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Newport Care Home Residents Celebrate Belated Christmas

Diane, care home resident (right).

Residents at a Newport care home have been celebrating a belated Christmas.

During December Orchard House was in lockdown, meaning staff and residents couldn’t come together to celebrate the holiday season in the usual way.

Staff worked extremely hard to ensure the residents enjoyed their Christmas and were full of good spirits, however nothing could take the place of the missing parties.

Once the Home was released from lockdown the Activities Team swung into action to replace what was lost.

With the help of the kitchen team, a Christmas party was organised, complete with a delicious homemade buffet.

This week the home hosted two parties, one for the downstairs residents and another for the upstairs residents.

A Christmas tree was set up in the dining room, Christmas music was played, and the tables were laden with Christmas crackers, delicious food, and a plentiful supply of alcohol to get the party going.

After the meal, there were party games which made everyone laugh and a good old fashioned sing song to traditional carols. Fun was had by all.

General Manager, Kim Fleming, said:

"We were very disappointed to have been unable to host the residents Christmas parties, and the opportunity to hold them once lockdown was over, was marvellous. There was lots of happy noise and laughter echoing around the Home. The entire staff team at Orchard House work so hard, always going above and beyond to ensure our residents have the best possible experiences.”

Resident, Jackie, said:

"We had a fabulous time, it was so much fun and really well organised, and we laughed ever such a lot”.

Resident, Dianne, said:

"There is never a wrong time to celebrate Christmas and have a party, we were all in the Christmassy mood despite it only being February”.

As the local vicar, Reverend Stephen Sutcliffe, was also unable to enter the home over Christmas, meaning residents also missed out on their Christmas Carol Service.

Stephen visited at the end of January and held a service. Carols were sung and residents were reminded of the nativity, and he even wore his elf ears!

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