Activities at Sutton Valence Care Home

At Sutton valence our Residents Lynn and Adele enjoyed a trip to our local garden centre in Staplehurst Kent. They had a lovely afternoon soaking up the amazing Christmas decorations that were on display and it got us all excited to start putting up our very own decorations soon in the home. Before home time we stopped off at the coffee shop for hot chocolates and of course a slice of cake.

While we might not be keen on displaying Skeletons, Ghouls and Ghosts in our home, we definitely enjoyed the amazing flower display that Emma said she just 'threw together' for us.  The display of Autumn flowers and Berries was amazing. Our plain Pumpkin did not turn into the Cinderella carriage but a beautiful display to share with everyone.  As Lynn said, “it certainly was not just thrown together.” which is what our Emma was trying to get away with saying.

Halloween would not be the same in Sutton Valence without the 60 plus hand knitted pumpkin hats that arrive every year. They are used to cover a little chocolate treat or piece of fruit for our residents and we thank Heather for her time and efforts.  The little hats are collected and recycled to new-born baby units in our community.

We have been sharing preserved fruits and savouries, enjoyed making lanterns, and looking at bright flowers all in celebration for Diwali. This is a beautiful family Festival of Light. Sabitha is a Senior Nurse and gave up her time to explain how the family make special foods, and worship different Gods over several days. They take gifts to Brothers, who have a family role to help protect them and they enjoy family time together.

This may seem a brave subject to touch on and especially with various residents all with different needs. However, this was a subject that a small chat group enjoyed talking about and more importantly they wanted to listen to those that are happy to admit they have had moments where mental health has been an issue for them and share their stories.

Eileen was happy to say she is of a generation where you “Got on with it!” A generation where it was hidden and maybe it was a weakness, or a taboo subject, could even be “catching!”. But what followed was warmth and time. In a group with ages from 50 to 80 plus they agreed: being there, having empathy, talking, touch, patience, love, Professional support, and medicines all help but they all agreed “Chatting in a relaxed safe friendly environment was in fact, the very best medicine and care you can ever have!

On Tuesday we were joined by Lisa from Thorne Hedgehog Rescue Centre and our residents were introduced to an adult female Hedgehog and a “Hoglet”(baby Hedgehog) who was only two weeks old.

During the 1950’s we learnt that they took an average count of 350 million hedgehogs roaming around and that has now been reduced to approximately 100 million. So while these little creatures may be at the bottom of the animal change, we all need to looking out for these little four legged friends and protect their welfare.

Lisa went on to say how she had rescued a Hedgehog, who had been  tangled in a plastic four can beer holder,which had been tossed aside. She had rescued a Hedgehog who had been caught up in a garden runner bean net curtain. By raising the net off the ground by six inches it would have been “Hedgehog friendly”.

The residents thought they were the cutest things they had ever seen. Hedgehogs are on the Vulnerable to Distinction List, so we all need to listen to Lisa from the local rescue centre in order to protect these “Cute little animals”.  In summary we need to encourage “Hedgehog High Ways, leave your hedge rows untouched, put water out and we don’t all have to have extra tidy gardens, let nature look after herself. 

The animal visit to our home here at Sutton Valence Care is just one of the activities we like to include for our residents well being and engagment with our local community.

Here at Sutton Valence Care Home, we are very lucky to have plenty of Lavender in our gardens. So, as this came to an end, Peter the Handy Man, trimmed the plants ready for us to make our very own Lavender Bags.

Residents chose different fabrics and with a kind volunteer on the sewing machine, we made little bags which were able to be filled with our very own garden Lavender.

With cottons, threads, and scissors on the table, it brought fond memories of times when Eunice remembered her mum “taking in sewing to pay bills”, early memories when you actually “unpicked old clothing to give them a fresh lease of life”, for someone else. Joan and Diana remember making clothes for the children and then Eileen recalled knitting homemade jumpers to match.  For Adele who had tucked her own machine away, it gave her the opportunity to enjoy an old hobby.

But what we all enjoyed most was the fragrance of the Lavender, which took everyone down memory lane and thoughts of our gardens.