Light, Colour And Culture As Care Homes Celebrate Diwali

Residents, staff and families at Colten Care homes danced, lit candles, made lanterns and garlands, and dressed up to enjoy the traditional Diwali festival of light.

At Fernhill dementia care home in Longham near Bournemouth, Health Care Assistants Annesha Safeer and Anna Thomas led activities such as Diwali stick dancing, sari wearing and bindi decorating.

They also threw coloured powder over colleagues in the time-honoured and playful Holi festival practice to symbolise ‘good luck’ wishes and blessings.

Annesha said: “It made me feel like I hadn’t missed out on the celebrations with my family back in Kerala, south India. It was so special to see everyone’s faces light up and the colour we brought into the afternoon.”

The celebrations at fellow dementia care home The Aldbury in Poole featured a Diwali dance by team members.

Senior Care Lead Bincy Thomas took the lead in explaining the meaning of Diwali and organising the performance.

Taking part were fellow Senior Care Lead Ravini Widanapathirana and Healthcare Assistants Stephanie Lysill, Niza Nizar, Sree Remya Manikandan and Sree’s daughter Sooryagayathry.

Residents joined in, wearing sequined scarves and pompoms. One, Margaret, said: “I felt like I was dancing in India itself.”

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, residents made symbolic ‘good luck’ rangoli designs using coloured rice, sand and flower petals.

After diya oil lamps were lit, prayers and blessings were said, followed by Bollywood-style dancing with staff members wearing saris.

Resident Margaret Collins said: “It’s lovely to learn about different cultures other than our own.”

At Wellington Grange in Chichester, there was a Diwali-themed quiz and performances of traditional Diwali songs.

Chefs at each Colten Care home celebrating Diwali prepared feasts of Indian dishes such as samosas, bhajis, curries, naan breads and the sweet snack jalebi, served with warming spiced teas.