Activities at North Park Care Home

We were treated to an amazing live virtual talk and a tour of Cliveden, hosted by the house and chapel guides from the National Trust Talks Service.

The volunteers kindly gave us a tour around the famous house taking an in-depth look at Cliveden’s many stories from its 350 year history, from devilish dukes to scandalous headlines and boundary-breaking garden designs to political notoriety.

Starting with the Duke of Buckingham who built the first house in 1666, our residents met the key owners who helped shape the house and its gardens including the Orkney, Sutherland and Astor families.

The talk was accompanied by an illustrated presentation which brought to life these individuals and showed how their influence at Cliveden still continues today.

We had a fabulous time joining NESCAFÉ’s virtual coffee experience.

We were able to look into how they sustainably farm their coffee beans, as well as, to have a virtual tour of one of their factories all from the comfort of our home.

To make things even more interesting, our residents had the chance to test their knowledge with an interactive quiz, and to the delight of all to taste the signature Sweet Cinnamon Shaken Iced Coffee cocktail.

Residents marked the day when 70 years previous, Princess Elizabeth learned her farther George VI had died and she was queen.  Residents held a remembrance service where they remembered their passed loved ones too before celebrating Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee with song and dance, toasting her health and finishing with the National Anthem.

At North Park we celebrated Valentine’s Day with scrumptious food throughout the day, chocolate, wine, roses and time for our couples to relax and share each other’s company with tempting treats and gifts. At North Park no one is ever left out and all residents received a token of love, chocolate flavour of course!

We had a lovely time joining Chef Alex Connell from Vegetarian for Life for a Valentine’s-inspired virtual cookery demonstration.  Chef Alex created some delicious Valentine’s Day-inspired vegetarian desserts, which our residents had the opportunity to try too.

First, our residents sampled a wonderful sticky toffee pudding, which was absolutely heavenly. Then they tried hazelnut truffles which were a huge hit and finally they were treated to a chocolate orange cake which everyone adored.

To mark International Flower Day residents at North Park turned their hands to flower arranging. In small groups residents trimmed the flowers, picked their favourite flower combinations, some choosing scents over colours, others going for the brightest colours they could find and made posies for their rooms and to decorate the corridors and lounges.

While diligently working on their creations conversations turned to their favourite flowers, the bouquets they receive from loved ones and the thought they always put into choosing flower gifts for their friends, families and spouses over the years.

One resident recalled how he always took a small bunch of seasonal flowers home to his wife every  Friday ‘pay day’ as he called it, to show her he thought about her and appreciated her while he was out at work. Lovely memories shared by all.