Activities at Pentland View Care Home

The home recently enjoyed an up-close and personal experience with some feathered friends thanks to the North Coast Birds of Prey experience, who was kind enough to visit the home in August. Bringing a selection of owls, as well as a Harris Hawk, it was an incredible experience for the residents, staff, friends and family to share. 

As we learnt about these fascinating and beautiful birds of prey, it was a privilege to also be able to get close and hold and stroke them. It was beautiful to watch everyone’s faces as they met these gentle and friendly birds, and many shared the experience with their family and friends, making the experience even more special.          

We enjoy getting out and about, not only in our lovely garden but also in the surrounding areas. From music and a cool drink in the garden or a walk across the street to enjoy the stunning view, to library outings, coffees and cake in the town, a browse round the shops, or just a scenic drive, it is so important to have these kinds of outings that people have always enjoyed. 

As you can see by the smiles on everyone’s faces, these are a much-looked-forward to part of our week at Pentland View.        

As football fever swept the nation, we were not any different here at Pentland View. Football Highlights were shown daily, and we definitely enjoyed watching videos of the Tartan Army bringing the kind of joy that only they can to the World Cup.

To celebrate and join in on the fun, we had our own Scotland day, where the staff wore their Scotland tops and we celebrated with pride all things Scotland. From World Cup bingo where the winners took away mini IRN Bru bottles for prizes, to singalongs and dances to some of the best Scottish anthems, we made sure that everyone felt like they were a part of the joy and the hype.

We were very honoured to be the launching home for this year’s Tour de Barchester, a charity cycle between the Barchester homes in Scotland. As the launching point for the tour, we thought it only right to greet the cyclists in style, as well as send them off with a bang! 

The cyclists were welcomed in to the tune of three local pipers, and greeted by the Lord Lieutentant of Caithness, Lord Thurso, and the home’s manager, Megyn. They were welcomed in for a breakfast prepared by the hospitality staff, including hot and continental options, and enjoyed mingling with a lounge full of residents. 

They could also stop and have a selfie at the selfie station provided by a local events service. When they’d warmed up and had a good breakfast, it was time to hit the road, but not before a lovely speck by Lord Thurso to send them off. It was a fantastic morning that had everyone buzzing!          

We were very grateful to welcome back Isla and her beautiful Mainecoon cat and kittens from Geise Farm Mainecoon Cattery. They bring so much fun and mischief with them, and always brighten up the whole day with their special kind of Mainecoon magic. 

From purring in the residents' laps and arms, to frolicking and playing and walking the corridors proudly to visit rooms, these bundles of fur put smiles on everyone’s faces! It’s always beautiful to watch the residents connect with animals, and they often bring even the quietest people out of their shells. They really do work a special kind of magic when they visit, with their healing purrs and soft fur.    

In August, one of our residents, Willie, enjoyed a very special visit from his grandson Lee and his partner Cora. As Willie always asks how the horse is getting on, they were kind enough to bring their beautiful horse in to visit Willie. This was special enough, but they were also kind enough to share the experience with any residents that would like to see the horse up close, as well. 

Cally was very patient and gentle with the residents as she enjoyed strokes and being fed apples and polo mints. This gentle giant was a hit, especially with Joan, who kept horses, herself, in the past, and was delighted to get out and spend time with the beautiful Cally.

Would we let National Ice Cream Day pass us by without enjoying a tasty treat? Absolutely Not! On the perfect warm and sunny day to enjoy a frosty treat, the home was visited by the North Coast Scoops ice cream van for some delicious treats. What is more reminiscent of summers past then enjoying a 99 or tasty dish of whippy in the sunshine? The residents enjoyed going out to the van to pick up their orders, and then sitting outside in the beautiful garden to enjoy their treats in the sunshine.    

Every person enjoyed a treat, whether in the lounges, the garden, or their rooms, and it was quite remarkable how fast the ice creams disappeared! One gentleman requested an ice cream cone as he said that it was one thing he missed, and was delighted when he and his wife had two whippy cones delivered to them in the garden. The light from his big smile could have melted the ice cream on the spot! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and we will definitely have them back again! We enjoy bringing these experiences to the home so that everyone can enjoy the experience as inclusively as possible.

Our ladies do love a trip into town to look through the shops, and, of course, for a cuppa! We recently enjoyed a walk round the town while the sun was shining, and managed to pop in to a few of the local shops to peruse the wares. The ladies laughed and chatted and enjoyed seeing what was on offer. 

We then visited a new coffee shop that had opened up and treated the ladies to a cuppa, which we then sat and enjoyed on one of the benches in town and people watched. The ladies enjoyed chatting with passers-by and were delighted to see some adorable babies and dogs. 

The residents are always happy to see the local dancing schools perform, and in May we were lucky to have a performance from Aileen Simmonite School of Highland Dance. 

These performances always bring back happy memories of the residents’ own dancing days, or those of their children, and there was many a misty eye as the dancers whirled and jigged. It was lovely that the dancers had a chat with the residents after, as well.    

Sometimes it is in the familiar, simple things that we find the most joy and comfort. For one of our weekly mini-bus outings, we took Isabel T and Hazel on a run to Tescos in Wick, along with Jimmy the therapy doll, of course! 

From enjoying lunch in the café to walking around the shop while pushing Jimmy in the trolly, it was a meaningful and fun time out for the ladies, who also did a spot of shopping! We always try to make sure that the outings are meaningful for the residents, and personal to the things that they have always enjoyed doing. This way, they are able to continue to keep doing the things that have always enjoyed.   

We have been very fortunate over the month of August to enjoy multiple live music performances in the home. Two highlights were the Halo trad Band and Alan Small, who played accordion for us. Music is a universal language which always manages to touch our hearts and souls, and leave us smiling and happy for the rest of the day. These performances were no exception, with residents up and dancing, singing along, and tapping their feet and clapping their hands to the familiar and favourite tunes. 

We are very fortunate to have so many talented local musicians who are happy to spend their time playing for us, and we are always eager to have them. Music is often the key to unlocking memories and feelings within us that may otherwise go unexpressed, and it is always very special and touching to watch it happen in real time and to share in the memories and joy unlocked by music.  

In July, we were once again visited by the North Coast Animal farm and their selection of small animals; always a favourite for the residents, staff, family and friends alike. This was an open event for family, friends and the community, and the residents enjoyed sharing the experience with their loved ones as well as local children who visited. From the fluffy to the scaley, there was something for everyone. In fact, the residents were quite brave and seemed to especially enjoy Sid the Royal Python, as well as the leopard gecko and bearded dragon quite a lot!   

Not to say that the bunnies and guinea pigs weren’t also a hit with their soft fur and twitchy noses. In fact, more than one person reminisced about how they had their own rabbits or guinea pigs growing up. One resident even proudly showed off his photos of his and his sister's rabbits that they used to raise. The animals always bring smiles, reminiscence and great conversation when they visit the home. The fun was also taken round the home to those to preferred to remain in their rooms so that anyone who wanted to meet the animals had their turn for a cuddle. The event was made a bit more sparkly by the addition of prosecco cocktails, which were a great hit with all.

Some of our gentlemen enjoyed a trip down memory lane when we visited the Halkirk Heritage Centre and Vintage Cars. This is an outing that always resonates with our residents, and our latest visit was no different. The gentlemen shared stories as we walked and looked at the cars and memorabilia. 

From one of the gents remembering exactly where he sat in one of the rooms when it was a school house, to another who worked there for years when it was a plastic fabrication plant, we learnt so much about the gentlemen from the visit. Jimmy’s daughter volunteers at the centre, so it is dear to his heart. There is also a very sentimental item of his on display there: a boat that was gifted to him and his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary. It’s so lovely taking the residents to places that are special to them!

We are very fortunate to have two local music sessions visit our home for intergenerational music sessions, which are always very popular. 

Play Away Music visits us on Wednesday afternoons for their intergenerational music classes, and Moo Music visits us monthly for intergenerational music fun, as well. These sessions bring so much laughter, fun and joy to the residents, and everyone in the building, and often lift the mood for the entire day. 

Whether remembering singing similar songs to their own children and grandchildren, or just enjoying the music, dancing and babies, there is always something for everyone.            

After 27 years as our administrator, Lyn is retiring! Lyn has been a foundation at Pentland View for so many years, that we are not sure what we are going to do without her. From helping with any and every enquiry around the home, to chats and having a laugh with the residents, Lyn’s presence could always be felt and she will be greatly missed. 

To mark the occasion, the residents and staff threw her a retirement party, complete with prosecco (and nosecco) cocktails and a Bailey’s cream cake. It was a lovely, heart-warming afternoon. You might recognise some familiar faces from over the years in the photos, as well!