We have been keeping busy here, banishing any January blues with a myriad of activities.
Singing the blues and an ode to the Haggis
We have a lot of Elvis fans at Summerdyne, so it was fun to celebrate The King’s birthday. Lots of music, dressing up, movies and a quiz.
We also celebrated Burns Night with Jason our Chef, cooking up a lovely treat. Neaps and tatties and everyone had a chance to taste of haggis. Plus a tot or two of whisky to warm the cockles!
As is tradition here at Summerdyne, we marked Dignity Action Day on 1st February, with a Digni-tea party. We sampled lots of different teas and did the quiz and crafting from the resource materials provided by Tetley. http://carekits.tetleyfoodservice.co.uk/
This day is important for care providers to reflect on the importance and significance of dignity in their role.
“Dignity Action Day highlights a more respectful way of behaving towards vulnerable people. The very old and the very young clearly need our respect, but it wouldn’t do any harm to spread the dignity message across the population then we can all benefit.”
Dame Joan Bakewell, Dignity in Care Ambassador
New clubs and classes
We have begun exercise classes, which are always a hoot. We start with a warm up to “I am a Music Man” and then move on to a seated exercise routine. Great to stretch and maintain flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
Our first Gardening Club was very popular so we have now subscribed to a monthly gardening subscription. This month our “Dug Plant Box” from Newlands Nursery contains eight variety of tomato seeds, seed tray and mini greenhouse. But for those of us who can’t wait to see the plants in action there is a planter for outside with a variety of plants to pot up. A fantastic booklet telling us what to do and handy tips is also included.
We also took part in the Big Garden Bird Watch campaign. Getting messy making food balls for our little feathered friends to keep them going through the cold mid winter months.
Roses are red, violets are blue
Thank you to St Anne’s CE Primary School and Nursery who were keen to get involved, making Valentine’s Hearts and sending photos for our Love Tree. Rachel Robinson Childcare have also been busy colouring hearts in colours that represent love to them. We plan to decorate our trees next Wednesday so if you are passing by we hope it brightens your day.
We also had an idea for knitted Love Bugs. The local knitting group, families and friends have been busy with their needles: They have knitted a fantastic assortment of bugs from ladybirds, butterflies, spiders and worms.
There are enough for each of our residents to have as a Valentines gift. We will scent them so they can be used as scented drawer fillers. We also plan to hang some around Bewdley Town for local people to pick up and take home and we are planning a delivery to Astley Hall to spread our joy of “love bugs” with them.
