RESIDENTS enjoyed Irish-themed fun as care homes across the south celebrated St Patrick’s Day.
Colten Care team members dressed up, organised Irish dancing, served traditional hearty breakfasts, and, at Canford Chase in Poole, even created a pop-up bar in the lounge.
The ‘Canford Chase Arms’ featured authentic beer pumps, a welcome sign, mats and coasters and was decorated with Irish shamrocks.
The name was chosen by a resident who said: “Canford Chase is a welcoming space with fun, laughter and friendship.”
Companion Maddee Baker added: “This was a fun way to celebrate Ireland’s national day. We enjoyed the company of friends, family and staff to join us at the bar with a soundtrack of traditional music.
“Residents reminisced about visiting their local pubs in years gone by and what their favourite drinks were and there was a lot of laughter and Irish jigging.”
At Colten Care’s Abbey View in Sherborne, Dorset, residents including Irishwoman Vivien Jackson tucked into an Irish-themed breakfast dubbed ‘Kissing the Blarney Stone’.
It featured bubble and squeak patties topped with a fried egg and accompanied with a square sausage. “It went down a treat,” said Vivien.
Abbey View companion Kia Redshaw said: “Of course we had to look the part with oversized, clover glasses and lovely green tinsel headbands.”
At St Catherines View in Winchester, Irish resident Dee Hickey was treated to an interactive digital tour of her native Cork designed to bring back memories.
And this was followed by a ‘green party’ in the afternoon with staff and residents getting together for Irish dancing and ‘shimmering green’ drinks.