Queen’s Lodge Nursing Home was transformed into Blackpool for the day as staff laid on a seaside special for residents.
The weather was perfect as residents and staff donned beach hats, dipped their toe in the paddling pool, enjoyed a singalong and tucked into ice cream, a stick of rock, cockles and mussels and fish and chips.
Entertainment co-ordinator Barbara Winstanley said the idea came about after residents at the Blackburn nursing home got talking about their favourite days out.
“Everyone seemed to have a favourite story to tell about going to the seaside as a child so we thought we’d try to relive happy memories,” said Barbara.
“We all enjoyed the day and it was lovely to see the residents enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.”
“Our Cook deserves a special mention as she went above and beyond sourcing rock, cockles, mussels and crab sticks etc even paying for some of it out of her own pocket.”
Themed days are one of many activities at Queen’s Lodge to help the mental wellbeing of residents.
“It’s so important to keep mentally engaged. If there’s nothing to do residents will become bored and restless and can start to dwell on how they miss family or their own home and become upset,” said Barbara.
Residents also get involved peeling the home grown apples to make desserts and growing herbs for the kitchen. Other recent events include line dancing, quiz nights, bingo sessions and visits by singers and musicians. There’s also a farm day planned with a local farmer bringing in sheep, goats and llamas.
And the home has just invested in a 65inch TV screen so they can draw the curtains, dig out the popcorn and enjoy movie nights.
The Sound of Music is the most popular request so far along with other musicals The King and I, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Fiddler on the Roof.
“Musicals are popular because if you nod off, when you wake up you can still follow the story,” said Barbara. “Some modern films are just too complicated even if you stay awake.”
The seaside theme day proved such a big hit it will be repeated, though Barbara plans another addition next time. She said: “You can’t do Blackpool without a donkey so we’ll look to get one of them along next time.”
