Celebrating life at Barchester

Residents recently marked World Chocolate Day by taking part in a fun and engaging sensory activity, creating delicious chocolate rice krispie cakes on homes dementia community.

The wonderful hands-on activity gave residents the opportunity to enjoy the sights, smells, textures and tastes of chocolate while mixing and stirring their very own tasty treats. The whole experience encouraged all the residents to have conversations of the past when they used bake for their own family and friends. World Chocolate Day itself is celebrated on the 7^th of July and it is believed to commemorate the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550. Chocolate really is one of the world’s favourite treats, and this one day of the year brings all chocolate lovers to get together and enjoy everything that chocolate has to offer!

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It is really important that the home celebrates these unique themed events as it highlights the importance of such events in a care setting. Residents are able to get a break from normal routine and a chance to socialise, it is a reminder that life is full of small wonderful pleasures. Our residents had a great afternoon it was a resounding success, eating the chocolate was the part they all loved, in fact we all loved!”

General Manager, Larisa Bledea, said: “Our residents and staff enjoyed celebrating this wonderful day. The sensory activity for our dementia community was simple yet very rewarding, it was lovely to see the residents enjoying the smells and tastes of the chocolate, I am sure more was eaten than got melted!”

The residents and staff were delighted in attending the local ‘Dementia Sings Out’ group for an amazing morning of music. The group is held every Thursday at the Compass Church in Wellingborough.

The popular community group, is held every week on a Thursday, it is a group that brings people together who are living with dementia. Carers and family members also enjoy the uplifting benefits of music in a very welcoming and supportive environment.

Live entertainment was provided by Simon from Sunset Magic, who delivered a fantastic performance that featured a variety of well-loved songs. Residents could not resist the urge to join in singing along to familiar tunes, dancing with one another and reminiscing as the music bought back many treasured memories.

Activities Co-ordinator, Tina said: “Dementia Sings Out is a truly wonderful place for the community and our residents love to attend. It is filled with a joyful atmosphere, and proves once gain the benefits that places like these provide to the local community. We are so grateful for opportunities likes these that allow our residents to stay connected with the local community.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “It is lovely to see our residents and staff enjoying a morning with ‘Dementia Sings Out’, the enrichment this group creates in the lives of all living with dementia is recognisable. It is very important to have links with local groups, it not only allows for good community relationship, but also the impact these groups have on residents here at the home is truly amazing”.

The residents and staff  were treated to a truly unique and glamorous experience as they hosted their very own pop-up shop and a race afternoon to mark Ladies Day at Ascot.

Residents welcomed Anne and Julie from ‘Count down Cares’, who have been bringing fashion to care homes and surrounding communities for over 12 years. Anne and Julie’s passion for style and their devoted commitment to reaching diverse communities shone through as they transformed a section of Elm Bank care home in to a treasure trove of delightful clothes. The purpose of the visit was to celebrate ‘Ladies Day at Ascot’, along with a race day afternoon, the day was a true hit with something for everyone.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “The residents had a truly wonderful time browsing through the racks of colourful clothes, all within the comfort of their home surroundings. It was lovely to see residents discussing colours, patterns and reminiscing about their own fashion choices throughout their lives. It was not just about the clothes, it was about the joy and the fun residents had, the chance for them to indulge in some personal pampering and self-expression. We ended our day her with a race afternoon, there really was something for everyone.”

Larisa Bledea, General Manager at Elm Bank said: “It is lovely to see everyone together, and celebrating Ladies Day at Ascot, and to have Anne and Julie bring the whole shopping experience to Elm Bank was brilliant. The residents had the opportunity to try clothes on and it was great to have family come in to join in. the race afternoon was a lovely end to the day.”