May 2025 Care Home Activities | Heart-Warming Moments at Redlands
May has been a truly special month here at Redlands House, your welcoming dementia care home in Hellesdon, Norwich. From fun-filled community outings to tender moments of connection, our residents have enjoyed a wide range of activities designed to spark joy, conversation, and treasured memories.
Celebrating Community and Togetherness
Our calendar kicked off with the exciting announcement of our Summer Fete, which will take place on 30th August. We look forward to welcoming residents, families, and the wider community for an afternoon of sports, glitter stalls, music, games, and delicious refreshments. Local businesses are warmly invited to take part — contact Laura or Lucy to secure a pitch.
Bringing Joy Through Visitors and Events
May saw the heart-warming return of Little Visitors, organised by our friends at Friend in Deed. One charming young boy brightened everyone’s day, sharing his toys and stories. This intergenerational activity continues to bring love and laughter into our home.
We also enjoyed a delightful animal event at the Dixon’s Centre, where residents happily stroked friendly animals and savoured refreshing ice creams in the sunshine.
Moments of Togetherness Over Food and Conversation
Residents chose to host their own afternoon tea, complete with fresh cream cakes. The session sparked many lively conversations about past music, dances like the jitterbug, and cherished memories. One resident commented, “I’ve never laughed so much — this home is marvellous.”
Visits to the local café for hot drinks and scones were another highlight, providing a lovely chance to enjoy the community and a gentle browse around the shops.
Bringing Families Together
Our Residents and Relatives Meeting was a great success, accompanied by a popular bake sale, tombola, and clothes stall. Thank you to all who joined us — it is always special to come together in celebration and discussion of our future plans.
Creative and Therapeutic Sessions
A colourful flower arranging activity inspired conversation about favourite blooms, with residents lovingly arranging flowers to brighten their rooms. Our salon sessions were also a hit, with many ladies enjoying manicures and freshly painted nails — a little pampering goes a long way!
Outings to Remember
One of the standout moments this month was our trip to Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Aylsham. Residents travelled in style thanks to limousines provided by East of England Co-op Funeral Services. Joined by students from Taverham High School through Friend in Deed, the day was filled with connection, community, and unforgettable experiences. One resident shared, “This has been absolutely marvellous. I won’t ever forget it.”
Special Celebrations and Visits
We proudly celebrated George’s birthday with a homemade cake from our talented chef. The joy on George’s face was a beautiful reminder of how simple celebrations mean the most.
The arrival of Norfolk Alpacas brought smiles all round. One resident cheekily suggested we should keep a few alpacas to help with the gardening!
Marking Important Occasions
VE Day was marked with deep reflection and joy. Residents attended a local memorial service and returned for a street party-style lunch at Redlands. A few tears were shed in remembrance, but the day was also full of fun and laughter, especially as Winston Churchill “appeared” on our screen to deliver his iconic speech.
Everyday Moments That Matter
Our residents enjoyed a varied weekend of pampering sessions, games, and outings for sweets. Daily life was filled with personalised activities — from one-to-one sessions in the garden to group games — ensuring everyone felt valued and included.
Celebrating Success
We are thrilled to share that Redlands House is through to the finals of prestigious dementia care awards:
- The home is a finalist for the Dementia Care Team Award.
- Care Assistant Lisa Hammond is a finalist for the Dementia Carer Award.
The finals will take place at the Hilton London Bankside — we are immensely proud of our dedicated team for this recognition.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to the summer months, we continue to focus on providing warmth, love, and outstanding care — with a calendar full of activities that bring people together and create lasting memories.
Why not join us? If you would like to visit Redlands House, book a tour today and see first-hand the joy and community we foster here in Hellesdon, Norwich.
For more inspiration on meaningful care activities, visit Age UK.
We can’t wait to see what next month brings!