Activities at Red Oaks Care Home

Staff and residents paid their respects to the Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of his funeral, 17th April 2021.  The whole home came together to honour Prince Philip’s long and extraordinary life of service to the Queen, the British people and the Commonwealth over his 73 year marriage to the Queen, making him the longest-serving Consort to any British monarch.

Residents and staff watched the televised service that took place at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle and observed the minute’s silence in memory of the Duke.  After the ceremony, staff and residents celebrated Prince Phillips life with a high tea and discussed their memories of Prince Philip and the Queen and what the royal family has meant to them over the years. They reminisced about royal tours and the Duke’s contribution to many different aspects of British life.

Staff and residents at Red Oaks celebrated Easter with a whole host of activities, including making our own Easter eggs, which was a bit messy, but great fun.

We decorated a basket and filled it with a variety of chocolate eggs and chicks covered in yellow feathers. Leigh Clifford, the Head Chef, made some delicious hot cross buns, which were thoroughly enjoyed on Good Friday. Children from Ashurst Church of England School came with handmade cards for all the residents with Easter blessings.

Residents at Red Oaks all said that they had thoroughly enjoyed the Easter celebrations. Glenda Williams, the Red Oaks Pastry Chef, made one of her award winning cakes to celebrate Easter, depicting a highly decorated rabbit. The residents voted to donate the cake to any organisation that received the most votes on the Red Oaks Facebook page, and he winner was Henfield Medical Centre. The cake was received by Dr Cheryl Lambe, one of the partners at the practice. 

The long awaited reunion with one family member has become reality, as one single named visitor is now allowed to visit each resident in their bedrooms.

Family members have met with big smiles from residents, with such positive comments of how wonderful it was to meet indoors.

Red Oaks have been bringing magic to residents throughout the home with their new Magic Table 360 and Happiness Programme to improve residents' quality of life.

The Magic Table 360 uses interactive games to connect residents with staff and each other. It can be played independently or in a group stimulating movement by inviting participants to take part in all sorts of activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, sweeping leaves or a firm favourite of table football.

The table is portable so can be used wherever the resident feels most comfortable; it can be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls and even the bed.

We are all having fun discovering the many different activities with some competitive nature of both staff and residents happening.

This was a glorious sunny day to celebrate, with the home full of daffodils arranged by residents, bringing the sunshine indoors.

Morning coffee was full of laughter, with hot and cold drinks being served with homemade Welsh cakes by our resident dragon!

The menu was themed with traditional Welsh Cawl, Cheddar & Leek Welsh Rarebit and Pwdin Eva to finish.

With several residents who have lived in Wales, conversations soon started on the different Welsh villages, open countryside and sheep!

Staff and residents at Red Oaks welcomed in the Year of the Ox with a day of celebrations and activities.

Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, lucky red envelopes were exchanged and the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns. Residents learnt all about the traditions and superstitions of Chinese New Year. 

Head Chef, Stefko Petrov, cooked up an oriental feast for lunch and residents enjoyed the delicious food.