A right royal party: celebrating the Jubilee in our care homes
Our care homes put on a right royal show for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!
With Queen Elizabeth II celebrating 70 years on the throne this June, our care teams and residents came together to mark the occasion with an action-packed bank holiday of garden parties, activities and entertainment.
Agincare care homes across England put on their own events for residents, their families and care teams. With so many celebrations, we are taking a look at just a few of the wonderful parties and activities from the past week.
Tilford’s Garden Party
Our Tilford Care Home in Farnham, Surrey, made the most of the sunshine with a garden party in their beautiful grounds.
Gemma Trussler, Activity Lead for care homes and based at Tilford, stressed how important celebrations such as the Jubilee are for residents.
These celebrations are really important within our care settings because they bring everyone together to celebrate and reminisce.
The impact this has on our residents is huge, we laugh, chat and remember all the things that they have done over the years; garden parties with their own children, street parties when they were young with their parents.
Every one of them loves the Queen and the royal family, it’s surprising how many of them have met the queen or been to celebrations over the years. Even if they haven’t there has been some great stories.
Taking to the Streets at St Peter’s Park
In Bexhill-On-Sea, residents of St Peter’s Park and Retirement Village were joined by family and friends for a street party outside the home.
Attendees enjoyed strawberry cream, lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle, along with cupcakes and all manner of other delicious treats. Entertainment included a selection of songs throughout the decades.
In the run up to the grand celebration, residents had assisted in decorating and many took part in a royal quiz.
A Jubilee BBQ at Edgehill
Edgehill care home in Swindon had a fantastic time celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with friends, family and care teams coming together for a BBQ and mini concert.
Singer, Megan was the star of the show, delighting attendees both on and off the stage; talking to residents and posing for photos.
A house fit for a Queen
But it wasn’t all garden parties.
Our activities co-ordinators ensure there is always something to do. From balloon badminton and trips out to puzzles and crafts, residents have plenty of choice in how they spend their day.
Last week however, attention was well and truly fixed on preparations for the weekend’s Jubilee celebrations.
At Agincare’s newest care home, Beaufort House, care teams and residents worked hard to make the Victorian school building fit for a Queen. Albeit, a cardboard cut-out one.
The elegant arches of the front porch and majestic staircase were adorned with red, white and blue bunting, while a wonderful, knitted door decoration was hung; having been made by a resident.
Jubilee care home activities
Homemade decorations were a popular craft in the build up to the big celebrations. At Tilford, residents were surprised with a visit from Dolly Pots, a Paint Your Own Ceramics company.
Residents hand painted their own ceramic Jubilee crown before sending them away to be put in the Kiln and then given as gifts to family members.
The Jewel in the Crown
But it was residents at Gorseway Park, our care home and retirement village on Hayling Island, with the jewel in the activities crown… literally.
On Thursday morning, to kick off the two-day bank holiday last week, residents played a game of Pin the Diamond on the Crown. Congratulations to the worthy winner, Chris.
A perfect party prop
None of these fantastic activities and parties would have been possible however without the enthusiasm, creativity and hard work of our care teams.
At Queensferry Court care home in Derby, residents were wowed by this amazing, Jubilee themed, balloon ring made by a member of the team. Along with a cardboard cut-out of the Queen, the balloons made the perfect backdrop for some wonderful Jubilee photos.
A Jubilee for all the family
Another care home to mark the Jubilee with a garden party was Waterloo.
Residents and family were able to enjoy a sunny day of entertainment with food provided by chef Michelle and face painting for the children (and some residents and members of the care team) from Senior Care Assistant, Lou Rowe.
Celebrating in your community
From the activity co-ordinators and care assistants, to maintenance teams and chefs, everyone across all of our care homes came together to make the Jubilee weekend a time of celebration and connection.
Gemma adds,
It’s been amazing the efforts that have been made by all of our care homes to help residents celebrate with their families. It’s been such a long time since we have been able to have families and friends into our homes and without a doubt we definitely enjoyed the 4-day Jubilee with everyone.
Every activity co-ordinator within Agincare goes above and beyond to put together such fantastic events for our residents.
Over the past week, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations have brought with them a sense of community and connection.
Through the variety of activities and events put on by our incredible teams, we have seen residents, families, care teams and even local businesses coming together within our care homes.
