Activites at Broadway Halls Care Home

The sun shone brightly over Dudley on May 8th, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Red, white, and blue bunting was on display in the home, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and music.
Dudley College students had spent weeks preparing handmade bunting for the VE Day party.
The highlight of the morning came when the ex-local MP, Marco Longhi, arrived. Dressed smartly in a navy suit, he greeted the residents and staff, he spoke warmly about his past visits to the home and shared special memories.

In the afternoon, the celebrations began with Union Jack boules. Residents were put into 2 teams, a red or blue team with a white jack ball as the target. Residents had to boule as close to the jack as possible. Residents took turns rolling their ball across the carpet, laughter ringing out whenever a particularly wobbly throw sent a boule veering wildly off course.

Near the finish line, the red team watched in fascination as the teams were tied 4-4 and needed their last ball to move the blue ball out the way for the win. Antony lined up a shot. The ball rolled perfectly, nestling right next to the jack, knocking the blue boule out the way. The red team cheered with delight. 
As the afternoon stretched on, the lounge filled with a sea of smiles, conversation, and clinking teacups. 
The 1945 victory songs were played with residents waving their hand flags. It brought back sad and happy memories. A family member of a resident said, “That’s a day she’ll never forget.” It was clear that Broadway Hall's VE Day celebration had created memories that would last for years to come. The VE celebrations carried on today with Bramford Primary Updates school visiting us with VE Day activities and games.

The residents shared life experiences, stories, and wisdom, helping children understand the past in a personal and meaningful way. The children also taught the residents about new technology and what activities they do at school and in their spare time. 

There was magic in the air at Broadway Halls Care Home today, as residents stepped through the looking glass into a world of wonder, laughter, and music. The dining room was transformed into a scene straight out of Alice in Wonderland, complete with oversized teacups, clocks stuck at teatime, and a cast of charming characters.

Residents and staff alike embraced the spirit of the occasion, wearing costumes, masks and a spectacular array of wild, wacky, and wonderful hats. From Mad Hatters to Alices, Cheshire Cats to Queens of Hearts and the most random hats around the world, the home was bursting with colour, character, and creativity.
But the fun didn’t stop with the masks. As the tea flowed and the cake stands emptied, the music turned up, and the floor turned into a Dementia Disco. Familiar tunes from across the decades had everyone clapping, singing, and most importantly dancing with staff. 

Broadway Halls’ tea party and disco wasn’t just about fun, it was about connection, creativity, and care. For many residents living with dementia, music and themed activities like these help unlock precious memories and bring moments of clarity and happiness. As the final notes of Dancing Queen played and the tea cups clinked in cheers, one thing was certain: this was a day no one at Broadway Halls would soon forget. In fact, plans for the next themed party are already brewing… and who knows what magical world they’ll step into next.

At Broadway Halls Care Home, two lifelong football fans, Fred and Ian, often spend their afternoons reminiscing about the glory days of the beautiful game. Both men shared a deep love for Wolverhampton Wanderers, or “the Wolves” as they fondly called them. For years, they had followed the highs and lows of their beloved team, their rooms adorned with black and gold memorabilia.

So when the opportunity came through the Wolves Make a Wish Trust as part of a community engagement initiative, their dreams edged closer to reality. With the help of Activities Lead Scott, whose dedication and care made all the difference. Fred and Ian were granted their heartfelt wish a visit to Molineux Stadium, the proud home of the Wolves.

The excitement in the air was electric as the trio arrived. Their first stop was the Wolves Museum, a treasure trove of memories and history. Fred’s eyes lit up as he pointed out photos of matches from decades ago he attended while Ian stood quietly in awe, soaking in every detail. But the real surprise came when they were introduced to two Wolves legends, John Richards and Steve Bull. The ex-players welcomed them warmly, and the group sat down for a good chat over hot drinks and a plate of delicious sandwiches. Fred couldn’t stop smiling, and Ian, usually a man of few words, found himself laughing and swapping stories with the legends.

As the afternoon sun began to dip, the group was led out onto the wolves pitch. Standing there, in the heart of the stadium they had only ever seen from the stand, was a moment of pure magic. The ex-players then signed our wolves shirts and the residents were given a free wolves memorabilia gift bag, which was a perfect touch to a perfect day. 

“This is something I’ll remember forever,” Ian said softly, his eyes glistening. Fred nodded in agreement. “It’s been a memorable day, a day I will never forget. Thanks." Thanks to the compassion of the Wolves of the Wolves community and Scott’s hard work, a simple wish became a day full of joy, memories, and dreams fulfilled. For Fred and Ian, it wasn’t just a visit to a football club, it was the return to a place where their hearts had always belonged. 

The spirit of Easter was alive and well at Broadway Halls this year, as residents enjoyed a day filled with laughter, gifts and community. The celebrations brought everyone together for a joyful mix of traditional festive treats, 

The Easter egg hunt was a bit of a wash-out, but a resident still braved the weather to finish the hunt in Priory Park for a chocolate bunny.

Residents enjoyed a joyful film Mamma Mia on TV, singing along while enjoying their sweets or Easter chocolate bunnies.

We had a fun-filled day yesterday, as we raised a glass and tasted top ales in recognition of National Beer Day.

Some of our residents enjoyed a trip out in the minibus to the local pub and got involved in beer tasting and reminiscing about the younger days and what local pubs they used to drink in.

We also spent time learning about craft brewing and the history of beer! It was a wonderful day for everyone.

What a wonderful day out on the water! Our residents had a fantastic time on a narrowboat trip on the Staffordshire canal, enjoying the peaceful scenery, fresh air, and lots of smiles along the way. It was a lovely change of pace and a great opportunity to relax, chat, and soak up the beauty, wildlife and countryside.

Residents enjoyed lunch at the local fish and chip shop. It was delivered to the boat. The food was very nice.  Thank you to the amazing crew on Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust who made the journey so smooth and memorable. 

A resident said thank you to the staff for organising such a special outing. It’s my first time out of the care home and I can honestly say it’s been an amazing day. It’s given me so much confidence from small walks to socialising with others, I’m already looking forward to the next adventure!

James Bickley, Running, Personal Training and Keep Fit for the Elderly, leads the movement to music exercise class for residents.

The room was full. Residents enjoyed attending the monthly class on the first Wednesday of every month. They had a great time, there was a lot of fun and laughter while keeping fit at the same time. 

A married couple, who have lived at Broadway halls since 2021, have never missed a class since they arrived. They said it’s a great way to improve and maintain our mobility, balance, and overall well-being.

Broadway halls celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with a live performance from Katie Collins School of Irish Dance.

A talented group of Irish dancers put on a show for the residents. It was an amazing experience for everyone that came to visit. The talented young ladies enter competitions across the UK. 

A resident said, "What a lovely afternoon it’s been. I used to do Irish dancing and, when I was young, I remember winning the village dancing competition in Ireland near Cork, before I moved to Dudley many years ago now."

The residents at Broadway Halls enjoy the fresh air, so when the weather is nice, they love to get outside and have a nice stroll around Proiry Park and the castle ruins. This activity is always in our weekly planner and anyone can join us. There is always so much to see from the wildlife to the wedding ceremonies at the Dudley Registry office which is in the park. Residents love to see the bride in their dress.

Engaging residents in walks around the park and trips to the castle ruins offers numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. Physical, in the form of regular walking, improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility, contributing to overall physical well-being.

Mental, in the form of spending time with nature, can lower stress hormone levels, leading to relaxation and improved mood. And social, in the form of group walks, encourages social interaction, fostering a sense of community and belonging amongst residents.

Exploring local historical sites like the ruins can stimulate conversations and shared learning, enriching social bonds and sharing memories.