a new game..

we had a delivery today of some new games - one of them was a card game called 'trades' which was good fun - patty,jean, hollie and I had go.

patty is checking the blog..

Patty was answering her emails today; including one from Canada - her niece checks the blog regularly, so Patty decided to have a look to see what she has been up to lately!! Hollie, one of the new carers at MEH, is reading along with Patty...

tea time...

tea time at mount ephraim, a welcome sight in the middle of the afternoon! here is jean helping herself to a slice of cake (homemade of course!)

a sneak peek of the results

this is just a taster of some of the art that was produced today, using paint, sponges, large brushes and stamps. the gorgeous silk background was given to us by patty's daughter and it sets off the work brilliantly. there is still a way to go before this wall hanging is finished so watch this space...

art class monday

Our talented art therapy teacher who visits once a month, came today to interest our residents in abstract art - the idea being to get everyone together to produce a collage for our dining room. the theme is flowers, using fabric and paper.

Monday's are also the day that our volunteers elizabeth and joan come to read and chat but today they joined in with the art class, gently encouraging those who are not quite sure about 'modern art'!
once everyone had relaxed a bit and lost their inhibitions, some really good stuff was produced... and they should be very proud of themselves.
here we have susan, pat, doroth with julie and joan, then below, is marie, patty with volunteer elizabeth.

karen on bbc radio kent today

karen was interviewed by Julia George today on radio kent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_kent

beccy's dance troupe

the first dance class of the New Year - Beccy agreed to pose with her regular's at the end of the session - even though Win, Doreen and Phyll had just made their getaway!





pictured with beccy are ursula, margaret, jean, pat and helen. Jean particularly enjoyed today's session as she used to dance quite regularly and was very fit and she said it brought back lots of happy memories.

the last shot of the week!

This was the last scene that the film crew set up at Mount Ephraim. With Marion's permission, they used her room and she of course was the star of this particular episode. Also involved were Daisy (hiding behind Simon, the programme director) and Nikita.

It has been an interesting week and the residents and staff have really enjoyed the experience. Just waiting now, for 23rd February for the 'film premiere'... invitations will be sent out, and we look forward to seeing you!

meet the flower arrangers...

here is our little band of willing flower arrangers - ursula, pat, marie and patti, with susan looking on.

flowers from sainsbury's

one of the relatives told us about a scheme at sainsbury's where they supply fresh flowers to care homes on a 'rota basis' free of charge! we phoned to enquire and were told that there was a batch of flowers available today if we could collect after 12.30. We are now on their 'list' and when its our turn again they will let us know.

I returned with a mass of gorgeous flowers which some of the residents were quite happy to help arrange into vases - for the tables, the lounge and some of their own rooms. so far we have filled over 25 vases, with more to go- but we were exhausted by then so we will arrange the rest tomorrow. many thanks sainsbury's what a lovely idea and much appreciated.

still filming at 5pm!!

the last 'shot' of the day was set up in the foyer, and Hilda agreed to have a role in this - she had to sit in a wheelchair and have Sharon push her 'into position' sharon asked me to make sure i got her 'good side' so hope this does her justice! she is playing the part of 'bad carer' today which she and the residents are finding to be a lot of fun..

a starring role for karen

this morning, filming started in earnest for the 'care channel' and karen was one of the first to be 'interviewed' in her office...

variety hour

Sue joined the residents this afternoon for the regular 'variety hour' - quiz, chat about current events and a few funny anecdotes. We push all the chairs back around the room so that Sue can see everyone and they can interact with her - its a popular activity and there were no seats left once she had begun the session!

This week, a crew from 'The Care Channel' are filming a series of situations for a training session due to go out live to care homes around the country. All residents who wish to take part are invited to do so and this morning there was a clamber for 'parts' - hope no-one is disappointed.

I have asked if I can take photo's of the crew filming and they said yes - tomorrow would be a good day, so will keep you posted!

pontoon champ!

meanwhile, Pat beat me at pontoon, think I need more practice.

house!

back to bingo sessions after the christmas/new year break with Christiane and she had a good turnout, with lots of new prizes!

did you watch the bbc news tonight?

A BBC film crew arrived this afternoon to film residents for a segment on the evening news today, regarding proposed cuts by Kent County Council. They interviewed Karen in her office and filmed Hilda, Doreen, Pat and Jean sitting in the lounge chatting with one another.

The story was on the 6.30 news bulletin and I'm just about to watch it again on the evening news. more stars in the making!

hotel chocolat!

still the residents are getting through the chocolates - friends, relatives and visitors to meh have been very generous in giving sweets for christmas and today was the turn of a special box from hotel chocolat given to the residents by elizabeth and joan (volunteers)


while we played a game of scrabble Pat came to offer round the box - which must have helped with concentration as we soon had the game sorted!


while marie makes her choice, marion is busy studying the packaging!!

christmas lunch thanks to sheila and co...

the dining room all set for a super traditional christmas lunch, roast turkey with all the trimmings, courtesy of Sheila in the kitchen.

everyone soon got in the mood, pulling their crackers and donning the paper hats!





now for the washing up Sheila!!