Christmas was made enchanting for our residents this year, with a winter wonderland and the support and generosity of family and the local community.
There is also the wonderful news of vaccinations. On 7th January our residents and staff received their first COVID-19 vaccinations. A vital step towards a brighter 2021. We have lots of plans for the New Year – but first a look back on our Christmas festivities.
Our very own winter wonderland
What an amazing Winter Wonderland experience we have had. This was made possible by the generous donation from Ritchie Heath and his partner Annie from Light Ideas of Bewdley. Richie’s grandmother was a resident at Summerdyne many years ago and so it holds a special place in his heart and they follow our Facebook page.
“We can see the wonderful effort the staff put in for the residents and wanted to make this Christmas extra special”.
Annie
We were able to transform a room at Summerdyne into Narnia! It had a snow scene back drop, snowy walls, lots of twinkling lights and Christmas decorations.
You can see from the video here just how enchanting it was https://www.facebook.com/summerdynenursinghome/videos/732560174357120
This certainly made Christmas special. In a year where we have been unable to take residents out and about to see the Christmas lights it was joyous to create this winter scene.
The wonderland that is Bewdley
Our local community in Bewdley have really gone the extra mile this Christmas. Residents have been moved to tears by your warmth and generosity and staff felt incredibly supported. Thank you.
- We asked our Volunteer Knitters for Gingerbread Men and boy did they deliver. Special thanks to the Wribbenhall Knit and Natter Group and Joyce. We had an amazing amount knitted that we sprinkled all with a Ginger scent to give them a lovely Christmassy smell. Residents really enjoyed seeing and picking their own Gingerbread Men. It was lovely to have something personally made.
- Residents of Upper Park Lane clubbed together and donated the most amazing Christmas food and drink hampers. The size of the hampers were quite overwhelming. It was all very well received. Thank you.
- We received so many cards from the children of St Anne’s Primary school and Bewdley Beavers and Cubs. Plus handmade cards from Marissa Robinson.
- Donations from local businesses and Louise’s amazing Christmas cake enabled us to put together a Christmas raffle. We raised £207 for our residents fund.
- A pupil from Franche Primary School, called Hollie got in touch as she wanted to do something for our residents. She came up with the idea of making an advent calendar where residents had a different gift to open each day. The thought and work that had went into this was amazing. She must have spent hours getting it together. It was such a kind gift that residents loved opening each day. Well done Hollie – a brilliant idea.
In home activities over Christmas time
Everyone was so conscious that with lockdown limitations there would be a feeling of sadness, but we kept the mood jolly.
We were carolling, baking, pampering, crafting, puzzling, quizzing and reminiscing. Not to mention Skyping, Zooming, Face-timing, emailing. And of course eating, drinking and merry making.
- Residents loved Elf Day, the visit from Santa and our New Years Eve party.
- Making the gingerbread house bought back many lovely memories for residents. And many more baking sessions with biscuits and mince pies.
- Our Christmas Pantomime couldn’t go ahead as planned but we still enjoyed the on screen panto. Plenty of ”His behind you”s and booing at the baddies.
- We had lots of songs sent in for our “We All Sing Together” carolling project. Staff and residents did a rendition of Walking in A Winter Wonderland. Such a hit was the singing that we are starting a singing group in the New Year.
- We also made the most of the snow as you can see in the pictures below!
We wish you all a very happy New Year.