Activities at Vecta House Care Home

What an absolutely fantastic afternoon we had at Vecta House Care Home as we launched our very first Dementia Disco! The home was transformed into a vibrant party paradise with bright colours and disco-themed decorations, setting the perfect scene. A massive shout-out to Mrs. DJ Ann (Ann Abe) had her full disco set-up, complete with music decks and dazzling lights! She kept the dance floor buzzing with a brilliant selection of tunes and even took special requests from our residents. 

Our residents were truly the stars of the show, dressed in their best disco gear with their glow sticks ready to light up the floor! Friends and families joined in the fun, and it was wonderful to see everyone dancing and having a great time. Some even enjoyed a refreshing beer or glass of wine to complete the party atmosphere! 

This event was more than just a disco; it brought so much laughter, joy, and connection to everyone present. It truly was an unforgettable afternoon.

Lilian and her son, Paul, were picked up in ultimate style by Andy from Hamilton & Marshall Funeral Directors in their fantastic limousine for a private drive around our beautiful island. They even stopped at The Downs for a delicious ice cream, soaking up the glorious sunshine and admiring the breathtaking views. What a truly special way to celebrate!

It warms our hearts to create such memorable experiences for our residents. A huge thank you Andy for working with us to organise this wonderful outing! 

Today was an absolutely lovely afternoon in our Carisbrooke Unit, where we hosted our wonderful Knit and Natter group! We got everything ready for our ladies, with tables full of colourful wools, different-sized needles, and plenty of pattern books to inspire them. And of course, we brought out our best china for tea and delicious cake! 

The room was buzzing with chatter as everyone knitted away. They shared tips on different stitches, showed each other their unique ways of casting on, and reminisced about their past creations. Eve told us she used to knit jumpers for her children, and Peggy shared a funny story about knitting a whole jumper only to find holes from missed stitches! 

Even our staff got a lesson from the incredibly experienced Betty, who shared all her top knitting tips. It was such a joy to see everyone socialising, sharing stories, and getting creative together. Moments like these truly make Vecta House a home.  

What a joy it was to welcome back the wonderful children from Summerfield Primary School for our intergenerational book club after half term! Our residents were absolutely thrilled to pair up with the children and dive into a variety of books together.

We had such a fantastic time! Betty was her usual cheeky self, entertaining everyone with her cracking sense of humour and making us all laugh out loud. And Gordon was incredibly patient, helping the children who were a little stuck on some words and even sharing some of his own amazing artwork with them.

It's truly heart-warming to see the connections that form during these sessions. We're already looking forward to welcoming the children back for many more book clubs in the future!

We explored some incredible French landmarks, all from the comfort of our home.

We virtually strolled past the iconic Eiffel Tower, imagined wandering through the magnificent Louvre Museum, and even dreamt of the stunning Palace of Versailles. To make our journey truly authentic, we indulged in a delicious selection of French cheeses, crackers, and a lovely glass of wine! It was a real taste of "la belle vie"!

Our residents loved practicing a few French phrases too! A big "Bonjour!" to everyone, and of course, "Santé!" (Cheers!) to a wonderful day filled with fun and flavour.

Today was extra special at Vecta House as we welcomed the absolutely adorable Marine the greyhound and her lovely owner, Ann from Therapy Dogs Nationwide, for our very first pet therapy session! 

Our lounge was buzzing with anticipation as residents gathered, eagerly waiting to meet our special pooch visitor. The moment Marine walked in, smiles erupted all around! Residents were overjoyed to see her and spent precious time giving her lots of fuss and strokes. It was heartwarming to hear them reminisce about the beloved dogs they had owned throughout their lives – a true trip down memory lane! 

We truly believe in the power of pet therapy, especially for those living with dementia. The unconditional love and gentle presence of animals like Marine can bring immense comfort, reduce anxiety, and spark wonderful memories and conversations. It's truly beneficial for their well-being, providing a sense of connection and joy that is simply priceless. A huge thank you to Ann and Marine for bringing so much happiness to Vecta House today. We can't wait for the next visit!

What a truly wonderful afternoon we had here at Vecta House celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day! Our beautiful gardens were transformed into a sea of red, white, and blue, adorned with cheerful bunting, vibrant balloons, fluttering flags, and celebratory banners.

It was heart-warming to see our residents, dedicated staff, their families, and friends all come together to commemorate this significant milestone in history. The atmosphere was buzzing with joy and remembrance.
A huge thank you to the fantastic local businesses who helped make the day extra special! The delicious aroma of freshly popped popcorn from Popping Popcorn filled the air, while Island Floss - candy floss on the Isle of Wight treated everyone to sweet clouds of candy floss. Tracy's faces Iw Painting worked her magic, creating smiles with her colourful designs, and her amazing balloon-twisting skills delighted young and old alike.

The incredible Double Take - Isle of Wight had everyone waving their flags and singing along to classic wartime tunes – their performance truly captured the spirit of the era. Later in the afternoon, the energy soared as the wonderful Bonnie got our residents (and even some staff!) up and dancing to some fantastic 50s and 60s hits!

Our memorabilia table, filled with a fascinating array of war-related items, sparked many heartfelt conversations and allowed us to reflect on the significance of the day. A massive thank you to the wonderful Hanna Nixon for generously lending us these precious pieces for our celebration.
Of course, no celebration is complete without delicious food! Our talented chef outdid themselves with a stunning variety of cakes, and everyone enjoyed tasty hotdogs washed down with refreshing Pimms. We are so grateful to Island Foods for their kind donation of the sausages – thank you!

The afternoon was filled with laughter, joy, and a true sense of community. It was wonderful to see staff and residents alike getting into the spirit with face-painting and enjoying the festivities together. Thank you to everyone who came along and made this 80th VE Day anniversary celebration at Vecta House so special. It's a day we will cherish!

Vecta House care home fostered stronger community ties yesterday afternoon by hosting a successful "Coffee with a Coppa" event. The heart-warming gathering brought together residents, their families, local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Lotte and her colleague Romie, and the enthusiastic young readers from Summerfield’s Primary School weekly book club.

The afternoon commenced with PCSO Lotte and Romie embarking on a tour of Vecta House. This provided a valuable opportunity for them to meet and introduce themselves to the residents in their familiar surroundings, fostering a sense of personal connection and approachability.

Following the tour, the reception café at Vecta House buzzed with lively conversation as everyone congregated for the main event. The children from Summerfield’s Primary School, alongside the residents and their families, eagerly engaged with the PCSOs, posing thoughtful questions about their roles within the local community. This intergenerational exchange proved to be both educational and engaging for all involved.

A highlight of the afternoon was Mrs. Gartell, the Head Teacher of Summerfield’s Primary School, bravely trying on the PCSO's stab-proof vest, offering a tangible insight into the protective gear used in their daily duties. The session proved to be a fantastic learning experience, with both young and old discovering new aspects of the vital work carried out by their local police community support officers, part of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Isle of Wight Police. 

Vecta House is committed to nurturing strong relationships within its local community and intends to build on the success of this event by hosting similar initiatives in the future. This collaborative approach aims to enrich the lives of the residents and foster a greater sense of belonging and connection. Vecta House extends a sincere thank you to both PCSO Lotte and her colleague Romie for dedicating their time and sharing such an informative and engaging afternoon with the residents, families, and children.

It warmed our hearts to make today another memorable one for our wonderful resident, John! 
Following his birthday celebrations here at Vecta House, today we had the pleasure of taking John on a very special outing to God's Providence Cafe in Newport town.

This wasn't just any café; it's a place deeply woven into the fabric of John's life. For an incredible 15 years before coming to live with us at Vecta House, John was a daily fixture at God’s Providence House (except for Sundays when he was busy cooking up a delicious roast!). He was such a familiar face that the staff knew his order by heart – a bacon sandwich, and the kind owner even treated him to a free one every Friday!

Seeing John back in his favourite spot, surrounded by close friends and family to celebrate his 82nd birthday, was truly heart-warming. His face lit up as he took it all in, remarking on how little the café had changed. He even asked after some of the staff from years ago! The owner himself came over to greet John, and it was clear how delighted he was to see him back in his old haunt.

John thoroughly enjoyed his bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee, all while happily people-watching in the company of his loved ones. After our delightful café visit, we took a gentle stroll around the beautiful Newport church, admiring its serene setting and stunning stained-glass windows. It was a truly special day, filled with happy memories and the joy of reconnecting with a cherished past. Thank you to God's Providence Cafe for the warm welcome and for being such a significant part of John's life!