After the tremendous support from our community fundraising for our minibus, residents have decided our NY resolution is giving back. We are therefore helping Wye Valley Food Bank. Every Tuesday we will be taking two residents in our minibus to deliver food parcels from the food bank to our local area. Residents will take turns in assisting with the deliveries so they can all lend their support.
We are also joining the rest of the nation in getting fit this New Year! We have Tamar from Fitnniss and Wellbeing coming in on Thursday mornings for seated exercise sessions. We are also welcoming back reflexologist Belinda with her Monday fortnightly sensory sessions. A lovely way to start the week with the lamps, diffusers, music and reflexology.
Christmas highlights
We had a jam packed diary of festive events with some star studded entertainment. X Factor’s Richard Ryan joined us not once but twice, plus Dayton Grey from ITV’s Starstruck singing the sound of soul and Motown classics. There was a vintage performance from The Bluebird Belles and Christmas songs from Ukes on the Edge.
We also enjoyed an evening of Carol’s by Candlelight from Stourport Choral – so magical with all the twinkling lights and nostalgia with the well known carols, mince pies and mulled wine.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without lots of children! It was wonderful to have so many children from St Anne’s Primary School and Nursery in Bewdley coming to sing for our residents and bring their families along too. Their singing was beautiful. Thank you to Di, Morrisons Kidderminster Community Champion, for coming along to serve mince pies and hot chocolate (all donated by Morrisons) and Santa was on hand giving out gifts to the children (and their teachers) from Summerdyne. Such a heart-warming, festive community event.
Our staffing team pulled out all the stops to make Christmas super special for residents. St Nikkie-las (our secret Santa) and our Nancy-Elf (his little helper) visited residents with Christmas gifts. It’s not often Santa appears pushing an elf in a trolley! The delight on our residents faces! Do see our Facebook page for so many wonderful photos.
Plans for the New Year
Beth Berwick Lowe will be singing for residents on 18th January; hits from the 1940s to 1970s and lots of musical numbers. JDR are also back, by popular demand, on 24th February.
We are marking the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit with a special themed celebration on 23rd January.
We have lots of Valentine themed activities including a celebration lunch on 14th February with Richard Ryan, X Factor winner, singing between 11.30 and 12.30. The St Anne’s Primary school choir are also visiting on 16th February to sing love songs to residents and we are continuing our Penpal project with their Year 5 children this year.
Shrove Tuesday is 21st February with pancake activities; baking, tossing and, of course, racing! Our traditional (rather competitive!) staff and residents wheelchair race is back!
