Activities at The Cedars Bourne Care Home

With the beautiful weather we have been enjoying this month, residents and staff have been outside as much as possible! The gardening club have made headway on both the sensory and the main garden: weeding, pruning and planting beds; aided by staff and volunteers. Otherwise, we have taken advantage of the views by having various outdoor activities, including outdoor quiz afternoons; golf club and many afternoons spent enjoying the sound of the river and the birds over a hot drink and a slice of cake. We love our garden here at The Cedars, and are proud to live with such beautiful grounds. 

Across our services we had a lovely time joining Rhiannon Watkinson from the RAF Museum London for an interactive talk exploring the exciting and innovative aviation history of Hendon.

Our residents were able to learn about the first flights from the fields at Hendon, the creation of the London Aerodrome and Battle of Britain pilots who flew from RAF Hendon.

The talk also included photographic and film material from the Museum’s archive. Residents across our homes had a fantastic time and we truly enjoyed the virtual experience.

The Cedars Care Home in Bourne have invited members of the local community and at home carers to join them for their weekly coffee morning, with various activities including board games, puzzles and ‘knit and natter’. The knitting group chose to make blankets and scarves for donation, and have produced 12 blankets and 7 scarves to donate to the Ukraine appeal.Ce

We had a great time celebrating the Mexican festival of Cinco de Mayo in style.

We dressed up and enjoyed some traditional Mexican music, along with delicious Mexican dishes, prepared by our talented home chef Gee Jowett.

Our residents got involved in a variety of fun-filled games and sensory sessions; before joining a virtual Latin Dance Class from our online partner Oomph on Demand. The residents enjoyed the class so much we did it twice!

During the day, the Piñata was a great fun and we all learnt something new about the meaning of the Mexican festival; as well as some Spanish greetings and phrases.

Excitement was in the air at The Cedars Care Home in Bourne, where residents and staff have been busy making Coronation-themed decorations and baking up a storm of red, white and blue cakes and pastries with the help of head chef Richard Parrott in preparation for the King’s Coronation on May 6.

Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations fit for a King. Over the bank holiday weekend the home held a resident crowning party on Saturday, a garden party and concert with live entertainment from local vocalist Nikki Downes on Sunday, as well as a Coronation-themed quiz, crafts and a game of pin the crown on the king on Monday. The whole home came together to celebrate our new King and talk about the new era the country is entering.

Senior General Manager at The Cedars Care Home said: “We’ve all had such a brilliant time celebrating the Coronation, such a momentous occasion. Our staff and residents love the Royals and so they were all so excited to take part. It has been a real collaborative process - thinking about how we wanted to celebrate, planning our activities, decorating the home and creating all the party food. It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us for a proper celebration too.”

Dorothy, a resident at The Cedars Care Home said: “I can remember the Queen’s Coronation, and that of King George. It makes a lasting impression on you. It is such an important occasion to mark.”

The Cedars went back in time this week when residents and their guests were treated to a talk from guest speaker Chris Carr from Briga and Friends; a local historical re-enactment group.

Chris gave the residents a fascinating talk on medieval medicine in an informative and entertaining costumed presentation; including replica medieval medicinal texts, herbs to touch and smell and a demonstration of medieval surgery.

The residents were fascinated to learn about the medieval use of the poisonous herb hemlock, which was used as an aesthetic; as well as the theory that disease was spread by tiny invisible imps in the air. Activity team member Lisa then volunteered to be a patient with an arrow through the arm, as Chris demonstrated how it would have been removed; using some very sharp and dangerous looking tools.

Residents were then invited to ask questions, which Chis answered using her incredible local and medical historical knowledge. Resident Elizabeth Brett said that the presentation was ‘wonderful’ and ‘fascinating’, whilst Jo Kay expressed how marvellous it is that this old knowledge is not lost. The talk was arranged by request of resident Anne Miller, who was particularly interested in the herbs that were used- including the lavender and honey they used to stuff their wounds!

The residents are really looking forward to Briga and Friends next visit; which will be entitled ‘cooking during rationing’.