Looking back at a wonderful Abbeyfield Month and 70th anniversary
June is always a special time of year for us, but this summer felt particularly historic as our houses came together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Abbeyfield.
As Abbeyfield Month closes and we move into July, we have the perfect opportunity to look back on four weeks filled with laughter, community spirit and wonderful celebrations.
From garden fetes and live music to sporting triumphs and intergenerational visits, our staff, residents, and volunteers went above and beyond to make it a summer to remember.
Platinum celebrations for a special milestone
Reaching 70 years of Abbeyfield gave our houses the perfect reason to do what they do best by bringing people together. At Girton Green, residents, families, and friends gathered for a sunny barbecue cooked by Chef David, which was made even more special by a classical Indian dance performance from the Natyanjali School of Dance. The home also made history of its own by burying a time capsule placed by Head of Housekeeping Angela and volunteer Jane, who have both been part of the community since the doors first opened in 2012, before resident Kathy marked the spot with a commemorative plaque.
Meanwhile, Abbeyfield House in Warkworth hosted a spectacular Open House and Garden Party where the unpredictable British weather could not damp the community's high spirits, thanks to the hard work of team members Mikala, Louise and Rachel.
Over at Holloway House in Quorn, more than 30 guests enjoyed a homemade buffet and a special appearance from Abbey the Bear, our commemorative mascot.
From traditional afternoon teas with handmade decorations at Abbeyfield Court in Locks Heath and MacGregor House, to a vintage tea dance through the decades at Downing House and a musical afternoon with vintage songs at Burnham Court, our homes brought everyone together for some fantastic celebrations.
Connecting with our local communities
A core part of the Abbeyfield ethos is being an active part of the wider community, and June saw our doors open wide to visitors near and far. Riverhill proudly took part in the Corbridge Open Gardens, welcoming around 250 people to explore their beautiful grounds, with one resident noting how wonderful it was to invite everyone in and see the community come together.
In Formby, Halcyon House welcomed John Phillips from the Formby Civic Society for a captivating talk on the history of the world's first lifeboat station, where he generously gifted copies of his book to residents. The team at Tamar House in Gosport hosted a bustling summer fete that welcomed the Mayor of Gosport, Kirsty Bradley, and local PCSO Gemma, alongside stalls featuring plants grown by resident Sue and a delicious Abbeyfield cake made by housekeeper Ngoc.
Live music, themed days and summer fun
Our Activities Coordinators pulled out all the stops to keep everyone entertained, active and nostalgic throughout the month. Sandwood Care Home enjoyed a wonderful afternoon when the brilliant Vicky McClure's Our Dementia Choir paid a visit to lead a sing-along to timeless classics. Local musician Paul Capper also brought his guitar to Halcyon House for a live set, which was made even more special because his mum, Joan, is a resident there.
Our homes found plenty of creative ways to celebrate throughout the month. Hampton House hosted an American themed day with live music from Gemma Nelson, while Sandwood travelled back in time for a 'Disco through the Decades' bash. Sandwood also brought a taste of the tropics to life with a Hawaiian cocktail party featuring volunteer mixologists Matt and Jay.
To cool off during the warmer weeks, residents got creative as Downing House residents sculpted clay bird feeders for the wildlife and crafted paper fans, whilst Sandwood residents proudly contributed handmade leaf artwork to a local shop window for Sherwood Art Week, following the official unveiling of their new community mosaic by the Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Amanda Farr DL.
Cheering on our sporting champions
June was a massive month for sport, and our lounges were quickly transformed into matchday stadiums. Residents at Abbeyfield Winnersh and Downing House cheered on England in the football with themed snacks and novelty glasses, while tennis fans at Abbeyfield House in Weston-super-Mare and Abbeyfield House in Ulverston served up Wimbledon open days complete with courtside traditions of fresh strawberries and cream.
The biggest sporting triumph of the month belonged to our Regional Operations Manager, Sarah Hutchinson, who successfully conquered The Wall ultramarathon by running a gruelling 70 miles over 21 hours to raise funds for our houses and homes. Residents at Riverhill set up a dedicated refreshment station to cheer her and the other runners on as they passed the scheme, and the team at Hope Bank View eagerly tracked her progress before welcoming her back for a well deserved Sunday roast. A huge thank you goes to her dedicated support crew, Kerrice, Jacqui and Theresa.
Remembering the roots of our charity
Amidst all the high-energy celebrations, there was also time for quiet reflection on how our journey began. Residents and staff at Abbeyfield House in Ulverston gathered for a relaxed movie afternoon to watch Push on the Door, the film based on the autobiography of our founder, Richard Carr-Gomm, which offered a lovely way for everyone to connect with the history of the organisation while enjoying some ice cream and popcorn.
Thank you to our volunteers and staff
None of these incredible events, trips, or daily celebrations would be possible without the dedication of our staff and volunteers.
From corporate volunteers like the team from Alertacall, who helped tidy the paths and gardens at Abbeyfield House in Barnoldswick and Sorce who helped tidy our garden at Abbeyfield Winnersh, to the local individuals who give up their time every week to chat, garden, or drive a minibus, your hard work ensures that our houses feel part of their communities.
Thank you to everyone who made Abbeyfield Month and our 70th anniversary celebrations so memorable. Please head over to our social media channels if you would like to see more of our photos and memories from the month.
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