Activities at Lawton Manor Care Home

Residents were surprised to receive a lovely post card from a ten years old girl, Anna, from the Isle of Harris, which is located in the Highlands of Scotland. Residents were amazed that Anna, who lives miles away from Lawton Manor had thought about them and the staff here, it certainly lifted everyone’s mood.

Our fabulous residents decided that they would like to write back to Anna, and send a postcard of Lawton Manor, to thank her for thinking of us during this time, we are pleased to say that all residents have now signed the postcard.  

Residents and staff at Lawton Manor have been busy painting rainbows to cheer up the local community. All the fantastic rainbows have been put together as a huge collage, this is now displayed outside the home as a way of saying thank you to all the key workers for keeping us safe during this time.  

An international pandemic was not going to let organisers of the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, or residents at Lawton Manor in Church Lawton, stop celebrating the event, as it was moved to a digital format.

Taking place between 18th – 24th May, the world’s greatest flower show went digital, and brought an exciting line-up of world-leading designers, plant experts, and practical gardening advice – all enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

In celebration, the RHS and BBC1’s The One Show, joined forces to launch a competition to celebrate ‘Virtual Chelsea’. Asking green fingered fans to share images of green spaces and gardens – and hear how plants are helping them through these challenging times. Of course, residents at Lawton Manor were keen to get involved.

Residents thoroughly enjoyed planting seasonal colourful flowers, sprucing up the garden to sit and admire and to send photos to their loved ones.

Rebecca Whitehouse General Manager at Lawton Manor said: “The Chelsea Flower Show is a much loved event at the home, and residents get so much from spending time in our gardens. In these unprecedented times, we are so lucky that the residents can still enjoy the peaceful green spaces. Our dedicated gardening team made up of staff and residents alike, work over-thyme to get our garden beautiful for the summer, and some of them loved the competition element of the flower show this year. Continuing to provide a range of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities for our residents is more important than ever, and we continue to ensure that the group activities are smaller, adhering to social distancing advice.

Coinciding with the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, International Nurses Day, held on Tuesday 12th May, is a day to celebrate nurses and care staff around the world. Residents and staff at Lawton Manor care home in Church Lawton, were happy to get involved by hosting a much deserved cake and tea to say thank you to our nurses.

Donna Ganaden, a nurse at Lawton Manor, said she was inspired by her mum, who was also a nurse, to join the profession. Cheryl Fish, Deputy Manager, said she loved being a nurse because she makes a difference.

Spirits were high at Lawton Manor, as staff organised a safe and upbeat ‘socially-distanced’ garden party to pay homage on VE Day. It is so encouraging to see that our residents remain positive, and were all so keen to join in for the afternoon tea in celebration. We are delighted that we can support our Residents by organising activities like this, to help raise a smile and provide light relief through this period, as part of our life enrichment programme.

Rebecca Whitehouse, General Manager at Lawton Manor said: “Many of our residents have very clear memories of the Second World War, and reminisced about their experiences, so it’s a privilege to remember and celebrate with them. We had a lovely day, and we are making sure extra effort is focused on creating an enjoyable environment for all of our residents, whilst ensuring that the group activities are smaller, adhering to social distancing advice.”

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 residents have been unable to go out, meaning they have been unable to socialise with the local community. However, our friends at Sally Anna’s Day Nursery provided the residents with messages showing how they are thinking of them and drew some beautiful artwork for our residents to admire and enjoy.

Some of residents hung the artwork up in their rooms, which reminded them that they are not alone in this difficult time of uncertainty. The artwork was all done in bright colours to lift our residents’ spirits up, and some of these special drawings have been placed on the piano in the retreat for all to enjoy.

We would like to say a big thank you to Sally Anna’s for giving joy to our residents, during a time of uncertainty. We look forward to welcoming them back to Lawton Manor in the future, to thank them for all that they have done. In the meantime, to show their appreciation for what they have done, our residents’ will be sending their own artwork to Sally Anna’s as a way of saying thank you.