Sale care home journeys into Christmas past

Old festive traditions came to life at a care home in Sale, where residents enjoyed a day of seasonal activities. 

Care UK’s Oakfield Croft on Oakfield, hosted a festive celebration to revisit customs from Christmas past.

The event was part of Care UK’s ‘Step into Christmas’ initiative, which aims to revive residents’ festive traditions, encouraging them to share memories. 

By blending storytelling, crafts and carol singing, the events create a space for meaningful connection. 

On the day, residents were immersed in the sights, sounds, and flavours of Christmases past. Shetland ponies dressed in festive attire brought smiles and sparked memories of winter celebrations and family outings.

Residents also enjoyed a traditional hot chocolate bar, before getting creative, making classic handmade paper chains and colouring wooden decorations to hang on the home’s Christmas tree – activities many remembered doing with their families as children.

The celebration concluded with carolling by a visiting group, who filled the home with much-loved Christmas songs, followed by a pantomime performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.

94-year-old resident, Enid Docherty said: “The panto was brilliant – we had such a laugh. Seeing the ponies again was very special too; it reminded me of winters from years ago. It felt like a proper old-fashioned Christmas.”

Roxanne Walsh, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories by recreating festive traditions.

“From making decorations and singing carols to enjoying a pantomime and festive treats, the day really captured the magic of Christmas past. It was wonderful to see residents reminiscing, sharing stories and enjoying those familiar moments together.

“Events like this are incredibly important, as they help residents feel connected to their memories and to one another, while creating new joyful moments at the same time.”

For more information about Step into Christmas, visit careuk.com/Step-into-Christmas  

Oakfield Croft provides residential, dementia and respite care, and has been rated ‘good’ in all five areas by the Care Quality Commission. The home is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The layout of the home is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities, and also boasts facilities such as a cinema, café and hair and beauty salon.