Willow Grange - 25 May 2010

Willow Grange Care Home gets dance performance with a difference

Residents at an Olton care home will be treated to a dance performance with a difference next week when a local belly dancer pays them a visit.
 
Belly dance instructor Georgia Finocchiaro is visiting Willow Grange Care Home, in St Bernards Road, on Tuesday May 25.
 
Georgia, who will put on a special performance for residents, will also invite brave members of staff from the home, owned by Alpha Care Homes, to dress up and try out a few moves for themselves.

Willow Grange Care Home manager Nikki Pudney, said: “We’ve never had a belly dance performance here before – it should be something to see.

“People would probably associate our residents with ballroom dancing or something a bit more old fashioned, but they really enjoy experiencing new things and are really looking forward to it.

“We’re always trying to arrange entertainment and activities that are a bit different for our residents to brighten up their day.”

Willow Grange - 10 March 2010

Therapy dogs receive a PAT on the back

Residents at an Olton care home said a big ‘thank you’ to two four-legged friends by holding a special event.

Willow Grange Care Home, in St Bernards Road, held a fundraising day on Friday March 5th in aid of the ‘Pets As Therapy’ (PAT) charity.

The programme sees volunteers pay therapeutic visits to venues such as hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, with their dogs and cats.

Residents at Willow Grange have been enjoying visits from two dogs and their owners for a number of years.

Vicky Brown and her Border Collie dog Mouse have been visiting Willow Grange for four years, while Pat Jarret and her Sheltie dog Deano have been attending for two years.

Rosemary Hennessey, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “Many of the residents used to have pets of their own so the PAT programme is a way for them to build that emotional bond again and enjoy an animal’s company.

“We are very lucky to have two PAT dogs who visit us every week so we decided to hold a fundraising event to say thank you to Vicky, Mouse, Pat and Deano for the valuable work they do.

“We organised a number activities to help raise money on the day, including a raffle, tombola and a guess the weight of the cake competition.

“Everyone at the home really enjoyed the event, which was a fun occasion and we raised £200 for the charity.”

Willow Grange - 10 January 2010

Care home residents spring into action

Care home residents spring into 2010
 
Residents at an Olton care home are getting fit for the new year thanks to a fun exercise class.
 
Willow Grange Care Home, in St Bernards Road, has started ‘Boogie Bounce’ sessions.
 
Carer Hayley Watson, who is also a qualified fitness instructor with specialist training for the elderly, leads the class - which sees residents take part in some gentle exercise to music and then have a go on a small fitness trampoline.
 
Rosemary Hennessey, the home’s activities coordinator, said the residents really enjoyed Hayley’s sessions.
 
“Regular mobility is essential as the body gets older as it keeps the joints supple and prevents stiffness,” she said.
 
“The more mobility sessions we can introduce, the better. We are hoping the ‘Boogie Bounce’ sessions will become a regular part of the activities schedule at Willow Grange.”

Willow Grange - 26 May 2009

Wild West Day at Willow Grange

Cowboys and cowgirls at an Olton care home will be dusting off their Stetsons in preparation for a special event.

Willow Grange Care Home, in St Bernards Road, is set to hold a Wild West day on Tuesday 26th May.

Residents will dress up in cowboy hats and Native American headdresses for the event and will eat food associated with the Wild West.

The home, part of the Alpha Care Homes group, will be decorated and there will be traditional country and western music and dancing.

Rosemary Hennessey, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “Everybody at the home is really looking forward to the Wild West event.

“The residents thoroughly enjoy a good sing-a-long and the theme days we have organised in the past have been really successful.”