Bringing the ‘seaside’ to residents

The Aldbury created all the fun of the seaside for residents who are not able enough to visit the real thing

Our home was transformed into the ‘Great British Seaside’ of the 1950s and 60s with rock pooling and crabbing, paddling, a sandcastle competition, traditional games, crafts and Bingo!

The home was decorated with seaside photos, postcards and flags. And residents were also able to pose for pictures with seaside props against a special beach backdrop, before feasting on ‘99’ ice creams, cockles, mussels chips and candyfloss.

Colten Companion Cara Duroe explained: “We run trips to the seaside on our minibus. But some residents aren’t physically able to go along. So, we decided we would simply take the seaside to them!

“On Day One of the Beach Weekend we had a rock pooling competition for the male residents, whilst they ate cockles and mussels.

“Our resident Hobi Sabih spent over 20 minutes fishing, whilst Brian Masters sang “Cockles & mussels, Alive, Alive O”.

“The group then joined in with Brian’s sing-a-long singing: Oh I do Like to be Beside the Seaside and I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, as I blew bubbles around the garden.

“Gwen Hunte and Margaret Grinrod also had fun together in the sandcastle building competition, choosing flags and windmills to decorate their castles.

“And on Day Two we had fun taking photographs with the beach props and backdrop.”

The residents also made handkerchief hats and ate delicious treats.

Resident Winifred Clowery, aged 101, was a big fan of the candyfloss, saying: “It’s lovely!”

Brian Masters said: “This reminds me of my childhood.”

As part of the event, resident Marion Humphries was also granted a Colten Wish – to eat whippy ice cream from a real van. The ice-cream van came in the afternoon and all residents and staff enjoyed this delicious treat.

Cara said: “It was a lovely fun weekend and we will definitely bring the beach to The Aldbury again soon.”