Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Today, residents, families, friends and staff were visited by North Devon Pony Parties as part of surprise celebration for Brian.  Brian is a true animal lover as he is a naturally caring person. He enjoyed feeding, grooming and being beside the gentle and friendly ponies whilst also benefiting from being outside in the blazing sunshine.

The ponies grazed on fresh meadow grass within the beautiful Tyspane Care Home gardens.  North Devon Pony Parties have over thirty years of experience of owning and working with horses and ponies and talked to all the residents, families, friends and staff at Tyspane Care Home, it was a wonderful morning enjoyed by all.

Brian when asked how he felt gave a massive thumbs up. He never stopped smiling.

Thank You North Devon Pony Parties

Residents and staff at Tyspane Care Home in Braunton put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ with a Car Wash and Raffle to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

Aime Bown, General Manager at Tyspane Care Home said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year. Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a great cause that helps many people in need and is also a cause very close to the hearts of all our staff and residents, so we feel really proud to have been able to raise this money. Thank you to everyone who donated!” 

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by giving grants to help them connect or re-connect with others in their local communities. For more information, please visit www.bhcfoundation.org.uk

Today, Tyspane Care Home came together as one big family to support our residents to stay healthy and fit. The morning started with Tyspane Care Home Physiotherapists, Babs, George and Katie working alongside Jan Cooke (Physiotherapist Technician at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) supporting residents to lower their risk of falls and keep moving by participating in regular exercise including balance exercises.  Good balance is important for helping our residents retain mobility as they age.

Babs commented, “I feel very lucky to have had the opportunities to work in an incredible profession that has allowed me to work with such wonderful people.”

Jan replied,” Today, I feel privilege to be at Tyspane Care Home, it has been inspirational to watch residents use the balance equipment and overcome emotional barriers, thank you Tyspane, I will be back.”

Tony (resident), stated. “I am so happy to be back up on my feet, it feels amazing.”

Following a healthy snack and smoothie residents, family, friends and staff listened to an informative talk and demonstration by Braunton Mobility. Braunton Mobility are a local company who stock and supply a range of high-quality equipment.  Their aim is to keep people moving and stay independent.

Molly,” I surprised myself, I didn’t think I would be able to use a motorised wheelchair, I moved around the home so quickly and smoothly. I didn’t crash!”

After lunch, residents, families and friends were entertained by Tyspane Care Home staff with a series of light hearted dance routines to get everyone moving. Staff worked together to support the shared goal and vision of keeping residents fit and healthy whilst nurturing wellbeing.

Tonight, at Tyspane Care Home, residents gathered in the lounge to celebrate Patricia and her wish to spend an evening being entertained by the famous Andre Rieu. The atmosphere was electric as Andre put on an extra special festive an unforgettable anniversary concert. 

Love In Venice is an evening full of wonderful Italian music, world hits like Funiculi Funicula, Tiritomba and Vieni sul mar and fabulous operative arias.

Patricia said, “Thank you this is amazing, Andre performing the Viennese waltz was incredible.”

Noreen replied, “I loved it all.”

Bobbie agreed but said, “I like the fancy cakes best.”

International Museum Day (IMD) is celebrated annually on or around May 18. Since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has organised this day to pay tribute to the international museum community. It’s a unique moment for museums worldwide, where they plan creative events and activities related to the IMD theme, engage with the public, and highlight the crucial role of museums in serving society and development.

So, in support of International Museum Day, Tyspane Care Home visited the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon. The museum aims to preserve the rich history of the people and landscapes of North Devon. The staff and volunteers at the museum were amazing and made us all feel extremely welcome, they chatted to residents and offered support when necessary.

Molly stated, “It has been a wonderful morning, I have fully enjoyed myself.”

Mary replied, “So have I and I really enjoyed the shop.” “The exhibition on Devonian Monsters was most spectacular if not a little scary!”

A massive thank you to everyone who made this trip happen, it was truly wonderful.

At Tyspane Care Home we value the experiences and life stories of every person in our care, and learn so much from discussing their lifetime hobbies and achievements. One of the ways to find out about our residents is to spend time with them and their families completing our Get To Know Me booklets. It was while completing Geoff's Get To Know Me Booklet that he stated he was missing his hometown, especially being able to watch his favourite Birmingham City Football Club (The Blues) play live football on the weekend. As a  'Brummie' Blues fans see themselves as one big community, one large family and as a result attending football matches on a regular basis is akin to meeting family and friends. Another ritual for Geoff when he attended the Blues stadium was to buy a burger and onions at half time, this was almost a religious experience, a soulful accompaniment to watching the football. He stated that when you eat a tasty dish at a stadium that day becomes more than just about the scoreline.

As a result of hearing Geoff's wishes Tyspane Care Home Activities discussed with  Amy Austin  (Chef and Hospitality) whether a special meal could be created to rekindle Geoff's memories of being at Birmingham City Football Stadium, eating his favourite half time food of a burger and onions with lots of tomato sauce washed down with his favourite tipple!

Geoff was salivating at the thought of his burger and onions and could not contain his excitement when it arrived. He felt so happy he was compelled to tell a joke;

"A man spots a sign in a grocery store stating helicopter crisps for sale. He enters the building and asks to buy a packet of helicopter crisps. The shop keeper stated he could not buy a packet as they only had plain (plane) ones left."

Whilst chatting and eating Geoff was elated and stated he couldn't wait to come to the activities lounge to participate in his other passion of bingo.