Altrincham care home residents celebrate Chinese culture

 

A care home in Altrincham celebrated Chinese culture with a special immersion day at the home. 

Residents at Care UK’s  Halecroft Grange, on Hale Road, were treated to an immersive day of cultural discovery at a surprise event held at the home in partnership with Manchester Chinese Centre. 

To celebrate Chinese traditions and bring new cultural experiences to the residents, the team organised a host of activities, led by the Manchester Chinese Centre, including a Tai Chi session and live demonstrations from a talented calligrapher.

The Tai Chi session, which incorporated fan dancing, was a highlight of the day. Residents enjoyed actively participating in learning various moves, while also discovering the history of the dance form. 

Alongside this session, residents also had the opportunity to participate in a live calligraphy workshop, where Siew-Kiang Ng, a local calligrapher, shared the artistry behind the ancient form of writing. Residents were invited to watch as the calligrapher demonstrated his handwriting using traditional brushes and ink before joining in to try it themselves.  

Residents also enjoyed a lesson on the history of tea, complete with a tea tasting, and indulged in a host of treats prepared by the home’s talented head chef. To reflect the day’s focus on Chinese culture, the residents enjoyed Ching Kee Cookie Rolls and Green Onion Thin Crackers.  

Commenting on the day, one resident at Halecroft Grange, Maureen Foley, said: “I haven’t done Calligraphy before. It was therapeutic, something you could do in the evening when you were having a relaxing evening. The Tutor was very knowledgeable” 

Suzanna Sumegi, General Manager at Halecroft Grange, said: “Our Chinese immersion day was a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Here at Halecroft Grange, we believe in celebrating the richness of different cultures and providing residents with new and meaningful experiences that bring joy. The Tai Chi session, calligraphy workshop, and tea tasting were a great success. 

“We are thankful to the Manchester Chinese Centre for providing such an enjoyable and immersive experience. It was great to see residents so engaged with these ancient traditions – we’re already planning which culture we can explore next!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Halecroft Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure  activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.