Activities at Atfield House Care Home

As we gathered around the table with a glass of sherry, we begun listening to film music and  name the films they belonged to.

Soon Residents started to remember the names of their films, they loved and had seen in cinemas. Peter mentioned the magnificent 7 and we delved into the music of the wild west with gun shots and the sound of galloping horses! Seven brides for seven brothers brought back memories for many and the cheerful sounds of singing filled our ears. The west side story music also much loved and remembered brought us into a romantic and serene atmosphere, and then we  were transported into the bliss-full heights from the sounds of music. Sybil said this were the good old days! She and others sang along to the sound tracks as we enjoyed the peacefulness of a January day and the sun rays peeping through the window at Atfield House.

Residents and family members enjoyed the new year`s eve party at Atfield House. Staff members were excited to put on a special celebration as the final Party of 2023 for our Residents and family members. The dining room was specially prepared for the event, with a long festive table, decorated with colourful balloon displays. Our chef took special time to make the salads and cheese board look attractive. There were Christmas cakes, baklava and cream cakes to enjoy. A selection of hot and cold drinks could supply every ones taste and needs. Crackers, humus and cheese was very welcome spread to some of our visitors too! But before everyone started feasting, we watched a slide show, put together by the activities team, showing snap shots of all the special moments our Residents enjoyed in 2023! This was followed by the performance of Christmas tunes, performed by a Violinist. Peter was impressed and  remarked, how well in tune she played! Her tonal quality was lovely and our Residents were well pleased with her performance. After everyone had some savoury and sweet treats with some drinks and opened their fortune cookies, we gathered at the garden door. When we opened it , the fireworks sparkled and crackled outside to the delight of our Residents and family members. With some blankets to keep warm, Gillian, Isabella, Peter and other Residents watched the fireworks. Laurence was excited to see the final display of sparklers and came with staff assistants to the garden, to hold a sparkler in his own hands! As everyone went back to their room, Residents remarked what a lovely party it was, and said, everything was good! the food, the music and the fireworks was a lovely surprise!

For our Christmas party on the 16th of December, we invited the Rah Rah theatre group to perform an interactive pantomime of Jack and the Bean-stalk. The rendering of this Story was especially designed for nursing home settings and had lots of interaction with the audience and sing along opportunities of well- known songs from the era of the 1940`s to 1960`s! Our Residents responded with delight and enjoyed the performance. To the sing- along, one could see many raised hands of family visitors and their loved ones! After the performance there was a buffet, for all to enjoy with; mulled wine, cold drinks and sweet and savoury nibbles! After we all had some refreshments we gathered once more for a few carols, accompanied by Margory on the violin and Carmen on the guitar. Friends, Family and Residents joined in with “o come all ye faithful”, Once in a royal David`s city, silent night and “Hark! The herald angel sing” It was a joys event, and it was lovely to see so many visitors and Residents fill the room. We are looking forward to our next event already! Thanks and well deserved praise also to the three actors, who performed very well and sang lovely too!

A group of 10 Residents from Atfield House ventured out on the 14.of December to see the deer in Richmond park. As the related cousins of Santa Clause`s Reindeers, this seemed the perfect time, to try and get a viewing of these lovely creatures with their impressive antlers! As we entered the park, through Richmond gate, the deer were grazing on the meadows  and shouts of “on the left” were heard in the mini bus! We saw brown deer, striped and speckled ones, and as we stopped for some refreshments outside of Isabella plantations, the deer were just grazing outside of our mini bus! The warm mulled wine, with the sandwiches, our chef prepared, and the mince pies, went down a treat!

As the sun was setting over the horizon, we set off, to drive back through Richmond high street, to see the Christmas lights. The lights and the hustle and bustle of the street, was an exciting sensory experience for the eyes. Isabella and Beryl thanked us for the experience and the lovely refreshments, Rosemary smiled with excitement, but all were happy to reach back into the warmer surroundings of Atfield House.

Pupils from Gumley House school, visited our Residents on Monday the 4 th of December. As they entered the building, they carried with them boxes, it seemed like a never ending  train of hampers! The pupils came also ready dressed for their Nativity performance, which they rehearsed with Martina, the chaplain. They engaged the Audience with a prayer and a heart-warming performance of the Nativity story. A screen was set with a backdrop to enhance the experience with pictures. The Pupils then prepared a Christmas Bingo for the Residents and engaged with them, sitting around the tables, enjoying drinks and some mince pies! Gillian was the first winner and the happy recipient of a gift, Stuart did not wait long to shout ”Bingo” !  and also received a gift! The intermediate Jokes made our Residents laugh out loud!

When we gave our speeches of thanks and praise, we all posed for a group photo and ended the visit with a “we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year” chorus!

We were truly moved by the effort, that the pupils of Gumley house school had made to present such a lovely morning to our Residents and had also collected so many gifts !

Special thank goes also to Martina, who masterminded the howl project!

As the November month progresses, Diwali, with all its traditions and colourful displays and  candles, to light up every home, has approached us. We at Atfield House like to celebrate many diverse cultural celebrations and festivals, to support and celebrate the diversity of the people in our community. Diwali is as important for the Hindu`s, Sikhs and Buddhists and Jains all over the world, as Christmas is to Christians! The main meaning is to celebrate light over darkness, good over evil. It is also a celebration of the new year in the Hindu calendar. Gifts of sweets are given and a prayer, called Pooja  takes a very central stage in the celebrations. Our staff members took great pride and care, to transform the hallway and the dining room with colourful garlands and flowers, to create a Rangoli pattern with light displays for the celebrations. It looked truly stunning and beautiful!

At the centre of the dining room we arranged  the tables for our Residents to be entertained with introductory talks about the meaning of Diwali, Music and dances, followed by spicy and sweet treats and a cup of chai! Beryl and her visitors enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere around the table, socialising and watching the dancing and tasting the different foods! Stuart and Jean were interested to read the informative papers, laid out on the tables. Gillian enjoyed the foods and chai ,along with the entertaining music and dance! It was a lovely afternoon, were staff, residents and visitors enjoyed themselves together in a relaxing atmosphere. The colourful decoration and traditional Sari`s, worn by the dancers,  made this experience even more invigorating!