Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Alpacas from Woolley Animals, Venton, Winkleigh spent the morning with excited residents at Tyspane Care Home in Braunton.

The session was designed by the Tyspane Care Home Activities Team to support the wellbeing of the residents, including those who find the presence of animals calming and mind-boosting for their mental health.

Pictures show the smiling residents in the lounge and around the home as they cuddled and played with Gerry, D’Artagnan, Questa, Rufus, Jimmy and Duke.

One resident, Mary, said: “The Alpacas were so wonderful – I was surprised how soft they were.”

Another resident, Bertram, said: “I never expected an Alpacas to walk through my door!” Then promptly saluted D’Artagnan and Jimmy.

As the event was such a success amongst staff and residents, the home hopes to plan more animal visits over summer 2024.

Today, Tyspane Care Home residents were entertained by Jiggy Vintage led by Alice. Jiggy Vintage is an interactive music and movement programme designed to entertain residents in residential accommodation. The young and old came together today to form meaningful connections whilst singing and dancing to favourite songs and nursery rhymes such as “Wind the Bobbin Up” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”

Tyspane Care Home was buzzing, the room was filled with exciting activities and sounds. Truly amazing and one to be repeated.

Braunton Fire station retained Fire Crew, Matt Brown and Matt Sharp visited the residents of Tyspane Care Centre, providing them with a tour around the fire engine and presentation about the equipment on board the engine.

Matt offered residents the opportunity to have a hands on approach with the equipment telling them how it would be used and went on to provide residents with anecdotes of call outs he and his colleagues have attended.

Tyspane residents, some of who have resided in the local area for number of years, love to stay connected with their community and hear about what is happening here and now.

One of our residents Ethel Olliver said that “it is was a really interesting talk” and enjoyed being able to get the chance to use the thermal imaging camera.

David Prior whose son in law Scott is also a retained fireman at another station, enjoyed chatting to the fire fighters and listening to the presentation.

And finally as no demonstration would be complete without it, they went down Tyspane Care Centre drive with their blues and twos on.

Plato remarked that “Music is the medicine of the soul.” But why is it so beneficial?

At Tyspane Care Home today, the answer to this question is easy, simply look at the photographs and videos of our special guests, The Barnstaple Male Choir.

Simply sublime.

Chair exercises are a great alternative for older adults who have difficulty moving around. Leg, arm and core muscles can get a workout from a seated position, which can help reduce the risk of injury from a fall.

So today after Tennis Club the residents invented the “Noodle Game” based on a video provided by Claire Comer (Head of House Keeping). Residents could be heard laughing down the corridors. It was amazing fun.

So much fun!

They say the longer you have to wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when it finally arrives. With this thought in our minds and with bated breath, staff, families, friends and residents at Tyspane Care Home welcomed Barnstaple Town Youth Marching Band. It really was a sight for saw eyes, beautiful polished and shiny instruments, bright read uniforms and wonderful beaming smiles. A true visual extravaganza.