Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Pantomime is a theatrical form of comedy and entertainment that dates back to the era of classical theatre. It originated from the Italian street theatre of the Commedia dell’arte in the 16th Century, which featured stock characters, physical humour, and masks. Pantomime also incorporated elements from other European and British stage traditions, such as masques and music hall. It is the slap stick humour of a pantomime that appeals to all ages, they are designed for family entertainment.

Family being centrally at the heart of Tyspane Care Home, in fact Barchester states, “We help the people we support keep up community links and welcome those visits from family and friends that can be so important in maintaining relationships.”

So today, to support this ethos, residents, families, friends and staff gathered in the Activities Lounge for a truly memorable live performance of that old pantomime favourite Cinderella. Under the guidance of Shelley Kaleda (Operational Trainer, Barchester Healthcare) seven members of staff were personally selected (compulsory volunteered) to deliver a sparkle of magical acting to brighten everyone’s afternoon.

The cast being:
Cinderella (Helen, Home Administrator)
Buttons (Jackie, Housekeeping)
Dandini (Georgina, Physiotherapy)
Prince Charming (Julie, Activities)
Chlorine, Ugly Sister (Jacqueline, Activities)
Maureen, Ugly Sister (Jaye, Activities)
Fairy Liquid (Claire, Housekeeping)

The script was packed with humour, slapstick, buffoonery, innuendo and audience participation, (Thank you Tony, Who’s got the key?) and they all lived happily ever after.

Sporting heroes are models of perseverance, passion and excellence, they encourage people of all ages to become more active, to have an ideal or a goal to achieve. They become a driving force, source of motivation and inspirers of dreams!

At the same time, sports heroes provide a good opportunity to think about the values of our society; our heroes influence and express our relationship with the world; they embody and reflect the value of the culture and age in which they are born.

As part of our fundraising efforts here at Tyspane Care Home we welcomed two local heroes today, these being:

Mike Culley, a long-distance cyclist who can be seen cycling around the local area. At 83 years young, Mike cycles and swims every day and supports local charities in the area. Mike is a true hero because he challenges not only himself but everyone he meets; his performances and charitable nature make him extraordinary. Today, Mike cycled 20 miles in less than one hour for residents, families, friends and staff to help Tyspane Care Home raise money for an additional MOTOmed. Thank you, Mike, you are an inspiration to us all.

Mike commented, 
“Babs is a good friend of mine and it has been a pleasure to support Tyspane Care Home as well as meeting Jo Pavey, MBE.”

Jo Pavey, MBE is a long-distance runner and a true hero with an incredible personality. Jo is a five-time Olympian, having represented Great Britain in every Olympic Games from 2000 to 2016. Jo’s career is one of longevity, range and consistency. A World, European and Commonwealth medallist, Jo is not only a true advocate for women in sport but also for women of age in sport, Jo won her only senior title when she claimed the 10,000m gold at the 2014 European Championships in Zurich. Today, Jo held a question-and-answer session with residents, families, friends and staff at Tyspane Care Home and gave an incredible insight into the challenges and common problems that individual professional sport athletes face. Jo and her biggest fan Linda (aka Mum) told funny stories and highlights of Jo’s carer such as meeting the Queen and being nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, which amused residents, families, friends and staff. Thank you, Jo, you are an inspiration to us all.

Linda commented, 
“We enjoyed our visit thank you. Tyspane is such a marvellous place, we wish all care homes were like yours with the staff working to improve the residents’ lives.”

Christmas music is important because most of the songs in some way describe or are reminiscent of Christmas traditions. The strong connection, memory and emotion are all stimulated by the music that you would associate with a particular time, person or place. Christmas often reminds us of happy memories around the holidays that might not be recalled any other time of the year.

So, today at Tyspane Care Home, our memories were certainly stimulated by David and Friends as they put on a spectacular performance in the Activities Lounge. For residents, families, friends and staff listening to David and Friends play an array of musical instruments whilst singing classical tunes definitely triggered a rush of endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, helping every to become stress free.

David and Friends are a talented and warm-hearted group of gentlemen who regularly visit Tyspane Care Home on a voluntary basis. Residents, families, friends and staff often describe them as compassionate, philanthropic, charitable and noble.

David J Prior (Resident Ambassador) stated, “They are special because they make others feel special.”

It was said that the world is a stage, and if that’s true…then David and Friends show must go on, not matter what happens…..

Residents, families, friends and staff of Tyspane Care Home had the wonderful experience of meeting Natasha Lazovic Managing Director (South) Executive Team today.

Natasha was visiting Tyspane Care Home to review the progress being made by the WOW renovations and discussed future aspirations and plans for Tyspane Care Home.  

Residents, families, friends and staff were delighted and chatted effortlessly to Natasha as she strolled through the home. Natasha spent time talking to David J Prior (Resident Ambassador) about life at Tyspane Care Home.

David later said, “It was lovely to talk to Natasha and let her know how privilege I feel to be an advocate for residents at Tyspane Care Home.”

To which Aime Bown (General Manager) replied, “We are proud of our Resident Ambassador, David he is a true advocate for residents at Tyspane Care Home, he is an inspirational to us all. I would also like to thank Natasha for taking time out of her busy schedule to spend time at Tyspane Care Home and listen to our future ideas, values and visions for our home.”

Christmas spirituality is about beauty, compassion, kindness, courage and hard work and sacredness being present in each and every one of us. 

Miriam, Mother to Mary, Sister to Lorna and Volunteer at Tyspane Care Home, delivered this message through her monthly Tambourines and Choruses session. She provided joy and hope through singing to enforce the message of love and humanity within us. 

Miriam encouraged everyone to keep the light within us going all year long.

Miriam said, “Tyspane Care Home is my family, I love to come here, it brings me great joy.”

Thank You Miriam for being you and supporting Tyspane Care Home residents, families, friends and staff. 

An early Victorian etymology for brandy snaps is “brandy-schnaps, from being burnt, not for the real or supposed presence of brandy.” 

However, for Tyspane Care Home Baking Club they symbolise the beginning of Christmas as they are simply delicious, delicate and filled with a whipped cream filling. Yummy!

Mary (Resident) stated, “It was such fun, I enjoyed using the piping bag.”