Activities at Upton Bay Care Home

Day 2 of our Christmas Countdown at Upton Bay. Yesterday, we held our highly anticipated Christmas Fayre, which turned out to be a delightful experience for all the families in attendance and friends from our local community.

The event was a resounding success, with a variety of stalls that were beautifully organised by Sarah Tarrant, Holly Keizer and The Men’s Shed. Their attention to detail and dedication to creating a festive atmosphere truly shone through. From handmade crafts and unique gifts to mouthwatering treats, the stalls offered something for everyone.

A highlight of the fayre was the enchanting Santa's Grotto, where Ross from the Men Shed community played a wonderful Santa Claus. The children were thrilled to meet Santa, and the magical moments created will surely be cherished for years to come.

We would like to recognise and appreciate the incredible efforts of Jean, our dedicated postal service provider at Upton Bay. Jean's commitment to delivering cards with a warm smile has not only brought joy to people's faces but has also created a ripple effect of happiness within our community.

During this festive season, Jean has been even more instrumental in spreading Christmas cheer. She has been delivering stationary for the Upton Bay community, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to create personalized Christmas cards.

Our Home services advisor, Victoria was back out in the community today offering cakes and kindness to the fantastic "Care-free"carer's choir who meet every Monday at St Dunstan's church, BH14. They practised Christmas carols, ate delicious cup cakes and had a very enjoyable morning. Victoria has invited the choir to sing for our residents in the New Year. We are looking forward to welcoming them.

We are delighted to share with you the wonderful Children in Need Awareness event that took place at Upton Bay has managed to raise £233 with all your help and support .

It was a joyous occasion where our community came together, accompanied by the children from Yarells School, Reggie the cat, Milo the Upton Bay Companion, and our dedicated Upton Bay team.

The event was made even more special with the contributions of our talented Chef, who prepared delicious cakes and biscuits for everyone to enjoy. The delightful treats added a sweet touch to the festivities, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the event was a static bike ride, symbolizing a journey from Upton Bay to Buckingham Palace in London. This activity not only brought a sense of adventure and excitement but also aimed to raise awareness and support for Children in Need.

Today, we had a delightful and nostalgic event at our community gathering. The Land Girls joined us, serenading us with war-time melodies such as "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," "Shine on Harvest Moon," "The Hokey Cokey," and "We're Going to Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line." The residents enthusiastically sang along, waving their Union Jack flags with pride.

In addition, we were honored to have four representatives from our local Lytchett United British Legion Branch in attendance. The branch, originally established in 1921 and later moving to its current premises in 1968, holds a significant place in our community. Phil Waddington, the chairman, recited John McCrae's poignant poem, "Flanders Fields," which deeply resonated with all the residents. Keith Hardy, representing recruitment, and Tony Rodwell, the secretary, along with his wife Hill Rodwell, engaged in conversations with the residents over tea, coffee, and cake.

During their visit, the British Legion representatives shared fascinating stories about the organization and showcased meaningful memorabilia, including a bugle, a firefighter hat, medals, and a book written by a local community member about his experiences during the war. It was a truly memorable and heartwarming gathering, filled with gratitude for our veterans and a strong sense of community spirit.

Kathy and her family, along with the residents, had a delightful time at the Halloween-themed birthday party. The afternoon was filled with wonderful musical melodies, ranging from ABBA to Motown classics. Everyone had a blast singing along to the timeless tunes. 
After the musical entertainment, Kathy continued her birthday celebrations with a cozy tea party. It was a lovely way to conclude the festivities. Kathy expressed her gratitude for making her birthday so special.