Residents at The Lawn, our Alton-based residential care home, have had a wonderfully festive Christmas complete with a magical Christmas Fayre, Carol Concerts, National Elf Day celebrations, their very own photo shoot, a Christmas Party and a visit from pupils at Holybourne Village Pre School.
“Every member of The Lawn care team loves – and is dedicated to – making sure that all the residents have a joyful Christmas and New Year,” said Alina Gutu, Registered Manager at The Lawn. “We all thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the residents in a wide range of yuletide activities. We got involved in so many fun things – from our community Winter Wonderful Christmas Fayre, to arts and crafts sessions, singing along at beautiful Carol Concerts, enjoying Christmas film afternoons, celebrating National Elf Day, taking part in festive quizzes and Naughty Elf Bingo – all the residents had a great festive season.”
“We also hosted an intergenerational Christmas activity,” added Emma Cranstone, the Activities Coordinator at The Lawn. “To get The Lawn ready for Christmas and in Elf Approved Style for Santa’s annual visit, pupils from Holybourne Village Pre School kindly helped us sprinkle fairy dust and decorate our Christmas Trees and care home. The residents loved helping the children, chatting with the teachers and making sure all the decorations were at their sparkling best.”
Emma created an events and activities programme which was tailored to meet each residents’ individual needs, likes and preferences. “To get our festive fun off to a Reindeer flying start, we hosted our community Festive Fayre,” added Emma.
“It was a wonderful day and it was great to see the residents chatting with, and enjoying the company of, members of the local community. It was a real Winter Wonderland event.”
Alongside the traditional festive fun events such as Carols, a Christmas Party and a wonderful Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, other activities the residents got involved with included their own Christmas Photo Shoot.
“We thought it would be a nice way for the residents to end the year,” continued Emma. “We got each resident ready so they were picture perfect and happy with their camera look and, just like Gloria Swanson in the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard, they were all ready for their close ups. The residents had a marvellous time posing for the photographer and were extremely happy with the results. We popped each residents’ photo into frames so they could give them to their families and loved ones as a little present as well.”
“All the residents had a jolly holly Christmas and now that we are into the New Year, everyone is looking forward to the year ahead and all the exciting things we have planned,” concluded Alina.
Find out more about The Lawn care home by calling 03305 550 378 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.