CARE home residents enjoyed a sing-along to celebrate the official unveiling of their beautiful new garden.
The summer party and barbecue was arranged at Stanway Green Lodge Residential Care Home, in Heath Road, Colchester, thanks to a link between resident Cynthia Grimwood, who runs the Old Colchester and District in Pictures Facebook page, and Angela Dennis, who works with the ‘Sing For the Brain’ organisation.
This group brings people affected by dementia together to sing a variety of songs they know and love, in a fun and friendly environment.
The home has just completed a makeover of its front garden, thanks to the help and expertise of staff at Blenheim Plant and Garden Centre, in Ardleigh.
Hitting the right notes - residents enjoy the garden party and music, provided by Angela Dennis, from Singing For the Brain
All the residents at the care home thought it was an incredibly successful afternoon.
“We thought it would be a great idea, with our now blooming, newly-designed front garden making a perfect backdrop,” said manager Aniket Kanitkar.
“Angela entertained us for almost an hour with a wonderful melody of tunes which everyone sang along to.
“She uses music to help those suffering with dementia and it’s a wonderful organisation that does an amazing job.
Joining in - Angela Dennis, from Singing For the Brain, entertains residents at Stanway Green Lodge Residential Care Home
“We were blessed with a wonderful, sunny day and there was a poignant moment where we all took some time to reflect on the amazing work carried out by both NHS and care staff during the last year as we sang Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
“We, as a nation, owe so much to this special group of people.
“It’s an emotive song and everyone, no doubt, reflected on their own individual memories on how the pandemic had affected them.”
Mr Kanitkar said everyone at the care home is delighted with the new-look garden.
Celebration of song - Angela Dennis sings to residents at Stanway Green Lodge Residential Care Home
He said: “As we slowly start to unlock and begin to think of enjoying the outdoors, we thought of no better way to celebrate than by looking at our gardens.
“A large border of land to the right of the entrance was the area we thought looked a little tired, even more so in early March.
“The residents had the idea of giving the area a complete makeover to embrace the theme of ‘opening out’.
“Although we had some ideas on what we wanted to do, we needed some help and advice on how we could go about making our ideas a reality.
Evergreen area - part of the new-look garden, at Stanway Green Lodge Residential Care Home, in Heath Road
“As we are all aware, most gardeners and landscapers have been extremely busy with possibly everyone having the same idea as us.
“However, after much searching, we were eventually lucky enough to be visited by Trevor and Daryl Hammons, from Blenheim Plant and Garden Centre.
“It was clear from our first contact that they were not only full of great ideas but equally enthusiastic to be part of this project. We can’t thank them enough for all their help, support and invaluable advise on the plants and design.”
Rockery - part of the revamped garden
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