Activities at Wood Grange Care Home

Today (Sunday 4th June) we granted a wish from one of our residents here at Wood Grange, Barry Hughes.  Barry is a retired mechanic who worked at St. Michaels Motors in Stamford and has ridden motorbikes most of his life.  He talks about bikes and old friend almost every day, we decided for the lead up to Barry’s 88th birthday we would reach out to the local biking community, and what a great response we received.

The activities coordinator reached out on social media to see if anyone could help grant Barry’s wish to ride a bike one day, with the help from Trevor Clarke and Tom Allen who are both part of the Bourne Lincolnshire Bikers Facebook Group set up an event called, ‘Make an Old Biker Smile’.  In response to this we also received a message from Steve Warcup who offered to take Barry for a spin on his Honda Goldwing.  The staff kept this as a surprise and on the day we took Barry along with other residents out the front to see around 50 bikes appear! It was amazing!

Not only did he get to meet the wonderful biking community, he caught up with old friends/colleagues Les Kirby and Herbie, he went for his spin on the Goldwing with Steve Warcup, then it all ended with a display of revving up the engine of a Honda, a Mike Hailwood replica. This event was enjoyed by all, families with young children came, visitors of residents enjoyed it too.

Barry said, “the bike people are good people, I have had a wonderful day”

Residents across our services had a delightful time during a special virtual sensory storytelling event, led by Art Historian Jon Sleigh from the Historic Royal Palaces.

Jon took us on a journey to discover some of the more unusual and unexpected inhabitants of the palaces and the Tower of London, sharing fascinating stories about the pets at the palaces.

Whilst enjoying the virtual experience, our residents were treated to hot beverages, delicious biscuits, berries and cakes.  It was a truly lovely time for all.

This month we were very pleased to bring a Wedding to Wood Grange with help from Stonestreet Sounds.  It was the big day for the Grandson of Eva, the journey to get to the wedding was a little too far for Eva,  so we brought the wedding to Wood Grange.  Eva enjoyed the build up to the wedding by visiting the Market to select flowers, having her hair done, enjoying a manicure and even having Bourne Baptist Church visit to mention the wedding and say a little prayer.   

Thanks to Stonestreet Sounds who live streamed the wedding which was then displayed on a projector, for Eva and her friends at Wood Grange to enjoy.  We then celebrated with some bubbles and lunch after the ceremony.  In the afternoon we all sat in the beautiful sunshine, sang songs and made a toast to the happy couple.  Eva had a lovely day and said, “it was really lovely and so pleased it all went well”.

Memory Lane residents had a mini bus trip to or sister home, The Cedars for Dementia awareness week.  We were welcomed by Helen the activities coordinator and Becky, the General Manager.  Firstly our residents were introduced to residents of The Cedars whilst enjoying refreshments.  Being such a beautiful day, we explored the gardens which brought back fond memories to one of our residents as he had been there before.  Helen also showed our residents activities on their tablet, which was well received.  We had a lovely day and will be sure to return again.

Residents and their relatives in Memory Lane enjoyed an afternoon of Karaoke and dance which was organised by the wonderful carers in this community.  Our residents love moving to music and singing, a perfect activity for them. The atmosphere was full of cheer and laughter, this is a great way for our residents to express themselves and to bring back memories of the lyrics and feelings they may have connected with a song. A wife of a resident said, “it was so much fun and we are looking forward to the next one”.

Monday morning,  families and residents gathered in our café for brunch.  They enjoyed a glass of bucks fizz with sweet pastries and fresh berries, whilst playing a game of Royal Bingo! The winner won a yummy box of chocolates from Thorntons.  The host was dressed as a Land girl to mark VE Day whilst playing 1940’s hit songs, we also shared books of past Royal members and shared memories of other Coronations.  Overall our residents and their families had a lovely weekend.