Creative Caring

As always, carers have demonstrated their creativity through fun and innovative events for their residents

Home to help celebrate St David’s Day. Musical sheep farmer John Hughes, a regular visitor to the home, was joined by Jess the therapy dog and a group of local schoolchildren.

Starter for ten

Residents from Signature Senior Lifestyle’s family of 38 care homes had their fingers on buzzers as they took part in the care home provider’s take on University Challenge. Teams of four residents pitted their wits against each other, answering 60 questions covering current affairs, film, history, world geography and a picture round.

Story time

Pre-schoolers from Back to the Garden Childcare visited residents at New Care’s Statham Manor Care Centre to mark World Book Day. Dressed as characters from their favourite stories, the children read books with residents in the care home lounge.

Ice dream

When residents at Excelcare’s Sherrell House were asked which activities they had always dreamed of doing, they came up with the idea of ice skating. Staff organised an inclusive session with a trained leisure centre team at Romford’s Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre, and residents were able to glide on the ice from the comfort of their wheelchairs.

Life of Pie

Four Seasons Care Homes celebrated British Pie Week with a range of pastry delights. Shankly Pie, named in honour of famed Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly, was top pick at the Merseyside homes, while Cumbrian residents tucked into Cumberland Pie and Lancashire homes served Manchester Tart. Residents got involved by making pastry and reminiscing about favourite local pies.

Comfort dolls

MHA Mapplewell Manor has introduced three HUG dolls to help residents living with cognitive impairment and dementia, and those in end-of-life care. The weighted dolls, which have beating hearts in soft bodies, aim to comfort residents and replicate the feelings they would get from hugging a loved one.

Pen pals

Residents of two Colten Care homes in Dorset, Fernhill and The Aldbury, have exchanged letters as part of a new pen pal exchange scheme. Fernhill plans to invite The Aldbury residents for lunch so pen pals can meet and chat in person. Companionship team member Melissa Siat said writing skills improve memory, help with dexterity and emotional wellbeing and keep residents sociable.

Singing sensation

Internet star The Singing Farmer joined residents at Newtown’s The Oaks Care

Speedy Sally

85-year-old Sally Webster, a resident at Care UK’s Deewater Grange, soared over Penrhyn Slate Quarry at 100mph on a 1.5km zipline – the fastest in the world – from 500 feet high. Sally, who paraglided over Morzine ski resort in the French Alps in her mid-sixties, added her wish to the home’s Wishing Tree, and the team made it come true.

Bunny business

Two Puddington care homes enjoyed visits from real Easter bunnies. Peter, Sally and Rosie, named by residents, moved into the grounds of the Chapel House Nursing Home and Plessington Court Residential Home just in time for Easter.

Beautiful butterflies

Residents at Barchester’s Falmouth Court care home teamed up to create a beautiful display of paper butterflies for the window of their local Sue Ryder charity shop. Staff members report that residents are thrilled to see their work on display and are eager to start on their next creative project.

hit songs while residents guessed which familiar face was behind the display. Residents enjoyed six songs by nine team members before a big reveal showed the faces behind the act.

Hat trick

Boutique Care Homes’ Easter bonnet design competition was won by Sheila at The Burlington for her ‘eggstravagant’ Easter chick bonnet. Judges were impressed with the attention to detail and the creativity that went into the design. The organisation also ran a Spring poems competition, with winning entries published on its website.

Egg-citing gifts

Children from Little Hoole Primary School in Walmer Bridge visited residents at Ribble Court Care Home to sing songs and deliver Easter gifts. The children, some of whom had relatives in the home, presented residents with mini Easter eggs in beautifully made packaging which they had created as part of a design technology class project.

Scarecrow parade

Around 60 Basildon schoolchildren took to the streets dressed as scarecrows as part of a collaborative project with care home Mundy House. The Archie Project aims to connect local primary schools with older people, especially those in care homes, to dispel the fear and stigma often associated with dementia and create more dementiafriendly communities. Children have been taking part in arts and crafts sessions with residents.

Home comforts

Staff at MHA Hillside supported resident Joao Lima to visit Portugal, the country of his birth. The admin team helped arrange a citizen card and passport for Joao who had always dreamt of revisiting his home country. He spent seven days in Portugal, staying with family and visiting the places where he spent his childhood.

Behind the Mask

Staff from Care South’s Dorset House care home in Poole treated residents and their families to a ‘masked singer’ event. Hidden behind masks made by children from Muddy Boots Nursery and a glittery gold screen, team members from Dorset House care home covered

Easter extravaganza

Easter activities at Colten Care’s 21 homes included a visit from the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, bonnet making and singing. At Abbotts Barton in Winchester, children from Harestock Primary School joined residents for an Easter crafting session, while 11 local children took part in an Easter egg hunt. At Fernhill in Longham, there was an Easter parade complete with bonnets and bunnies along with songs performed by entertainer Paul Hammond.

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