Activities at Tennyson Wharf Care Home

We were so pleased to be able to make new friends with the reception class of Burton Hathow Preparatory School. The children came to visit us for a ‘getting to know you’ meeting where we played games, took a walk in the garden to play eyespy and then had snacks and drinks. It was a wonderful first meeting with many more planned. 

Our residents were so delighted with the interactions. Many of our residents were teachers and this brought back wonderful memories for them.  Some of our residents do not have families that live close by so seeing the little children reminds them of their own grandchildren. Lesley, one of our residents, said “it was a fab morning, to see their little happy faces. Children are so innocent.” We are grateful for these interactions that create new memories for our residents. 

As part of our VE Day Celebrations with a trip to the International Bomber Command Centre to see the beautiful ceramic poppies. A few of our residents had not been before and others not for a long time. They were impressed with the poppy installation and the displays of information and silhouettes of women who served in the war. The information was presented in a sensitive manner that conveyed the sacrifice of those brave men and women. It was hard not to shed a tear.

Our resident, Hilary, found the name of her Uncle amongst those that lost their lives. It was a moving moment. Hilary was immensely proud that her name and life had been honoured. 

We were able to reminisce and share memories with the children of Burton Hathow Preparatory School as residents visited the school to show uniforms, artefacts and tell stories of their broken education in shelters and evacuation experiences. Peter, our Resident Representative, told the pupils how happy our friendship with the school makes our residents and that they bring us a lot of joy.

So much fun was had with our VE Day entertainer, Eleanor, where we welcomed the children to our home. We sang, danced, waved flags and listened to the speech made by Winston Churchill. One of our residents, June, described the moment as the 'best entertainment ever!' All were delighted to see the children having such a good time. 

We rounded off VE Day with an afternoon tea and prosecco. It has been a wonderful week with just the right amount of enjoyment and reflection.

Tennyson Wharf held a fabulous party to celebrate 10 years of serving the local community.   Staff, residents and guests commemorated this special occasion with entertainment from the amazing Abbamia, a delicious buffet and cake provided by our chefs, Dawn and Deepu, and visits from Sir Edward Lee MP for Gainsborough, Mayor Allan Briggs and High Sheriff Philip Dymoke.

Tennyson Wharf has built up an excellent reputation within its local communities. The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents and surrounding neighbours.  Tennyson Wharf is a modern purpose-built facility set in a stunning location overlooking the Burton Waters marina.
 

Competitive spirit kicked in with our team coordination challenges! We did not know our residents were so competitive until we brought out forks, some plastic cups and newspaper! Our residents formed into two teams that then had to complete a series of challenges.

First they had a set of plastic cups that had to be transferred from one person to the next by scooping it off a fork. The winners were the team that sent all of the cups down the line to the end and then back again. Great for hand-eye coordination and communication.

Our second challenge was the TikTok viral newspaper shuffle. Newspaper pages are taped together and then lined in front of a person sitting in a chair. They have to step or peddle their feet as fast as they can to shuffle the newspaper to them. It's harder than it looks and certainly works the core muscles and legs.  The third challenge saw our residents back with plastic cups trying to place all the cups in their bowl into the opponent's bowl. Sounds easy? Not so much when you have to use a long pole and not your hands. Another great manual dexterity challenge. 

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon of music from The Allan Johnson Folk Duo.  Allan had previously played with his band The Ploughman for many years, creating a mixture of folk, blue grass and country music. 

This visit was important not just for the entertainment but because one of our residents organised this meeting. Lyndon has been a member of The Rotary Club for many years and has a wide range of friends and contacts. Allan met Lyndon through the Rotary Club, and he continues to visit him here at Tennyson Wharf. Lyndon was keen to introduce us to his talents and expand our list of entertainers and Allan was only too happy to oblige. 

It proved to be a very educational afternoon too, as Allan guided us through all the instruments that he plays. Lyndon enquired after an instrument that no one had seen before. It was a Mandola which is part of the lute family. Allan played them all very well, and we look forward to his return in the summer.