Activities at Ashcombe House Care Home

As part of our intergenerational program of activities, the local students from Queen Marys College who are studying Health & Social care have been designing an activity program for our residents every Tuesday afternoon. The students have been thinking about the variety of activities they can deliver as well as the benefits that it brings to the residents. This has been really good fun, this week the students hosted their own mini bake off with residents. With cupcakes, biscuits and low sugar snacks available, residents were tasked with who could do the best decoration. Unfortunately the students couldn’t award just one winner so everyone was crowned a champion.  The residents enjoyed sharing their decorated snacks with staff and other residents around the home there was something for everyone. Resident Peggy absolutely loves the students visiting and will often help them select an activity ( usually one she enjoys) for the following week and seeing the relationships grow between the generations is wonderful to see.

The minibus was full and we headed off on a sunny day to Henley on Thames for a boat trip.  Residents loved the scenery as we entered Henley most having never been here before. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park before boarding the Rivertime Boat Trust craft. Our skipper Lucy was very knowledgeable having grown up in Henley and pointed out places of interest and even a few stars houses along the Thames.  We were lucky enough to see the ladies rowing teams out practising for the Henley Regatta.  A wonderful day was had by all and we all slept well that evening.

Residents and staff decorated the home and held their own celebrations to commemorate the 80 year anniversary of the D –Day Landings. Many residents remember this vividly and we spent the morning reminiscing and remembering those that gave their lives for us.

The afternoon was a celebration, with entertainer Anthony Allgood singing some war time hits and well-loved songs from yesteryear.

Residents enjoyed a three hour trip along the Basingstoke canal. Boarding ‘DAWN’ in Odiham , residents enjoyed the beautiful scenery, wildlife and wonderful weather sharing memories. Canal Barge DAWN has wheelchair access and is run by the Accessible Boating Association, a charity run by volunteers the charity maintain two specially equipped boats,  allowing anybody with mobility or socialising difficulties to enjoy day trips or longer cruises with carers, family and friends on the Basingstoke Canal.. We were captained today by Volunteers of the charity who shared their knowledge of the canal and its history.

We set of East towards Winchfield passing the picturesque Old Thatch Cottage before reaching the Barley Mow Wharf and winding hole just beyond where we moored up to enjoy a picnic lunch on-board.

Peggy Gary a resident of the home said “I’ve had a truly fantastic day, with great company and lots of laughs along the way. I even had a try at being the captain and steered the barge which is something I have always wanted to do”

Mellisia Irwin senior carer said “ Its lovely for residents to be able to get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery and tranquil setting, everyone has had a lovely time, I know I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

World Cocktail Day is a global celebration of cocktails, the date marks the publication of the first recorded definition of a cocktail on May 13 in 1806 as a ‘stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters’.  World Cocktail Day invites everyone to try something new, and perhaps a little exotic, this special occasion is celebrated by cocktail lovers worldwide.

Whether you’re a tequila fan, a whisky lover, a gin aficionado or you just like to mix it up and try something new, World Cocktail Day has something for everyone. It was certainly a day of fun-filled tastings for the staff and residents.

To mark the day, residents had so much fun drinking their own Mocktails, from Fruity Sunrise, Non Alcoholic Sangria and virgin Mojitos there was something for everyone to enjoy. Once the Mocktails had been shaken or stirred they were taken around the home on a cocktail trolley making the activity fully inclusive to everyone at the home.

Joan Howes a resident commented: “This was brilliant fun, seeing the cocktail trolley all decorated and getting to sample some mocktails, there really isn’t anything better.  I very much enjoyed trying some different mixes, I always like to try new things”

We have been working alongside Queens Marys College as part of the health and social care course, students were tasked with designing a weekly planner full of activities for our residents. From these activities residents selected those they would like to take part in, so students came and delivered a pot decorating session at the home. Using decoupage techniques residents decorated ceramic plant pots, the students provided all the equipment and delivered the session. Residents really enjoyed the interaction and the students were fantastic, explaining what they were doing and taking their time to help. Students asked if they could come back the following week and assist the residents to plant the pots with seeds.  The planting session was a huge hit with residents and the room was full, everyone planting seeds of either flowers of herbs. The students came up with a competition to see who could grow the tallest sunflower so every resident at the home had a seed planted and the students will be returning to see how they are growing and when ready will be assisting to planting in the homes garden.