We are delighted to have welcomed our new Lifestyle and Wellbeing lead, Allison Griffiths to Astley who has been getting to know our residents. She wants to support residents with their hobbies and activities, to help enrich their lives. Together, they are putting together a fun programme of activities and events. They have already discovered lots in common.
Getting to know each other through shared interests
We have been making the most of the weather in our glorious garden. 99 ice creams all round, garden games and relaxing with the papers under our shady parasols.
Allison is passionate about horticulture and how interacting with nature can have a positive effect upon wellbeing. Our green fingered residents are delighted to have a fellow horticulturalist join the team. There have been lots of enjoyable strolls in the garden chatting about garden projects and planting schemes.
Allison and her husband have a menagerie of animals, including two little dogs, tortoises, parrots and spiders! Residents are keen to meet them all – so we started with a visit from the cuddly small animals. We are building up to the exotic animals and creepy crawlies later in July!
Events and activities
Residents enjoyed another fabulous Sensory Therapy session with June. They really love the restful music, gentle hand massages, facials and the aromatherapy scents. These one-to-one times give a lovely opportunity to chat to each resident about their families and loved ones, any worries, news and events, or have a bit of a giggle about anything really. Conversations often go off on a tangent and we go with the flow!
We celebrated American Independence Day with Hotdogs and fries, Smokey Texas beans and Southern Fried chicken topped off with – you guessed it , apple pie! Thank you to Chris, our head chef and his team.
We also hosted a Wimbledon Afternoon Tea on Saturday 8th July. There was tennis (on the TV and balloon tennis!) strawberries and cream and Pimms. We are having some multi-media art sessions throughout July with residents work mounted on a Gallery Wall. One resident Christine is making beautiful cards. She has a creative background and is an excellent painter. We also have floral art sessions planned, led by our talented Derek. And gardening days to tie in with National Allotment Week in August.
Allison would like to develop a network of volunteers and befrienders at Astley Hall and support residents in their fundraising goals. She has lots of experience within the voluntary sector and has enjoyed supporting local and national charities over the past 10 years.