Activities at South Grange Care Home

Residents celebrated National Learning about butterfly day by getting involved in looking after our very own caterpillars.  Over the course of 3 weeks, residents and staff watched our caterpillars eat, spin, silk and grow. After an amazing week, we saw them hang upside down and turn into chrysalides. When eventually, they completed their transformation into beautiful butterflies. 

At the end of the eye-opening 3 weeks, we spent an afternoon in our garden soaking up the sunshine, admiring the stunning colours of the butterflies before we set them free. Our residents were happy they got to hold them before they flew off. 
 

Residents are delighted to see that the outings on the Trishaws with our lovely volunteers at Cycling Without Age Scotland Monifieth are back for 2025. The trishaw rides are very popular within our home with everyone excited to get out in the fresh air, enjoy the sunshine and take in the beautiful scenery around our local estate. 

One of our residents said it takes him back to his younger days when he would go on mile-long cycles with his friends.

Frank was the first resident to go out for a ride this time round. He said he had a wonderful time and was very thankful to the volunteers. Frank was accompanied by carer Newan, who also said it was a great experience. Everyone is looking forward to their turn in the coming weeks.

Last month we ordered some live caterpillars and all the essentials we needed to create our very own butterfly garden. Over the past three weeks, residents and staff have been excitedly watching our caterpillars eat, spin silk and grow. After about a week, we saw them hang upside down and turn into chrysalises.

Everyone was amazed by this. Eventually, they completed their transformation into beautiful butterflies, and we got to watch them learn to fly for a couple of days before setting them free. When the time came to let them go, residents and staff gathered in the garden, soaking up the sunshine and admiring their stunning colours. The residents were delighted that they got the chance to hold the butterflies before they flew off. One even landed on one of our ladies' faces, which made her day, she said.

We all had a great few weeks of seeing them grow and flourish.

We held our monthly gentlemen’s afternoon club, which is always a good turn out and a good chance for everyone to mingle and get to know each other, whether that be new or old residents. 

We had a great afternoon participating in games such as darts, putting, bowling and target practice to name a few. Residents Ken and Ged were reminiscing over their younger days of hours spent on the putting green, getting their practice in. 

The afternoon wouldn’t be complete without a good old blether whilst enjoying a lager and a selection of crisps. This afternoon wasn’t only for the gents as we had some of our ladies along to join in the fun too. 

Residents recently welcomed a different kind of visitor to spend the afternoon with them as part of an animal therapy session to boost the mental wellbeing of its residents - Haggis and Squiggles who are registered therapet Shetland ponies.

Residents at the home had the chance to interact with the ponies by patting and grooming their manes. Squiggles loved a good pampering so much so that she was falling asleep standing up. Whilst Haggis on the other hand, was enjoying a good roll on the carpet and making everyone laugh.

The pony handlers, Drew and Ellie were very engaging with the residents, who were able to ask questions and learn about the ponies, about how long they live, their diet and where they live. Pony therapy is the perfect way to spread happiness and create unforgettable moments between residents and the ponies.
 

South Grange have recently started intergenerational visits to their local nursery setting for their residents and the nursery children to spend more time together.

During these visits, the residents and children read stories together, share lots of smiles, sing to their favourite songs, play lots of fun games and the children love to give the elderly a tour of their surroundings.

Gill Conway, senior activities' coordinator of South Grange Care Home, said: “We are very lucky to have such a strong bond with the children and their teachers. This has increased since the elderly have also been able to visit the children at their environment.”