Activities at Milford House Care Home

It was a great afternoon as residents, friends and family enjoyed our Vintage Tea. Even the Bank Holiday weather played along, and we were able to set up our tables in and around the courtyard, in bedrooms and even on balconies so that families could get together for what was our last outdoor event of the summer. We had our special and surprise guest for the afternoon, Cosmic Sparkle who entertained everyone with a great playlist of songs that were the perfect accompaniment for the event. Our tables looked lovely with all our vintage china, pretty tablecloths and settings and our delicious cream tea with strawberries and a glass of pink fizz hit the spot. It was a great afternoon and thank you to everyone who came along as we also raised money for our 2023 charity River Bourne Community Farm and The Salisbury Hospice Charity.

It was a great day out at the Middle Wallop Museum of Army Flying and for one resident in particular it brought back memories of his time serving there during the war. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming and a special thank you must go to those serving in the barracks and our wonderful escort Tom who let us look at the hanger number 2 where our resident had been based and who also let us look at the old accommodation buildings where everyone was billeted that were the same ones that had been used in World War II. Stories and memories were swapped and it meant so much to be able to retrace footsteps that brough back so many memories - it was a very special visit. The displays inside the museum were also fascinating and it definitely won't be long before we are back!

One of our residents wished that she could visit our local lavender farm - and of course we just had to make that wish come true! On a slightly cloudy but warm day a small group enjoyed a great morning touring the Cottage Gardens at the New Forest Lavender Farm before heading back to the Lavender Tea Rooms for a delicious lunch. The gardens were looking gorgeous and, as well as the lavender, everyone was very taken by the gorgeous dahlias on display as well as the tranquil lily pool at the end of the cascade. Lunch in the tea rooms was delightful and cosy and we particularly liked all the bunches of lavender hanging down from the rafters to dry. It was a really relaxing and enjoyable outing, and to finish with there was a little retail therapy with little parcels of heart shaped lavender shortbread that just had to be taken home - now these were truly scrumptious!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that, following a nomination earlier in the year, Yi-Lam has been announced as one of three finalists for the Arts in Care Homes Award, part of the NAPA (National Activity Providers Association) Members Awards, at a ceremony which will take place on the 6th October. Residents and colleagues were delighted to hear the news and celebrate with Yi-Lam as she was presented with flowers for this outstanding achievement and accolade.

Anyone who visits the home and passes by our Art Gallery will have seen the lovely work that the residents have produced in our art sessions over the summer, and we all love seeing what the groups will create next! Over the last few months the residents have been working on a series of works celebrating River Bourne Community Farm which will go on exhibition at Waterstones in Salisbury at the end of August. With perfect timing this project was completed just as Yi-Lam was announced as a finalist - so to celebrate the announcement a group of residents gathered with Yi-Lam to show off some of their completed works. Congratulations again to Yi-Lam on this outstanding achievement and, needless to say, we will all be cheering her on come 6th October.

Residents have enjoyed spending time out and about in our local neighbourhood and they began with a trip back to nature with a wonderful walk along the boardwalk running alongside the River Bourne at Whitebridge Spinney in Laverstock. Two minutes from the home in our mini-bus, this peaceful circuit through the willows and greenery along the bank of the crystal clear river was a perfect morning outing. Everyone enjoyed looking at the informative boards dotted along the route that highlighted some of birds, animals and fish that we might see and we used the vantage points to sit and look while enjoying some lovely dappled sunlight. Another close-by favourite is the Café at River Bourne Community Farm where we regularly enjoy a cup of coffee and cake coupled with a warm welcome before venturing out to see the animals weather permitting! We had trouble tearing ourselves away to go home!

Our amazingly creative residents have just finished this fabulous artwork as part of our series of pictures based on our trips to River Bourne Community Farm and are justifiably proud of the result. Everyone fell in love with the gorgeous Highland Cattle on one of our visits and the photo we took served as the inspiration for the colourful piece created using recycled fabric - and what a gorgeous and fun interpretation they have made. It is one of a series of works (which you can currently see in our in-house art gallery) that will hang at Waterstones in Salisbury which will go up at the end of August. What's next? - can't wait to see!!!