Ross Court received a delivery of a few special friends for our residents. These new best friends are empathy dolls. Some are babies, some are kittens. The empathy dolls were ordered with a few certain residents in mind who we thought would greatly benefit from them. And from the reactions we saw, which was truly magical to witness, they are a great addition to the home. It was clear that we will needed to bring more empathy dolls to join us, as they really were a hit!

Staff have also been very lucky with some early Christmas gifts. We have started receiving gifts from families of residents and friends of the home, including the Ross Lions Club.

We are very thankful for the appreciation that has been shown to us.

Residents at Ross Court have really shown their creative side over the last couple of days. They have made the most beautiful table centres and wreaths to hang around the home. The greenery was taken from our own gardens. This was the first time that we had attempted these and we were learning as we went.

There is a centre for each of our tables in the dining room. We hung the wreaths on doors, windows and fire places. They not only look beautiful, but smell beautiful too: orange, cinnamon, lime and plenty more. Residents will be ending the first day of December with a Christmas film, glass of Sherry and a few chocolates.

Residents and staff had a fantastic evening celebrating Bonfire Night. Residents started the evening with hot chocolate topped with cream and marshmallows and a beautiful cake made by our talented Head Chef.

We then moved on to sparklers in the garden. Those who didn’t want to brave the chilly air gathered at the windows to watch. Many of the residents said that it had being so long since they had held a sparkler, and clearly enjoyed both the experience and the memories of previous bonfire nights.

Once the sparklers were finished and everyone was back inside, residents finished the evening with a glass or two of brandy, which really did warm everyone up very quickly! It was a wonderful evening with a great atmosphere that was enjoyed by residents and staff.

Residents of Ross Court celebrated Halloween with a party on Saturday 31st. The home was decorated for the occasion; there were plenty of real carved pumpkins, as well as all of the paper pumpkins that the children of Brampton Abbotts Primary School made for us.

Residents took part in games, such as pumpkin bowling, 'guess the number of sweets in the jar', blind trick or treat and Halloween ABC. 

Residents' faces were a picture during blind trick or treat, especially if they were unlucky enough to choose the chunk of lemon rather than chocolate. The anticipation of each resident was so entertaining for everyone.

It really was a fun-filled evening. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the evening a scream!

Residents of Ross Court will be celebrated Halloween with a party 31st October with games, such as, 'guess the number of sweets in the jar, 'trick or treat blind tasting' and pumpkin bowling!

Residents wanted to maintain contact with the community around them as much as possible, so invited two classes of Brampton Abbotts Primary School to take part in a competition. Students were asked to decorate a picture of a pumpkin. Residents were so impressed with all of the entries. The children obviously took a lot of time to come up with their designs. Residents gathered in the conservatory to carry out judging the entries, which was not an easy task, as all of the pictures were amazing.

Residents of Ross Court have always played a very active role in the Poppy Appeal. Ross Court has always remembered and honoured the fallen by selling poppies and wearing them with pride.

COVID has meant that this year, we cannot sell poppies due to not being able to have visitors into the home.

Our Deputy Manager, Kate, has been liaising with the local representatives of the Royal British Legion. They have very kindly offered to carry out a service by Zoom.

The Legion has also suggested that residents and children of our staff decorate poppies and display them in our windows. They will then judge the poppies and provide the best design with a prize.

Residents have begun decorating the poppies whilst reminiscing about experiences during the wars and how they have continued to honour the fallen.

Our Poetry Appreciation Club recently focused on “in Flanders Fields” and have suggested that we also display a copy of this iconic poem in the window.