We’ll meet again: Dorset care home celebrates Vera Lynn’s 103rd Birthday

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Mar 26, 2020

With all but the most essential visitors having to stay away to reduce the risk of infection, a care home team in Dorset found a creative solution to allow residents to enjoy the live music planned for their celebration of Dame Vera Lynn’s 103^rd birthday, while keeping everyone at a safe distance.

Residents at Care UK’s Ferndown Manor, on Golf Links Road, enjoyed a tea party, with patriotic food and bunting, safe and warm inside the care home lounge – while being serenaded with war time songs by a local entertainer, as they sang to them from the patio outside the coffee shop window.

Three team members joined in the make do and mend spirit by providing the backing harmonies to a host of vintage songs.

The forces’ sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn, celebrated a milestone birthday of 103 on 20^th March. Vera is well loved by the whole country, who were kept strong during the wartime with her popular song, “We’ll Meet Again”.

Everyone at the home had a wonderful time singing along to the classic hits, and all wished Dame Vera a very happy 103^rd birthday.

Jan Cresdee, home manager at Ferndown Manor, said: “We were thrilled to be able to enjoy a special performance under these very unusual circumstances. Vera Lynn is a favourite among the residents and team members here at Ferndown Manor, so it was great to be able to celebrate her birthday in style.

“Music therapy can be incredibly important for older people, and even more so for those living with dementia. Even when memories become particularly hard to remember, often music can still be recalled, so listening to songs from the past can often be very calming and can encourage memories from younger years.

“In such unusual times, it was wonderful to have a good old sing-along, and enjoy the wonderful entertainment.”

Ferndown Manor, which features 75 ensuite bedrooms, is a state-of-the-art home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, hairdressing salon and café, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

For more information or to book your place at the event please email customer relations manager, Robin Hill, at Robin.hill@careuk.com or call 01202 069 371.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/ferndown-manor