Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Residents enjoyed an afternoon planting sweet peas, which they hope will make a splash of color on the patio this summer. Residents planted seeds and will nurture them over the next few weeks.

Residents and staff at Tyspane enjoyed a variety of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Events were lower key than had been planned due to the pandemic, but this did not dampen their spirits. 

The home was decorated with wartime memorabilia, flags and art work from local children and staff. Residents read VE Day poetry and enjoyed wartime music and sing-alongs, which continued throughout the day. A special raffle was drawn by the residents, with some prizes donated by staff. The highlight was the Queen’s speech, which reassured and brought back memories to so many.

VE Day is a chance for our residents to join together and remember the celebrations and the emotion of 1945.

We organised a tea party whilst observing strict social distancing to show our support and admiration for HRH, and to celebrate National Tea Day. The National Anthem was played and three cheers reigned out to mark the occasion.

A traditional Easter egg hunt was off limits this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite this Mary, a resident of Tyspane, hatched a plan to show her appreciation of all the staff by presenting them all with an Easter egg. 

Tyspane residents also enjoyed an eggs-tensive range of Easter activities, from Easter bonnet making, egg painting an Easter quiz and an afternoon tea of hot cross buns followed by a grand Easter raffle.

Pastor Kaye from the Whiddon Valley Evangelical Church recorded a special Easter service for the residents, which was shown on a large screen on Easter Sunday.

Easter cards sent from children at Georgeham School were read and displayed around the home, lifting staff and residents with their kind words and colourful pictures.

As always, we’ve all been looking forward to Easter, but this year, as our families were unable to visit, we wanted to make it extra special. It’s such a nice time of the year – the residents love all the colourful Easter eggs and Easter bonnets. We have felt so supported by our local community, who have sent us cards, letters and gifts and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.  It’s really been an eggs-cellent day.

In recent months, Tyspane residents and children from Caen School have been taking part in an exciting initiative called the ‘Open Arms Dance and Music Project’ run by the Devon Dance Company. 

Weekly rehearsals have taken place, with residents singing and playing instruments, whilst the children interpret the music in dance. A special ‘Song for Spring’ has also been written by the residents and children. A finale performance was planned, with invitations going out to friends and families, but sadly this has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

To the delight of the residents, children from Caen School delivered letters, drawings, homemade quizzes, and artwork to cheer the residents and keep in touch, in the hope that the project will go-ahead in the future

We were delighted to accept the children’s art work. It has brought a great deal of pleasure to our residents, who are unable to go out or receive visitors. It has brought a touch of colour to their day and has made a big difference to their well-being.

Residents & staff came together to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Tyspane Care Centre. Local Vicar Dr Suzanna Metz, who enjoys researching music and the origins of traditions, visited the home to give a talk on Valentine’s Day and how different nationalities around the world celebrate this special day.

The residents joined Dr Metz singing songs like “What a wonderful world” and “When I’m 64”. A colourful flower arranging class was also undertaken by the residents who enjoyed making posies and arrangements for their loved ones.

Damon Drummond, General Manager at the home, said: “It was great that so many people came along to celebrate Valentine’s Day with us and the entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Tyspane staff and residents love a good celebration but it’s always extra special when the local community get involved too.”