Lauder Lodge's rhyming residents win poetry competition

Home news

Feb 19, 2019

Residents at Lauder Lodge have been awarded first place, along with a highly commended prize, as part of Care UK’s nationwide poetry competition.

Care UK’s initiative, in conjunction with National Poetry Day, encourages residents to get their creative juices flowing by putting pen to paper to write their very own short verses and poems. To mark the day, residents at Lauder Lodge were joined by professional poet Helen Boden, as well as two students from Portobello High School for some poetry reading.

‘Joe’s Ode to The Lodge’ by Joe Arnott came out on top against entries from more than 100 Care UK homes across the country. Joe, who lives at Lauder Lodge, wrote the poem with the help of his daughter and friend, and will receive £100 worth of shopping vouchers. 

The poem expands on what Joe’s life is like at Lauder Lodge, with reference to the activities he’s enjoyed during the year, including singing, dancing, gardening, pampering and trips to the seaside. Judges said that Joe’s Ode to The Lodge really brought his experience at Lauder Lodge to life, and they particularly enjoyed the comments about President Trump and Brexit. 

In addition, a highly commended prize was awarded to several residents at Lauder Lodge who worked together to write ‘Life at Lauder Lodge’. Judges thought it was a great team effort and enjoyed reading all about the fun that goes on at the home. 

Michelle Reid, home manager at Lauder Lodge, said: “We clearly have some talented writers here at Lauder Lodge, and we are so proud of Joe and the residents for being recognised for their beautifully written poems. To be awarded first prize and highly commended in Care UK’s nationwide poetry competition is a huge achievement, and it means the world to the residents and all the team members involved.

“Poetry can be a great way to support residents living with dementia. Whether it’s reading aloud or writing down memories, research has shown that poems can often engage and help residents maintain connections as dementia progresses. National Poetry Day is a fantastic annual event that we will continue to support, and it’s a great way to bring people together. Our recent success shows just how much the residents and team members enjoyed developing these thoughtful poems, and it has encouraged us to enjoy poetry throughout the year. We hope this can inspire people caring for an older loved one to do the same.”