Activities at Vecta House Care Home

What a truly wonderful afternoon we had here at Vecta House celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day! Our beautiful gardens were transformed into a sea of red, white, and blue, adorned with cheerful bunting, vibrant balloons, fluttering flags, and celebratory banners.

It was heart-warming to see our residents, dedicated staff, their families, and friends all come together to commemorate this significant milestone in history. The atmosphere was buzzing with joy and remembrance.
A huge thank you to the fantastic local businesses who helped make the day extra special! The delicious aroma of freshly popped popcorn from Popping Popcorn filled the air, while Island Floss - candy floss on the Isle of Wight treated everyone to sweet clouds of candy floss. Tracy's faces Iw Painting worked her magic, creating smiles with her colourful designs, and her amazing balloon-twisting skills delighted young and old alike.

The incredible Double Take - Isle of Wight had everyone waving their flags and singing along to classic wartime tunes – their performance truly captured the spirit of the era. Later in the afternoon, the energy soared as the wonderful Bonnie got our residents (and even some staff!) up and dancing to some fantastic 50s and 60s hits!

Our memorabilia table, filled with a fascinating array of war-related items, sparked many heartfelt conversations and allowed us to reflect on the significance of the day. A massive thank you to the wonderful Hanna Nixon for generously lending us these precious pieces for our celebration.
Of course, no celebration is complete without delicious food! Our talented chef outdid themselves with a stunning variety of cakes, and everyone enjoyed tasty hotdogs washed down with refreshing Pimms. We are so grateful to Island Foods for their kind donation of the sausages – thank you!

The afternoon was filled with laughter, joy, and a true sense of community. It was wonderful to see staff and residents alike getting into the spirit with face-painting and enjoying the festivities together. Thank you to everyone who came along and made this 80th VE Day anniversary celebration at Vecta House so special. It's a day we will cherish!

Vecta House care home fostered stronger community ties yesterday afternoon by hosting a successful "Coffee with a Coppa" event. The heart-warming gathering brought together residents, their families, local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Lotte and her colleague Romie, and the enthusiastic young readers from Summerfield’s Primary School weekly book club.

The afternoon commenced with PCSO Lotte and Romie embarking on a tour of Vecta House. This provided a valuable opportunity for them to meet and introduce themselves to the residents in their familiar surroundings, fostering a sense of personal connection and approachability.

Following the tour, the reception café at Vecta House buzzed with lively conversation as everyone congregated for the main event. The children from Summerfield’s Primary School, alongside the residents and their families, eagerly engaged with the PCSOs, posing thoughtful questions about their roles within the local community. This intergenerational exchange proved to be both educational and engaging for all involved.

A highlight of the afternoon was Mrs. Gartell, the Head Teacher of Summerfield’s Primary School, bravely trying on the PCSO's stab-proof vest, offering a tangible insight into the protective gear used in their daily duties. The session proved to be a fantastic learning experience, with both young and old discovering new aspects of the vital work carried out by their local police community support officers, part of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Isle of Wight Police. 

Vecta House is committed to nurturing strong relationships within its local community and intends to build on the success of this event by hosting similar initiatives in the future. This collaborative approach aims to enrich the lives of the residents and foster a greater sense of belonging and connection. Vecta House extends a sincere thank you to both PCSO Lotte and her colleague Romie for dedicating their time and sharing such an informative and engaging afternoon with the residents, families, and children.

It warmed our hearts to make today another memorable one for our wonderful resident, John! 
Following his birthday celebrations here at Vecta House, today we had the pleasure of taking John on a very special outing to God's Providence Cafe in Newport town.

This wasn't just any café; it's a place deeply woven into the fabric of John's life. For an incredible 15 years before coming to live with us at Vecta House, John was a daily fixture at God’s Providence House (except for Sundays when he was busy cooking up a delicious roast!). He was such a familiar face that the staff knew his order by heart – a bacon sandwich, and the kind owner even treated him to a free one every Friday!

Seeing John back in his favourite spot, surrounded by close friends and family to celebrate his 82nd birthday, was truly heart-warming. His face lit up as he took it all in, remarking on how little the café had changed. He even asked after some of the staff from years ago! The owner himself came over to greet John, and it was clear how delighted he was to see him back in his old haunt.

John thoroughly enjoyed his bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee, all while happily people-watching in the company of his loved ones. After our delightful café visit, we took a gentle stroll around the beautiful Newport church, admiring its serene setting and stunning stained-glass windows. It was a truly special day, filled with happy memories and the joy of reconnecting with a cherished past. Thank you to God's Providence Cafe for the warm welcome and for being such a significant part of John's life! 

What a fantastic day we've had at Vecta House! The day was all about celebrating Nutrition and Hydration Week with a splash of tropical fun!  

Our residents got their creative juices flowing (pun intended!) by crafting delicious and refreshing mocktails for Thirsty Thursday. We started by adding a touch of sweetness with sugar-rimmed glasses, setting the stage for a truly delightful experience.

Then came the fun part: mixing! Our residents became expert bartenders, combining a variety of vibrant juices with sparkling lemonade to create a truly tropical flavour sensation.    

But the creativity didn't stop there! We adorned our mocktails with fresh, juicy strawberries, colourful tropical straws, and playful cocktail sticks. The result? A feast for the eyes and a treat for the taste buds! With the sun shining brightly, we decided to take our creations outside and enjoy the beautiful weather in our garden. Surrounded by lush greenery and our very own palm trees, we truly felt like we were on holiday!  

Our residents let their imaginations run wild, choosing their dream destinations. Rita fancied a trip to sunny Spain, Eve envisioned the pyramids of Egypt, and Lilian dreamed of the vibrant beaches of Florida! It was a truly wonderful afternoon filled with laughter, delicious drinks, and the joy of shared experiences.

The day was a truly special day at Vecta House as we celebrated World Theatre Day with an unforgettable performance by the incredible Caulkhead Productions! Our residents were treated to a hilarious and interactive play, "Mr. Oddjob and Poppy's Tea Party of Madness," and it's safe to say it was a roaring success!  

The afternoon began with the wonderful Caulkhead Productions team introducing themselves and sparking some lovely reminiscing conversations with our residents. They brought along a delightful collection of theatre programmes from various shows, which ignited fond memories and lively discussions about past theatre experiences. It was wonderful to hear everyone share their stories and favourite productions!   

Then, the magic began! The "Mr. Oddjob and Poppy's Tea Party of Madness" show was a whirlwind of laughter, music, and dancing. Our residents were completely immersed in the performance, cheering, calling out at the poignant moments, and joining in with the familiar tunes.   
The comedic storylines had everyone in stitches, with belly laughs echoing throughout the room. It was truly heart-warming to see the residents so engaged and enjoying every moment. The atmosphere was electric, and the joy was palpable.   

A huge thank you to Caulkhead Productions for bringing such joy and entertainment to Vecta House. Your performance was a true gift, and our residents are still buzzing with excitement! We're so grateful for afternoons like these that create such wonderful memories and leave everyone feeling uplifted and happy. Here's to more theatrical adventures in the future!  

A Heartwarming Mother's Day Celebration at Vecta House!  

On Mother's Day, Vecta House was filled with love, laughter, and the sweet scent of freshly baked treats as we celebrated Mothering Sunday with our wonderful residents and their families! 
Reception was transformed into a beautiful tearoom, with elegant decorations and tables laid out for a delightful afternoon tea. Our incredible chef outdid themselves with scrumptious scones and beautifully decorated cupcakes that were a true feast for the eyes (and taste buds!).   

But the real magic of the day came from the special moments shared between our residents and their loved ones. We were also thrilled to welcome the talented dancers from Dance-Vibez who put on an absolutely fantastic show that had everyone clapping and cheering!   

A truly touching moment was when the youngest dancer from Dance Vibez presented handmade Mother's Day cards to all the ladies at Vecta House. It was a gesture that warmed everyone’s hearts and brought smiles to every face.  

We want to extend a huge thank you to all the families who joined us, to Dance Vibez for their wonderful performance, and to our amazing staff for making this Mother's Day so special. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and beautiful memories that we’ll cherish forever.