Activities at Hollyfields Care Home

On Wednesday 9th November, the presidential campaign wasn't the only thing people were talking about. Residents were visited at Hollyfields by four Alpacas. Residents and staff nicknamed the alpacas Obama, Clinton and, of course, Trump.

The alpacas visited residents in their rooms and joined others in the communal areas of the home. 

Residents were transfixed by the animals and loved stroking them. 

Hollyfields is preparing for World Food Day by collecting non-persihable food items from the general public and delivering them to local food banks in our area to help increase supplies for those in need.

Residents gathered in the communal areas of the home on National Poetry Day and were asked to think of a subject for a poem that we could write as a collective group. The theme that was then decided upon was 'home'. With this in mind, we asked all residents what home meant to them and to share their stories and thoughts with the group as part of a reminiscence activity. Ideas and suggestions were given and these were a few of them:

1) Heaven
2) Friends
3) Place of happiness
4) Memories of young children
5) Love & loss
6) Family
7) A place to reflect
8) Singing
9) Other people around them
10) Quiet and busy times
11) Fun times
12) Activities such as baking
13) Bing Crosby at Christmas
14) Cake & tea

So, with this in mind, we sat and discussed how people felt during these times, and together, we wrote this beautiful poem. Please click here to read it.

This was a great opportunity to share our thoughts and learn about residents' lives; a great activity to mark National Poetry Day.

With special thanks to: Catherine, Hazel, Isobel, James, Mercier, John, Colin, Margaret, Grace, Danny, Lionel & Pat - AKA Hollyfield's residents.

Lionel is a resident at Hollyfields Care home in Kidderminster and used to enjoy poetry quite frequently. 

Lionel said that his favourite poem is Vitaï Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt and that he will always remember the words and meanings behind it. Lionel was always a keen cricket player whilst in sixth form and remembers this particular poem well.

Lionel went on to recite it from memory alone.

Vitai Lampada

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night—
Ten to make and the match to win—
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
'Play up! play up! and play the game! '

The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; —
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
'Play up! play up! and play the game! '

This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind—
'Play up! play up! and play the game!

Sir Henry Newbolt

We hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning here at Hollyfield's - and it was a huge success! There was plenty of cake, tea and, of course, coffee for everyone to enjoy.

The Wyre Community Land Trust visited Hollyfields to help us pick apples from our orchard and juice them. We then bottled them and sold our product to anyone and everyone to help us raise money for the residents' fund.