The home was wonderfully decorated in Union Jacks and residents were provided with hats and flags to help create a Proms style atmosphere whilst enjoying a range of classical music pieces.

The home’s catering team created some delicious cakes and treats for the event and residents thoroughly enjoyed coming together to enjoy a superb afternoon of music and singing.

Taking part in music can have a great impact on social and emotional wellbeing and quality of life. A number of OSJCT homes across Lincolnshire are working with Live Music Now to bring music and singing into our homes more regularly as part of a project called “A choir in every care home”.

Look out for more news about this project over the coming weeks.

The Sun maybe deciding to hide more these days; but that did not stop our residents and staff having a blast with some friends and popular music all played on the Ukulele’s. Our residents were able to enjoy many songs going back to the 50’s and 60’s all the way to present day classics, giving us all a chance to sing along.

Suddenly, you take a glance and see some of the residents with instruments, smiles and well; to be honest some excellent rhythm,

All of us here at OSJCT Grace Care Centre and on behalf of the residents would like to thank the Yate Ukulele Band for their time.

Our residents on the 5th of September also held a ‘Reminiscence day’ in our activity room allowing everyone to express their stories and memories from an incredible time in their lives growing up during World War II.

All the stories told were incredible, and some great memories and some not so great; but every story told was a blessing to hear!

Our residents were then able to examine a few different time relevant items such as ‘sewing kits’, ‘toaster’, ‘photographs’ and some ‘recipes’.

The ride commences at The Poplars in Market Rasen and will finish up at Patchett Lodge in Holbeach, the team of riders will visit 12 out of 15 Lincolnshire homes ran by The Orders of St John Care Trust.

So, why did we decided to organise Tour De Trust?  Each year, around 850,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with dementia, equating to one in 14 people. The number of individuals with dementia is increasing as a likely result of people now living longer. According to statistics, it is thought that by 2025 the number of people in the UK with dementia will have risen over 1 million.

As an organisation that provides high level care to those living with dementia, we wanted to give back to those who help us along the way. As a result, we have chosen Dementia UK as the charity we want to fundraise for.

Dementia UK provide specialist support to families with a loved one who has dementia, and also fund Admiral Nurses. An Admiral Nurse, is a nurse that is continually trained, developed and supported by Dementia UK, they provide families with support, expert guidance and with a friendly face to help the individual live more positively with Dementia.

If you would like to help us raise valuable funds for our partner Dementia UK, then please click here.

You can follow our Tour De Trust journey in the lead up to the main event on the 2nd October and of course our activity on the day by following our Facebook or Twitter feeds.

On Saturday 29th September, a group of over 20 residents, team-members, friends and family are digging out their walking shoes ready to embark on the 3.6 mile walk from the home to the nearby village of Grove and back. The intrepid walkers will stop for a much-needed and well-deserved pub lunch in Grove before their return trip.

The following weekend (6th and 7th October), Team Stirlings will be taking over the foyer of Sainsbury’s in Wantage as members of the team take it in turns to cycle on static bikes with an aim of racking up 100 miles over the course of two days.

The fundraising has bolstered Team Stirlings, where team spirit is in full force. Everyone at the home has been delighted by the number of people preparing for the activities or offering sponsorship.

A minibus at Stirlings would make huge difference to residents’ lives and well-being. The home could organise regular local trips to places like the garden centre where residents have enjoyed going their whole lives, as well as providing new experiences by offering longer day trips further afield.

If you would like to join the walk on 29th September please contact Angela Lindsay on a.lindsay@osjct.co.uk, or you can show your support by coming along and cheering on the cycling team at Sainsbury’s on 6th or 7th October. If you would like to sponsor the team you can do so on Stirlings’ Just Giving page. All proceeds will go directly to the Stirlings minibus fund.

The day was designed to enable everyone to join in, with races that empowered all residents to take part, including those with disabilities. Along with the classic obstacle, relay and egg and spoon races, there were also wheelchair races, races for those with walking frames and even seated javelin. The event also provided a great opportunity for residents and colleagues to catch up with other homes across the county.

Stephanie Hall, Volunteering Manager at the Trust, explained: “We have an annual themed fun day here at OSJCT as it is important for our homes to get together and interact. This year we decided on a sports day theme because it is often said that ‘what is good for your heart is good for your mind’ and we know we can improve mental health through reminiscence and keeping active. Everyone can remember taking part in or watching a traditional school sports day, so it will bring back all sorts of memories for our residents.”

And this very much proved to be the case. Barbara, a Langford View resident who used to be a champion runner competing in the 100m for Aylesbury and Slough, came third in the egg and spoon race and said: “Thank you for a brilliant day. I really enjoyed the races and it brought back lots of memories of my competition days.” 

Langford View Activities Coordinator, Beverley Cotton, added: “Being able to do activities that residents might have done in their past is good for reminiscence and really uplifts their spirits.”

Spirits certainly were high as the final race concluded the competition just in time for a well-earned fish and chip lunch. Although Langford View did not get to lift the overall winners’ trophy, Home Manager, Farida Ait-Tales, said: “We have all been looking forward to today and it is great to get together with other homes and to do something a bit different. We have really enjoyed it!”

Summing up the day, Stephanie concluded, “It has been incredible watching the pace of some of our competitors today; some of the races were run in less than three seconds! It shows how we can challenge the stereotype of care homes and what older people are capable of.”

The International Bomber Command Centre opened in 2017 and acts as a point of recognition and remembrance to those who served during the second world war and to commemorate the contribution of servicemen from Lincolnshire.

Residents toured the exhibition centre and then paused in the grounds outside beneath the magnificent spire, officially the UK’s tallest war memorial. The spire looks over the city of Lincoln and provides a beautiful view of the city.

After sharing memories from the time over drinks in the coffee shop, the gents went on to lunch at a local pub and enjoyed more time catching up before heading back to Apple Trees for the afternoon.

Apple Trees’ General Manager Denise Booth said: “We’re delighted to have launched our Gents’ Club at such a wonderful facility as the International Bomber Command Centre. The gentlemen enjoyed their day out and are thoroughly looking forward to the next Gents’ Club outing in September.”

The next Gents’ Club will see residents visiting a Sporting Memories afternoon hosted by Lincoln City FC and Age UK.

The Gloucester Strings Ukelele Band entertained everyone, accompanied by singer Brian Slade, whilst everyone feasted on a sumptuous barbecue, washed down by a glass of fizz, or  mocktails whipped up by the activities co-ordinators.

A highlight of the afternoon was the cutting of the celebratory cake which was made by a family member of one of the residents and cut by Jo Blackburn, Care Quality Director at the Trust.

It was obvious throughout the afternoon that residents were having a great time by all the dancing and singing that was going on. The weather was glorious, so we were delighted to have a local ice cream van arrive to cool us all down with copious amounts of ice cream.

Monkscroft Home Manager, Bogumil Cwiklak said “We are so proud to have achieved this prestigious accolade as it is testament to the exceptional people who live and work here along with the families and our volunteers.  It is only fitting that we share this very special moment with our residents and their families.”

As part of the programme students worked alongside colleagues and residents to identify potential projects that could help to improve the outdoor areas of the home.

The students were tasked with making improvements to the front of the property as well as the gardens attached to two of the four households at Apple Trees, clearing shrubbery and making way for new plants and flowers.

To raise funds for the works the students brought some delicious homemade cakes to the home and hosted a bake sale, the proceeds going towards the cost of compost and a range of new flowers for the garden.

As the project came to a close residents and colleagues were delighted with the results of the students’ hard work and a celebration event was arranged to thank them for all their hard work.

Apple Trees’ General Manager Denise Booth said: “Our residents really appreciated the colourfulness of the flowers and the improvements made to the garden, as well as the opportunity to meet and interact with the students throughout their time with us.”

Photo: Tony Roberts, Grantham Journal

Beginning her hairdressing career when she was 16, Michelle started a hairdressing Apprenticeship before going on to further training in Beauty Therapy and Aromatherapy.

Michelle continued to develop her career and turned to teaching Beauty Therapy and teaching troubled students at Swindon College. Michelle loved helping young people and teaching and as a result, she then went on to work with NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) which helps get troubled young people into education.  Continuing this passion, Michelle later went on to teach adults with special needs.

Following some changes in Michelle’s personal life she took a step away from teaching and went back into full time hairdressing in 2012, having always kept her hand in over the years as well as various volunteering roles. Michelle is the resident hairdresser at The Lakes Care Centre, South Cerney in addition to being a volunteer in her spare time.

Michelle dedicates a vast amount of time to the residents at The Lakes and assists with a wide variety of activities from arts and crafts to knitting to trips out. Michelle adores the residents and loved attending Highgrove with the residents. One of Michelle’s proudest volunteering moments was at this years Fete where her tea and coffee stall made over £500 for the residents’ amenities funds.

Many thanks for all you do Michelle, you are a real part of the home.

Residents from 12 of our 15 Lincolnshire homes spent the afternoon socialising over tea and cake and were treated to a wonderful musical performance by singer, Emma Kelsey. 

Emma is popular in OSJCT homes across the county, she thrills her audience with her brilliant voice and effortlessly engages the residents in her performance.

During the afternoon, there was also the opportunity to thank two of our dedicated volunteers, James Nutting and Emma Smith, a brother and sister team who have given countless hours of their time to Boultham Park House in Lincoln for the last 10 years.

Volunteer and Events Manager, Anita Rudd coordinated the Fun Day and said: “Our residents, colleagues and families love coming to the fun days as it gives them the opportunity to dress up in their finery, and meet up with friends from other homes.”

“The afternoon tea was thoroughly enjoyed by all, we saw lots of cream scones being devoured! The feedback from our guests has been very positive, they all had such a lovely time and want to do it again very soon!”