Maidstone care home residents team up with school children to bring back favourite recipes

A care home in Maidstone has teamed up with local school children and joined a nationwide campaign to save traditional recipes from being forgotten.  

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Invicta Court on Gidd’s Pond Way, found almost two-thirds (65%) of the nation no longer use family recipes that have been handed down through the generations, however, 43% of people surveyed are keen to save them. 

In a bid to prevent family recipes passed down through generations from being lost forever, Care UK has launched a free downloadable recipe book – Recipes to remember, which features recipes shared by care home residents across the UK. From food enjoyed during World War Two to quirky desserts from the 1970s, the book includes residents’ favourite foods, alongside recipes tailored to support older people by Care UK’s award-winning chefs. 

Keen to keep their recipes bubbling away in Maidstone for many years to come, residents from Invicta Court have rolled up their sleeves and donned their aprons, to team up with pupils from Bearsted Primary Academy to show just how tasty their food favourites from the past are.  

On the day, the residents and children were spilt into two teams, where they made two dishes together consisting of pizza and shortbread. With their cooking complete, the residents enjoyed the dishes they had cooked with the children, and reminisced on their own childhood and helping their parents in the kitchen make their family meals. 

Commenting on the afternoon, resident, Val said: “This is something I always did when my children were growing up. It brought back fond memories of teaching my own children to cook.”

Sara Barbosa, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: “We were delighted to welcome children from Bearsted Primary Academy to enjoy a MasterChef-style masterclass with the residents. 

“Here at Invicta Court, we recognise the importance of food in not only maintaining a nutritious and balanced diet but also as a way to help awaken memories and stimulate memory recall. It’s been wonderful to see the residents sharing their favourite recipes with the children and learning more about the people and places which inspired their dishes. 

“From boiled fruit cakes to pineapple chicken, the dishes certainly brought smiles to the residents faces – and a few shudders from the children too!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Recipes to remember initiative or to download your copy of the recipe book, please visit: www.careuk.com/recipes-to-remember 

Invicta Court offers a full range of permanent residential care and short-term respite in luxurious surroundings, including a café, hair and beauty salon, bar and cinema. The highly trained, professional team also delivers specialist dementia care.