Activities at The Wingfield Care Home

A fantastic afternoon spent in the garden enjoying live music. The sunshine, the music and the company made it truly special. Our wonderful singer, David Toya, filled the air with live music while everyone enjoyed freshly baked scones and afternoon tea – the perfect Summer combination.

There was such a warm, joyful atmosphere with staff, residents and families all coming together. We even had old friends reunited when two of our residents were delighted to discover that they were once neighbours, and then spent the afternoon happily catching up. Many of our residents joined in the fun, singing on the microphone, dancing and sharing meaningful moments that made the day feel magical. A particularly touching moment being when one of our residents requested a song that holds deep meaning for her. She told us it made her day and that it’s something she will never forget.     

Our residents enjoyed another wonderful trip to Weymouth beach recently, and this time the sunshine truly joined us. With brighter skies and warm weather, the day brought the perfect excuse to indulge in a classic seaside treat — delicious ice creams all round.

These visits mean a lot to our residents, many of whom tell us how much they miss the coast and how special it feels to return. That’s why our goal this summer is simple: to take as many of our residents as possible to the seaside. Whether it’s Weymouth, Swanage, or another favourite spot, we want to make those wishes a reality and fill the season with fresh air, sea views, and happy memories.

Here’s to many more sunny days and sandy shoes ahead.

The home had two very special visitors recently in the form of friendly alpacas, Len and Bruno! These gentle animals brought joy, calm and plenty of conversation to our residents, who loved every minute of their visit.

Animal therapy visits like this create meaningful moments, spark memories and support wellbeing. At the home, we are proud to be able to offer regular animal therapy sessions to our residents and are always overwhelmed by the impact they have on our residents.     

Our residents were treated to an extra special surprise this week when Earl Grey the lamb trotted into the home for a heart-warming visit. Earl Grey quickly became the star of the day, charming everyone with his gentle nature and soft, woolly cuddles. Residents loved the chance to stroke him, cuddle him, and enjoy the simple joy that only a baby lamb can bring. 

The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of “awws” as Earl Grey made his way from person to person, happily soaking up all the attention. Animal visits like this are always a highlight for our residents. They spark conversation, bring back fond memories, and create a wonderful sense of calm and connection. Earl Grey certainly did all of that — and more.     

We had an absolutely fantastic afternoon at the home as we welcomed representatives from Guide Dogs UK for a special talk and meet-and-greet session. Residents loved hearing all about the incredible work these dogs do - from supporting independence to providing companionship - and they were full of great questions. The highlight, of course, was meeting the beautiful guide dogs themselves. 

There were plenty of smiles, gentle pats, and lots of wagging tails. It was a truly heart-warming experience that sparked lovely conversations and memories throughout the home.       

We had an incredible day at home hosting our circus-themed Summer fête this year! SASS Events entertained us with breathtaking aerial hoops, thrilling fire shows and plenty of circus skills that had everyone amazed! The house was very busy and buzzing with energy as children enjoyed trying out new circus tricks and everyone enjoyed sweet treats such as candy floss, popcorn and sweets.

Our raffle was also a massive success and, thanks to all the support from everyone, we were able to raise a staggering £661! With a small donation made to Cats Protection UK, who continue to support the home, the rest was put in our residents' fund and will continue to ensure we can keep creating meaningful moments like these for our residents. 

We’re proud to have our own minibus, which allows us to offer at least one outing every week. With Summer on the way, we’re hoping to take as many residents as possible back to the seaside for more fresh air, good food and happy memories.

Residents Margaret, Val and Hilary joined us on our most recent trip to the coast and despite the grey and gloomy weather, it stayed dry – perfect for a gentle walk along the promenade followed by traditional fish and chips! 

Residents raised a glass in celebration of National Beer Day with some enjoying a cold beer, while others opted for a refreshing gin and tonic. It was a lovely chance to relax, share a laugh and enjoy a little treat together. 

Moments like these bring so much joy to the home, creating opportunities for connection, conversation and plenty of smiles.  

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful sunny day to lift everyone’s spirits, and our residents have been making the most of this lovely weather by enjoying more time out in our gardens. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze in the air, residents recently gathered outdoors to enjoy a chilled glass of wine, great company, and plenty of laughter. The atmosphere was full of warmth as music played softly in the background, creating the perfect setting for a leisurely afternoon. To add a little friendly competition, we hosted a garden quiz, which brought out everyone’s playful side. 

Moments like these are what make our home feel so special — simple pleasures, shared together, creating memories and brightening days.  

At our home, our weekly bus trips have quickly become a highlight for many of our residents, offering the perfect blend of fresh air, fun, and community connection. Over the past few weeks, we’ve enjoyed a wonderful variety of outings that have brought plenty of smiles, laughter, and memorable moments.

One of our most popular destinations is the local pub, where residents have relaxed with a drink, shared stories, and enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere. These visits offer a lovely change of scenery and a chance to socialise in a familiar, friendly setting. We’ve also been making the most of the beautiful weather with scenic walks through local parks, giving residents the opportunity to stretch their legs, enjoy the sunshine, and take in the sights of nature. A particular favourite was our recent trip to the Bath Botanical Gardens, where residents explored the stunning grounds, admired the colourful displays, and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon surrounded by nature.  

These weekly outings are more than just trips—they’re opportunities for residents to stay connected with the community, enjoy meaningful experiences, and create new memories together. We look forward to many more adventures in the weeks ahead.   

With the weather being so beautifully hot, we took our monthly Dementia Disco outdoors – and Steve from Retro DJ brought all the classics that our residents love! There were smiles, singing, dancing, plenty of shade and, of course…ice lollies all round!

Residents and staff enjoyed every moment soaking up the sunshine and the music together. These afternoons are what Summer is all about – joy, connection and a whole lot of fun!         

At the home we are always keen to celebrate the remarkable lives and experiences of our residents – especially those who have served our country. Residents Stanley and Geoff recently took part in a remarkable educational initiative called ‘The Last of the Greats’ a project dedicated to preserving the memories and lived experiences of those who served in the Armed Forces. The project aims to ensure that younger generations can learn directly from the voices of the men and women who shaped our history. As part of this initiative, a project representative visited the home to spend dedicated time with both gentlemen, listening closely as they reflected on their years in the forces.

Supporting residents to share their personal histories is an important part of our person-centred approach to care. Every individual brings a lifetime of experiences, and we believe these stories deserve to be heard, honoured, and preserved.   

Our residents enjoyed a joyful afternoon recently filled with music, laughter and plenty of feel-good moments. An afternoon of singing with Sian and Rob enjoying classics such as ‘Summer Holiday’ and ‘My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean’ to other sing-along favourites, the room was buzzing with energy. 

There were dance moves, colourful props, big smiles and even bigger voices as everyone joined in. Music is such a big part of our home and we aim to have at least one live music performance every week alongside smaller musical sessions throughout our home tailored to individual preferences. 

Residents and team members came together this year for truly memorable VE Day celebrations, filled with music, nostalgia, and plenty of smiles. Ahead of VE Day, we were delighted to welcome the wonderful D-Day Dolly, Bethany from Mini Concerts, whose live performance brought the spirit of the 1940s right into our home. With her beautiful vocals, vintage style, and infectious energy, Bethany had everyone tapping their feet, singing along, and reminiscing about days gone by. 

Her performance was a heartfelt tribute to the era and a highlight for all who attended. On the day, the celebrations continued with a ‘street party’ themed afternoon tea. Residents enjoyed a delicious spread of scones, cakes, and classic British treats, all served in a beautifully decorated setting complete with bunting and flags. The atmosphere was full of joy, laughter, and shared stories as we honoured the bravery and resilience of the wartime generation.    

Our ladies really enjoyed a wedding-themed reminiscence session with Sandra from Charmworth Miniatures at the home recently. Residents thoroughly enjoyed traveling through the ages admiring handcrafted miniature wedding gowns ranging from the 1930’s straight through to 2000. 

The session finished off with a little dressing-up fun as residents June, Jean and Patricia donned wedding gowns and veils. It was a lovely afternoon filled with joy and laughter throughout.