Activities at Hempton Field Care Home

‘Festa della Repubblica’ or Italian Republic Day is celebrated in Italy on June 2, every year. Yesterday our residents welcomed the opportunity to get involved with an Italian themed day.

Our morning exercises were to Italian music, and lunch consisted of a range of Italian breads with pesto and sundried tomato to try with an olive oil and balsamic dip to start. Chef served his especially prepared lasagne and mushroom risotto with fresh vegetables for main, and our residents had their choice of a plummy red Merlot, or crisp white Pinot Grigio with their meal.

There was much debate on deciding which dessert to choose; tiramisu or lemon sorbet? (Several had a little of both… when in Rome!).

We had such a fantastic day, learning all about Italy; from the waterways of Venice to the vineyards of Sicily, before finishing the day with pizza making! Chef was very impressed with their topping skills and served the individual creations for supper.

Thanks to the collaboration of Chinnor Parish Council, South Central Ambulance Service and Barchester’s Hempton Field care home in Chinnor. The SEVENTH public access defibrillator has just been installed and ready for use.

The lifesaving equipment unit is located to the front of Hempton Field care home on Lower Icknield Way in Chinnor. The equipment has been kindly funded by Chinnor Parish Council. Spokesperson Susan Ashdown, advised this latest installation supports the target to provide Chinnor with a public access defibrillator within every 400 metres, strengthening Chinnor in becoming a ‘safe community’. 

Hempton Field, a former doctor's house, situated a short distance from the centre of Chinnor felt an ideal location for this invaluable community resource. Care Home General Manager, Sharon Thursby said: “Our residents and staff were delighted, and extremely proud when they heard this potentially life-saving defibrillator would be installed to the front of their beautiful home.” 

On installation, Elizabeth Schwarz, and Fiona Mantle from the Chinnor Community First Responder team, part of South Central Ambulance Service explained that each defibrillator can be accessed by dialling 999 for a key code. “Should you suspect a cardiac arrest, the emergency services will pin-point your location and, if appropriate, direct you to the nearest public access defibrillator. It's really easy and safe to use, you don't need any medical expertise”.

Chinnor Community First Responders run regular training sessions as required, Contact the Chinnor First Responders through the Parish Council office on 01844 353267. For more information please call our home manager on 01844 351766

Photographer: Ian R White

The gardening club at Hempton Field are really getting stuck into creating their sensory garden. The team have such big plans for the courtyard, and will be upcycling as much as they can to help 'save the planet'. We look forward to keeping you posted on the amazing things they create to decorate this communal space.

Today our residents enjoyed everything ‘Spanish’ the theme suggested by resident; Gwen. 

Chef prepared a traditional Spanish lunch, including; tapas style prawns to start, with Chicken and Chorizo paella, followed by a traditional almond cake and cream. Our residents enjoyed listening to Flamenco music whilst dining.

It was so lovely listening to everyone sharing memories of holidays in Spain, and trying to remember Spanish words and phrases. After lunch they gathered together for a siesta, and virtual tour of 'places to visit' in Spain, whilst sipping a delicious Sangria - Que viva España!

When rain stops us playing outside, our residents love to test each other’s brain power. This afternoon, they played the trivia game of ‘Make Your Point’. It led to lots of fun discussion and debate, with Mabel out shining the group and collecting the most points.

The gardening group are really enjoying the planning and design of our new Hempton Field ‘sensory garden’.

Today, the team worked on creating innovative planters from plastic bottles. We’ve been discussing the importance reducing waste, and the things our home can do to support ‘save our planet’.

Our residents made a start by saving several plastic bottles from the recycling, and planting a variety of herbs. The herb containers will hang in the garden as a feature display, to provide colour, scent and taste, once our chef utilises within his dishes throughout the year; saving money, time and landfill!