Newbury care home teams up with Great British Bake Off star for Stir-up Sunday

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Nov 18, 2015

Residents at the Winchcombe Place care home in Newbury have got their mixing bowls and wooden spoons at the ready for a festive ‘stir-up’ ahead of the traditional day for making Christmas puddings, Stir-up Sunday.

The Care UK team has joined forces with former Great British Bake Off finalist, Brendan Lynch, who has created a Christmas pudding recipe especially for the care home on Maple Crescent.

Stir-up Sunday traditionally takes place on the last Sunday before Advent and this year it falls on 22nd November. It is the day when families and friends gather together to ‘stir-up’ their Christmas pudding and make a wish, leaving plenty of time for the pudding to mature before Christmas Day.

On Sunday, head chef, Gary Shaw, will be using the special recipe to bake with residents, with children from the neighbouring Winchcombe School set to join in the fun on Friday 20th November.  Everyone will have a chance to stir as they make the festive dessert by mixing together ingredients such as mixed peel, raisins and glace cherries.

Stephanie Jones, home manager at Winchcombe Place, said: “Stir-up Sunday provides the Care UK team and residents with a wonderful opportunity to take part in a tradition which also encompasses all the benefits of baking. Reminiscence activities such as baking are so important for older people, especially for those living with dementia, as the familiar scents and tastes can evoke happy memories from the past.

“We always take the time to celebrate special days and we like to ensure all residents feel at home by keeping to any traditions they may have. Stir-up Sunday is an important milestone in the lead up to Christmas and we are all very excited to use Brendan’s recipe to create a delicious pudding.”

Commenting on his passion for baking and inspiring older people to take up the hobby, Brendan said: “I am a strong believer in the therapeutic benefits of baking for older people and combining this with a traditional occasion such as Stir-up Sunday can create a calm and comforting environment for all involved.

“The process of mixing certain ingredients and the smells associated with baking a Christmas pudding can trigger memories and nostalgic feelings from Stir-Up Sunday’s of the past, conjuring up happy times spent with family and friends.

“Since my youth baking has been an important part of my life. In times of stress and worry I would often use baking as a way to relax. Now I hope to give older people the inspiration to give it a try and see the benefits for themselves.”

Head chef, Gary Shaw, concluded: “Christmas pudding is a firm favourite with residents at Winchcombe Place and we are all very excited to test out our baking skills creating our own festive inspired treats, ready to be revealed on Christmas Day.”

For more information Winchcombe Place please call customer relations manager, Amanda Speck, on 0330 134 6416, or email Amanda.Speck@careuk.com. 

Care UK’s Christmas pudding recipe can be downloaded at www.careuk.com/stirupsunday.