Care UK residents and colleagues inspired to go for gold

Company news

Aug 05, 2016

Eleven care homes across Suffolk and Norfolk recently joined together for a fun sports day inspired by the Rio 2016 Olympic Games which start today.

The sports day, hosted at Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham, saw the 11 homes compete against each other in games such as the egg and spoon race, an obstacle course, a fancy dress race, welly throwing and a tug of war to win a special gold medal or trophy.

Residents at the homes prepared for the event by creating flags, choosing team names and by sharing memories of their own childhood sports days.

Sharlene Van Tonder, home manager at Cleves Place in Haverhill who helped to organise the sports day, said: “It was a brilliant day and I’m so pleased that everyone enjoyed it. Over the past few weeks residents have been helping to organise the event and have been looking forward to meeting other residents from our Suffolk and Norfolk homes.

“The sports day has had many benefits for residents, particularly those living with dementia, as it has encouraged them to keep active, make new friendships and reminisce about sports days when they were younger.”

The sports day was the first event where residents, relatives and colleagues have come together from all 10 of Care UK’s new homes in Suffolk, which have been opening across the county over the past three years. Medals were given out to all participants, as well as trophies to the winners in each game.

The day ended with a barbecue prepared by Mills Meadow chefs Andrew Wilcox and Terry Moughton, as well as Mildenhall Lodge chef Alan Cash, who recently came third in the National Association of Care Catering Care Cook of the Year Competition.

After the success of the day, it’s hoped that different Suffolk homes will take it in turns to host the sports day each year as a new annual tradition.

Marie Reeve, home manager at Mills Meadow care home which hosted the event, said: “We were delighted to be the first home to host the annual sports day. We’re part of a strong community in Suffolk and it was fantastic to see residents and colleagues making new friendships and sharing in a day of laughter and fun together.”

The Care UK sports day took place in June. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games run 5-21 August.