Activities at Tennyson Wharf Care Home

As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Residents from across our services were thrilled to join tour guide, Mandy Morrow, for an exciting talk about some Legendary London Ladies.

Mandy shared the fascinating stories of eight ladies with us, from the one of the richest heiresses in the world to the original 'Roaring Girl'.

Everyone who participated truly enjoyed the experience and were delighted to take a walk down memory lane.

Tennyson Wharf  recently presented the Disability Social Network with a cheque for £885 who run volunteer-led activity groups such as arts, crafts, and playing games. In 2022 they also set up a Community Telephone Befriending Service, designed to meet the needs of the individuals.

The groups encourage members to learn new skills, provides an opportunity to foster social connections, reduce loneliness and promote a sense of belonging in the community.

The grant had been awarded by Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, a charity that helps older people and adults with a disability or mental health problems across England, Scotland and Wales by offering grants to help people connect or re-connect with others in their local community.

Across the country our homes and hospitals came together to find out which care home or hospital had the best Bingo players as we teamed up for Barchester’s Bingo Bonanza.

Residents were treated to some exciting virtual games of Bingo as part of Barchester’ very own game show series.

Everyone who participate had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.

Residents, their visitors and staff were encouraged to join in the Pancake flipping competition. It was hilarious and the laughter could be heard around the home.  One resident who is visually impaired thought it wouldn’t be possible for her to take part, however, with a little encouragement pan and pancake at the ready to her amazement she managed to toss the pancake a number of times, onlookers were thrilled to see her manage it and was happy to hear the round of applause.

The pan and pancakes were taken to some residents in their rooms so that they could also take part.

Head Chef Dawn Bailey, whipped up a mound of pancakes to be served after tea with various delicious toppings.  One resident enjoyed hers so much that she said ‘Mine was so delicious that I cheekily asked for a second and wasn’t disappointed as it arrived soon after.

We came together on Saturday 10th February at Tennyson Wharf to Celebrate Chinese New Year.  We started our day by decorating the Café Area in preparation of the day’s activities.  Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns and vibrant red Dragon Banners.

We learnt about the traditions of Chinese New Year, we soon came to realise that the Chinese had many superstitions that were taken extremely seriously. We learnt about them by taking part in a true or false quiz.  We checked each other’s horoscopes and that of staff and visitors and out of two dozen people asked we didn’t have any Year of the Dragons.

Head chef on the day, Emma Roberts together with her team cooked up an oriental feast for lunch. It was well received making a colourful and tasty lunch, helped along with a cold glass of white wine.

Brian fulfilled his wish of returning to the horse racing tracks at Market Rasen. Brian was delighted to watch the magnificent horse’s race down the tracks and to add to the excitement even placed a couple of bets making the experience even more thrilling.

Having spent much of his youth with horses and riding since Brian was 5 years old and having once owned his very own race horse called Rob Ryan. Brian has a real passion and enjoys watching it on the television, but says it not the same as being there.

Brian expressed his gratitude and said  “It has done me the world of good, I feel like I have had a tonic, wining was the best bit, but going back on the track where I have spent so many happy times was just fantastic.”