April has been yet another eventful month for the residents with the theme ‘Eggs and Dragons’. Residents have been busy making their Easter bonnets, decorating the Easter tree, and decorating cakes, all in preparation for their Easter bonnet parade. They have also been reminiscing about places they have visited in England, in the lead up to St Georges Day as well as getting out and about in the countryside to see the wonderful bluebells.
Here in more detail are some of the things our residents have been up to:
On Friday 7th April residents from Woodlands and Hillbrow took a trip out to Badshot Lea garden centre. Residents took a leisurely stroll around the garden centre visiting the small animal section and the aquarium section, as well as looking at all the ornamental garden displays. It was a lovely morning out finished off nicely in the café with a nice cup of tea and some shortbread biscuits.
It was an outing to the Princes Hall Aldershot for a Tea Dance on the afternoon of Tuesday 11th April. Residents from Woodlands enjoyed an afternoon of wonderful nostalgic music and a fabulous array of dancing. The monthly tea dances are a great way for residents to connect with the community as well as encouraging reminiscing, they always produce such delightful stories.
Residents from all three homes got together at Hill House on Wednesday 12th April for their usual monthly session of ‘Singing for the Brain’ with Barbara Raynor. Residents really enjoy these sessions and this time Barbara incorporated St Georges Day and Easter alongside her usual array of well-known songs. Residents sang along joining in with gentle rhythmic exercises and actions. We finished the wonderful afternoon with tea and cake.
It was a very busy day for the residents on Friday 14th April. During the morning residents from all three homes met up at the Wyvern Pub. It was a lovely sunny morning out where residents enjoyed a drink and a chat in a warm friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone had a great time and all arrived back home just in time for a fish and chip lunch.
During the afternoon, it was down to the serious business of the residents Easter Bonnet Parade. Residents made such a terrific job decorating all their Easter bonnets and the judges had such a difficult job in picking the winners as they were all so fabulous. The winning residents were presented with their Easter eggs by the staff’s children, which the residents thought was extra special. We finished the afternoon with tea, coffee, and Easter cakes especially decorated by the residents.
On Friday 21st April Residents from all three homes met up at Redfield’s Garden Centre. Residents enjoyed a lovely walk around the flower conservatory taking in all the wonderful array of pots and hanging basket displays. We finished the morning in the café with tea, coffee and biscuits and of course a good natter.
It was all things St Georges at Hill House on Monday 24th April as residents from all three homes got together to celebrate St Georges Day with entertainment provided by Nev and Claire. It was a great afternoon with a good old-fashioned English singalong with songs that included ‘My Old Man’, ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ and ‘Wish me Luck as you Wave Me Goodbye’. Residents really enjoyed singing and dancing the afternoon away, which was finished off perfectly with a St Georges themed cake, tea and coffee.
Residents, families and friends along with staff from across all three homes joined together at Hill Brow on the evening of Tuesday 25th April for our Charity Quiz Night. It was a great evening with lots of friendly competition amongst the eleven teams taking part with several rounds of varying questions. The overall winners were ‘No Idea’ from Woodlands, and the evening raised £700 for our charity Families Supporting Care. A big Thank You to all those that came and supported the evening and for their continued support for all of our charity events. Look out for details of our next Charity Quiz Night which will be held at Woodlands sometime in July.
It was bluebell heaven on Friday 28th April as residents from Woodlands and Hill Brow took a trip out to Ellisfield to the bluebell wood to see the most amazing array of bluebells. Residents enjoyed a trip along the country lanes taking in all the beautiful views of the countryside along the way. The bluebell wood was especially fantastic this year and the wonderful smell was amazing. Residents enjoyed the views whilst having tea, coffee and biscuits and so had plenty of time to be able to take in and enjoy the view. It was a lovely morning out with much talk on the way back for lunch on how amazing everyone thought the bluebells were this year.