Activities at South Chowdene Care Home

We weren’t able to celebrate Elvis Presley’s 89th birthday on 8th January but we did mark the occasion in style today as Mike Memphis entertained us in the lunge working through all the Elvis eras and ensuring everyone felt special. Edna said ‘ I didn’t like Elvis himself that much as a teenager but his music grew on me and this afternoon has brought back so many memories. We’ve all had a brilliant time reminiscing about our dance hall days’.

On Flower Day, we had the pleasure of Sue Whitfield’s expertise from ‘Flowers by Sue’ in Birtley. Having completed a Flower recognition challenge and quiz during the morning, Sue expanded on what we had learnt and  took us through how to put a large display together using Gerberer, Yellow Rose, Chrysanthemum and September flowers. This brought a lot of discussion about flowers we used to use un displays and how genetic modification has produced the flowers more regularly used nowadays. We also watched her pit together a basket display including Freesia Eucalyptus, Rose of Sharon, Hypericum and Skimia. Thank you so much Sue for bringing all those memories back and educating us at the same time.

All over the country our care homes and hospitals linked up for Barchester’s Big Quiz of the year!

Residents tested their knowledge with a variety of questions, from historical humdingers and musical musings to pictorial puzzlers and connective conundrums.

Everyone who participated had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.

Heavenly voices rang out at South Chowdene Care Home as the community came together to celebrate Christmas with not only a carol service led by Father George but also a Carols by Candlelight event.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s South Chowdene Care Home, in Low Fell got in the Christmas spirit by inviting the community to come and join in with both events to celebrate the Christian message at Christmas and to sing carols in a peaceful and reflective setting.

There was hot chocolate and mince pies after both events – well deserved and needed after all the singing.

This year we revisited Jack and the Beanstalk courtesy of North East Producers who were absolutely fantastic. There were all the usual twists and turns and fun songs to sing along to. The costumes really impressed as did rhyming lines and corny jokes. The residents were fully involved with traditional responses as well as a few novel ones of their own. After the Pantomime, residents enjoyed themed refreshments and a spot of Community Carol singing.

Edna Scurfield, resident at South Chowdene Care home said: “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed the Pantomime followed by a good sing! It brought back many memories of the Pantomimes I have taken my children to.”

South Chowdene were overjoyed to welcome Gateshead Art Diamonds Carolyn, Joe and Mila into the  home to share their expertise in Lollipop stick decorations. Residents chose from an array of examples and got to work deciding which colours would work in order to put their own stamp on designs, Each character was named by their maker and some even took on some interesting personalities. It was a very creative and fulfilling morning all round and residents were proud of their finished characters especially as they will be gifting them to family.