Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

The staff and residents celebrated the arrival of the Chinese New Year in style. The dining room was beautifully decorated with hanging Chinese symbols, and everyone had a great time learning about the traditions and superstitions of the festival. One of the highlights of the day was the Chopstick Challenge, where residents had to use chopsticks to transfer fruit and chocolate from one plate to another. In the evening, our Chef cooked up a delicious oriental feast, which was served with prawn crackers.

Gill Allcorn, one of the residents, was particularly impressed with the decorations, which brightened up the dining room. She also enjoyed the dragon costume worn by the Activities Co-ordinator, which made everyone laugh. Using chopsticks was another highlight of her day, and she found it fascinating to learn about different New Year traditions.

On December 29th, staff and residents wrapped up warm and boarded a traditional carriage on the New Year Lights of the Valley Train.

Gwili Railway is one of the UK’s most picturesque preserved lines. Set in beautiful countryside with abundant wildlife, the line follows the River Gwili on a steady uphill journey through farmland and wooded hillsides.

Residents had a brilliant time on the Steam Train that was dressed in sparkling neon lights. They were greeted on arrival with mince pies and Sherry. The group loved seeing the local area from a different view and the conversation flowed for the whole of the 90 minute journey.

Hazel Julian, a resident said: “I have seen the Gwili Steam Train so many times over the years, but I have never been on it, but always wanted to. It was a wonderful journey and I would definitely do it again! I can’t stop smiling.” 

The residents were all buzzing after this journey and thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon adventure.

Every month we hold a service within our home. Helping residents to maintain their spiritual beliefs and to receive communion is an important feature in our Monthly life enrichment programme. The residents come together through prayer and the singing of hymns and they also have the option to receive communion or a blessing. They are then given the opportunity to speak to the reverend after the service. This month we were visited by Sarah. She is wonderful at providing a meaningful service and choosing wonderful familiar hymns. She also delivers room visits for those who may be unable to attend. One of our residents, Gill, said “That was a wonderful service. Sarah is really easy to talk to and is great with everyone. That service really was lovely to be a part of”. The links with the community and church is important to us here at Plas y Dderwen and it promotes the residents well-being and encourages social interaction.

On January 24th we hopped onto our minibus and took a short trip to the Nurture Centre in Carmarthen Town.

There we joined a group run by People Speak Up, where we were able to get crafty in a variety of ways. Some of our residents chose reed weaving, whilst others enjoyed painting and some of our residents learned a new skill by attempting the pottery wheel. Some were a little unsure at first, but they soon got into it and they created some fabulous pots, which we will hopefully paint when they are all dried out.

We were also treated to storytelling by the talented Ceri, who tells the most amazing stories and the residents listen to them eagerly until the end.

Taking part in creative and artistic activities can create feelings of well-being, boost self-esteem and can help with enhancing fine motor skills.

It was great to meet new friends and it was also a good chance to get to know each other by chatting over a hot cup of tea.

Barchester set a competition for all of their homes and hospitals, to make the most Creative Christmas Cake and it was only natural our residents would want to get involved. They all got together to make a plan of what recipe to use, and how to decorate it. They then set to work. They enjoyed talking about their own experiences of their own cake making of years gone by and some of our residents definitely showed their skills during this challenge. The way Shirley cracked those eggs and the way June stirred up that mixture was beautiful to see.

It was wonderful how the residents all worked together and when it came to decorating the cakes, they did our home so proud! Even though we didn’t win the competition they are all winners in this challenge and they got to enjoy the cake, which tasted delightful!

A wonderful evening was had by all, when Mr and Mrs Clause took a break from the North Pole to visit our home. Santa thought our decorations were extra special this year, so he wanted to be a part of the celebrations.

Staff and families brought their children for a special visit to see the man in red, and the residents loved having a personal visit to their room and to learn they are on the Good list this year! Everyone who visited Santa each receive a special gift and the joy on everyone’s faces was full of Christmas magic.