Activities at The Cedars Care Home
Activities are the cornerstone of a wholesome home experience, and our Activities Coordinators are always putting their creative minds to the test by organising new and exciting social events for residents to partake in. Of course, we take into account the likes and dislikes of those we support, so if someone doesn’t feel like trying something new, there will always be something on offer to reflect their personal interests. For the people who may just prefer some peace and quiet instead, we also offer one-to-one time that can be enjoyed with a nice cup of coffee or just a simple chat – whatever they desire.
Angela Cawsey
My name is Angela Cawsey and I am 60 years young. I have lived locally to Cedars since 2011, firstly in Downton and more recently in Alderbury. In the past I have worked with mature people in their homes, and adults with learning difficulties in a number of settings. During lockdown I ran daily zoom sessions for wellbeing, including bingo and quizzes.
I enjoy spending time with people and helping them smile, whether on a one-to-one basis or in groups. When my children were young I volunteered as a helper at Boys Brigade and St John’s Ambulance which was very rewarding.
Other jobs I have enjoyed include, selling computers, an IT and Management Trainer, HR and Business Manager and my personal favourite, being Grandma to 8 grandchildren. I love music, craft, the outdoors and animals.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at The Cedars Care Home
100th birthday celebrations
Marjorie celebrated her 100th birthday in style, with alpacas, dancing and plenty of champagne.
Family, staff and fellow residents joined the celebrations with fabulous treats and her favourite things.
Everyone was delighted when a lovely local couple responded to the request and performed many different styles of dance for Marjorie and the residents before jetting off to Dublin the next day and winning the Irish Open.
Marjorie has also loved alpacas for a long time, so our activities team arranged for Rufus and Caramac, two adorable alpacas from Landford, to come and visit her to wish her Happy Birthday. They proved to be a huge success with not only Marjorie but all of the residents.
A Brownies’ leader for many years, Marjorie was instrumental in setting up the pack in her local village.
The current leaders of that troop came with video messages, a basket of paper flowers, a card and presents from the Brownies, much to Marjorie's delight.
The pièce de la résistance was a fabulous party thrown by the care home which was attended by lots of her family members, including a great-great-great-grandchild.
Head chef, Dave, made a beautiful cake and everyone celebrated with a glass of fizz while Marjorie opened all of her cards and presents.
Marjorie was very touched when all in attendance sang Happy Birthday and ‘For she’s a jolly good fellow'.
Marjorie said: "I have been absolutely overwhelmed by all of the wonderful touches and the lovely tributes I have received, I am so blessed.
"It was fabulous to have so many of my favourite things for my birthday – ballroom dancing, champagne and alpacas – not many people can say they had all that.
"I have been thoroughly spoiled."
Tickled Pink - Broadway at The Cedars
A big thank you to Tickled Pink Productions for entertaining us with a Broadway show on Friday evening. A wonderful evening was had by all. Our residents enjoyed the top hats and tails and all the vibrant costumes. Everyone loved the singing and dancing. The lovely entertainers spent time chatting to all our residents at the end of the show.
National Hydration Week
This week we have been focusing on hydration as part of the National Hydration week. Did you know that you need 6-8 drinks per day to stay well hydrated?
Keeping an eye on you or loved one’s weight as they get older can prevent any unplanned weight loss which can be the first sign of malnutrition. If you don’t have scales, you can watch for visual signs, such as loose clothing.
Did you know that fruits are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and water? On Friday we had fun combining a few of our favourite things: fruit, creativity, competition and a lot of chat! Our residents made some wonderful pictures with delicious fruit.
Celebrating Mother's Day
We had a wonderful day celebrating Mothering Sunday for all the Mums, Step Mums, stand-in Mums, Mother in laws, Aunts, Nans, Nannies, Grandmas, Grannies and all the other Mother figures in our lives.
We had tea and cake in the morning, to celebrate with a few of our Mums, followed by a visit from the ice cream van. So everyone could celebrate a wonderful day together.
Chocolate Making
During the week Cedars residents learnt all about the art of chocolate! Rosa particularly enjoyed this activity as she used to make chocolates to give as gifts.
Carol, one of our “Pink Ladies” taught some of our resident’s the origin and history of cocoa, and discussions were had about the secret to a chocolatier!
Did you know that the cocoa bean (technically cocoa seed) or simply cocoa (also called cacao) is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao?
Cocoa trees are native to the Amazon rainforest.
They are the basis of chocolate and Mesoamerican foods including tejate, an indigenous Mexican drink.
Derek’s birthday surprise
"WHAT A HOOT!" - David
"I stayed up all night with excitement having seen Derek's face" - Joy
We had a wonderful surprise for Derek, our resident's, birthday. He has always had a love of our feathery friends. We were very lucky to welcome The Creature Teachers in for the afternoon to show us the gorgeous Echo.
Echo was absolutely adored by all. She is a barn owl and only weighs 375grams.
Here are some more facts we learnt about Barn Owls:
Barn owls are silent predators of the night world. They are ghostly pale and normally strictly nocturnal. They roost in hidden, quiet places during the day. They hunt on buoyant wingbeats in open fields and meadows. Nearly all of their food consists of small mammals, which they locate by sound. Their hearing is very acute. They primarily eat voles, shrews, mice, and sometimes rats. They often swallow their food whole and regurgitate fur and bones as pellets. Barn Owls screech instead of hooting like other owl species, such as Tawny Owls. The scientific name for Barn Owl is Tyto alba alba.
