Get creative with Surrey care homes this Care Home Open Day

Home news

Jun 19, 2019

Four care homes in Surrey are inviting local people to join in their family-friendly celebrations for Care Home Open Day.

On Friday 28th June, Sherwood Grange, in Kingston Vale, will be open from 2.30pm - 4.30pm and Appleby House, in Epsom, will be open from 11am-4pm. Milner House, in Leatherhead, will be open from 1pm - 5pm and Norfolk House, in Weybridge, will be open from 10.30am-4pm. 

Stanecroft, in Dorking, will be open on Saturday 29th June, from 1pm - 4pm. The events celebrate Care Home Open Day, a countrywide initiative to create lasting relationships between care homes and their local communities.

This year’s theme celebrates the role of arts within care, which is important in encouraging residents’ self-expression, and helps to create meaningful experiences.

The four homes have organised art-themed parties to celebrate the open day, with entertainment, activities and creative fun. 

Visitors can look forward to polishing their artistic skills during arts and crafts sessions at Sherwood Grange, where they can create a ceramic item, and enjoy Pimm’s cocktails and canapes. At Milner House there will be a garden party with crafting activities for all ages. The care home will also be re-enacting an old photo which was taken outside the home in the late 1920s or early 1930s. 

The team at Stanecroft have organised live music to get everyone in the party spirit, and visitors can create their own ‘masterpiece’, plus enjoy a tombola, raffle and family-friendly games. Guests will also have the opportunity to see Appleby House’s 'Pillars of the Community' project, help to design and decorate an additional pillar, and enjoy a spcial performance from the residents choir. There will also be the opportunity to try still-life painting and pottery sculpting.  

Meanwhile, Norfolk House will be hosting an art session with Creative Minds, as well as a live Motown performance. While Milner House will be hosting a photography exhibition, plus they’ll be live music to get everyone in the party spirit and creative w

orkshops and pottery classes. 

Shona Bradbury, home manager at Appleby House, said: “Care Home Open Day is such a wonderful opportunity for our home to connect with the local community and show what it’s really like to live in a care home. We’re counting down the days until we welcome the people of Epsom to Appleby House for our exciting event.”

Rick Mayne, home manager at Sherwood Grange, added: “The residents are really excited to showcase their artistic skills, and we’re all particularly looking forward to creating a ceramic item with Busy Lizzie. I know the residents and community are going to have a great time!”