Activities at Overslade House Care Home

Residents at Overslade House had a brilliant day on Sunday 12th November as they marked the start of the Hindu festival of Diwali, popularly known as the ‘festival of lights’.

Residents helped with making colourful patterned rangoli and lighting ‘diyas’, small oil lamps which are lit to signify the triumph of good over evil. Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, the lamps help Lakshmi find her way into people’s homes. Volunteers Mithan and Mithra, conducted a talk about Diwali and performed some Indian Classical dancing for us.

Head chef Joanne Kolat-Furca prepared traditional Indian dishes including a range of warming curries, spicy samosas, crispy bhajis and papadums with lime pickle and chutneys followed by traditional Indian sweets such as laddoo and barfi for the residents to enjoy.

John resident at Overslade House Care Home commented: “I love all of the different cultural events that we celebrate here, there’s always something going on.  I especially like the religious festivals from other cultures and sampling the wonderful food.  It makes me feel like I am travelling abroad!”

Overslade House, was a den of ghoulish activity as the home’s spooky Halloween Celebrations got in to full swing.

Residents and staff got in to the spirit of things by decorating the home and creating Halloween decorations, we also had a welcome visit from Creative Mojo who helped residents create a Halloween masterpiece, congratulations to Jean for being Artist of the Day. Residents also joined in various spooky games and  enjoyed guessing the weight of our pumpkin.  Congratulations to our lucky winner Wayna who won a bottle of wine.  Residents also enjoyed a virtual event supplied through Barchester Healthcare from Zoolab who introduced us to some interesting spooky but friendly creatures, including tarantulas and large cockroaches.

Eve, a resident at Overslade House said: “It has been such a fun day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Halloween spirit. I really enjoyed the games especially the Halloween pairs game and also guessing the weight of the pumpkin Activities Coordinator Lead Julie Bateman told us it was at least the weight of a new born baby and my gosh it was, apparently it weighed  9lbs!!!”

Staff and residents Overslade House celebrated Bonfire Night with a bang this November 5th when they wrapped up warm to gather around and watch a fantastic virtual firework display and enjoy lots of seasonal treats and hot dogs, washed down with some Hot Chocolate.

The residents enjoyed traditional bonfire night treats, including hot dogs, and hot chocolate with marshmallows, beautifully prepared by the head chef Joanne Kolat-Furca.

Maureen said: “I have always loved Bonfire Night, and having a virtual display is new to me and so clever, it’s so lovely to celebrate these traditions all together.  The fireworks bring back so many memories of Bonfire Nights through the years, these times are so special.”

To mark International Men’s Day,we were treated to the fourth instalment in a series of live talks and tours hosted by Holly and Catherine from The Wallace Collection.

The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays the art collections brought together by the first four marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the likely illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Lady Wallace, Sir Richard’s widow, in 1897.  Displayed at Hertford House, formerly the principal London residence of the marquesses of Hertford, the Collection was first opened to the public in 1900.

Residents joined Holly and Catherine for an interactive exploration of seventeenth and sixteenth century art looking at two different marvellous men from our history.  First residents looked at a painting of The Laughing Cavalier by Dutch Golden Age painter Frans Hals which has been described as one of the most brilliant of all Baroque portraits. Then residents were shown a full piece of armour from the Collection, made for Sir Thomas Sackville. Although from similar eras, the objects portray very different styles and circumstances.

To celebrate Black History Month, we were treated to an hour in the company of Community Engagement Manager, Rhiannon Watkinson, from the RAF Museum in Hendon, London.  Residents enjoyed an interactive talk exploring the fascinating lives of some incredible African and Caribbean personnel.

Residents were able to discover the story of the first Black pilot who trained and flew for Britain, take in the trials and triumphs of a female Second World War instrument repairer and marvel at a modern-day fighter pilot’s journey from Woolwich to earning his wings.  The talk included photographic material from the Museum’s archive and a Q&A session where residents grilled Rhiannon about the amazing stories they had heard.

Rhiannon explained: “I think people are quite often surprised to learn that throughout its history The RAF has included members from all over the world.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to talk to residents and tell them the stories of some of the different personnel that have contributed to the RAF’s rich history and answer all their questions.”

Bex Vernon, Resident Experience Coordinator, commented: “We are excited to work with wonderful partners like The RAF Museum London to bring a wide range of fantastic experiences into our homes for all to enjoy. We’re so grateful to Rhiannon for sharing her expert knowledge with us.

Overslade House celebrated Harvest Festival by attending a church service within the home hosted by Gifts of Years.  Gifts or Years are volunteers from the local church who visit weekly to offer spiritual and emotional support to our residents. Pam and Cecil conduct room visits weekly and Angela also attends weekly to teach new songs and hymns to our residents.  Preparations have been underway for weeks to learn songs for the Harvest Festival. Overslade House are also fortunate to have monthly visits from Rev Alan Hulme to conduct Holy Communion.

Residents at Overslade House enjoyed attending the service with friends and family and members of the local community.  The home had collected a wonderful hamper of different foods and fresh produce to donate at the event along with all the other offerings from families, schools and community groups.

Ann, resident at Overslade House said: “I love Harvest Festival, it reminds me of so many church services I’ve attended over the years.  I loved singing hymns and seeing the children bring all their offerings to place on the altar.  It is lovely to think that ‘all is safely gathered in’ for another year.”