Activities at Pentland View Care Home

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.    

Staff and residents at the home sent Lyn off in style with prosecco (and nosecco) cocktails, tasty treats (including a Bailey’s cream cake) and presents to thank her for many years of dedication.  It was a lovely afternoon filled with tasty treats, friends, co-workers old and new (including former manager Morag Lindsay, Seaview’s manager Gayle Magennis and their administrator, Barbara Smith, and clinical development nurse Lorraine, Lyn’s daughters Megan and Bronwyn and grandson Ross), and of course, the residents. 

Everyone at the home has very fond memories of Lyn and she will be sadly missed, though wish her all the best in her retirement as she deserves it!

Residents, staff, and guests alike were very happy with a surprise performance by Brandon McPhee, who kindly offered to play for us this month. The feet were tapping, voices raised in song and a few brave souls even got up for a dance. Brandon is a firm favourite in the home and his music can be heard being played most days, so this was a lovely treat that brightened up everyone’s day. 

Along with the performance, residents and visitors enjoyed a wee dram of whisky or Bailey’s, giving the occasion a very festive feel.  

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.   

Pentland View proved that World Book Day isn’t just for school children with a day of celebrating all things bookish. With both lounges decorated as Wonderland, and the activities team dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter, it was set to be a magical day. Staff joined in by donning wizard robes and bookish accessories to keep the fun going. From reading our favourite books and magazines, to bookish quizzes and films, we had a lot of fun. 

There was even a bit of foolish wand waving!      

We loaded up the mini bus one day this month and headed to Annie’s bakery with some of the ladies for a tasty lunch and some lovely scenery. From loaded jacket potatoes to sausage rolls almost as long as our forearms, and, of course, some delicious cake and a cuppa, it was a fantastic time filled with laughter and fun. 

It is so important that we continue to get out and about and to enjoy the things that we always have and, as you can see by the ladies’ faces, they had a fabulous time!    

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!            

Our friends from Pennyland Primary’s P7 class visited once again for a good time. Each resident teamed up with a couple of students and pitted their wits against the other teams in a general knowledge trivia quiz. The subjects ranged from maths and sciences to geography and sport and the questions were tricky! In fact, some of them had the residents wondering if it was time to go back to school! It was a fantastic time spent with our young friends, and we were very happy to see them. 

The winner of the morning went to Dolly and her seven clever students, with a prize of chocolate Easter eggs going to each of the team members.

The Caithness Big Band visited us in February and provided us with a fantastic evening of music. Toes were tapping, voices raised in song, and the music was so good that it had us up and dancing as well as dancing in our seats! What fun we had singing along to popular big band favourites and having a whirl around the room or a shimmy in our seats. 

Music is a universal language that we all speak, and, like animals, touches our souls. It is also special that a few of our residents know members of the local bands personally from their own involvement with the local music scene over the years, which makes these occasions even more meaningful for them.