Droitwich Care Home Prepares For Reflective Remembrance Day Activities

Ravenstone care home in Droitwich is preparing for a quiet Remembrance Day of reflection, as COVID restrictions mean traditional activities must go on hold.

Residents at the care home, based on St Andrew’s Road, would usually visit nearby Droitwich Baptist Church to remember brave service people, or attend an event at a local memorial to lay a wreath, however this year these events may not take place due to government restrictions designed to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Where events are occurring, vulnerable people, including older people, are encouraged not to attend.

To ensure the residents of Ravenstone still have the opportunity to remember those who served in the World Wars, and subsequent conflicts, the home is arranging internal events to allow for reflection and to celebrate the lives of the veterans and their families.

Resident John Tarleton has received a memorial wreath from his regiment to ensure he can still take part in Remembrance Celebrations. John served in the Royal Mechanical Engineers and will be laying his wreath in the home’s garden.

John has requested that the wreath is then taken to Droitwich War Memorial, which will be laid there by  Dylan  son of carer and British Legion member, Sarah  Moore.

Wendy Stokoe, home manager at Ravenstone, said: “It has been a very strange year for everyone, however we have been working hard to help the residents feel included as part of the wider community, as well as feeling safe and stimulated within the home.

“Remembrance Day is incredibly important to many of our residents, particularly those who are veterans or who have family members who have served, and we knew we needed to find a way to mark it appropriately, even if we couldn’t visit a public event.

“We are giving our residents time and space to reflect and remember and sharing stories of our own experiences and those of our loved ones on this significant day. We hope that next year we will be back out in the community, together again.”

John Tarleton, a resident at Ravenstone, said: “I was very pleased that the home decided to mark Remembrance Day, because we can’t go to church or the memorial. It’s very important that we never forget those who gave their lives for us all those years ago.

“The poppies on the window look lovely and I will be remembering my relatives and friends when we have our two-minute silence.”