Fun in the Sun

A look back over summer at Brooklands

As summer 2016 draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at a fantastic few months enjoyed by residents and staff of Brooklands Care Home here in Drayton, Norwich.

We’ve spent many a day in the Brooklands garden getting stuck into some gardening, munching on lunches and even enjoying a refreshing glass of Pimm’s from time to time. However, the Brooklands garden highlight has to be our ‘Brooklands-on-Sea’ seaside themed summer garden party, where we opened our doors wide to the local community and hosted a fun day out for our lovely friends, relatives and nearby families in Norwich. A day at the ‘seaside’ wouldn’t be complete without a stick of rock and an ice-cream, which were devoured whilst taking in the live entertainment followed by a Punch and Judy puppet show. Brooklands-on-Sea also featured sandpits and paddling pools, and the residents enjoyed dipping their feet in the cool water as the sun shone down.

Just a few days later on yet another gloriously sunny day, we took our residents to Hunstanton Seafront for a walk along the coast and an afternoon of playing nostalgic arcade games on the pier. With pots full of pennies, the Brooklands family tried their luck on the slots. There were laughs and smiles all-round, and most of the group slept soundly all the way home. Here at Brooklands, this is always the sign of a great day out.

In August, Brooklands residents boarded the home’s minibus and headed down to Whitlingham Country Park for a boat trip in the sun. Once on the water, everyone took great delight in waving to passers-by (including plenty of swans!) and taking in the beautiful scenery.

This summer we’ve also been lucky enough to receive visits from several local schools. Often the children will sing for our residents or read to them, which really makes them smile. It’s also not unusual to see the entire home up on their feet dancing when the little ones are around!

Last but not least, our residents and staff have been running a social afternoon on the second Tuesday of every month. Friends, relatives and members of the neighbourhood in Drayton have joined us at the home for tea, cake and a good old natter. We’ll certainly miss holding these socials ‘al fresco’ in the sunshine…