Spooktacular Celebrations at Orchard Care Homes

Halloween is the highlight of the autumn season, and this year has seen many homes getting involved in the celebrations with a series of Halloween-themed activities. Staff at Riverdale in Derbyshire took part in a pumpkin-carving competition, which was judged by residents. After some tough competition, Senior Care Assistant Donna Eden was crowned the winner based on a spooky clown design. Residents, relatives and staff then enjoyed a fancy-dress party, which included entertainment from a local singer. In the north east, residents, relatives and staff from Archers Park in Sunderland, and Green Lodge in Teesside also enjoyed Halloween parties. The event at Green Lodge included an alternative version of the well-loved Halloween tradition, ‘trick-or-treating’ with the younger party guests. In a reversal of roles, the children distributed chocolate treats to residents around the home. In West Yorkshire, residents and staff from York House hosted a Halloween coffee morning, donning fancy dress, while staff at Middleton Park Lodge hosted a Halloween party for residents and the local community. Further down in South Yorkshire, residents at Cherry Trees enjoyed entertainment, face-painting, pumpkin carving and a ‘dress the Care Assistant as a mummy’ competition, while staff and residents at Skellow Hall enjoyed a Halloween party. In the north west, In Merseyside, Lymewood Court residents enjoyed making banana ghosts and tangerine pumpkins, before taking part in a Frankenstein-building competition, and having a singalong to hits such as ‘Monster Mash’ and ‘Time Warp’. Meanwhile in Lancashire, Chorley Lodge residents took part in Halloween-themed arts and crafts sessions, and Haslingden Hall & Lodge residents enjoyed a visit from the children from local Little Stars Nursery School, admiring their ghoulishly good Halloween costumes. Activity Coordinator for Haslingden Hall & Lodge Tracey Booth comments, “Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great opportunity for staff, residents and the local community to get together, dress up in silly costumes and enjoy themed food, music and party games.” To keep up to date with news from the homes, follow us on facebook.com/orchardcarehome/