Our care homes mark Remembrance with poppy making and wreath laying

Residents of our care homes have been playing their part in Remembrance season

From knitting poppies to attending community events, Colten Care residents – many of whom served in the armed forces or otherwise have wartime memories – have taken time to reflect on the poignant themes of sacrifice and service.

Here at Brook View, team members accompanied residents Ken Vivian and Jack Morey to the Dorset village’s official community commemoration on Remembrance Sunday.

Watched in respectful silence by dozens of onlookers from various community groups who gathered for the event, Ken, 95, laid a wreath as a traditional symbol of remembrance for the fallen.

Ken said: “I felt very proud and honoured to be representing Brook View by laying the wreath on the memorial.”

It was also a moment for Jack to reflect. He was a Private in the army during the Second World War and took part in the Normandy landings on D-Day in June 1944 before travelling through France to Nazi Germany as Allied forces sought to liberate Western Europe.

The pair were accompanied to Sunday’s service by our Companionship team member Jo Vardy and our administrator Tundé Zsiko.

Jo said: “It was a privilege to accompany Ken and Jack and together honour all those servicemen and women who lost their lives contributing to the cause of freedom.”

As well as attending community events, Colten Care residents have been involved in making displays of poppies.

Residents at Outstanding-rated Amberwood House in Ferndown spent eight weeks ‘crafting for Remembrance’.

Companionship Team leader Kirsty Richmond Cole said: “Our ladies started a knitting and crocheting club which quickly branched out to include the use of foam and felt to create a large quantity of poppies.

“It started with just our residents and before we knew it staff and families were involved too. Our final count was 150 poppies.

“We were able to create two displays, one inside our home and the other at our outside entrance sign for our community to see.”

In the New Forest, homes such as Outstanding-rated Kingfishers commemorated Remembrance Day with prayers, craft making, poetry readings and attendance at parades and church services.

After Kingfishers resident Terry Vass laid a wreath during a service in the lounge of the New Milton home, staff invited residents to share their wartime stories.

Rose Arcellana, Companionship Team leader, said: “Each story was touching and reminded us all of the rawness of war but also the beauty of humanity. Not all the stories were sad, we also heard uplifting ones of survival and kindness. Our service was an ideal way to commemorate all the brave soldiers who lost their lives.”