Activities at South Chowdene Care Home

Well done to Jane Millar, who was named as a Divisional Winner in the 'Volunteer of the Year' category for the 2019 Barchester Care Awards.

In the days running up to Sandwich Week, residents were asked about their favourite sandwiches and what memories they brought up, and in some cases, why those sandwiches were consumed regularly in their family.

The favourites were: egg & tomato, ham & egg, pork & pease pudding and corned beef & onion. These featured on the supper trolley individually from Monday to Thurday, each with an accompanying poster that listed who had voted for that particular filling. This in turn promoted further discussion; who knew that a sandwich could fuel such deep conversation and interest?

6 – 12th May was National Nurses Week, and the residents at South Chowdene decided to celebrate this by decorating the home with thank you messages to our nurses and by making them a card each, a certificate and some coconut ice. Each nurse received their pack of goodies when they were on shift.

Over the last few months, South Chowdene has had a fair bit of involvement with groups in the local community. Over Easter, we donated eggs to the Low Fell Scooter Club, who took them to children in hospital and homes as part of their annual Easter egg run.

We have been very lucky to have 2 Duke of Edinburgh candidates working with us as part of their community service module. They helped all but raise the roof during a singalong, encouraged ‘green fingers’ at the start of sunflower planting, decorated the home and manned the residents’ stall at the Spring Fair, and finally they helped out with a great game of bingo – thank you very much to Saskia and Michelle; we hope you achieve your award soon.

The ‘Minnie Vinnies’ from St Peter’s Primary School have made and donated ‘emergency admission bags’ for residents coming to us from the hospital with short notice. They have thought very carefully about what needs to go in and we’re sure they will be very comforting to anyone arriving. We look forward to working with ‘Minnie Vinnies’ in the future. Thank You!

South Chowdene celebrated National Poetry Day with a visit from local author, Hazel Stevenson. Hazel has written 3 books based in the North East about its history, culture and sense of humour.

Residents, staff and visitors had a look at a section of one of the books and chatted about memories of that time, such as the evacuation during the war and the land girls. Hazel also brought along some items pertaining to countryside life of that time with her, which also sparked a lot of discussion and laughter.

We also celebrated our own literary talents:

Muriel Falkenburg has written many short stories showing her fantastic understanding of young people and limitless imagination, as well as stories mirroring her own life experiences during the war.

Leo Honour is a published writer with a book about his life in the North East as a son, husband, father and breadwinner making it through some testing times with polio.

Both residents read excerpts of their books to other residents, who enjoyed listening and immersing themselves in the memories and feelings of those times.

South Chowdene got into the spirit of Comic Relief alongside the rest of the country on Friday 15th March.

Staff, residents and relatives enjoyed fun and games and lots of cakes to mark the occasion. The team sported red noses and residents made traybakes, which were sold to raise money for the cause. Residents enjoyed seeing the staff in ‘fancy dress’, and some tried noses and boppers on themselves.

It was a fun day and visitors really loved the atmosphere of the home.