From Christmas parties, pantomimes, visits from Father Christmas and eating delicious traditional Christmas dinners, residents at Care South’s 15 care homes celebrated the festive season with plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship.

All homes started the festive season with a friendly inter-home Christmas carol competition, with Castle Dene and Dorset House winning joint first place. Each home was challenged to produce the best Christmas carol video which was then judged internally at Care South with both home’s doing a brilliant job – but there had to be a winner (or two!).

Dorset House took the competition to the next level by re-writing the lyrics of a classic Christmas carol. After an intense discussion of which song would be chosen, residents decided on ‘12 days of Christmas’. Residents and the Dorset House team switched the lyrics to includes things in their everyday lives, which made it quite personal. Once it came to recording, everyone got dressed up in their best outfits with local friends, family, along with Vicar, Tess, Muddy Boots Nursery and Maggie from Great British Bake Off, all joining in.

Castle Dene took a more classical approach as residents all donned their best festive outfits to perform jingle bells with tambourines. Residents showed a huge amount of unity and put on a great performance. Residents at Castle Dene had a Christmas party with family and some class entertainment from Tony Edwards that ended in a sing-along to all the Christmas classics. They also tucked into a delicious buffet, with residents helping by making and decorating cakes for it.

Residents at Fairlawn were also busy making the most out of the festive season. They started their celebrations by going to watch the Wizard of Oz pantomime at Barrington’s theatre which they all thoroughly enjoyed. Residents also joined a great Christmas party that was filled with all sorts of fun such as a reindeer game, a snowball fight, and an exciting Christmas raffle. Christmas day at Fairlawn was nothing less than special as residents each received a personalised stocking from Father Christmas himself, which was followed by a delicious traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.

Buxton House residents celebrated the Christmas period by taking trips to Sherbourne Garden Centre to take in all the beautiful lights and displays. Residents also made pomanders for their Christmas tree and watched a Christmas carol performance from the staff, as well as enjoyed a wonderful visit from Father Christmas.

At Alexandra House, residents had a very merry and wonderful Christmas day. They started the morning with a visit from Father Christmas, whose helpers handed out individual presents to each resident which made each resident feel very special. They then enjoyed an amazing Christmas dinner with family and friends that was accompanied with a delicious celebratory Christmas pudding washed down with an array of sherries and wines.

Fremington Manor, Kenwith Castle, Talbot View, Wickmeads, Maiden Castle House, Fern Brook Lodge, Elizabeth House, St Ives House, Beauchamp House and Sussexdown, all Care South care homes also took part in the festive celebrations with fabulous Christmas parties, wonderful entertainment, and delicious baking.

Chris Golding, Head of Marketing and PR commented: “Christmas is always a special time for residents in our care. Everyone can get involved in group activities and their family, friends and loved ones can come along and join in, which makes a huge difference. With no restrictions in place this year, it is so good to know care homes are once again filled with Christmas festivities, chatter, and laughter. From enjoying festive trips out to seeing old friends, our care homes were able to fully embrace the festive spirit and enjoy plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship.”