Activities at The Fernes Care Home

Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at The Fernes to enjoy a dog fair that was held in the home’s grounds on Saturday 25th August.

There was a great party atmosphere throughout the event with lots to do and see, including stalls from local pet retailer, Oscars, treat and accessory stalls from Storms Style and Pupcakes – and much more!

Staff at The Fernes made everyone feel welcome and residents were delighted to see all the delightful puppies and dogs playing and having fun. Visitors enjoyed plenty of fun and refreshments, of which the proceeds will go to their local RSPCA – the Stubbington Ark.

Residents from The Fernes were delighted to visit Cumberland House in Portsmouth recently. They jumped aboard their minibus and headed off down the motorway to visit the wonders of the butterfly house, and were not disappointed!

Staff were there to welcome them as they arrived, and they headed straight for the tropical house, where there were a myriad of butterflies waiting to be found. The butterflies and long wings were all beautiful colours. Some had outstanding markings, like the one seen on the huge owl butterfly, which flew all around residents, through their legs and around the paths as everyone watched in awe.

With the sun shining high in the sky, residents at The Fernes boarded the minibus and set a course for their nearest beach: Lee-on-the-Solent!

Residents were looking forward to getting out to the seaside to listen to the waves and watch the people playing in the sea, enjoying this very rare and wonderful British summer.

Residents even got their hands on some traditional Mr. Whippy 99s, with the choice of a flake as well, which went down a treat.

The residents all enjoyed their time out and remarked that it was a very relaxing and wonderful trip, and can’t wait for the next one!

Residents at The Fernes have had a blast celebrating International Friendship Day by hosting a 'Friends & Family BBQ'.

Residents honed their arts and crafts skills making handmade invitations to send far and wide, and created their very own special bunting for the day.

The day itself involved lots of special friends and family time, some yummy food prepared by the home's talented chefs and a fun arts & crafts session, where friendship bracelets were created as keepsakes.

There were smiles all round as staff, residents and family members were reminded of the importance of friends and family and how they can enrich your life.

We welcomed the local community in for a 1940s-themed tea party, complete with vintage crockery, musical entertainment, staff and residents dressing up for the occasion and the chance to meet the team and look around the home.

The open day was held on 21st April from 12:00 p.m. Guests were able to meet and chat to our friendly staff and ask all the questions they had about care, and had a chance to enjoy the hospitality and entertainment on offer.

Local tea room, The Tea Party in Lee-on-the-Solent, supplied the wonderful vintage tea sets and Sophie, Lifestyle Leader, baked some very summery strawberry cakes! There was musical entertainment from vintage singer, Becki Short, which, even with a few spots of rain, was a wonderful performance that residents really enjoyed dancing to and singing along with.

Cupcake Day has been a real treat at The Fernes, where sweet-toothed staff and residents got out their aprons and mixing bowls to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The day, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, encourages groups and individuals to host a cupcake day to raise money for the charity, where funds will be put towards finding the cure for dementia. Dedicated cupcakers have raised £1.4 million since 2016, and this year the charity hopes to raise even more to continue to support those affected by dementia.

Baking is a much-loved hobby for many people who live and work at The Fernes. The team used the occasion to host a celebration of all things cupcake-related for residents, their families and invited guests, who all got to enjoy a wonderful vintage-themed bake sale.

Activities Coordinator (and pro baker), Sophie of 'Sophie’s Sweetcakes', kindly donated specially-designed Alzheimer’s Society cupcakes. Residents had an in-house bake off between their communities, pitting divine coffee and walnut cupcakes topped with a coffee frosting made by the ground floor community, against simple but scrumptious vanilla cupcakes topped with a gorgeous glacier cherry and fondant made by the Memory Lane community.

The winner was the Memory Lane community, which was decided by the guests at the event. There was music from the wonderful Becki Short and vintage tea sets provided by local tea room, 'The Tea Party', based in Lee-on-the-Solent. There were a variety of other games and activities to take part in that helped The Fernes raise lots of money for such a great cause.