Activities at Overslade House Care Home

Bookshelves are bulging at Overslade House where book worm residents were keen to get involved in World Book Day.

Staff and residents at Overslade House care home decided to host a discussion about residents’ favourite books.
Julie, the Activities Co-ordinator at the home commented: “Our residents all love to read and to discuss their favourite books so World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity for us all to spend the day with our noses in our favourite books. We also had a great debate about reading from print or electronically from a tablet, there were strong arguments from both camps!”

Resident Ambassador Anne Fletcher,  and resident Hazel Evans, read to Paddox Primary School in Rugby, weekly over Zoom and the children are asked questions about the story afterwards Anne said “it was so lovely to see the children dressed up in their World Book Day costumes, and they do so well with the questions which shows how attentive they are and how wonderful their memories are”

Held on March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day actually observes the death of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, but the day has come to be a huge celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

Staff and residents at the home marked the day by making shamrock decorations and   going on a virtual tour of Ireland, listening to Irish music and watching videos of Daniel O’Donnell in concert and River Dance on our big screen. To start the Celebrations residents were offered Guinness, Irish Cider, Baileys Irish Cream and a Cocktail called the Irish Mule which went down very well, this consisted of a tot of Jameson’s Whiskey and topped up with Ginger Beer.

Jean, resident at Overslade House said: “It has been a lovely day. I really liked making the shamrock decorations and the virtual tour of Ireland, and also watching the Irish Dancing and watching Daniel O’Donnell, that was my first taste of an Irish Mule Cocktail it was lovely”

Residents at Overslade House celebrated Mother’s Day with visits and video calls from family members near and far. The home was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and bunting for the occasion.

Staff at Overslade House arranged pamper sessions in our new Namaste and Nails room.  Residents were treated to gentle head and hand massages and received a full nail treatment.

Dot, a resident at Overslade Care Home, commented: “We have been so spoiled today, the staff always go to great lengths to make sure days like this are so special. It was lovely to be pampered and have my hands and nails done, it was wonderful to see my family and to be able to spend some quality time together plus we all had a fabulous afternoon tea, I absolutely loved it.”

Canine fans at Overslade House have been glued to their screens to watch the pups being put through their paces.  They have been avidly watching the judging of all the different breeds and waiting to see which dogs have been selected to go through to the next round of judging.  But best of all they love the agility competitions where the dogs all seem to have so much fun!  Residents then had a quiz to guess the dog breed, with some weird and wonderful names cropping up.  Our Activities Lead, Julie brought in her red Dachshund to meet the residents and the winner of best in breed was a beautiful longhaired red Dachshund.

Resident, John Smith, commented: “I have always been a huge fan of all sorts of different animals but dogs have to be my favourite, they are just such loving and loyal creatures.  Crufts is such great entertainment, I am so glad it is back – I just wish it went on for longer!”

Edna Griffis was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she received a telegram from the King and Queen Consort in recognition of her landmark birthday. Guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Joanne and everybody was entertained by the wonderful Richard King.

Before coming to Overslade House Care Home where Edna is enjoying a new chapter of her life, Edna was born 7th March 1923 and raised in Coventry.  Edna met and married Ronald who was in the RAF and was drafted out to the Middle East while they were married.  Edna and Ronald lead a colourful life and were married for 65 years. Edna loved to go dancing with Ronald at Courtaulds Social Club in Coventry.  During the war Edna made the covers for the aircraft, when aircraft were made of wood with canvas covers, this progressed to making the camouflage covers and then on to making car seat covers after the war.  Edna was an excellent seamstress and made many clothes for her children and her friends’ children.  During the War Edna had a tale to tell of how Parachutists landed near the Rialto in Radford formerly a Cinema in Coventry, Polish soldiers rushed out but unfortunately the parachutists were all instantly wiped out by landmines.  Edna is mother to two children Nick and Marsha, Edna has 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

The birthday girl, said: “well I can’t believe I am 100 years old, I don’t feel it and I  never thought I’d live this long, but just enjoy yourself and be happy that’s what you have got to do”

Among those relatives attending was Nick, Edna’s son.  Speaking about his centenarian mother , he said: “Edna  is and has been a fantastic mother and friend to so many over the past hundred years, and it’s wonderful to be with her on this very special day to say just how proud she makes us feel.”

Violeta Baesu, General Manager of Barchester Overslade House Care Home added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Edna is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.”

Our residents were treated to a special virtual sensory storytelling session.  Together with Art Historian Jon Sleigh and the Historic Royal Palaces community team, we explored several royal palaces through the theme of food, dining and celebration!

We enjoyed a fantastic taste-a-long experience from the comfort of our home, from Tudor treats to Stuart sweets. A lovely time was had by all.