Activities at Spen Court Care Home

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Spen Court care home were treated to a unique performance from English National Ballet to celebrate International Youth Day on August 12.

Prior to the day itself, members of English National Ballet’s youth dance company, ENBYouthCo, and their Creative Director, Richard Bermange, asked residents to submit their memories of going to see films over the years.  The cast then used these evocative descriptions, along with Arielle Smith’s digital production of Jolly Folly, as inspiration for their performance.  

On the day, residents were able to watch a performance of A Comedy in Long-shot, a dance film performed by ENBYouthCo, participate in a chair-based, creative dance workshop along with the cast and observe an open rehearsal where Richard and the young dancers created a performance inspired by the residents’ childhood memories

We had a lovely time joining V&A Dundee curator, Kirsty Hassard, as she introduced us virtually to the history and design of night clubs and the club culture from the 1960s to present day.

We explored the evolution and development of night clubs around the world, from Italy to America, and closer to home, looked at their importance as cultural venues and designed spaces.

This current exhibition celebrates night clubs at a very important moment, as we all look to a brighter future where everyone can come back together, to dance and to enjoy nights out once again.

We all enjoyed the virtual talk.

Residents at Spen Court in Heckmondwike have been enjoying this wonderful sunshine.

The ladies have been spending regular time in the patio area, where they enjoy catching up with one another accompanied with a cooling beverage.

Not a sun hat in sight, the ladies decline to wear hats due to them messing up their beautiful hair and they want to feel the sunshine on their faces, we do compromise with them wearing sunscreen.

General Manager, Sarah Sykes said ‘It is so lovely to hear the ladies talking and laughing with one another, it has been a good while since they have been able to do this.’

Resident, Margaret Walker said, ‘It’s so lovely to sit out in the sunshine with my friends, we can talk forever.’

Residents of Spen Court took to the homes beautiful garden to take advantage of the early spring sunshine to enjoy a breath of fresh air and to enjoy a spot of gardening as part of the homes popular garden club.

Everyone commented on how much better they felt for grabbing a breath of fresh air, feeling the sun on their faces and checking on the progress of the spring bulbs growing in the homes extensive grounds.

Staff at Spen Court care home in Heckmondwike kindly donated a collection of dried foods to Purpose of Life.

Purpose of Life is a UK based non – profit charity that was established in 2014. They are dedicated to providing aid for both local people and families in need and throughout the world.

Purpose of Life ensures 100% of all donations are received by those in need.

Purpose of Life charity is based in Batley.

Tanisha Bramwell is a community support worker for the charity and said ‘Thanks to the donations made by Spen Court they are able to continue with the food parcels to locals in need.’

We enjoyed a wonderful virtual introduction to the world of robots with V&A Dundee Curator, Kirsty Hassard.

Kirsty talked us through the history of robots and their early beginnings, the presentation traced the fascination of all things wired and wonderful and considered what the future might hold for our relationship with a multitude of mechanical machines.

It was absolutely thrilling to learn what robots can do now and what they might be able to do in the future.