We knew Christmas 2020 was going to be a bit different to usual but we weren’t expecting it to be so positive and upbeat. With such support from our residents families and local community there was lots to be thankful for. Plus the COVID vaccinations heralding a brighter start to 2021.
Positive news with COVID vaccinations
“It’s so great to be able to share that all of our team received their COVID vaccine over the last two weeks and today so did all of our residents. This is the start of hopefully getting back to a new normal. We still have injection number 2 to come but this is a fantastic start. All of our residents and staff remain COVID free. This is thanks to the dedication of my lovely team and the patience and support of all of our families and loved ones. Thank you.”
Matthew Cox, Home Manager on 11th January 2021
Our team making residents feel so positive
In line with our Resident of the Week, through Advent we had a Resident of the Day. Each day we celebrated someone special, opening open crackers and doing festive things.
We kicked off Christmas with Elf Day on the 5th as part of our Friday singalong. Lots of residents were on their feet dancing and some fabulous moves from Matt, our home manager and Jayne, our administrator. And the outfits! So uplifting!
There has been lots of crafting and baking. Residents enjoyed making wreaths with plenty of holly, ivy, berries, dried oranges, bells and ribbons. Such a sense of achievement to make a wreath from scratch, using lots of foliage from our garden.
Christmas games, quizzes, yoga, parties and a visit from Santa…. who even brought the snow! Lots of eating, drinking and merry-making.
Thank you to our local community
It was so lovely to have children back at our home – albeit socially distanced in the garden. The children and staff of Astley Primary School sung loud and proud and residents loved hearing their carolling. They also made crackers for our residents and gifted a hamper to our staff. It was such a positive experience for everyone and was a Christmas highlight.
We had so many donations of gifts and well wishes. It was wonderful for residents and our team felt so supported.
- Amazing knitted and hand crafted gifts from the Dudley For The Love of Scrubs Makers & Crafters.
- Donations from Tescos for our New Years hampers.
- Flowers from Great Witley school and Christmas cards from the children of Franche Primary School.
- Hampers for our team from their families and friends and the volunteers of Stourport-on-Severn Civic Hall
- Donations of vintage Christmas baubles.
We may be in another national lockdown, but the vaccine news and rollout is a positive step towards a brighter 2021. Happy New Year from all of us at Astley Hall.
