Social group for the elderly aims to tackle isolation
TACKLING isolation is the aim of a new community group for elderly people living in Pelton and the surrounding area. The Hawthorn Project & Eat With Me initiative is a drop in social group to support elderly members of the community, their families, carers and friends. It aims to tackle social isolation and improve the wellbeing of elderly residents through regular gatherings and activities. The project is funded by Durham County Council through the Older People’s Social Isolation Fund, part of Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership. Meetings are being held at Pelton Community Centre, on Front Street, with attendees from nearby Pelton Grange Care Home, alongside others from the area. The home’s activities coordinator took resident Brenda Clifford to the first session, where she painted her own mug and chatted to other visitors. Brenda said: “I’ve never painted anything like a mug. It has pride of place in my bedroom now. “I hope more people get involved with the project.” Brenda has since encouraged several of her fellow residents to go to the sessions with her, including Dennis Fullerton, Jean Noddles and Barry Wyatt. Lyndsey Sale-Thorn, activities coordinator at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “The sessions have been a great success, with lots of attendees from Pelton and the wider area. “It’s a great opportunity for our residents to mix with likeminded people and do activities in a different environment. “I’m pleased the community centre is putting on more events and we’re really glad to be able to support them.” Hyleen Wood, from Pelton Community Centre, said: “It’s lovely to have residents from Pelton Grange coming along to the sessions. “We see different residents coming along each time. They’re really enjoying the sessions. “Community members are also joining in and we’re seeing an increase in their participation at the sessions.” Hawthorn Project & Eat With Me sessions take place every Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to 11am, at the Pelton Community Centre, Front Street, Pelton. All are welcome. Pelton Grange Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Dementia friends gather at Teesside care home
DEMENTIA friends gathered at Teesside care home for training to support those with the condition. Dementia champion and crime prevention officer at Cleveland Police, Peter Ridley facilitated the session at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton on Tees. There were more than a dozen attendees, including staff from the home, family of residents, members of the Carlton WI and others from the community. WI member Ann Swinbank said: “I wanted to learn more as a family member has been showing dementia-like symptoms and I felt it would help if I knew how to assist them going forward.” The Beeches Care Home manager, Jess Brown, met session facilitator Pete during their dementia friends training at the Dementia Hub in Thornaby. Pete has since helped ensure Cleveland Police is completely dementia friendly, with all new cohorts receiving dementia friends training. He said: “I was delighted to be asked to present the dementia friends session at The Beeches. “I became a dementia champion to help build awareness in the community of the challenges that people who live with dementia face. “If we can create awareness, it will help people be more understanding when they interact with a person who has dementia.” Jess said: “We had a great turnout with 14 for our dementia friends session. “As a care home looking after those with dementia, we wanted to do our bit to help others understand the condition better, so they can support their friends and loved ones. “These sessions are aimed at raising awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live the way they want. “We’re planning to run sessions at local schools to give children an understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and how to help those who have it. “We’re also organising further sessions at the home and we’ll make the dates available to those wishing to know more as soon as possible.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home residents cast their vote in European election
ELDERLY care home residents have taken to the polling booths to cast their votes in the European election. Staff at Ingleby Care Home, in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, wanted to ensure residents could exercise their right in the European election to vote despite their mobility issues. Those keen to cast their vote were taken to their nearest polling station in wheelchairs by their carers. Resident Sheila Colburn was among them. She said: “I couldn’t thank the staff enough for taking me to vote. “I’ve always voted and didn’t know what would happen after moving to Ingleby Care Home, with my family working. I really appreciated the staff taking me.” Resident Charlotte Stephenson added: “It’s nice we can still get to vote.” Cassie McCloskey, unit manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “It was great to be able to take residents to the polling station and they were really happy to be able to vote. “Moving into a care home, either due to lack of mobility or other issues, should not mean the end of their right to vote. “Many residents still want to take part in elections and we are only too happy to support them to do so.” Ingleby Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Driving into history with care home’s vintage motor show
VINTAGE cars from the 1920s to 1950s paraded around a Bakewell care home as part of National Care Home Open Day. The classic vehicles were on display at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, on Haddon Road, with an open invitation to visitors. The show involved almost 20 cars, all belonging to members of The Old Motor Club, including a 1929 Rolls Royce and a 1933 Austin Light 12-4 Harley. They also brought along an Austin 7, Ford Consul, Ford Prefect, Wolseley, Austin 10 and more. The care home’s maintenance man Keith Thomas also displayed his awarding winning 1953 Morris Z Van. He was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy for Best in Class at last year’s Cromford Steam Rally, at High Acres Farm, Brackenfield. Keith, along with many of The Old Motor Club members, lovingly restored their vehicles from wrecks. He said: “I was surprised to win Best in Class but immensely proud when I received the award.” Sam Stone, home manager at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, said: “Last year’s event was such a success we decided to run it again to mark National Care Home Open Day and National Drive It Day. “Burton Closes Hall is the perfect backdrop for such an amazing display of vintage cars, as one of Bakewell’s oldest buildings. We had a great turn out for the event this year. “We are planning on bringing the vintage motor show back again next year, so we hope even more visitors will come along.” Burton Closes Hall Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Nurses past and present honoured on International Nurses Day
NURSES past and present were honoured at a North East care home for International Nurses Day. Staff and former nurses who now live at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, Blyth, Northumberland, were recognised for their hard work throughout their careers. Resident Elsie Scattergood was a mental health nurse in Aberdeen. She said: “I loved being a nurse and worked really hard.” Pat Whyatt was a paediatric nurse who worked in South Africa in her early twenties as well as the UK. She said: “I am very proud of this time in my life. I loved working with the little children. They were really beautiful. “It’s lovely to honour all the nurses at The Oaks on Nurses Day as they all work so hard and care a lot about others.” Residents handmade cards and gave boxes of chocolates to their carers, including management staff. Clare Robson, deputy manager at The Oaks Care Home, said: “I have never received a gift for Nurses Day, so it was lovely to be recognised for my job. “Being a nurse is important to me as I love to help people. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone is cared for with dignity in a person centred way, especially those at end of life.” Among the other staff members to receive gifts were nurse Desiree Sampson and visiting community matron Yvonne Harrison also received chocolates. Desiree said: “I especially loved the chocolates. It was lovely to get cards from the residents.” Yvonne said: “I’m over the moon to be thought of. I have never had anything before for Nurses Day. It was very kind of everyone to think of me.” Staff also surprised the home manager, Ann Mielnik, with a gift. She said: “I was surprised to receive my gift as to me it was all about the residents who were nurses and the staff and visiting professionals. “It’s the little things that mean a lot and the staff remembering me as the nurse I am was humbling.” International Nurses Day was also celebrated at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, where district nurses and community matrons who visit the home were recognised. The afternoon tea, held in the home’s bistro, included sandwiches, cakes, lattes and cappuccinos, as a thank you for the nurses hard work. Residents also gave their carers gift bags containing chocolates and mini bottles of wine. Jessica Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “We wanted to show our thanks to all the hard working nurses, including staff and visiting professionals, who care for our residents at The Beeches.” The Oaks Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Cupcake sales raises funds to support those with cancer
A CUPCAKE sale at University Hospital of North Tees has generated £120 to support those with cancer. Staff at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, in Peterlee, organised the sale to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Alongside selling the homemade cupcakes, they also handed out literature to raise awareness of cancer, diabetes and dementia. Home manager Lynn Chapman, senior carer Haley Grant and activities coordinators Abby Gormley and Dawn Minto all helped run the stall. The home’s cook, Carol Gingell, baked the cupcakes. Lynn said: “I would like to thank our cook Carol for the lovely cakes she baked. I would also like to thank Haley, Dawn and Abby for a great day. “This is one of the first fundraisers we are doing for our chosen charity and we have a few more surprises later in the year.” Macmillan Cancer Support is the chosen charity of the Hill Care Group, which operates Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, for 2019/20. Dozens of homes across the north of England are taking part in a year of fundraising activities, aiming to raise as much as possible for the charity. Bannatyne Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Florence celebrates 101st birthday with care home party
Family and friends celebrated the 101st birthday of former church volunteer and school pianist Florence Chettle. Her birthday was marked with a party at Barnfield Care Home, in Chesterfield, where she has lived since March 2018. Florence was joined by three generations of her family for the day, when she was presented with two specially made cakes, cards and gifts. She has three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who live in Canada, America and Australia, as well as the UK. Alongside a card from the Queen, members of Florence’s family unable to attend the care home party sent celebratory cards and greetings from around the world. Florence was born in Nottingham on 15th April 1918. In 1945 she married Frank Chettle, a headteacher at Tapton House School, in Chesterfield. They were married for over 66 years, before Frank passed away in 2011. Florence moved from Nottingham to Norwich, Worcestershire and, finally, Chesterfield during her married life. She carried out voluntary work for the Methodist church, ran a playgroup and played the piano in various schools. She also has a lifelong interest in knitting and baking. Tracey Turner, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, said: “We celebrated Florence’s 100thbirthday just a month after she moved into the home in March last year. “It was amazing to see so many members of her family here again to mark her 101stthis year – alongside all of our residents and staff wishing her well. “She had a brilliant day and got so many lovely cards and gifts.” Happy birthday Florence! Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Sponsored walk for dementia friendly sensory garden
RESIDENTS and staff have raised hundreds of pounds for a dementia friendly sensory garden at their care home. A 3.5-mile sponsored walk around Carr Ellison Park, in Hebburn, near Newcastle, generated more than £280 in sponsorship. The funds will be used to buy a variety of plants and vegetables, raised flower beds and other multi-sensory items for the garden at Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West. The sponsored walk was undertaken by residents, staff, family and friends of the home. One of those was 75-year-old Harry West, who was joined by his granddaughter Samantha West, daughter Angela Groark, son Malcolm West and daughter-in-law Annemarie West. Fellow resident Patricia Greig, 75, also took part in the walk. She said: “The park is beautiful. It’s great to see the squirrels running around they’re lovely. I have enjoyed my day.” Christine Chandler, activities coordinator at Willowdene Care Home, said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to all the family members for supporting the sponsored walk. “The funds will go a long way to creating a sensory garden for our residents. “Gardening and being outside has a therapeutic effect on those living with dementia, so we look forward to making the most of our garden during the warmer, summer months.” Willowdene Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
School invites elderly to see Egg-cellent Easter display
AN EGGSTRA special invitation was sent to care home residents for a Runcorn school’s Easter assembly. Residents from Simonsfield Care Home, on Boston Avenue, were invited to view the school’s display of hand decorated Easter eggs. They had been created by pupils aged five to ten years old at The Grange Academy, on Latham Avenue, for a school competition. The school invited the elderly residents to visit following the care home’s appeal for Easter eggs. More than a dozen of the chocolate treats were presented to residents at the assembly. Debbie Smith, home manager at Simonsfield Care Home, said: “The school teachers and children were very keen to show our residents all the eggs entered into their egg decoration competition. “All the residents who went thoroughly enjoyed the assembly and talking to the children. Resident Emma Adams, in particular, got very emotional and had a little cry. “We would like to say a huge thank you to the school for inviting our residents to attend their Easter assembly and also for the generous donation of Easter eggs. “The residents will be enjoying those with their afternoon tea.” Simonsfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
