Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Let’s make Christmas an Intergenerational One!

Even the smallest steps towards supporting residents during the festive holidays can make a meaningful difference. So, imagine residents, families, friends and staff surprise when Emily one of our young volunteers walked into the Activities lounge with a guitar in her hand and put on an incredible show. Emily sang and played guitar with ease and skill way beyond her years.

Noreen (Resident) stated, “That was a lovely surprise, such talent.”

Well done and Thank You Emily.

Believing in Santa is believing in the magic of Christmas

Santa is best known for delivering gifts on Christmas Eve, often coming down chimneys and leaving presents in stockings hung by fireplaces. Santa is associated with joy, generosity and kindness; he symbolises the spirts of giving during the festive season.

This morning at Tyspane Care Home, Santa certainly delivered a sprinkling of Christmas spirt to residents, families, friends and staff.

Elizabeth (Resident) said, “What a lovely surprise, and thank you for my gift.”

Noreen (Resident) replied, “He woke me nice and early.”

Santa certainly had a positive impact on us all today. Ho ho ho!

Crooner music is a style of singing that originated in the 1920’s and it’s characterised by smooth, intimate delivery. Crooners are typically male singers who perform sentimental jazz standards. The style became popular due to development of better microphones that could pick up quieter sounds and a wider range of frequencies.

So today, at Tyspane Care Home, to keep our spirits high after Christmas Day celebrations, Nic from Mini Concerts joined us for an afternoon of famous crooner songs performed by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Perry Combo, Elvis, Nat “King” Cole and Dean Martin. Nic performed with a smooth and intimate style that captivated his audience.

David J Prior (Resident Ambassador) stated, “What a wonderful afternoon, I loved the old classics, Nic’s voice was amazing.”

Anthony Adcock (Resident)stated, “I couldn’t stop singing.”

Patricia Johnson (Resident) replied, “My favourite song is Smile.”

Nic closed the show with the old classic “My Way” which is a song popularised in 1969 by Frank Sinatra set to the music of the French song “Comme d’habitude” composed by Jacques Revaux. 

Christmas parties are important because they set the tone for the year ahead and keeps everyone inspired. As well as this, throwing a Christmas party can signify a big thank you to everyone, no matter who they are; residents, families, friends, community, volunteers, professionals and staff.

For our residents, Christmas events have a huge positive effect, they support companionship, uphold traditions whilst supporting friendships.

Tamsin Ball (Professional Entertainer) stated, “I love to visit Tyspane Care Home, it is a very special place, thank you.”

Terry Bond (Professional Entertainer) replied, “This is my favourite venue, we have such fun.”

David J Prior (Resident Ambassador) stated, “I would like to thank all the staff at Tyspane Care Home, it has been a wonderful afternoon.”

Miriam (Volunteer and Family Member) stated, “It was a wonderful afternoon, so lovely to see residents enjoying themselves, singing along. It was such a joy to see my daughter and sister filled with such love.”

Sharon Baldwin (Family Member) stated, “A really lovely afternoon, thank you to all who made it so special for everyone, happy Christmas.”

Thank you, Tamsin and Terry, for being so wonderful.

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.”