The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), which runs 68 care homes across Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, will be opening its doors and hosting a series of special events to help build relationships between residents and the local community as part of National Care Home Open Day on Friday 19th June.
National Care Home Open Day provides an opportunity for people of all ages to visit their local care homes, meet residents and see the vibrant and positive lifestyle they enjoy. The aim is to strengthen community links and enable people to gain a better understanding of all that’s offered in terms of care provision and facilities, including a chance to meet new people and changes lives by volunteering.
This year’s theme is The Arts & Valuing Staff, so as part of the day, the Trust’s homes are organising activities and events for residents and visitors, including:
- Bartlett House in Ludgershall, Wiltshire hosting a coffee morning and an ABBA tribute band.
- Bemerton Lodge in Salisbury, Wiltshire holding a coffee morning, featuring flower-planting, curling, Trivial Pursuit, card-making and non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Brookside in Melksham, Wiltshire offering a Medieval Day, including jousting knights, morris dancing, music, stocks, a gourmet barbecue and a maypole demonstration from local primary school children.
- Stratford Court in Salisbury, Wiltshire offering Skittles, musical entertainment with Jim Gallagher, a Seated Flexercise Class, and cream teas and cup cakes served throughout the day.
- The Elms near Stroud, Gloucestershire holding a Seaside Fun Day, featuring Punch and Judy, fish and chips, ice-cream cones, a colouring competition and visits from local school children.
- Southfield in Stroud, Gloucestershire welcoming an opera singer in the afternoon, along with local children, who will read their rugby inspired poems.
- Paternoster House in Cirencester, Gloucestershire enjoying a multi-cultural ‘Round The World In 8 Hours’ themed day with costumes, food and music.
- Orchard House in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire welcoming players from Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club, along with a reminiscence session and sensory games with rugby balls.
- Boultham Park House in Lincoln, Lincolnshire enjoying a reminiscence session followed by an afternoon of entertainment complete with strawberries and cream scones.
- Apple Trees in Grantham, Lincolnshire receiving a visit from Nick Boles, the Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford.
- Foxby Court in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire hosting an activities session in the morning, along with a recruitment stand, home made cakes and tours around a showroom later in the day.
- Skirbeck Court in Boston, Lincolnshire enjoying a coffee morning and a pantomime in the marquee.
- Isis House in Oxford offering a seated exercise class in their ballroom, and an afternoon cream tea with a sing-along.
- Madley Park House in Witney, Oxfordshire offering a painting workshop with canvases from 10.30am and a singer performing from 2pm.
- The Meadows in Didcot, Oxfordshire holding its annual Summer Fete.
- Westgate House in Wallingford hosting a seated dance session in the morning, a buffet lunch in the tearoom and afternoon tea with live entertainment.
Dan Hayes, Operations Director for OSJCT, commented: “One of our main goals is to make sure our residents stay connected with their local communities, which is why we’re delighted to continue supporting National Care Home Open Day.
“We’re always looking for new ways of building lasting relationships with our local communities, and initiatives like National Care Home Open Day are a perfect opportunity to open our doors and meet our neighbours!
“The campaign not only gives people the opportunity to look around and gain a better understanding of what life is like inside our homes and how they could help the care teams by volunteering, but it also gives our residents the chance to meet new people and get involved locally.”
