Activities at Rivermead Care Home

We took a wonderful virtual trip to Iceland and visited the SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary to have an inside look into the daily care of their two resident beluga whales: Little White and Little Grey.

Our residents were introduced to the history of the Beluga Whale Sanctuary and learnt more about its mission to provide a more natural home for belugas in human care with a first-hand look at how the dedicated team are not only caring for the whales, but preparing for their future in the sea sanctuary!

It was an enjoyable event for everyone, learning more about the amazing beluga whales and how they are cared for at the sanctuary.

To celebrate World Photography Day, we were delighted to hear from Professional Photographer, Damian Bailey who spent some time guiding us through different photography tips and techniques.

We all had a wonderful afternoon and are excited to be taking part in the #BaileyBarchester competition where we look forward to putting all the tips and ideas learnt during the talk into practice. 

Thank you, Damian Bailey Photography.

“Appen as on Sunday ‘twere ‘Yorkshire Day’, celebrated all over God’s Own County by the good folk. Over a brew and some butties at Rivermead we ‘ad a look at some of Yorkshire’s finest, b’which we mean famous firms founded ‘ere, an’ the like, such as M&S, Morrisons and Asda for starters! ‘Course, if we ‘ad t’name all the world-beatin’ Yorkshiremen and women, why, the list’d stretch from Scarborough to Skipton! 

Now, theer’s nowt s’queer as folk, an’ next we ‘ad a quiz on what furriners call ‘The Yorkshire Dialect’, which be a way sayin’ that they don’t know ‘ow to speak proper! Eeh by gum, some of ar residents were proper flummoxed by posers such as, ‘What are Liggers?’* or ‘Mithering’.** or ‘Nang,’*** or ’Shiverthewink’!****

It were a reet grand afternoon, ducks, and despite some silin’ the scran were champion and we filled ar cake’oles! I tell ye, we was reet chuffed!

The cheerful orchestral sounds of the old fairgrounds of our distant youth filled Rivermead on Wednesday afternoon when a local business kindly brought a magnificent old fairground organ up the drive to entertain the residents and staff.

The ornate organ, carried on a lorry, looked superb with its florid fairground decoration, its carved, brightly coloured, moving figures and folk-art floral decorations. The repertoire was well-known to the residents, who sang along with ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’, ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’, ‘It’s a Long Way to Tippererary’, ‘Keep the Homes Fires Burning’ and many more WWII era classics. The rich sounds kept us entertained all afternoon and filled the home. The manager, nurses and careers soon appeared and danced energetically to the non-stop melodies. ‘Please bring it back again next year,’ said resident Vivien, as another resident happily conducted the invisible mechanical orchestra of trumpets, reeds, warbling flutes, glockenspiels and percussion.

The cat competition announced last Sunday excited cat-owners for miles around, and the Rivermead residents and staff loved seeing your ‘clowder’* of cats. There was the well-covered ’Seven-Dinner Sid’, a sleeping cat cuddling a sleeping baby, a white cat with one blue and one green eye, a cat climbing from a washing machine, cats in boxes, an incredibly cute kitten called ‘Archie’, a mother and kitten, tabbies, ginger, black and black and white purrers, and all of them beautiful in their own way. That is why on Wednesday last, the residents took quite a while to make their choices. The result would be based on which pouncer got the most votes… 

…And the winner, by a whisker, was black and white Stitch! She is a one-year-old, nervous of temperament but probably destined to get used to the limelight and early stardom. Can owner Nicole get in touch next week with Rivermead to claim her Marks & Spencers Gift Voucher!

Manager Sarah Jackson thought this was the best competition yet, and resident Vivien asked if we would be having a Dog Competition next? Well, why not! Watch this space for news.

We had a lovely time joining V&A Dundee curator, Kirsty Hassard, as she introduced us virtually to the history and design of night clubs and the club culture from the 1960s to present day.

We explored the evolution and development of night clubs around the world, from Italy to America, and closer to home, looked at their importance as cultural venues and designed spaces.

This current exhibition celebrates night clubs at a very important moment, as we all look to a brighter future where everyone can come back together, to dance and to enjoy nights out once again.

We all enjoyed the virtual talk.