Whitby Dene goes the extra mile for Commonwealth-themed celebration

Home news

May 08, 2018

There was fun for all at Whitby Dene when it invited the local community in for a day of celebrations.

The team at Whitby Dene welcomed the people of Eastcote to enjoy Care Home Open Day, a countrywide initiative set up to develop lasting relationships between care homes and local communities, and to dispel common myths about care home life.  

The team marked the occasion by throwing a Commonwealth-themed party, including the first ever inter-home Commonwealth Games held between Whitby Dene and neighbouring care home, The Burroughs in West Drayton. 

Guests were delighted to watch an opening ceremony organised by the team, featuring a marching band performance and parade of nation flags. Visitors cheered for their favourite care home during an eight-mile torch relay between the two homes run by the Care UK team and completed by resident Patrick ‘Tony’ Osang, who lit the Commonwealth flame. 

Residents carried out weeks of exercise and training led by both a physiotherapist and the lifestyle teams at Whitby Dene and The Burroughs to get Commonwealth Games-ready. During the event, the residents took part in a variety of competitive activities, including volleyball, an egg and spoon race, basketball,a target game and 10 pin bowling. The day was topped off with a delicious meal specially prepared by Whitby Dene’s chefs, with dishes inspired by Commonwealth countries.

Saad Baig, home manager at Whitby Dene, said: “We had a wonderful day celebrating Care Home Open Day at Whitby Dene. We are especially delighted to have been chosen to win the “Best Care UK Event” award among all Care UK homes across the country. The atmosphere here for our first ever Commonwealth Games was fantastic, andthe residents all really enjoyed taking part in the competitive activities. 

“Care Home Open Day is all about building bridges with our local community, and showing what life in a care home is really like, so it was fantastic to see so many of our neighbours come along to celebrate. We would like to say a big thank you to the people of Eastcote who came to cheer for our residents, and for making the day so special.”