Activities at Juniper House Care Home

In a resident meeting Carroll had said how she would like a choir at Juniper House. So, we have fulfilled this wish and have also name the choir as Carroll’s choir.

What makes this even more special is that Carroll loves to play the piano so once a month we all met by the piano. Carroll will bring her song book and play some notes on the piano for us all to sing along too.

The blend of Carroll playing the piano, the voices of other resident’s and the setting creates a wonderful soulful atmosphere that feels uniquely ours, testament to Carroll’s musical spirit and our collective love for songs.     

When I sat with John filling in his getting to know me booklet, John told me how he used to work for aircraft traffic control. John had told me all about this and was a great interest of John's. I went away and thought about how I could maybe get John to get engaged with an activity, so the best thing was to go on an outing and think about what better place than Turweston Aerodrome. 

As we entered the grounds. John was saying some of the names of the aircrafts to us. John talked about how he was once asked to watch the flight that our late queen was on. "This was only a short flight", John said.

John sat by the window in the café and watched every aircraft take off and land. John engaged with Andrew, who came along both talking about different aircraft. We all enjoyed a nice hot drink and some lovely lemon drizzle cake. 

Celebrations were in full swing at Juniper House as Joyce marked her 102nd birthday. Joyce’s birthday 
was truly one to remember filled with joy and warm from the beginning till the end. Throughout the day Joyce has lots of visitor’s all eager to wish her a very happy birthday bringing flowers, cakes and cards.
We reached out to our sister homes from all over to ask them to join Joyce with celebrating her 102nd birthday by sending birthday cards. Cards from near and far piled up each one sending special birthday wishes and love.
Joyce enjoyed the afternoon with some of her family. As the evening rolled round the celebration continued as Joyce and another resident went to the local pub for an evening meal. Joyce enjoyed her favourite tipple which is a sherry completed with a delicious plate of scampi and Chips. Joyce said once she got her drink how she would be singing on the way home after drinking it. 
Joyce also said how times have changed as when she was younger children wouldn’t have been in pubs like they are now. 
Joyce said what a wonderful day she had, she felt thoroughly spoilt by everyone and Joyce couldn’t thank the staff enough.
Joyce has so much enjoyment that day and felt very fulfilled at the end of the day. 

Beachborough school have been working with Juniper House over the last year, by coming to Juniper House once a term. This was the last term of the year before they start their summer holidays. So beachborough invited us to the school to see how the children are in their own settings at school.

As we entered the school we were greeted with smiles and excitement from the children. We were guided to tables where we were able to participate in colouring pictures, making things out of Lego, playing with play dough. The residents were delighted to see the enthusiasm and creativity from the young children.
You could see the Joy on the residents faces as they watched the children laughing and playing.

On particular moment of Joy came when one little girl handed Joyce a hand puppet from the animal corner. This little girl took time to explain to Joyce how they look after then and was showing Joyce how she feeds then with a little bottle. The laughter between Joyce and this young girl was beautiful as they played together. Joyce was laughing so much so she had tears running down her face.
At the end of the visit reg stood up and said to the children, I would Just like to say what amazing children you all are and how well behaved you are too. Reg got very emotional and he said he looks forward to seeing them all again next time.

Carroll was very happy as one little boy gave Carroll a picture, he had coloured to bring home with her.
This outing really benefited our residents everyone social and emotional needs where met, all had fun and enjoyment, this was good for their souls also. Overall, this outing had a very positive impact of all of the resident’s wellbeing that day and all the way back home everyone was talking about our afternoon outing to Beachbrouogh school.

In a one-to-one individual chat, May said how she would like to go down to St James' Lake as she likes it down there. So a trip was arranged to go for a picnic down at the lake. The wonderful kitchen staff made us a little picnic to take down with us. The weather was glorious. The sun was shining bright. We decided to go at lunchtime. We sat on a little picnic bench and enjoyed the views and sound of wildlife down at the lake. We had ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit and a delicious selection of cakes and a lovely cold drink.

Everyone had a wonderful time at St James' lake watching the geese getting fed and the ducks swimming around the lake. Being able to enjoy the views of our local lake, and talking to some of the local community when we were down at the lake.

Hazel said how she could hear all the birds singing, and it was lovely to go out. Rita said how nice it was to hear all the birds. Rita asked Naomi to give the birds the rest of the bread she had left. Rita really enjoyed herself and said how lovely it was at the lake. May was very happy she got to go down to St James' lake. This was a wish for an outing fulfilled and May said she had a lovely time. 

Juniper House was very lucky to have wonderful weather on the 1st of May to be able to all gather in the garden to enjoy a traditional English folk dance performance with music playing and bells ringing by the local Morris Dancers.

The Morris Dances have been performing for over 400 years in our town of Brackley. 

Residents and staff enjoyed a morning in the sun watching the Morris dancers perform. Residents were clapping their hands along to music and lots of smiles were seen. The Morris Dancers got Natalia involved for the last dance.

Cheers to our healthcare heroes!

Today Residents, staff and family members came together to raise a toast to all our amazing nurses on International Nurses Day.

Drinks were flowing as we enjoyed fruity cocktails and donned colourful accessories in honour of the dedication, compassion and amazing work of our wonderful healthcare professionals.

Hazel, one of our lovely Residents was at the heart of the celebrations having served as a nurse in the NHS for many years. A HUGE THANK YOU to Hazel and all Nurses from everyone at Juniper House!

Lily Pad Day Nursery offered us an afternoon with them. After lunch, we took the mini-bus and made our way to Lily Pad. Greeted by a lovely gentleman who had biscuits waiting for us. We headed to the main hall where the children were waiting. The residents all sat at a table, then the children picked a table for which activity they wanted to do. The interaction was amazing between the children and residents. Making shapes out of playdough, making beautiful colourings and the children reading stories to us. 

One little boy brought a handful of drawings in for us and said we could take them back to put up on our wall. Carroll enjoyed listening to one little boy read her a story. Cherry said "Naomi, I want to take these two home with us and laugh."

Reg said seeing children is good for your heart. This was a wonderful connection we had with the local nursery and brought so much joy and happiness to everyone that came along. 

All three residents said what a lovely afternoon they had. We are now looking forward to July to invite Lily Pad to Juniper House for a teddy bear picnic.

We had a lovely walk in the sunshine to our local pub this afternoon to enjoy a nice cold beer for National Beer Day.

Janet said how lovely it was to have a nice cold beer.

Bob was happy to be able to go enjoy a pint in the pub.