Activities at Lanercost House Care Home

We experienced the Christmas extravaganza of Blenheim Palace with Social Historian - Antonia Keaney, who took us on a recorded tour around the Christmas sights at the palace this year.

Our residents were able to discover the story of The Nutcracker re-imagined within the palace rooms, each one exquisitely transformed and filled with hidden surprises – from the toymaker’s workshop on a frosty Christmas Eve; through the glistening Land of Snow and onto the candy-cane Kingdom of Sweets adorned with the sweetest of treats and larger-than-life gingerbread men.

Then the residents explored the after-dark illuminated trail in the palace’s picture-perfect gardens. A feast for the senses, as we witnessed glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, trees drenched in jewel-like colour and mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden.

It was a truly magical experience, enjoyed by all.

We all had a wonderful time joining Jennifer Owen - founder of Goldfinch Floral Studio for a creative floral bauble workshop.

Jennifer transported our residents to the out of the ordinary world of flowers and crafts and demonstrated how to create stunning hand-made baubles filled with dried flowers and grasses.

Our residents enjoyed filling and decorating their own glass baubles and their unique creations will be displayed at the home for everyone to enjoy.

Our residents were thrilled to join Antonia Keaney - Blenheim Palace’s Historian for an intriguing virtual talk on Winston Churchill.

The private resources of Blenheim Palace were drawn upon to afford very new and refreshing insights into this remarkable man. During the talk Antonia shared fascinating information about the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the "Greatest Briton": soldier, politician, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man - and bricklayer!

We all had a wonderful time and enjoyed learning more about UK’s former Prime Minister.

Lanercost House care home, in Carlisle, held Wear it Pink Day.

Residents and staff members were dressed in pink in appreciation of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. All together were involved in a dancing session, we tried the pink cakes and sweets, and made memories of real joy and happiness. Everyone had fun and enjoyed our special day!

Residents and staff at Lanercost House care home, in Carlisle, were involved in the Diwali celebration by learning some facts about this festival, listening to the most popular Indian songs for this celebration, and having a taste of Indian snacks.

Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world.

Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Lanercost House care home in Carlisle commemorated the signing of the Armistice Day agreement on the day that the guns finally fell silent. They joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.

As well as marking Armistice Day by wearing poppies and observing the national two-minute silence, residents took part in therapeutic activities here such as virtual live performance from English National Ballet `Lest We Forget`, making poppy displays, listening to old wartime songs, having reminiscence sessions.

Rhoda, a resident at Lanercost House care home, said: “It is very important that we keep the memories of those who fought alive and that we also think about those involved in conflicts around the world today.”