Press release
Poole care home surprises residents with horse-drawn carriage around Westbourne
The Lindsay Bupa Care Home surprised its residents with a day of festive fun, complete with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the local area.
Residents wrapped up warm as they were treated to a carriage ride, donated by the Brunswick Carriage Company and organised as part of Bupa’s #NeverTooLate campaign which aims to bring new experiences to residents.
Residents also enjoyed carol singing, mulled wine, mince pies and roasted chestnuts at the home, served by members of staff dressed in Victorian outfits which mimicked the look and feel of a Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Care home resident Joan Blackshaw, 91, commented on the day: “We have been well and truly spoilt today, with a real festive treat. Seeing Santa took me back to my younger years when I used to take the children and grandchildren to visit him each year and the carriage ride was such a surprise – I’d never been on a horse-drawn carriage before.”
The Lindsay Bupa Care Home Manager, Claudia Carvell, added: “I’m so proud of our team for putting together today’s festivities. Everyone has gone above and beyond to make this an unforgettable Christmas for our residents. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces was wonderful. We hope all our residents and members of staff have a very merry Christmas.”
Over thirty residents were able to enjoy the festivities, including those living with dementia.
Claudia Carvell added: “We know that animals can have a really positive effect on people, especially those living with dementia, and that was definitely true today - the reactions were just incredible. “While it might seem like a small gesture, it means so much to us that residents get to enjoy Christmas and we’ll be working hard to keep the celebrations going.”
Colleagues at the home spent weeks buying gifts for residents and plan to spend Christmas Day opening them, before enjoying a full festive feast lunch prepared by their in-house chef.
The home set up a residents’ committee to help choose the celebrations for 25 December - such as the carols, food and selection of Christmas cocktails including raspberry martinis and Buck’s Fizz.
Relatives will also be able to pay a visit thanks to a designated visiting room which was installed especially earlier this month.
The Lindsay Bupa Care Home is situated in Poole and welcomes residents in need of residential, dementia or nursing care. For further information, please visit www.bupa.co.uk/the-lindsay
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