Russettings - 24 August 2010

Farmyard fun at care home fete

A host of farmyard friends spread a little animal magic when they visited a Balcombe care home fete last week.

Cuddle-me-do Mobile Farm dropped in to Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, on Saturday August 21.

The educational service, which operates throughout Southern England, lets elderly residents experience the sights, sounds and feel of the farm in the safety of the care home environment.

Staff and residents at the home, which is run by Alpha Care Homes, welcomed a range of animals during the event, including goats, piglets, rabbits, chicks, owls and guinea pigs

The summer fete also included a barbecue, cream teas in the garden and a host of other attractions including a tombola, bric-a-brac, raffle, books, and clothing stalls.

All money raised at the event will go towards the residents’ fund, which pays for special day trips for the care home residents.

Alpha Care Homes spokeswoman, Lynette Gravesande, said: “It was a lovely day. The fete was very well attended, with many members of the local community joining our residents and their relatives.

“Everyone really enjoyed meeting the animals from Cuddle-me-do and it was nice to see the young and old interacting so well with each other.”

Russettings - 09 August 2010

Special guests trot in to see Russettings residents

Residents at a Balcombe care home were thrilled when two special guests trotted in to pay them a visit.
 
Irish cob Barney, and Irish sports horse Alfie, met residents at Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, on Thursday.

Thirteen-year-old Barney, who stands at 16 hands tall, and seven-year-old Alfie, who is 16.2 hands, allowed residents to pat and stroke them during the visit.

The home, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, has had other animal visitors in the past including goats, sheep, rabbits and ducks, but the horses were by far the largest.

The gentle giants belong to Peter Downing and his wife, Sue.

Mr Downing, whose mother, Lucy Downing, is a resident at Russettings, said the event had been a huge hit with the residents and the horses.

“The visit went really well,” he said. “The horses have never done anything like this before but they were really good. They seemed to sense that they had to be on their best behaviour and they got right up close to people and wheelchairs so they could touch them.

“Barney doesn’t really like having his face stroked normally but he allowed the residents to touch and pet him without pulling away – and at one point he was so relaxed while he was being stroked that he almost dozed off.

“The weather was great and the residents really seemed to enjoy themselves,” he added.

After the event, residents were treated to a cream tea while Barney and Alfie tucked into some well-deserved hay.

Russettings Care Home manager, Elaine Robson, said: “The whole day was lovely. The horses were so well behaved and all of our residents thoroughly enjoyed it. One resident, Anne Blake, used to enjoy pony trekking and struck up quite a friendship with Barney.

“We would love to have them back at some point in the future.”

Residents are now looking forward to the home’s next event – an annual summer fete, which is being held from 12noon-4pm on August 21. The fete, which is open to the whole community, will include a tombola, raffle, barbecue and stalls. Animals from Cuddle-Me-Do petting farm will also be at the event from 2pm onwards.

Russettings - 23 June 2010

World Cup Fever at Russettings

Russettings Care Home residents are backing England in the World Cup. The Residents at Russettings dressed in the world t-shirts and ties and had a party to celebrate the game on 23rd June.

We hope they do well and can repeat the win of 1966!

Russettings - 25 May 2010

Giant Scrabble fun at Balcombe care home

Residents at Russettings Care Home, in Balcombe, will be testing out their word power when they take part in a giant Scrabble game next week.
The residents will be taking on members of the Balcombe Crossroads Over 60s club, who meet at the home once a month.
New Scrabble rules introduced recently, that allow the names of celebrities, places and companies are sure to be a hot topic as residents and Crossroads Club members challenge each other using the 6ft square board at Russettings, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes.
The two teams will take part in the fun game on Tuesday May 25, at 11am.
Activities coordinator Margaret Pickering said: “Our residents enjoy taking part in team games and Scrabble is an old favourite.
“With our new supersize board, everyone will be able to keep up with the action as the game unfolds.
“I am sure we will have some good-natured competitive fun between our residents and the Crossroads members. We will have to wait and see who comes out victorious.”

Russettings - 10 May 2010

85-year-old biker meets his heroes

An 85-year-old motorbike fan from Balcombe got to meet his heroes and tour the pits when he took a 60-mile round trip to a speedway meeting.

Russettings Care Home resident Victor Webb met up with former British, European and World Champion speedway racer Kelvin Tatum, and Sky Speedway presenter presenter Charlie Webster, when he went to the Eastbourne Eagles Track in Arlington, Sussex.

Victor, who used to live in Turners Hill before moving to Russettings with his wife Dawn, has been passionate about motorbikes all his life. He owned and worked on motorbikes when he was younger, including a 1928 New Imperial bike.

The trip was arranged by Victor’s family and Russettings Care Home, which is owned by Alpha Care homes, after Victor said that he would love to see a motorbike race.

Victor said: “I thoroughly enjoyed myself himself. I was amazed at the amount of people who attended and supported the event. I had such a good time and would love to go again.”

Victor, who shares his love of bikes with his brother Tony, was accompanied to the Eastbourne Eagles meeting by care home assistant and fellow bike fan Steve Washer.

Steve said: “I was really impressed by the support we got from the track – especially the first aid team, who helped us out as Victor is in a wheelchair.

“Charlie Webster said that she was pleased to see the older generation attend these meetings and would like to see speedway promoted to a wider range of people that included the elderly and those with disabilities, as the facilities are much more tailored to accommodate people in wheelchairs.

“It was quite a long trip – 30 miles each way – and we didn't get back to Russettings until gone 10pm. Although it was a late night out for Victor, he was up bright and breezy the following day.”
 
Russettings Care Home manager Elaine Robson said: “Victor’s brother Tony was green with envy when he found out where Victor had been. We are always pleased to support such events for our residents at Russettings. It helps to keep their lives as individual, active and full as possible during their stay with us.”

Russettings - 27 April 2010

WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY AT RUSSETTINGS CARE HOME

Residents at a Balcombe care home enjoyed a musical treat when My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle paid them a visit.

‘Eliza’, brought to life by local entertainer Daisy Pipperidge, visited Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, on Thursday, as part of a My Fair Lady day held at the home.

Residents watched the famous musical film in the morning, before Daisy transformed into the main character for a performance in the afternoon.

Staff, residents and visitors were encouraged to wear their most elegant hats and sing along to the musical’s much-loved songs, including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly and I Could’ve Danced All Night. They then enjoyed afternoon tea and cakes to finish off the day.

Russettings Care Home activities coordinator Margaret Pickering, said: "The day went really well. All our residents, staff and visitors really enjoyed it.

“Daisy brought along some lovely costumes and everyone really enjoyed joining in for a singsong. Our residents even put on their own fancy hats and really got into the spirit of things.”

Russettings, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, hosts regular entertainment for its residents.

Margaret added: “Our residents really look forward to the entertainment and activities we provide.”

Russettings - 04 March 2010

Residents enjoy being pampered to mark national event

Residents at a Balcombe care home enjoyed a day of footspas, massages and manicures as part of a national day celebrating dignity in care.

Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, held a pamper event on February 26 to mark Dignity Action Day.

The national event is part of the Department of Health’s Dignity in Care campaign, which aims to create a care system where there is zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect of adults.

The home’s conservatory was transformed into a spa room for the day, with relaxing music played in the background and essential oil burners were set up to give off calming scents.

Resident Richard Walker, who enjoyed a footspa followed by a foot and leg massage, said he felt great after his treatments.

Fellow resident Olive Tully, who has suffered from arthritis for many years, said her hands felt lovely after she had a special procedure to help with the condition which involved dipping her hands into hemp paraffin wax before placing them into heated infra-red mittens.

Lynette Gravesande, senior business development assistant at Russettings, helped organise the day as she is a qualified masseuse.

“The government is pushing a big national drive in the healthcare sector to guarantee people who receive care are treated with dignity and Russettings is fully behind this campaign,” she said.

“We celebrated Dignity in Action Day because we wanted to show our commitment to ensuring the residents we look after are treated as individuals, are given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their daily lives and are provided with stimulating activities.

“Everyone had a good giggle during the event and all the residents enjoyed being pampered.”

Russettings - 07 December 2009

Viva Las Vegas at Balcombe Care Home!

Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, is held a Las Vegas day on Wednesday November 18th.

Residents and staff were serenaded at the event by an Elvis impersonator, in a tribute to the popular singer.

A Vegas-style casino was also set up at the home, were residents had the opportunity to gamble with chips on games such as roulette, black jack and craps.

Members of the Crossroads Club, a charitable organisation whose club in Balcombe visits Russettings once a month to enjoy the facilities and entertainment, came along to join the residents and their families for this fun-filled afternoon.

Margaret Pickering, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “The Las Vegas day was a great event for everyone at the home to get involved in.

“We decided to organise the event as something a bit different for our residents who really loved seeing the Elvis impersonator in action. A lot of them really enjoy listening to that style of music and being able to reminisce.

“Russettings is always looking for different events and activities for the residents and this Vegas-themed activities will be a big hit.”

Russettings - 28 October 2009

Russettings hold a Cream Tea afternoon

Russettings Care Home in Balcombe held an afternoon tea event on Sunday 18th October.

The event included Classical Music provided by two young gentlemen who are studing music at Birmingham University.

The afternoon was a great success and a small admission charge raised funds for the residents to go towards special christmas events and activities.

Russettings - 15 October 2009

Rosalind reaches her century

A former shop keeper is set to celebrate her 100th birthday at a Balcombe care home.

Rosalind Johnson will mark her milestone birthday at Russettings Care Home on Tuesday (OCT 6).

Staff and fellow residents will celebrate Rosalind’s landmark year with a champagne party at the Mill Lane home, before she enjoys an evening meal with relatives.

Family members and friends are also set to hold a special get-together for Rosalind at the home on Sunday.

Rosalind, who was born in London, used to own a haberdashery shop in Burgess Hill, Sussex. She moved to Russettings two years ago.

Margaret Pickering, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “Rosalind is incredibly outgoing and will always participate in the activities we organise at the home. She is particularly fond of singing and often entertains us with a song.

“Rosalind is a lovely lady and we are thrilled to be celebrating such a special occasion with her.

“Everybody at the home wishes Rosalind a very happy birthday and we are all looking forward to the party.”

Russettings - 07 September 2009

BALCOMBE CARE HOME RESIDENTS CLOCK UP 435 YEARS!

Russettings Care Home, in Balcombe, West Sussex, is having a big month of celebrations – with five residents all notching up birthdays in August.

The combined ages of the birthday boys and girls is 435 years!

They are: Olive Tulley, who was 83 on August 14th; Joan Walker, whose 85th birthday was on the 15th; Ann Fortnam and Kenward Mason, who both turned 90, on the 15th and 19th respectively; and Richard Walker, who will be 87 on the 28th.

A big combined celebration will be held at Russettings, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, on Friday August 28th, including entertainment, champagne, flowers, presents and birthday cake.

Russettings manager Mark Adjorlolo said: “We put on regular events to entertain and stimulate our residents and always make sure we celebrate all of their birthdays and other red letter days.

“With so many birthdays in August, we decided to have a really big celebration for everyone to join in – and we are all really excited about it.”

Russettings - 29 May 2009

Line dancers step out for care home performance

Twinkle-toed residents at a Balcombe care home enjoyed some foot shuffling fun during a visit by a troupe of line dancers. 

Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, enjoyed a special performance from the AC (Almost Country) Line Dancers on Thursday (MAY 28).

Residents and staff watched an afternoon of dancing and demonstrations before having a go at some of the moves themselves.

People at the home, which is owned by Alpha Care Homes, had fun dancing to a range of different styles including Irish, traditional country, the waltz and mambo.

Mandy Mulvaney, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “Everybody at the home had a great time watching and getting involved in the dances.

“The residents thoroughly enjoyed a good sing-a-long to the songs. The group were fantastic and really entertained us for the afternoon.”

The line dancing group was founded seven years ago by Annie Harris and now has more than 100 members, ranging from people in their 30s to the oldest member who is aged 96.

Russettings - 27 January 2009

Caribbean fun at West Sussex care home

A care home in Balcombe is hoping to shake off the winter blues with a tropical party – and is making an imaginary beach with giant blow-up palm trees and coconuts to get in the mood.

Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, is holding a Caribbean day on Thursday (Jan 22nd).

Residents and staff will don grass skirts and flower garlands for the event and will sip cocktails out of coconuts, with calypso music playing.

The home’s activity coordinator Mandy Mulvaney said: “January is always an anti-climax after Christmas and with the cold weather we have had we wanted to bring a bit of sunshine to the home.

“The Caribbean theme will run throughout the day and a special menu and games have been organised for the residents.”

Russettings is owned by Alpha Care Homes and provides residential and respite care for its elderly residents.