This January we have enjoyed many food themed days including National Pie Day, National Hot Chocolate Day and Croissant Day. Our home manager Charmaine organised our own Bake Off! The standard set was very high, making it hard for our judges, who were resplendent in their Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood face masks! There were some real show stoppers! Our residents were delighted to win a prize for their shortbread biscuits and everyone loved sampling all the cakes!
We celebrated Burns Night, which is an annual favourite event at West Eaton. We had neaps and tatties, and two pipers, piper piping in the haggis. Plus, a visit from the fantastic Tenbury Scottish dancers. A truly special celebration!
Some of us enjoyed an evening outing to experience the "Time" Luxmuralis installation at Hereford Cathedral. The residents loved being in the space and were mesmerised by the images and colours- they also slept very well afterwards! A big thank you to Tenbury Transport Trust plus our staff and family members who made it possible and the stewards at the event who made us feel so welcome.
It was The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch at the end of the January, so we familiarised ourselves with the species we might see, ready for our own bird count. Carlie from Herefordshire Growing Point came in and helped residents make bird feeders out of oranges. She was back again for Valentines to make love birds with our residents.
Thanks also to Liv from Creative Minds, Herefordshire, who got the residents creative juices flowing with a collaborative collage of a horse. This Chinese year is the horse which symbolises energy, freedom, strength and success.
We have celebrated 20 years of service for Ancy, our Clinical Lead at West Eaton. Ancy has dedicated her life to nursing. She originally trained in India, before moving to the UK, with her husband, as part of a programme to help the UK nursing shortage. She retrained to meet UK regulations, learnt to drive, built her first snowman and was amazed when the Spring flowers arrived! After initially working in Oakhampton, she moved to West Eaton, where she has worked ever since. She provides exemplary care for residents and is a wonderful friend, colleague and mentor. Ancy, and her family, are very much a part of both West Eaton and Leominster life.
Our home manager Charmaine said "Over the years, Ancy’s knowledge, kindness, and professionalism have touched the lives of countless residents, families, and colleagues. I can honestly say how much I enjoy working with Ancy. She is supportive, dependable, and a real pleasure to work alongside — someone who leads by example and brings calm, warmth, and positivity to every day."
Coming up
There is Yorkshire Pudding Day and Pizza Day.
We are having a Valentines weekend of crafting, decorating and enjoying musical entertainment.
Also joint Pancake Day and Chinese New Year celebrations on 17th February, and as we then head towards Easter, more Easter themed activities.
We are drawing up plans and getting quotes at the moment for a new sensory patio area, which we hope to build this Spring.
We are hosting a Mother's Day lunch with residents and their families and Ewan will be playing the piano for us. We are also celebrating St Patricks Day and some other foodie days.