Activities at Vecta House Care Home

Yesterday, we had an absolute blast celebrating World Photography Day here at Vecta House! We were so excited to welcome back the incredibly talented Michelle from Michelle Jackson Photography to help us mark the occasion with our residents, their families, and our staff.

Michelle, with her amazing creative eye, set up a fantastic photoshoot with a variety of fun props, including some vintage cameras. Our residents had a great time striking a pose and smiling for the camera. After their turn in front of the lens, Michelle gave them a quick lesson on how to use the cameras themselves. It was wonderful to see our residents enjoy being on the other side of the camera, capturing some special moments of their own!

A huge thank you to Michelle for helping us celebrate World Photography Day in such a fun and engaging way. We can't wait to see the final photos!

Vecta House is a care home that believes in making residents' wishes come true and helping them continue to pursue their passions. Today the activities team at Vecta House had the honour of helping resident Moira relive her love for sailing.

Moira's passion for sailing began in 2000, when she and her husband lived in West Cowes. They took a sailing holiday to Nydri, Greece, where Moira earned her RYA qualification and sailed a 28ft cruising yacht. Upon returning home, she volunteered with the Classic Boat Museum, sailing a gaff-rigged dinghy called Black Bess on the River Medina.

Over the years, Moira and her husband bought their own 6m cruising yacht, Rochelle, which they would sail to Osborne Bay for meals on summer evenings and take on trips to various harbours, including Portsmouth and Itchenor. They particularly loved sailing the Beaulieu and Hamble rivers.

Moira longed to get back out on the water, and thanks to the Vecta House activities team, she did! They organized a special boat trip with Wetwheels Solent from Yarmouth. Moira was in her element, laughing and shouting, "Go, go, faster, faster, I'm loving it!" as the powerboat sped through the waves The sun was shining, and the views of the Needles were breath-taking. We believe it's incredibly important to support our residents in making their wishes come true and to help them continue their interests and passions. What a wonderful day we had with Moira!

At Vecta House, we believe in supporting our residents' passions and making their wishes a reality, no matter how big or small. The joy it brings is truly meaningful and makes a lasting impact. Recently, our resident Bob, a lifelong football enthusiast, shared some wonderful memories with our staff. Bob's passion for the sport started in his youth, and he even played as a centre forward for Southend United before joining the RAF, where he continued to play.

Bob expressed a wish to visit the Southend stadium again. Unfortunately, due to health and travel distance, a visit wasn't possible. However, our fantastic activities team wasn't ready to give up! They reached out to the Southend United Ex-Players Association, sharing Bob's story and his fond football memories.

The association's response was incredibly heart-warming! They kindly sent Bob a personal letter, a copy of their newsletter, and, best of all, an official Southend United scarf. This morning, we presented Bob with his special gifts. As he finished reading the letter, a huge smile spread across his face, and he simply said, "That's amazing!"

It was a truly touching moment to see the joy this thoughtful gesture brought to Bob. We are so grateful to the Southend United Ex-Players Association - SUEPA for helping us make Bob's day and reminding us all of the power of community and kindness.

We were so happy to welcome back the wonderful children from Summerfield’s Primary School. This time it was Reception class for a very special games afternoon.

The room buzzed with excitement as the children, armed with their whiteboards, sat with our residents. It was beautiful to see them drawing, practising writing their names, and playing classic games like noughts and crosses together. The enthusiasm from the children was infectious, and our residents responded with such tenderness and warmth, making every child feel welcome.

There were so many heart-warming moments! Eve absolutely loved spending time with one little girl Harper, where they drew around each other's hands. Bob enjoyed a fun game of noughts and crosses and gently encouraged the children to write their names. And Rita truly lit up, surrounded by the children, clearly feeling a wonderful sense of purpose and sharing her care and love.

It was a fantastic afternoon of intergenerational connection and joy, and we can't wait to have the Reception class back again next week!       

Vecta House care home was buzzing with excitement as residents enjoyed a spectacular tea dance, made even more special by the dazzling presence of Strictly Dance Isle of Wight.

The talented dancers from Strictly Dance, adorned in their incredible, sparkling outfits, treated everyone to a captivating demonstration of various dance styles. From elegant waltzes to lively jives, their performance brought a touch of ballroom magic right to Vecta House.

The atmosphere was electric as residents watched with delight, many tapping their feet along to the music. And the fun didn’t stop there! Towards the end of the afternoon, residents were invited to join in, and many eagerly took to the floor, showing off their own moves and enjoying a fantastic dance with the professionals.

It was a truly memorable afternoon filled with music, laughter, and plenty of sparkle, highlighting the vibrant and engaging activities we love to offer at Vecta House.

Residents and staff at Vecta House care home recently tumbled down the rabbit hole for an enchanting Mad Hatters Tea Party, transforming the garden into a whimsical wonderland.

The sun-drenched garden was a spectacle of Alice in Wonderland decorations, with splashes of vibrant colours and playful props bringing the beloved story to life. A beautifully laid table took centre stage, adorned with charming details that perfectly captured the mad hatters' chaotic elegance. Delicate fine China added a touch of sophistication to the whimsical setting, making every tea cup and saucer a part of the magical scene.

Our dedicated staff fully embraced the spirit of the day, donning fantastic Alice in Wonderland costumes and delighting everyone. But the true stars of the show were our wonderful residents, who proudly showcased the ingenious hats they had crafted especially for the occasion.

The air was filled with joyous melodies thanks to the live music, which provided the perfect soundtrack for the afternoon merriment. Guests indulged in a delectable spread of classic tea party treats.

It was a truly memorable day, filled with laughter, good company, and a touch of wonderland magic.      

Today, we had the immense pleasure of celebrating 50 years of Summerfield’s Primary School being open by attending their incredible "50 Fest"! From the moment we were met at the gates by their warm and welcoming staff, we knew we were in for a treat. The school had gone all out to make it a real festival – with colourful flags, charming bunting, an array of exciting stalls, pony rides, a delicious ice cream van, and even a vibrant dance floor with a fantastic DJ! The atmosphere was simply buzzing!

Our residents were so excited to join in the fun! It was heart-warming to watch the children enjoying the pony rides. Ann and Gordon, ever the sport, even challenged the children to a lively game of "splat the rat," which had Ann in fits of laughter, and Gordon proved to be a real pro at popping water balloons! Next, we ventured to the glitter art stall, where Gordon bravely chose a cool dinosaur tattoo, and Ann opted for some beautiful, colourful glitter on her face – she looked absolutely radiant! Then it was off to the music area, where Ann couldn't resist having a little dance – she's got some moves! We rounded off a perfect afternoon with a fun photo at the "50 Years of Summerfield’s" photo booth, capturing memories we'll cherish.

It was truly a fantastic afternoon, and we are so grateful to have been invited to join the school for their milestone celebrations. It was also incredibly special to see the beautiful cherry blossom tree that Vecta House donated, now proudly planted in the school field. The benefits of intergenerational projects like this for our residents are immeasurable! Spending time with the younger generation brings so much joy, energy, and a fresh perspective. It's wonderful to have such a fantastic connection with the younger generation at Summerfield’s Primary, and we genuinely look forward to many more years of making precious memories together!  

What a wonderfully relaxing "Namaste" afternoon we had today at Vecta House! Our communal room was transformed into a tranquil oasis, bathed in calming lights, diffused with soothing essential oils, and adorned with flickering candles and various sensory items. We even had adorable interactive pets bringing smiles to everyone's faces!

Residents enjoyed delicious brioche rolls and croissants, accompanied by a glass of wine and delightful French music playing softly in the background. Nurse Bex provided wonderful aromatherapy massages, offering a truly therapeutic experience that helped residents feel deeply relaxed and at ease. Tanya also brought joy by painting nails, adding to the feeling of pampering and well-being.

The benefits of this afternoon were clear to see! Residents felt incredibly relaxed and happily socialised throughout the event, fostering a strong sense of community and connection. The interactive pets were a particular hit, providing comfort and engagement. It was truly heart-warming to see everyone unwind and enjoy themselves so much!

We're already looking forward to our next calming activity! If you have loved ones who would benefit from a caring and engaging environment like ours, please don't hesitate to reach out.  

What a heart-warming day we had at Vecta House Care Home, as we welcomed some very special furry friends from The Donkey Sanctuary for a wonderful pet therapy session!

Even though the skies were a bit cloudy, it certainly didn't dampen our spirits! Our residents absolutely loved venturing out into the garden to meet these gentle giants. There were so many smiles as everyone got to spend time petting the donkeys and chatting with their amazing keepers.

Our residents were full of great questions, asking all about the donkeys' diets and their average lifespan. It was lovely to hear some of our residents share their own memories, with some recalling making regular donations to the sanctuary, and others reminiscing about their days working on farms with ponies and horses.

A huge thank you to the Donkey Sanctuary for bringing so much joy to Vecta House today! We can't wait for their next visit!  

Today, they enjoyed a fabulous outing to Brading Downs, chauffeured in style by Andy from Hamilton and Marshall in his amazing limousine. Talk about feeling like VIPs!  

Upon arrival, everyone soaked in the breathtaking views while enjoying a delicious ice cream, kindly treated by Andy. Our lovely Ann particularly enjoyed reminiscing about her own drives up the downs and sitting on the bench – she said it was "absolutely lovely"!

On the way home, we took a scenic drive along the Sandown seafront, and Ann pointed out some of the hotels where she used to work! It was wonderful to see everyone having such a fantastic time.
A HUGE thank you to Hamilton and Hamilton & Marshall Funeral Directors for bringing so much joy and creating such wonderful memories for our residents today!

What a spectacular afternoon we had at Vecta House Care Home! We were absolutely thrilled to host our annual Classic Car Show, and it was an event filled with joy, music, and fantastic memories.

A massive thank-you goes out to the incredible members of the Vectis Historic Vehicle Club Ltd who graced our grounds with a stunning array of classic cars. From the sleek Aston Martin to the charming Morris Minor, it was a favourite for everyone! Our residents absolutely loved admiring these beauties, with some even getting the chance to sit inside their top picks. The club members spent time chatting with our residents, sharing stories about their cars, and sparking wonderful reminiscing chats that brought smiles to many faces.

The atmosphere was made even more vibrant by the incredibly talented Hanna Nixon, who performed live music throughout the event. Residents gathered around, clapping and even dancing along to her wonderful singing! And of course, no event is complete without delicious treats! Our selection of refreshments and tasty hot dogs were a huge hit and went down a treat with everyone.
We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who made this day so special:

* A huge thank you to all the members of the Vectis Historic Vehicle Club Ltd for their continued support in making this such a memorable afternoon.
* Thank you to our amazing staff for all their hard work in making today's event such a success.
* And a special shout-out to our fantastic kitchen staff for the delicious refreshments.
* Last but not least, thank you, Hanna Nixon, for a truly wonderful afternoon of music and entertainment!

It was a truly heart-warming day, and we're already looking forward to next year!

What an absolutely fantastic afternoon we had at Vecta House Care Home as we launched our very first Dementia Disco! The home was transformed into a vibrant party paradise with bright colours and disco-themed decorations, setting the perfect scene. A massive shout-out to Mrs. DJ Ann (Ann Abe) had her full disco set-up, complete with music decks and dazzling lights! She kept the dance floor buzzing with a brilliant selection of tunes and even took special requests from our residents. 

Our residents were truly the stars of the show, dressed in their best disco gear with their glow sticks ready to light up the floor! Friends and families joined in the fun, and it was wonderful to see everyone dancing and having a great time. Some even enjoyed a refreshing beer or glass of wine to complete the party atmosphere! 

This event was more than just a disco; it brought so much laughter, joy, and connection to everyone present. It truly was an unforgettable afternoon.

Lilian and her son, Paul, were picked up in ultimate style by Andy from Hamilton & Marshall Funeral Directors in their fantastic limousine for a private drive around our beautiful island. They even stopped at The Downs for a delicious ice cream, soaking up the glorious sunshine and admiring the breathtaking views. What a truly special way to celebrate!

It warms our hearts to create such memorable experiences for our residents. A huge thank you Andy for working with us to organise this wonderful outing! 

Today was an absolutely lovely afternoon in our Carisbrooke Unit, where we hosted our wonderful Knit and Natter group! We got everything ready for our ladies, with tables full of colourful wools, different-sized needles, and plenty of pattern books to inspire them. And of course, we brought out our best china for tea and delicious cake! 

The room was buzzing with chatter as everyone knitted away. They shared tips on different stitches, showed each other their unique ways of casting on, and reminisced about their past creations. Eve told us she used to knit jumpers for her children, and Peggy shared a funny story about knitting a whole jumper only to find holes from missed stitches! 

Even our staff got a lesson from the incredibly experienced Betty, who shared all her top knitting tips. It was such a joy to see everyone socialising, sharing stories, and getting creative together. Moments like these truly make Vecta House a home.  

What a joy it was to welcome back the wonderful children from Summerfield Primary School for our intergenerational book club after half term! Our residents were absolutely thrilled to pair up with the children and dive into a variety of books together.

We had such a fantastic time! Betty was her usual cheeky self, entertaining everyone with her cracking sense of humour and making us all laugh out loud. And Gordon was incredibly patient, helping the children who were a little stuck on some words and even sharing some of his own amazing artwork with them.

It's truly heart-warming to see the connections that form during these sessions. We're already looking forward to welcoming the children back for many more book clubs in the future!