Basingstoke care home residents team up with local children to bring back favourite recipes

A care home in Basingstoke has teamed up with local children and joined a nationwide campaign to save traditional recipes from being forgotten.  

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, found almost two-thirds (65%) of the nation no longer use family recipes that have been handed down through the generations, however, 43% of people surveyed are keen to save them. 

In a bid to prevent family recipes passed down through the generations from being lost forever, Care UK has launched a free downloadable recipe book – Recipes to remember, which features recipes shared by care home residents across the UK. From food enjoyed during World War Two to quirky desserts from the 1970s, the book includes residents’ favourite foods, alongside recipes tailored to support older people by Care UK’s award-winning chefs. 

Keen to keep their recipes bubbling away in Basingstoke for many years to come, residents from Dashwood Manor have rolled up their sleeves and donned their aprons, to team up with local children to show just how tasty their food favourites from the past are.  

Residents and children enjoyed baking traditional classics together, including fan favourite Rice Krispy cakes.

Yvonne Dolton said it was lovely to visit the nursery, and swap and eat what we had made with the nursery children: “I have spent my life looking after children, so today brought back lots of wonderful memories”. 

Resident, Jenni, added: “I loved spending the afternoon baking with Ella. I used to be a teacher, and it brought back memories of my career.” 

Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “We’ve certainly been whipping up some treats here at Dashwood Manor, as we headed to the kitchen to revisit residents’ food favourites from decades gone by.

“Regardless of age, food plays an important part in all of our lives, and there’s something special about the way the senses have the ability to evoke happy memories and emotions – which is why keeping old family recipes bubbling away and sharing them with younger generations is so important.

“It was fantastic to welcome local children for an afternoon spent baking! Everyone had a great time talking about their favourite foods – and licking chocolate off the spoon!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Recipes to remember initiative or to download your copy of the recipe book, please visit: careuk.com/recipes-to-remember 

Dashwood Manor – which opened in September 2021 – is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. The new care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities with luxury facilities, including a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema, bar and gardens.