Live Music Raises Residents In Morris Carenew Cherry Trees Dementia Household

Residents and staff gathered in the Cherry Trees household to watch singer Paul Watkins as he performed some all-time favourite songs from the sixties from the private garden.

Lucy Holl, Chief Executive of Morris Care said: “We’ve had entertainment streaming in our Homes via Skype throughout lockdown but there’s nothing like the real thing. We were especially touched by the residents that got on their feet and danced the afternoon away. Paul has been a hit in our Homes for a few years and they are delighted to have him back in person, albeit alfresco.”

Cherry Trees has been carefully designed and decorated to provide a haven for memory care with its 14 en-suite bedrooms leading to themed areas for socialising and relaxation. Every detail has been incorporated to make life safe, calm and enjoyable. Gallery Walls have been designed to conjure up familiar and friendly scenes with nostalgic images of the original Morris Café and Morris stores’ advertising from the 1930s – all designed to bring back happy memories. A bright and spacious dining room has been created and decorated to resemble the original Morris Café which sat at the heart of Shrewsbury town centre in the 1950s and in its day was renowned for its afternoon tea dances and the best cakes and service in town.   Here, afternoon tea will be served bringing back happy memories for residents, along with food demonstrations and live music.

Part of the brief when designing the new household was to create spaces where residents living with dementia could reminisce and to provide them with interesting and sensory stimulation. Another such item is the Morris Shop, a physical wooden shop front inlaid into the fabric of the household – handmade by the company’s Joinery Workshop – where residents will see familiar items on display from a Monopoly board from the ‘60s to a vintage camera and photographs.

Lucy Holl, CEO at Morris Care commented: “We are so pleased with how the new household has come together in terms of specialism, comfort and imagination. Our ambition from the outset has been to create a dementia household known for contentment, security and for living life to the fullest it can be.

“Of course, the key ingredient in delivering the best possible experience lies in the care provided with staff who have been specially trained to work in Cherry Trees.”