Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

In December, we were delighted to welcome two very special visitors all the way from the North Pole — Father Christmas and his festive wife, Mrs Claus. Their visit brought excitement, smiles and a wonderful sense of magic throughout our home.

Mr and Mrs Claus have been supporting the charity LATCH for many years, and we are incredibly grateful that they have also made visiting us at Plas-y-Dderwen a long-standing tradition. Over the years, their visits have continued to bring joy not only to our residents, but also to their families, creating cherished memories for everyone involved.

The magic of the occasion was beautifully captured by professional photographers, allowing families to take home lasting reminders of this special visit. The children were especially delighted, each receiving a gift from Santa himself — a moment that sparked smiles, laughter and festive excitement.

It was a truly heart-warming visit that reminded us of all the power of kindness, tradition and shared moments, and we are so thankful to Mr and Mrs Claus for continuing to spread Christmas cheer within our home.      

Recently, we hopped onto our minibus and headed into Carmarthen for a lovely day out. Our first stop was Charlies, where we were all captivated by the beautiful Christmas decorations—especially the singing yetis, which truly mesmerised everyone! It was wonderful reminiscing about past Christmases while browsing through all the festive displays and gifts. 

Colin smiled and said it had taken him back years, and that even at 93, the Christmas magic made him feel much younger! Next, we stopped at The Range, where we continued to enjoy the festive atmosphere and even managed to find a few bargains to help us decorate our home for the coming season.

After all that browsing and shopping, we made our way to Tafarn Tanerdy for a well-deserved lunch—and, of course, a cheeky pudding to finish!

What a fun-filled day we all had, full of laughter, memories, and festive spirit.   

We started our Christmas celebrations with a rag-wreath-making session led by family and friends. Residents gathered around the tables, choosing fabrics and colours while chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Some got stuck in straight away, while others joined in when they felt ready.

The room was full of gentle laughter and friendly conversation as everyone worked at their own pace. By the end, each resident had made a wreath they could feel proud of.

Later, the wreaths were hung on their doors, bringing a personal and festive touch to the home. It was a simple activity, but it brought people together and helped us all feel the start of Christmas.     

This month we were invited to Johnstown School for their Harvest Assembly — and what a wonderful experience it was from start to finish!

We set off from our home on foot, enjoying a lovely autumn walk together and chatting about the flowers and plants we spotted along the way. When we arrived, we were given such a warm welcome. Some of the children had even created beautiful paintings for us and planted daffodils ready to bloom in the spring.

The assembly itself was brilliant! The children gave a wonderful performance — our residents couldn’t believe how well they remembered all their lines and absolutely loved all the singing. Many were swaying along to the music with big smiles on their faces. They talked about it all day afterwards, sharing how much they enjoyed the performance and how lovely it was to spend time with the children. It’s so special to be part of our local community and to share moments like this together.

This month, we proudly celebrated Housekeeping Week here at the home. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause and recognise the hard work and dedication of our Housekeeping Team, who play such an important role in daily life.

From keeping our home sparkling clean and comfortable to ensuring everything is in order, their efforts often happen quietly in the background—but the impact is felt by everyone. Their care helps create a welcoming environment where residents, families, and staff can feel truly at home.

To show our appreciation, the team were presented with a small gift and treated to cakes as a token of thanks. It was a simple gesture, but one filled with gratitude for everything they do, day in and day out.

We are so fortunate to have such a committed and caring group of people on our team, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you for all that you do. 

Throughout December, community connections have been at the very heart of our life enrichment programme, filling our home with warmth, music, laughter and togetherness. It has been a truly special time of welcoming the community in and taking our residents out to be part of the surrounding community — and the celebrations didn’t stop when December ended.

We have been incredibly lucky to share magical moments with so many wonderful groups and individuals, including the Madrigals Choir, Carmarthen Male Voice Choir, Awl Bronsancler LMA Church, Babell Chapel, Tonic Choir, St Mary’s Church and the Minstrels, Dr MZ Youth Group, Beavers, Mr and Mrs Claus, local counsellors, Carmarthen Round Table, the Rotary Club, Inner Wheel, the Salvation Army Band, Rev’d Beti Wyn James, and the Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band. Alongside them all, our families and friends helped make every moment even more meaningful.

A very special thank you goes to our wonderful entertainers — Robbie Lee, Kelly Wyatt and Carmarthen Ukuleles — who brought joy, energy and festive spirit throughout the season. Carmarthen Ukuleles also helped us welcome the New Year in style, entertaining us through our New Year celebrations and ensuring the year began with music, smiles and togetherness.

It has been an absolutely magical festive season, and none of it would have been possible without the kindness, generosity and time given by our community — and the dedication and care of our wonderful team of staff. Thank you all for helping to make this season truly merry and bright, right through to the New Year.             

This month we hosted our very own Pudding Club, bringing residents together for an afternoon of sweet treats and good company. Our Senior General Manager, Sharon, and Activities Co-ordinator, Lisa, created a wonderful selection of desserts, including black cherry trifle, lemon posset, cheesecake, Eton mess, banoffee pie, and sticky date pudding with warm caramel sauce.

The event was a huge hit, with everyone enjoying the chance to sample the different puddings and share the experience together. A truly delicious way to brighten the month!   

We recently celebrated a very special milestone for our wonderful volunteer, Sophie, as she turned 30! The afternoon was filled with fun, laughter, music, and of course — plenty of cake. Residents and team members alike enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea together, making it a day to remember.

Sophie has been an incredible part of our home, bringing joy, kindness, and enthusiasm to everyone she meets. Recently, she attended the Barchester Care Awards in Manchester alongside our Senior General Manager, Sharon. Although she didn’t come away with the national prize, Sophie has already achieved something truly special — being named Divisional Winner for Volunteer of the Year.

To us, Sophie is and always will be a winner. We couldn’t be prouder of all that she does for our residents and community.    

Last month, we had the privilege of supporting one of our residents, Mike, to attend his granddaughter’s wedding. It was a truly special occasion, and one that meant so much not only to Mike, but to his whole family.

With the help of our Senior General Manager, Sharon, who accompanied him on the day, Mike was able to share in the joy of the celebrations. His granddaughter Linzi and her new husband Jason were over the moon to have him there, and Mike’s wife, Rose, was especially touched to be able to enjoy such a milestone moment with her husband by her side.

Here at the home, it’s not only the big events and activities that matter, but also these intimate, personal moments that help our residents stay connected to who they are. For Mike, being present at the wedding reflected his deep identity as a family man—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Mike’s love for his family shines through in everything he does, and we feel privileged to play a part in supporting those bonds. We pride ourselves on building not just a family with our residents, but also with their loved ones too. Moments like these remind us of the true heart of what we do.

This month, two of our wonderful team members, Ann and Linda, are celebrating their 60th birthdays—just a day apart! Of course, we couldn’t let such a special occasion pass without a proper celebration. Keeping it all a surprise was no easy task, especially while setting up right under their noses! But the effort was well worth it. A delicious cake, lovingly prepared by Curiositea Café, took centre stage, and both Ann and Linda were presented with beautiful bouquets of flowers. 

The afternoon was filled with fun, laughter, bingo with the residents, and a mouth-watering buffet prepared by our talented head chef, Simon. Happy 60th, Ann and Linda! We hope you both enjoy every moment of your celebrations—you truly deserve it! 

One of our December highlights was our much-loved visit to the Hollybrook Country Inn for Christmas lunch. This year marked our third year visiting, and it continues to be a wonderful way to bring residents and families together to share some extra-special festive moments.

Gemma and Jacqui welcomed us with open arms, and the Inn looked absolutely beautiful, filled with festive decorations and Christmas cheer. We enjoyed a delicious roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings, followed by a fantastic selection of desserts. There was plenty of laughter throughout the afternoon, including Christmas sing-alongs, a few cracker jokes, and we rounded everything off perfectly with tea and mince pies.

We were lucky enough to visit twice this December, and on both occasions residents and families came together to enjoy a truly spectacular festive experience. As always, Gemma and Jacqui never disappoint.
A huge thank you to Jacqui and Gemma for another amazing Christmas at Hollybrook. We are so grateful for the warm welcome and wonderful memories — and we’re already looking forward to visiting again in the new year!

This month, we continued our Blue Light Breakfast initiative with a visit to the Carmarthen Veterinary Centre and Hospital.

Over the past few months, we’ve delivered breakfasts to the hospital, the ambulance service, and the fire service. This time, we wanted to thank the veterinary team for the important work they do for our pets and the wider community. Our chef prepared 30 bacon baps, along with plenty of fresh fruit. When we first arrived it was quiet, but once the news spread, staff came out quickly to enjoy a warm breakfast.

It was a small gesture, but a meaningful one. Our vets are a vital emergency service, and we were glad to show our appreciation for everything they do.    

Recently, we hopped aboard the minibus and made our way to Xcel Bowl for an afternoon full of fun, food, and friendly competition.

We started with a delicious lunch, with dishes ranging from classic fish, chips, and peas to tasty hot dogs and paninis. Once everyone was fuelled up, it was time to hit the lanes!

The excitement really kicked off when our Activity Assistant, Ann, scored the first strike of the day—sparking a wave of competitiveness. Not long after, our Flo followed with a strike of her own, and the whole group erupted into cheers. The energy was fantastic, with everyone encouraging and celebrating each other.

Group outings like this not only bring joy and laughter but also give residents the chance to stay connected with the community and enjoy meaningful social interaction.

It was truly a wonderful way to spend a Wednesday afternoon—smiles all around and memories made!  

Monday afternoons are quiz time – and our residents never fail to bring their A-game! This fast-paced challenge keeps everyone on their toes, with the quickest person to shout the answer scooping up the point. The only rule? Have fun!

The questions had something for everyone – from general knowledge and farming, to history and even a little maths thrown in to spice things up. After a slow start, our brilliant Mr G (Geraint) pulled it out of the bag, claiming victory by just two points over John. He was as surprised as the rest of us – proving it’s never over until the last question’s asked!

A huge well done to all our quizzers who keep the room buzzing and make sure I, the quizmaster, am working harder than anyone. Thankfully, they haven’t started quizzing the quizzer… yet!  

We’re thrilled to announce that Sophie Rees has been crowned Volunteer of the Year for the Central Division at the Barchester Care Awards! Sophie has been volunteering with us for almost 10 years, generously giving her time three days a week to support our residents. 

Her warmth, dedication, and energy make her a truly valued part of our Activities team, and we couldn't be prouder to have her with us. Next stop… the nationals! Sophie will be joining winners from across the UK at a special awards ceremony in October, where we’ll find out if she’s scooped the national title. A huge congratulations, Sophie – and thank you for everything you do!