Hospital tombola helps care home raise funds for charity
CARE home staff are continuing to raise hundreds of pounds for stroke survivors and their families – as part of a year-long fundraising campaign. A tombola at the University Hospital of North Tees was run by staff from The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees. Deputy manager Rachel Harris and activities coordinator Jess Roth manned the stand, selling tickets and giving away prizes including scented candles and toiletries. Alongside a coffee morning at the home, this has added another £97 to the £660 total the home has already raised for the Stroke Association throughout last year. Previous events included a supermarket bag pack, cake sale and sponsored walk. Rachel said: “We’d like to thank North Tees Hospital for allowing us to run our tombola for the Stroke Association. “We had a lot of interested and raised a good amount of money for the charity. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and congratulations to the lucky prize winners.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home’s seaside appeal for resident Eddie’s 85th birthday
AN APPEAL has been issued to give an elderly care home resident a seaside birthday party – despite being almost 70 miles from the nearest coastal town. Staff at Aden Lodge Care Home, in Clayton West, near Huddersfield, are hoping to fulfil resident Edward “Eddie” Case’s 85thbirthday wish. Unfortunately, Eddie is not able to travel to the coast, so the home is planning on bringing the coast to Eddie. Staff will be creating an indoor beach for the day, complete with sandcastle making, volleyball and other beach games, mocktails and more. They are also hoping to have an ice cream van and a donkey or pony visit the home and are appealing to anyone who can provide the traditional seaside attractions. Kim Hardy, home manager at Aden Lodge Care Home, said: “Eddie is a hug fan of the great outdoors. “On a recent walk around his home village of Clayton West, he was able to recall when he was a young lad and he would walk to school because “only well-off families could afford a car”, he said. “He said he loved visits to the beach as a child, despite living a good one and a half hours drive away, so we thought we’d bring to beach to him for his 85th birthday. “We need support to pull this off, however, so we’re appealing to anyone who can provide traditional seaside attractions such as an ice cream van, candyfloss maker, a donkey or pony rides. Anything that brings back memories of the seaside. “We’re opening up the party to anyone who would like to join us for our seaside day on 23rd March. We’d like to see as many visitors as possible.” Kim added: “We’re also appealing to the local community to see if we can get 85 birthday cards for his 85th– but all themed with the great outdoors, from beech themes to our wonderful countryside.” For further information about the appeal call Aden Lodge Care Home on 01484 866602 or email adenlodgemanager@hillcare.net. To send a card to Eddie Case for his 85th birthday, address it to Eddie Case, Aden Lodge Care Home, Long Lane, Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9PR. Aden Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Pets charm residents at Teesside care home
A HERD of fluffy, four-legged friends were the latest visitors to a Middlesbrough care home. Rabbits and guinea pigs hopped in to see residents at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, for an animal therapy session. Staff from Pets at Home, on Teesside Park, Stockton-on-Tees, brought the animals for residents to hold and stroke. Having contact with the cute, cuddly creatures provides therapeutic benefits for those living with dementia, according to home manager Pam Rodgers. She said: “Watching, stroking and holding guinea pigs, rabbits and other animals can have a calming and positive impact on everyone – but especially those living with dementia. “They might bring back fond memories of their own pets or give them something to focus on and care for. Everyone had big smiles on their faces at the end of the session.” After holding the rabbit, resident Maureen Hall said: “How wonderful is he. I could hold him all day.” Fellow resident James Haslam said: “It’s great being able to meet animals like this. Thank you. They are beautiful.” The Gables Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Farm animals bring smiles to elderly residents’ faces
HOOVES clattered through the halls of an Ellesmere Port care home when residents were treated to an animal therapy session. Two miniature ponies, a goat and a rabbit were among the latest visitors to Aaron Court Care Home, on Princes Road. The four-legged farm animals were brought to the home by pet therapy company Doolittles Animal Therapy. The residents were given the opportunity to stroke, cuddle and talk to the animals during the session. One resident, Mavis Shaw, was brought to tears upon seeing the goat and repeatedly said “thank you” to the company’s expert handlers. Animal therapy sessions helps to reduce stress, ease anxiety and improve overall wellbeing, according to home manager Lindsey Bevan. She said: “You only have to watch the residents with the animals to see how beneficial these sorts of therapy session are. “Particularly for those with dementia, as it can bring back fond memories, which has a positive impact on stress and anxiety. “Everyone was very excited when the animals got here and the smiles on the residents’ faces said it all. It’s not every day ponies and a goat visit a care home.” Aaron Court Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Superfan Malcolm enjoys T-Rex tribute concert
T-REX superfan Malcolm Temke got to see his favourite band live again when tribute act T-Rextasy played Middlesbrough Theatre. Despite his dementia, Malcolm recalled many of the band’s lyrics and sang along to classics including “20th Century Boy”, “Get It On” and “Children Of The Revolution”. He was taken to the concert along with fellow resident Christine Standley by carers at Briarwood Care Home, in Eston, Middlesbrough, where they both live. After the show, he met the band and lookalike singer, bringing back memories of the many occasions he met T-Rex’s lead singer, Marc Bolan. Malcom first saw T-Rex play live in 1969, when he was 15-years-old. He has a photo of himself and Marc from the concert. He keeps a scrapbook of T-Rex memories, including ticket stubs, programmes and photos. One ticket, from a concert at ABC Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees, on 4th November 1971, shows he paid 60p for a seat in the stalls. His first T-Rex album was White Swan, released in 1970. Julie Foster, home manager at Briarwood Care Home, said: “Malcolm is a very quiet gentleman and rarely speaks. However, he was singing along to all the songs and asked our activities coordinator Norma Dobie if she was going to share her crisps. “It was lovely we could take Malcolm and Christine out to enjoy the show and both had such a fantastic time.” Dawn Temke, Malcolm’s wife, said: “I was delighted staff at Briarwood Care Home took Malcom to see the show. He loved it. Briarwood Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Knitted walking frame bags bring joy to care home residents
Hand crafted walking frame bags have given care home residents more freedom to get about carrying their “essentials”. A knitting group from Thornaby Methodist Church, near Middlesbrough, created the bags for residents at Mandale House Care Home. One of those residents, Mavis Thomas, has been a member of the church and friends with the knitting group organiser, Shirley Whitfield, for over 50 years. Shirley established Chat and Craft to help members work through their grief after their husbands passed away. They began knitting items to raise funds for the church and later diversified into baby clothes and blankets, for Blue Light Babies charity. The group then started knitting items for care homes in the area, including the walking frame bags for those living at Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, Thornaby. Shirley said: “The group loves helping others and making a difference to the community. “The ladies who go to the group enjoy the company and that they’re creating something useful to help others. “They’re delighted the Mandale residents love the bags and use them all the time.” The knitting group has also donated baby dolls and knitted clothes to the home, as residents with dementia find dressing and holding them comforting, according to home manager Louise Hawksby. She said: “The knitting bags that residents are able to fasten to their walking frames have been really popular. They are absolutely delighting the residents. “They are having a hoot collecting and carrying around their essentials. Some of the things they’re carrying are packets of biscuits, tissues, fruit, twiddle muffs and toys. “The knitting group also supplied two fully clothed dolls for the dementia suite. They came with knitted trousers, beanies, cardigans and a blanket made from lace trimmed terry towelling nappies. “They have been a hit with our residents, as they bring back memories of when they used to look after their own children. The simple act of dressing and holding the dolls can provide a lot of comfort and joy.” Residents Florence Jinks and Margaret Morris have both been making use of their new walking frame bags. Florence said: “It’s really handy. I like to keep my biscuits and tissues in my bag.” Margaret added: “I have been filling mine with fruit from the fruit bowl.” Mandale House Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Carrot Cake Day helps Chesterfield care home residents
NATIONAL Carrot Cake Day has been helping Derbyshire care home residents living with dementia. Residents at Springbank House Care Home, on Ashgate Road, in Chesterfield, have been recalling their baking skills to mark the national day. They helped make and decorate buns and cakes before they were served during afternoon tea. Using their baking skills has proven beneficial for those with dementia, according to home manager Karen Busby. She said: “We’re always looking for activities where our residents can use familiar skills, especially for those living with dementia. “Tasks that bring back memories can have a very positive effect on their mood and wellbeing. “Many of the residents used to bake for their families and friends, so National Carrot Cake Day was an opportunity to get them mixing, whisking and decorating their own cakes and buns. “Everyone had a great time making and then eating the cakes.” One of those residents who got involved in the activity was Eileen Ransome, 95. She said: “I was taught by my mother to cook and, in those days, there were no mixers. You had to mix the butter and eggs with a wooden spoon – adding eggs slowly because it would curdle. “Today, they buy cakes or get cake mix in packets – not like in the olden days, where we made them from start to finish.” Another resident, Freda Botham, 96, said: “My mother made beautiful bread and biscuits but I lost her recipe book. “I always disliked chocolate cake but I made them for my children, David and Diane.” Alongside the baking activity, the home’s staff introduced two mascots for the day, Kevin and Katie Carrot. The pair of cuddly toys kept residents company and rode the serving trolley while the cakes were handed out with afternoon tea. Home manager Karen added: “The residents thought having Kevin and Katie Carrot in to help was lovely and cute. “The pair have now retired and we have agreed to put them on display and raffle them to raise money for the residents’ fund” “The team at Springbank work so hard to give the residents a lovely time and fill the home with cheer and laughter, which is as good as any medicine.” www.hillcare.net
Care home’s first coffee morning a “huge success”
FAMILIES, friends and VIPs turned out for an inaugural coffee morning at a Peterlee care home. The Town Mayor Councillor Scott Meikle, Deputy Mayor Councillor Terry Duffy and Councillor Gordon Carne were among the guests at the first Bannatyne Lodge Care Home community coffee morning. They were joined by staff, residents and visitors for hot drinks, cakes and a chat. There was also a tombola to raise money for the residents’ fund, which contributes towards activities and outings for those living at the home. Lynn Chapman, home manager at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, said: “Our first coffee morning was a huge success. “We all enjoyed cakes, tea, coffee and a big tombola. Residents and their families, friends of the home and council members all came along to show support. “Anyone is welcome to attend our coffee morning events, so we hope to see as many as possible at the next.” Bannatyne Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home turns into pizzeria for National Pizza Day
A TEESSIDE care home transformed into a pizzeria for the day as residents baked their own Italian creations. National Pizza Day was celebrated by staff and residents at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees. Alwyn Behan, 86, Marian Knightly, 83, Jane Monaghan, 72, and Sylvia Smith, 77, were among those who created their own pizzas. The residents chose their favourite toppings, including pepperoni, chicken, ham, and a variety of vegetables, before baking them in the oven. Jane Monaghan said: “Pizza making has gone very well. Only I’ve got tomatoes everywhere. I’ve always been a messy cook. “It brought back memories of pizza-making parties with my grandchildren. My favourite pizza is double cheese with herbs.” Marian Knightly said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s something different to do. My favourite is mushroom and cheese.” Alwyn Behan added: “I’ve enjoyed pizza making. It’s nice doing it myself and putting the different toppings on. My favourite is chicken and vegetables.” Jess Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “National Pizza Day was an opportunity to get messy and make our own pizzas. “The residents loved it. It brought back fond memories for many. And then they all enjoyed a slice with their afternoon tea.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
