Activities at Tyspane Care Home

A visit from an ice cream truck is a symbol of childhood nostalgia and a reminder of carefree summer days spent outside. The sound of an ice cream van’s jingle can transport you back to a simpler time, a time when the biggest worry was choosing between an ice cream or an ice lolly.

So, without any hesitation, Tyspane Care Home residents rose to the challenge and entered Barchester’s Life Enrichment “Win a visit from an Ice Cream Van,” this morning. Residents from the Baking Club combined their talents with residents from the Gardening Club to design and create the “Flora Frenzy.”

The name and ingredients were chosen to tickle one’s taste buds and spark curiosity. Fresh creamy vanilla ice cream was chosen, surrounded by vibrant orange jelly to match the community home grown edible nasturtiums which are packed full of flavour and beneficial vitamins and minerals. Topped off by Millac Gold.

Fingers Crossed the Ice Cream Van comes to Tyspane Care Home.

The last two days the sound of music at Tyspane Care Home has shaped the atmosphere evoking a variety of emotions, creating different moods in residents, families, friends and staff as well as enhancing everyone’s wellbeing.

Firstly, David and Jim entertained residents, friends, families and staff by playing an array of different musical instruments, singing well known songs, telling stories, reciting poetry and juggling! The activities lounge was packed, not an inch of space was left. Wonderful.

Secondly, Sophie performed with local home school children a series of well-known songs from musicals, popular chart music and childhood rhymes. The children, parents, carers and friends filled the residents’ activities lounge which created and fostered a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Sophie is a talented singer and performer who has a natural empathy with children, it was a pleasure to observe Sophie and the children perform. Simply amazing.

Finally, Gareth joined residents, families, friends and staff for an afternoon of meditation. Gareth played the harp gently creating a soothing environment that lulled individuals into a state of relaxation which should hopefully promote a restful night’s sleep. Blissful.

Music rhythmical, it has patterns, structure, shape. It has many layers which work beautifully together to create something that can only be described as a work of art.

Thank you to everyone who performed at Tyspane Care Home this week.

At Tyspane Care Home we understand the importance of "Getting To Know" our residents so that they can engage in purposeful activities enabling them to stay connected with the things they love. It is important that we remember every resident is unique, so spending quality time learning about each other and everyone helps support positive well-being through a wide range and choice of events, outings, connections in the community and tailored activities. 

Therefore, it was a wonderful surprise to learn about one of our residents, James Davis. James has been an accomplished photographer for over half a century. He has travelled to over one hundred countries around the world; from Australia to Zimbabwe with many in between. This has given him the opportunity to photograph many subjects such as landscapes, seascapes, cities, landmarks and people. James published his first book in 2008 and his second book in 2016, they are truly remarkable. James stated in his second book (introduction) that, "Each and every one of us should be greatly concerned about the future of our plant and its resources. Throughout my book I hope I convey not just the problems we face, but also the beauty that is still left and which we must go to great lengths to conserve."

Thank You James for sharing your memories and photographs with us, they are fantastic and the commentary on the background to the various scenes is so interesting. 

Tyspane Care Home residents, friends, families and staff were stunned and amazed when Aime Bown (General Manager) surprised everyone this afternoon with a Virtual Reality Headset (VR). A Virtual Reality Headset is a captivating gateway into an entirely fresh experience, it provides one with a highly immersive experience, making you feel as if you are physically present in a stimulated environment. It gives you the impression that it is real.

Residents, families, friends and staff were asked what experience they would like to engage their senses in, what world would they like to be transported into. Requests and ideas came thick and fast, luckily Aime was a master at programming the headset for each individual’s experience.

David was first to have a go and opted for a parachute jump, this was because his daughter Louise (Tyspane Care Home Hairdresser) had previously undertaken a parachute jump. David stated the experience was out of this world, absolutely incredible. He could not believe how real it was, he said he felt a little light headed as he floated to the ground, it felt unlike anything in the world.

Patrick opted for formula 1 experience and when asked if he enjoyed the experience he replied, “Yes, unbelievable.”

Mary a lady who loves animals opted for an animal experience. The headset was fitted and Mary’s face became one of wonder and surprise as she saw a lioness close up and reached out to touch the giraffes. Julie (Activities Assistant) never one to shy away tried the roller coaster ride, it was so real she nearly fell over.

The afternoon was so special, Virtual Reality is certainly going to change how our residents interact with technology and the world around them. One of the benefits of virtual reality for seniors is its ability to reduce loneliness by providing adventure and entertainment.

Thank you Aim Bown (General Manager) for making our Fantastic Friday a Futuristic Friday.

We have a representative democracy in the UK, voting systems, or electoral systems, are the method by which we elect representatives. A voting system determines the rules on how we elect parties and candidates. Having a system of government where ordinary people have a say in how they are governed is so important. So, it was wonderful when Tony Proverb asked Aime Bown (General Manager) at Tyspane Care Home if she could make arrangements for him to vote in person. Without hesitation Aime organised transport and assistance for Tony to be taken into the local village to register his vote.

Tony stated, “Thanks to everyone who made this happen, not only did I vote I got to go in the mini bus for a ride.”

Aime Bown (General Manager) stated;

“One of the values at Tyspane Care home (Barchester) is empowerment, we respect and support our residents’ rights and requests to live independently. It is an honour to support Tony.”

Tyspane Care Home understands that children reap social, emotional and development benefits from the individualised attention and feedback they get from older people. Never was this truer than this evening, when Braunton Beavers visited Tyspane Care Home with their families and/or carers to perform, “Words and Songs” specially rehearsed for residents, families, friends and staff. The children were supported by Ratty and Fox (AKA Mike and Wendy) daughter and son-in-law of Tony a resident at Tyspane Care Home.

The children stood proudly in front of residents to express how they felt about summertime with creative and original posters, new and classic songs which made residents smile and laugh. The atmosphere was one of joy and excitement made even more special by watching the children play outside in the Community Garden. Screams of delight were heard as children weaved in and out of the wild areas.

These intergenerational events are so important, bringing the young and old together is simply a win-win situation.

Mike said, “Glad the residents enjoyed it, I know the Beavers and their parents did. We'll sort something for them to do in the autumn.”

Thank You Braunton Beavers, Mike and Wendy for making this happen.