Activities at Hollyfields Care Home

Here are Hollyfields we are doing everything we can to support not only our residents but also their friends and family through this tough time. Staff are really embedding the whole home approach with activities and the atmosphere is pleasant, fun and engaging.

Our local Tesco store donated some flowers to our home for Mothering Sunday which enabled staff to sit and engage with them whilst opening their cards and gifts from loved ones that had been left for them, this also enabled some of our residents who used to do flower arranging for their hobbies maintain some of their skills and enable reminiscent activities.

We’ve also been keeping up to date with our relatives and friends of Hollyfields & Ivy House by the means of Skype & Social media allowing residents who are living with dementia the opportunity to keep that recognition of their loved ones alive. Residents have enjoyed talking to and seeing their families with the help of our dedicated staff team.

We have also extended our Pen-Pal Scheme to other schools in the area before they closed their doors to help with social distancing. Both Franche Community Primary School in Kidderminster & St Anne’s Primary School in Bewdley have joined us to enable pupils to carry on with their reading and writing skills, knowing that their letters, poems, drawings or stories will bring a smile to our residents when they receive them. We have proven over the last three years now that intergenerational projects such as these really do increase the wellbeing and spirits of our residents.

Staff have been joining residents for cinema clubs with residents choosing their favourite films to watch. Oh Course no cinema is complete without the smell of freshly made popcorn which “tastes as good as it smells” said one resident.

Taking part in Nutrition week, staff provided fresh fruit smoothies, homemade cakes and biscuits, hearty breakfasts and relaxing afternoon teas.

The sunshine has finally come out to play “Hip, Hip, Hip Hooray” and residents have enjoyed short walks around the grounds picking daffodils and taking in the fresh air keeping social distancing in mind of course. The smells of the flowers and the smells of the farmers’ fields didn’t exactly go hand in hand, but did bring opportunity for meaningful reminiscence.

‘CONNECT’  is our new scheme which has featured on BBC Hereford & Worcester, again encourage those who are self-isolating not to be alone but join us for a chat over the phone or to put them in contact with services that me able to help them during this difficult time.

Thank you for taking time to read our letter & until the next time,  STAY SAFE!

Staff at Hollyfields received assortments of flowers & chocolates from local businesses in Bewdley and Kidderminster to say thank you for their dedication and hard work whilst caring for the most vulnerable during this time of uncertainty and current pandemic.

Gifts for the staff were donated by Bewdley Co-op on Load street, Tesco Express stores in Load street Bewdley and the Aldi superstore on the Stourport Road.

It was so generous of these companies to show their appreciation to staff working in care during these tough times.

Residents jumped on board their minibus to enjoy a scenic tour of the countryside and ending up at RAF Cosford for a day of reminiscing and education. 

Residents who worked in the RAF and some that trained at RAF Cosford spoke to staff and shared their stories of both exciting yet sad times for some. 

One of our residents, Ray, said: "it's really interesting to come and see all of the different aircrafts and models; it brings back so many memories." 

Reminiscent sessions are very popular at Hollyfields, especially when they are personalised. Donna Reeves, Senior Carer at Hollyfields took ten minutes from her busy day to have a conversation with one of our residents, a former football legend from 1968.

Mike used to play for Aston Villa FC and loves his sport, so Sporting Moments reminiscing book from Active Minds was the perfect book for their session today.

Both of them enjoyed looking at quotes and pictures from the book and discussing the varied sports they came across.

Residents at Hollyfields were treated to delight of ukulele fun and frolics recently by the fantastic Ukes On The Edge. Residents sang along to festive hits as well as songs from the 60s and 70s.

Residents, staff and visitors at Hollyfields were delighted with their Festive Silent Disco this Christmas. Residents dressed up, wore headsets and danced along with glow sticks to some of their most favourite Christmas music hits. This was a fantastic evening that took us right into the night with everyone smiling and laughing, enjoying themselves by remembering that their memories matter.