Activities at Corrina Lodge Care Home

Residents have planned what they would like to grow in the garden and have already started to sow a variety of seeds.

This year, we decided to decorate the cafe area for Easter.

On the walls, we put up all the Easter eggs that residents had decorated and hung up all the little pom-pom chicks, lambs and bunnies they had made. We also adorned our walls with some garlands made by residents and put out all the handmade Easter cards, which were for sale. Then we festooned the area with chocolate eggs and bunnies - and it looked wonderful.

We were all delighted to celebrate the 100th birthday of resident, Avis Kipps. To start the celebrations, Avis and her family enjoyed a four course meal prepared by our Chef. Afterwards, her family, staff and residents gathered for a surprise visit from the Mayor of Surrey Heath, who presented Avis with an enormous, beautiful bouquet of flowers. Everyone then enjoyed cake and champagne, whilst Avis took it all in her stride.

Residents can now relax in the garden to the tranquil sound of trickling water and the gentle tinkling sound of a wind chime.

Mrs June Walker made a donation to our home so that we could purchase a water feature, in loving memory of her wonderful late husband.

Her husband was a resident and he and June spent many hours together in the garden. June said she would love to see something beautiful in the garden for other residents to enjoy.

Stephen is a resident at Corrina Lodge and is a classically trained pianist.

Stephen regularly plays the piano for us, either at our visiting church service, or just for fun when there are residents in the lounge.

Recently, it was staff member Linda’s birthday, and as residents were waiting for the afternoon's group activity to start, Stephen sat at the piano; we asked Linda to "come and look at something" and, as she entered the lounge, Stephen played Happy Birthday on the piano whilst we all sang along. Linda was delighted.

Corrina was delighted to host a tea party for Age Concern UK. Once a month, on a Sunday, Age Concern relies on the local community to host an afternoon tea party for some of their most isolated members in the local community. Volunteer drivers collect these lovely elderly folk and take them to a venue.

Corrina held a double group event and we had 20 visitors. We supplied the venue, afternoon tea and homemade cakes and sandwiches and, most of all, our companionship. The organiser, Gill, held a free raffle and we all had a singalong. Mel, one of our activity staff, read some poetry.

We presented everyone with a little edible gift and thank you card.They all said it was the best tea party they had attended to date.

Residents made everyone feel very welcome and we all felt it was a great way to show visitors from the local community that Corrina Lodge is a warm, friendly and lovely residential home. We hope to host another tea party soon.