Friday 1st September saw a spectacle like no other at Woodland View.

Thanks to the summer holidays, Niki Taylor's weekly dancing chairs session went up a notch. Niki brought some of her dance school pupils along and residents danced, sang and shook their glittery pom-poms enthusiastically, led by the cutest group of little girls.

As usual, the question is already asked... whatever next? Whatever it is, keep bringing on the fun.

Woodland View residents were thrilled to attend the 2017 Clacton Airshow.

Those who attended last year's event were very surprised it had come around again so quickly; time really does fly by, not just the aircraft!

The Woodland View minibus arrived and found a good vantage point away from the crowds so residents had space to breath, relax and take in the spectacle whilst enjoying the brilliant sunshine, cooled down by a lovely breeze coming in from the north sea. 

Display team after display team demonstrated their skills, as well as individual pilots in their own aircraft – some lovingly restored from their former World War 2 service. Residents looked up whilst enjoying a refreshing ice lolly – mostly glad that their own feet were firmly on the ground, and conversation drifted between the aircraft and their own experiences of flight and travel.

It was a perfect summer Friday afternoon.

Woodland View Care Home opened its doors for the first time to welcome singer/song writer, Robert Jerome, to entertain residents.

Chelmsford-based Robert, a former contestant on ITV's 'The X Factor', sang song after song for residents, with every single one of them hitting their mark and being very well received. Following his performance, Robert took time to chat with each and every resident who watched his performance. Residents continued to buzz about the entertainer, long after he left the building, making it clear to Activities Coordinator, Kevin Riley, that they hoped he could make a return visit.

Due to the overwhelming seal of approval and requests from many residents, dates are now being discussed with Robert, so watch this space!

So, Robert.... It's a 'yes' from everyone at Woodland View!

A weekend of rest? Not at Woodland View!

Residents at Woodland View enjoy a varied schedule of activities throughout the week – and weekends are not always meant for resting! Activities Assistant, Tansie Fitch, led everyone through a series of exercises in tune with music to keep the cobwebs away.

A real energetic effort was made by those attending the session and it all helped work a little of their breakfasts off, as well as build an appetite for lunch!

Kevin Riley is the Activities Coordinator at Woodland View, so it’s his job to provide the right amount of stimulation to suit each and every resident. This could be a social, physical, sensory, entertainment or a relaxation-based activity.

Getting the balance right and meeting the needs of each individual isn’t always easy, but you achieve it with the support and contribution of many others. Visitors, colleagues, entertainers, therapists and, of course, volunteers all have a role to play in ensuring a daily life that is diverse, stimulation-rich and, of course, enjoyable! Volunteers have also been a superb way of engaging with the wider community, with people being sourced from a range of backgrounds.

One of the most important factors in ‘getting it right’ in a care home is extensive community engagement. Woodland View has had a number of volunteers on-board since it opened its doors a couple of years ago. Woodland View is also very fortunate and proud to have the Barchester ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Divisional Winner 2017 as part of its volunteers. Colin Bennett retired from the financial sector in London and wanted to give something back to the community. Colin has been a firm favourite each week, playing piano for residents each Monday morning for an hour, which led to him being nominated for the award. Colin now progresses to the finals, which will be held in October in Manchester.

Our recent volunteers from the NCS, who have been with us for two weeks, have really made a difference! Residents absolutely loved the many interactions they had during the various activities, which included an afternoon tea, complete with volunteers supplying home-made cakes and conducting a couple of games of bingo; a musical concert with additional in-room one-to-one serenades to less mobile residents.

If you or your organisation are ever approached by the National Citizen Service teams in your area, give their proposal some serious consideration. I can’t praise the team leaders and the volunteers themselves enough. They helped take life, laughter and life at Woodland View to a new height and were an absolute delight to work with.

As with previous days, it was a full-on third day with the visiting volunteers from the National Citizen Service. There were many things happening around the care home to the benefit primarily of residents, but also to benefit the volunteers and their experience at Woodland View. The team of 19 volunteers delivered supervised one-to-one music therapy in residents' rooms, then later that day, performed for everyone in the coffee gounge with a guitar, a piano and some great songs.

A number of volunteers also helped out behind the scenes in the kitchen, housekeeping and laundry departments.

Although each and every one of the volunteers who have been here this week is a star in their own right, special recognition must go to Lee Cole who, together with his Grandfather, built a beautiful plant frame for one of the first floor terraces at Woodland View. The frame will be used and enjoyed by residents for years to come. Lee is pictured with General Manager, Juliet Driver, and District Youth & Community Commissioner, Jo Kirk.