Activities at Hilderstone Hall Care Home

Residents and staff were extremely  proud to take part in an on-line event in the week preceding Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27th June.  As many national events had to be cancelled, residents felt strongly that they would like to support the #Salute Our Forces event in recognition of the tremendous hard work and dedication shown by men and women in all of our Armed Forces. 

Indeed, some residents have family members who had fought for their country over the years and wanted to pay tribute to them in particular.  Photographs were sent into the Armed Forces website capturing residents and staff showing their best salute.  Some photographs also captured a washing line of flags and crowns recently created at the home by residents to mark Armed Forces Day and the Queen’s official birthday earlier this month. Resident Ambassador, Norman Perry, said, “It’s an honour to take part and to show our respect for all service personnel who do such a tremendous job.”

Hilderstone Hall Care Home brewed up a storm for National Cream Tea day on the 26th June.  Finally putting an end to the controversial debate of cream before jam for the Cornish tradition or jam before cream as part of the Devonshire tradition, Residents enjoyed a fabulous cream tea as they hosted an afternoon tea dance serving up delicious cream scones and fancy cakes accompanied with pots of tea.  A lively debate followed about the correct pronunciation of “scone”  followed by scone “etiquette”.  Is it jam first then cream or the other way around?  Following the cream tea, residents had a fantastic time listening to some classic tea dance music, singing along and tapping their toes.

Lockdown has allowed residents to use their creativi-tea to become tech savvy, and as such family and friends were able to join the par-tea, via video call.  Elizabeth Walsh General Manager said: “Residents really enjoyed the sweets and savouries for National Cream Tea day, we even learnt the history of the British tradition and participated in a few traditions of our own. We are continually adapting, and finding new ways to make sure every effort is focused on creating an enjoyable environment for all of our residents, whilst adhering to social distancing advice. The cream tea has been superb and everyone has had a great day.”

Residents and colleagues at Hilderstone Park came together to enjoy a ‘crowns and tiara’-themed lunch. Residents were treated to mouth-watering burgers, hot dogs washed down with a thirst quenching corona beer served by the homes hospitality team. A glass of bubbles and fruity pimms were also on offer to the delight of the ladies. 

Everyone had the opportunity to create their own bespoke crown to wear for the occasion and the winner of the best design, Resident Joseph Bond won for his 007 themed crown.  After lunch residents and staff raised the roof in a rousing sing-a-long to firm 50s hits that had everyone dancing and toe tapping along too!  Resident, Mary, said she was popping in for fifteen minutes to look at the crowns ending up staying for two hours, so it’s fair to say that it was a very enjoyable event!

Residents of Hilderstone Hall got active for Senior Health and Fitness Day on the 29th May. Residents participated in a variety of bespoke events throughout the day that accommodated for a wide range of physical abilities, including armchair exercises throughout the home including the homes beautiful gardens as they took advantage of the sunshine and warm day to enjoy the great outdoors, it was a breath of fresh air for everyone!

Created to inspire senior-friendly physical activity, the national day was launched to increase awareness on health for the elderly, and to encourage diet and lifestyle changes for an overall improvement to wellbeing, and illness prevention.

We were delighted to meet, at a distance, Tesco staff members who came bearing gifts for the community.  Residents and Staff were thrilled with the very kind donation of a hamper.

Easter celebrations were in full "Spring Swing" all weekend at Hilderstone Hall.  Our Staff and Resident's Easter Parade was quite an occassion, everyone loved the colourful easter bonnets.  A good friend of ours, Bethany age 14 from a local farm kindly left (at our doors) generous easter gifts together with photos of the newly born lambs at her farm all of which were received with thanks and very much appreciated.