Getting the party started! High Wycombe care home residents party at summer festival

A care home in High Wycombe welcomed the local community to eat and dance their way into the summer season.

The team at Care UK’s Ridley Manor, in Lane End, was joined by the people of High Wycombe for their first-ever summer festival.

Guests enjoyed tasty treats prepared by the home’s Head Chef and catering team. From a full afternoon tea to fish and chips, there was something to tickle everyone’s taste buds – including a summer Pimms, which guests enjoyed in the home’s picnic area. 

Guests danced and sang along to live entertainment from local singer, Dave Dunbar, a rock choir and Sunshine Montessori Nursery – who all got the party started.

The team also welcomed Vice Chairman Mimi Harker from Wycombe Homeless Connection. On the day, they presented Mimi with a blanket made by the residents for the charity.

Finally, guests were also surprised by a visit from two local donkeys Jasper and Jack.  

The fun-filled festival came as Ridley Manor celebrated Care Home Open Week, a national initiative that encourages care homes to open their doors and showcase what life in a care home is really like. 

Residents also spent time reminiscing about their own festival memories, including 89-year-old Joan who recalled going to Towersey Village Festival which first started in 1965 to raise money for the village hall. Joan remembered enjoying music by the Spooky Men who played at the festival. The event has now grown and is hosted on the Claydon Estate attracting visitors from all over the world. 

She said: “I loved the fact that it was live, well organised and everyone picked up their litter themselves.”

Estelle Adriaans, General Manager at Ridley Manor, said: “We were thrilled to invite local people to our summer festival so they could have an afternoon of fun. 

"Our festival provided us with a fantastic opportunity to spend time with our friends and neighbours in the community and show exactly what life is like at Ridley Manor. We enjoyed putting on our dancing shoes and letting everyone show off their best moves.

“It's going to be a summer to remember, so keep a look out for details on our more upcoming events!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Festival Season celebrations, please visit: www.careuk.com/festival-season 

To find out more about Ridley Manor and to book a place at the event, please contact Hayley Devereaux, on hayley.devereaux@careuk.com, or call 01494 853669. 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Ridley Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.