Activities at Meadow Park Care Home

Residents from Meadow Park enjoyed an afternoon of baking, which took them back to their younger years.  Baking sessions are a popular group activity for the home and the activity had taste buds tingling as the aroma of freshly baked cup cakes wafted through the home.

The homes activities coordinator, said: “The residents enjoy spending time in the kitchen, as it not only brings back memories of their childhood, but also times when they’ve baked with their own children and grandchildren. Once all the bakes were made, we all enjoyed sitting down with a cup of tea and a home-made cake.”

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment behind the scenes at Barchester Healthcare.  Social distancing was still in place, and homes that are able to take part must have a large accessible garden.  It was welcome news to so many residents, family, and friends, who were kept apart for so long following strict government guidance. Residents and their loved ones got together in the home garden and the garden was fully of joy and chatter.

Vicky Mallaburn General Manager at the home, said: “This has been a much welcomed development in what have been very strange times. The visits are safe and organised, and it was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents. We will of course endeavour to keep up the high standards of care, and continue with our ever evolving life enrichment programme, to keep residents engaged. But this was a lovely day.”

On Saturday June 13th, the Queen will celebrate her second, and official birthday. But there was an extra incentive to join in the festivities at Meadow Park as residents were asked to design a birthday cake in honour of Her Majesty’s birthday.  The winning cake design will then be whipped into reality by the homes’ chef to be enjoyed by residents and staff on the Queen’s special day.

Residents were also treated to a day of fun-filled royal themed activities prepared by the Meadow Park team. The Queen’s birthday was marked with a small celebration at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are staying in isolation.  Residents tuned in to watch a Royal Salute from the military, led by The Welsh Guard and massed Bands of the Household Division, which replaced the Trooping the Colour after it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vicky Mallaburn General Manager said: “Residents absolutely loved the idea of having their cake brought to life, and were very happy to celebrate our longest reigning monarch. Here at Meadow Park 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.”

Meadow Park held a day of celebrations to thank care staff at the home, who make a real difference to the lives of those in their care.   Staff were treated to hampers filled with goodies to enjoy during their tea breaks.   Staff also helped residents send “Thinking of you postcards” to family members who have been unable to visit due to lockdown, but whom also give so much support to their loved ones, and carers in the home.

Vicky Mallaburn General Manager said: “I am very proud of the carers at Meadow Park in light of the current situation our carers have continued to work tirelessly to provide high quality, personalised care to the people living in our homes, and often go above and beyond the call of duty, which has a huge impact on people’s lives. They offer friendship and comfort to residents and their relatives, during what can be a very emotional time. We appreciate the work they do all year round, and especially in these unprecedented times”.

Residents of Meadow Park celebrated VE Day with a British tea party and singalong to commemorate 75 years since the end of the Second World War, raising a glass to our  heroes. 

Staff and residents at Meadow Park, along with people all over the UK, joined together for the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’. Residents who fought for our country stood among colleagues as they observed the two minute silence and finished with a salute to say thank you to their fellow veterans who were also their friends. 

Residents reminisced with each other about what they had done on the very first VE Day, before settling back to enjoy a vintage tea party and refreshments to the delight of all, as they tucked into delicious homemade cakes and sandwiches in true British style. The residents loved the homemade scones and Victoria sponges, and all sorts of goodies.

A random act of kindness from a family members created a pop for residents and colleagues when a special delivery of 100 delicious fresh cream cakes  and 20-bottles of Buck’s Fizz were delivered to the home. Our residents have experienced little – and big – acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic, and are overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness shown during this challenging period.  As the sun shone, everyone sat down to enjoy the mouthwatering treats and washed down with a glass of bubbles.