Lancashire Care Homes Come Together For Beach-Themed Party

Ancliffe, the Minster-run care home in Wigan, Lancashire, has been transformed into a British seaside resort for a beach-themed party which was attended by residents, relatives and visitors from another nearby Minster care home, Woodlands Court, in Aspull.

The lounge at Ancliffe was suitably decorated ahead of the party with the addition of a paddling pool, sandpits, buckets and spades, old-fashioned deck chairs, beach balls and bunting. Lorraine Harris, the home’s activities coordinator, got into the spirit by dressing up as a holiday camp steward, and care team leader, Becky Hewitt, also looked the part in a Victorian-era bathing costume.

Activities at the party included playing ‘hook-a-duck’ with nets and balls in the paddling pool and playing skittles. The karaoke proved to be a highlight, as residents and staff got up to sing along to songs with a seaside theme, such as ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’ and others by The Beach Boys and Charlie Chaplin.

Partygoers also experienced some of the flavours of the British seaside, enjoying fish and chips followed by candy floss for those with a sweet tooth.

Theresa Barnes, who is a resident at Ancliffe, commented: “I enjoyed the beach party very much. It took me back to when I used to go on holiday to seaside resorts like Blackpool. Those were the days!”

Lorraine Harris, activities coordinator at Ancliffe, said: “The residents absolutely loved the seaside party, and so did I! Parties like this, which are part of our wider activities programme at Ancliffe, are great for bringing the residents together to socialise. This one was particularly good for that, and our residents especially enjoyed meeting new people from another Minster home. Everyone at Ancliffe is looking forward to visiting Woodlands Court for another party in the near future.”