Activities at Wheatlands Care Home

The air was full of joy and happiness on valentine’s day. The fabulous Tom Bryne sang a collection of classic love songs and hits from over the decades. Residents sang and danced the afternoon away in true Wheatlands style we love nothing more than a party! Judy spent all afternoon on the dance floor spinning and twirling she told us how she used to love going to tea dances when she was younger. She enjoyed it so much she gave Tom her rose to thank him for such a special day and bringing so many memories back.

Our residents from memory lane visited the Butterfly Café in Bridgnorth run by the league of friends within the hospital grounds. The group is for people with memory loss and their careers. Our residents had a fantastic afternoon enjoying coffee and delicious homemade cake Jan said ‘the lemon drizzle cake was just like her mum used to make’. Geof was joined by his daughter Alison who has become a volunteer here at Wheatlands. After chatting away with some new friends everyone joined in with some group exercises and ball games which became very competitive indeed! There was even time for a group sing a long before making our way home driving through the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

Our activities here at Wheatlands are all based around the mind, body and soul from large group activities too individual tailored person centred activities.

Enid loves nothing more than a good pamper and good conversation. The morning started with a delicious breakfast to fuel her for the day ahead followed by some hand therapy where she enjoyed a soothing hand massage and full manicure after which she headed to our on site hair dressers where she enjoyed a light head massage followed by a wash and set. While she relaxing under the dryer Enid enjoyed a large baileys to polish off the day.

After talking with a number of residents over a coffee and cake one cold winters afternoon and reminiscing about Christmas past a couple said how much they missed going to church on Christmas Eve and midnight mass.

After talking with Reverend Prebendary Matthew Stafford at our Christmas church service he arranged for the church choir to come and sing at Wheatlands on Christmas Eve. In was such a special morning where residents where joined by friends and family after which everyone enjoyed a warming mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies.

Since Joyce’s great granddaughter started singing for Much Wenlock Primary School choir Joyce dreamed of watching her perform and never dreamed it would be possible. But here at Wheatlands we love to make dreams come true. Holy Trinity Church in Much Wenlock hold an annual Christmas tree festival, to close the festival  and to raise money for The Children of the Middle East they hold a Carol concert which the choir where invited to sing at.

Joyce and a few of her friends wrapped up warm and took a short mini bus trip to church to enjoy an evening of carols and of course to watch the very talented Edie and the school choir perform. Joyce said it really did make her Christmas.

As part of our intergenerational activities we had the privilege of being joined by some very special people and we have made some new tiny little friends. Zoe from Jiggy Wigglers ran her Jiggy Vintage session here it is designed especially for care settings. Music and interaction with others can stimulate positive memories associated with happy moments in life. Upbeat music promotes physical movement and general mobility along with the release of endorphins, leading to laughter, happiness and a feeling of positivity. Intergenerational activities bring together people from different generations and has a positive impact on both our residents and also the children. This is so important to the residents, the smiles of joy on each and everyone's face spoke for itself, the room was filled with such happiness and cheer there really was magic in the air.