Dorset care home residents set their eyes on the skies

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Feb 13, 2020

Residents at a care home in Ferndown celebrated Britain’s best birds as part of the world’s largest garden wildlife survey – and it was a flying success!

This year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch inspired activities saw residents at Care UK’s Ferndown Manor, on Golf Links Road, celebrate the best of British birds with some exciting avian-themed activities.

Team members and residents recorded the number of birds and other wildlife species that visited the care home’s garden – data which will be used by the RSPB to monitor trends and understand how different species are faring.

After a morning of birdwatching, residents took part in an arts and crafts session, made fat balls for the garden and enjoyed a visit from Xtreme Falconry, where the residents got to see a variety of owls up close, and learned more about the impressive creatures in a show and tell.

Zita Turner, home manager at Ferndown Manor, said: “Residents love taking part in nature-themed activities here at Ferndown Manor, and we had a lot of fun celebrating this year’s bird-themed event. Residents really enjoyed making the fat balls, topping up their bird feeders and counting the species in their garden.

“Connecting with nature is extremely beneficial for older people, especially those living with dementia, as it promotes positive social interaction, improves wellbeing and provides an opportunity for sensory stimulation as well as conjuring happy memories and the associated emotions.

“I’d like to say thank you to Xtreme Falconry for joining us on this exciting weekend, and bringing in variety of owls for the show and tell session.”  

For more information about Care UK’s avian activities, please visit careuk.com/birdwatch

Ferndown Manor, which features 75 ensuite bedrooms, is a state-of-the-art home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable the residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, hairdressing salon and café, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.

For more information email customer relations manager, Robin Hill on Robin.hill@careuk.com or call 01202 06 9371.

For more general information on Ferndown Manor, please visit: careuk.com/ferndown-manor