Care Home Open Day a resounding success as Care UK homes develop relationships across the generation

Company news

Jul 06, 2015

Thousands of care homes across the UK recently took part in Care Home Open Day, the annual initiative aimed at challenging perceptions of care homes, connecting residents with even more people in their community, and developing relationships across the generations.

Here are just some of the highlights from events at Care UK homes.

At Colne View in Halstead, Essex visitors got into the party spirit with stirring performances from the home’s residents’ choir as well as live entertainment from professional singer, Chris Gordon. Members of the neighbouring Maplestead Day Club dropped in to decorate bird boxes with Colne View residents, as part of an ongoing project to create a wildlife-friendly habitat in the care home garden.

Francis Court in Copthorne, near Crawley was transformed into a Wild West village for the open day, with a visit from two miniature ponies proving to be a highlight for residents and guests alike. Singer Louise Trinick entertained everyone with a Country and Western-inspired performance and many people joined in with a fun line dancing session.

Nature-loving residents at Winchcombe Place in Newbury took the opportunity to demonstrate the changes they have been making to their gardens to make the space more bird-friendly. John Swallow, chairman of Newbury District Ornithological Club, was also on hand to pass on his expert advice on birdwatching.

In Framlingham, Suffolk, residents at Mills Meadow were joined by Lehmann House residents from Wickham Market for a ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’, complete with an array of tempting teatime treats, lawn games and a jam tart making competition.

Asterbury Place on Aster Road in Ipswich went retro and hosted a Vintage Fair at the care home, featuring vintage gifts and cake stalls. There were also outdoor activities for residents, their guests and members of the local community to enjoy.

Prince George House in the Ravenswood area of Ipswich held a traditional garden party, with a variety of stalls and a barbecue, as well as strawberry cream teas in the adjacent day club, the Prince George Club. The highlight for many was when resident Charlie Brock took to the drums with his local 60s band, Bits and Pieces.

Visitors to Mildenhall Lodge in Suffolk enjoyed a variety of summer-themed activities, including a barbecue lunch, a steel band performance in the care home’s gardens and activities including flower arranging, glass painting and planting hanging baskets.

Priors House in Leamington Spa had a double celebration for visitors and residents as Care Home Open coincided with the home’s first birthday. The team hosted a summer garden party where visitors enjoyed the musical delights of the Spa Strummers Ukulele Group and there were also stalls with handmade goods and crafts, refreshments and fun games for children to take part in throughout the afternoon.

The team at Perry Manor in Worcester was also celebrating the home’s first anniversary alongside Care Home Open Day. It hosted a family-friendly garden party which featured activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including boules, table-top board games and live music. Visitors also enjoyed a glass of Pimms, a slice of birthday cake and picnic-themed canapés.

At a two-day event at Bowes House in Hailsham visitors enjoyed a whole host of activities including the opportunity to get up close with some impressive birds of prey and learn more about the ancient art of falconry. As well as the chance to relax and enjoy a hand massage in the birdsong relaxation room and listen to live music from local band Recycled.

Sandfields in Cheltenham hosted a ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ extravaganza including a fun chair Zumba session, Caribbean-themed craft activities and music from Pandemonium, a traditional steel-drum band. Following the performance, musician Richard Davis orchestrated an African drum tutorial for visitors and freshly prepared Caribbean-inspired food and refreshments were provided.

Care UK manages 115 care homes nationwide with over 7,000 places. The independent sector health and social care provider is committed to activity based care which gives residents the freedom to continue doing the hobbies and activities they’ve always loved, and its teams support residents to spend quality time with family and friends and to play an active part in care home life.