Ferfoot, the purpose-built dementia care home located in Chippenham, Wiltshire, recently held an action-packed Community Connection Week.
The week aimed to develop relationships between residents and those in the wider community by hosting a raft of activities and events that everyone could get involved in.
Monday was ‘Merry Music Day’, and after the official opening of the week by the Mayor of Chippenham Sylvia Gibson, there was a visit from the Chippenham Ladies Choir and Merri Bells handbell group, with the opportunity for residents and visitors to have a go themselves. Allysa, a student from Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, also visited and played the violin for all those who attended the day. On Tuesday, Ferfoot held an Oxfam Fashion Show, raising over £80 for Oxfam and Transport for the Disabled.
The rest of the week included a ‘School Day’ on the Wednesday, with a visit from the senior children at Sheldon School for a school days reminiscence with Jean Harvest. On the Wednesday afternoon, Ferfoot residents visited Frogwell Primary School and took part in reading time. Helen White from the Central Methodist Church held an Arts and Crafts day on the Thursday, and there was a pamper morning, and line dancing with Lazy Boots, on Friday.
The jungle came to Ferfoot on Saturday with a visit from Sebastian from Jungle Talk, and a variety of his exotic animals, including snakes, a skunk, a parrot and a tarantula. Mayor Gibson closed the week on Sunday at the Family Fun day, where residents and visitors enjoyed a roast lunch and entertainment from Melksham House Party.
Activities Coordinator Tracey Hannam said: “The week was unbelievable and everyone had such a fantastic time! We wanted to show that we are part of the community, and also build up our relationships with Chippenham residents and community groups, and I truly feel that we have achieved this. I would like to thank all those who took part in the week and helped to make it such a success.
“All the residents at Ferfoot enjoyed themselves and there was so much to do, we also went to watch the Christmas lights being turned on on Friday which made us all feel very festive. I have received some great feedback from the week already, and we definitely hope to hold something similar again in the future.”
Ends
Image Caption: Ferfoot Activities Coordinator Tracey Hannam and resident Joan Spackman with one of the snakes that visited the home on the Saturday.
3rd December 2009
Editors Notes
Ferfoot is located in the historic town of Chippenham, in Wiltshire. The main building dates from 1902, and was originally a typical turn-of-the-19th-century family home in Wiltshire Stone. The house has benefited from several purpose-built extensions, which have all been constructed sympathetically and in full keeping with the original building. Ferfoot is laid out over two storeys, and is tastefully decorated, providing a high standard of accommodation throughout.
Recognising that dementia brings its own unique challenges, the overriding aim of the staff is to provide a homely, welcoming and friendly environment in which residents can maintain an optimum quality of life, regardless of how dependent they become. Ferfoot aims to offer a full complement of appropriate facilities that will make residents’ lives as pleasant and fulfilling as possible. This includes an on-site hairdressing salon and sensory care room for the benefit of residents.
For more information and press images please contact:
Jacqueline or Sarah
JM Marketing
Tel: 01536 414555
Fax: 01536 414333
Email: Jacqueline@jmmarketingservices.co.uk
Email: Sarah@jmmarketingservices.co.uk
