Following his death, members of Peppercorns began taking part in annual sponsored walks in his memory, raising funds for ellenor and maintaining a close connection with his family.

Years later, his memory remains very much alive.

“There isn’t a day that I don’t think about him,” says Allison.

Joan was equally unforgettable. Originally from Trinidad, she had a great sense of humour, strong opinions and a personality that people still talk about today.

Allison smiles at the thought of what Joan would make of seeing her portrait on Peppercorns Cub.

“Everyone would know her face is on that bear,” she laughs.

Both families gave their blessing for the portraits to be included on the sculpture.

The result is a bear that celebrates not only those who attend Peppercorns today but also those who remain part of its story.

For Allison, the project has also opened up important conversations about hospice care and helped challenge some of the fears people often associate with hospices.

Allison’s own connection to ellenor began when her husband Paul received support from the charity during the final months of his life.

Like many people, Allison admits she initially thought hospice care was only about dying.

What she discovered was something very different.

“The moment ellenor came into my life, I had a comfort blanket thrown over me,” she says.

“It wasn’t just for Paul. It was for me, my children and our wider family as well.”

Today, she believes the project has helped people see hospices differently.

For many of the adults who attend Peppercorns, visiting ellenor as part of the Bear Hunt has turned what might once have felt like a frightening place into a familiar and welcoming one.

“It’s not such a scary place now because we’ve come through the door and had a wonderful day,” says Allison. “It’s been happy.”

That sense of welcome is something she hopes families across Dartford will experience when they visit ellenor’s art trail this summer.

As people stop to admire Peppercorns Cub, Allison hopes they will see more than colourful artwork. She hopes they will see the friendships, memories and sense of belonging that sit behind it and the people who helped shape the community it represents.

“It’s a supportive network,” says Allison. “That helps people be the best that they can be.”

This summer, thousands of people will pass Peppercorns Cub. Among the colourful handprints are the faces of Del and Joan, still smiling, still part of the community that remembers them.