Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

This month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Cor Crescendo Choir into our home for the first time.

The talented ladies filled our space with beautiful songs, and even brought some sing-along favourites for our residents to enjoy.

It was a joyful afternoon of music and connection, and our residents absolutely loved every moment.

We’re so grateful to Cor Crescendo Choir for sharing their voices and brightening our day!

National Curry Week was created to celebrate the rich and diverse flavours of curry while also promoting awareness of South Asian cuisine and culture.
With many of our residents being fans of a good curry, we decided to take a trip on the local public bus to Belfoi Carmarthen for lunch. The meal started with a buffet of appetizers like onion bhajis, mozzarella sticks, and samosas. This was followed by a selection of rice dishes and an variety of curries, including Chicken Korma and Chicken Tikka Masala. The food, as always, was delicious, and the crispy poppadom’s added an extra touch to the meal.
The staff at Belfoi are always warm and welcoming, and our recent visit was no exception. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and enjoying our dining experience at the restaurant.
Thank you!!!
After our meal, we visited some of the local shops around the town which our residents also enjoyed.

During in October, we held a wonderful Harvest Service, led by the lovely Beti Wyn James. Beti graces us with her thoughtful and heartfelt services four times a year, and each one feels truly special. She always incorporates both English and Welsh, creating an inclusive and engaging experience for everyone. Our residents connect deeply with the readings, hymns, and the entire social aspect of the service.
The room was filled with both residents and visitors, and it was heart-warming to see so many smiles as people enjoyed each other’s company. The space was beautifully decorated with Harvest-themed décor, thoughtfully prepared by our residents.
In preparation, the residents had a great time working with the pumpkins, watching as they were carved and helping to place lights inside them. It added a lovely glow to the atmosphere, making the day even more memorable.

It's not just the big activities or group events that make a difference; it's also the small, intimate moments that matter. At the heart of everything we do is our residents' wellbeing. This month, during one of our one-on-one sessions, we took a peaceful walk through the local community. Our journey led us to the park, where we couldn’t resist hopping on the swings, reliving the joys of our youth. We spent time chatting, admiring the flowers, appreciating the calm surroundings, and simply enjoying the warmth of the sun. It was a beautiful moment, filled with connection and tranquillity.

Our residents recently participated in an engaging and educational session on crystal formation. They learned where some familiar crystals can be found and discovered the various uses of common crystals.

Following the lesson, the residents teamed up to create stunning crystal mandalas, and I must say, they did a fantastic job! It was wonderful to see the unique creativity each group brought to their designs. Group 1 proudly named their mandala 'Topsy-Turvy Tree,' while Group 2 chose 'The Relaxed Snowman' for theirs.

The residents were deeply involved in the activity, asking insightful questions and expressing fascination with the images of crystal caves they were shown. The session was not only informative but also provided a relaxing experience for everyone involved. Many residents mentioned how much they enjoyed the activity and are already looking forward to future sessions.

This month, our main dining room was filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked shortbread biscuits as the residents gathered for our baking club. Embracing the autumn spirit, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work creating beautifully shaped biscuits. The residents were so efficient that the first batch was in and out of the oven within just 35 minutes!

Eager to taste the fruits of their labour, they could hardly wait for the biscuits to cool before indulging. Their hard work paid off, as they baked enough to share with all three communities, staff members, and even a few lucky visitors who stopped by to enjoy these delicious treats. What an incredible job they did!