This afternoon
Market Lavington residential, nursing and residential memory care home, in Wiltshire, held their monthly ‘Stop the Clock’ event, this time the theme was autumn.
Over the previous weeks the home has held arts and crafts groups, reminiscence groups and poetry groups to creatively explore the season! There were some lovely reminisces that were read out and expanded upon, particularly by Resident Violet Lloyd.
The room was dressed with examples of the art, including leaf templates that were coloured by Residents.
One Resident in particular, David Rowe took such delight in this activity, signing his handiwork and asking to keep them in his room!
Riaz Ali, Wellbeing Coordinator, often ends the live stream element of the afternoon with a song that he plays on the guitar. The song chosen this time was ‘Forever Autumn’, selected by Resident Gordon Grist, who joined in front of the microphone to sing this wistful, melancholic song that was a hit for Justin Hayward in the late 1970s.
Gordon commented, “I enjoyed it, but sorry my singing isn’t as good as it was!”
The wonderful kitchen team supplied some beautiful cakes and cookies. Colleague Kim Tomes baked an outstanding coffee and walnut cake and a selection of fairy cakes. Kitchen Assistant Michaela Swiffen baked some equally delicious cookies.
The Home Manager Natasha Howard, Deputy Manager Leanne Vinakadina, Senior Carer Jasmine Symonds and Administrator Mary-Anne Pugh, all attended too, along with Care Assistants, kitchen and housekeeping staff. They created such a lovely, warm and happy atmosphere on such a cold November afternoon.
Jasmine said, “Seeing the Residents smile makes it all worthwhile!”
Everyone loved being able to come together safely in a group and socialise; meeting other Residents that they may not have met before, was very important to many of them. They also loved the variety of the afternoon and of course, the cake!
Violet remarked. “Thank you, it makes a lovely change to go to something like this.”
Fellow Resident Sonja Parfitt, added, “Thank you, it was lovely, nice to take part in something different.”
Natasha said, “Well done Riaz for once again putting on a fabulous ‘Stop the Clock’”
Mary-Anne, ended with, “It is a joy to see the Residents enjoying the afternoon together in each other’s company, I absolutely loved seeing them all smile and being merry.”