Friends of Cedar House

On June 3rd, the Friends of Cedar House hosted another successful coffee morning at Cedar House Care Home in Harefield, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for residents to relax and enjoy each other’s company. This popular event has become a cherished tradition at the care home, offering a wonderful opportunity for socialisation and community building.

The highlight of the morning was a visit from the local church, whose members came to uplift the residents’ spirits with their presence and talents. They brought a sense of joy and tranquillity to the event by singing hymns, playing music, and engaging in friendly conversation with the residents. The soothing melodies of the hymns filled the room, creating a peaceful ambiance that resonated with many of the residents. The music evoked fond memories and brought a sense of comfort and familiarity, touching the hearts of all who listened.

As church members sang and played their instruments, residents joined in, singing along to their favourite hymns. For many, these hymns held special significance, reminding them of their faith and past church services. The shared singing created a sense of unity and belonging, fostering a deep connection among the residents and with the church visitors. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, as smiles and expressions of contentment were visible on the faces of everyone present.

In addition to the musical performance, the church members took the time to sit down with the residents, engaging them in conversation. These moments of interaction were deeply appreciated by the residents, who enjoyed the chance to share stories, exchange thoughts, and connect with new people. The church members’ genuine interest and kindness made the residents feel valued and heard, adding to the positive experience of the coffee morning.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Cedar House ensured that there was plenty of hot coffee, tea, and a selection of delicious cakes for everyone to enjoy. Residents savoured their hot drinks and sweet treats, enjoying the comforting ritual of a coffee morning surrounded by friends and community.

The success of this coffee morning was evident in the smiles, laughter, and lively conversations that filled the room. It was more than just a social event; it was a time of connection, joy, and spiritual upliftment. The involvement of the local church added a meaningful dimension to the morning, highlighting the strong bonds between Cedar House and the surrounding community.

The Friends of Cedar House are deeply grateful to the local Tesco for their generous donation, which will bring a touch of festive cheer to the residents of Cedar House Care Home. Thanks to Tesco’s support, the Friends of Cedar House were able to provide each of the care home’s residents with a Christmas stocking, ensuring everyone can enjoy a special treat this holiday season.

The donation from Tesco included a variety of items that have been thoughtfully selected to add joy and excitement to the stockings. These festive packages are filled with delightful surprises such as chocolates, small toys, and other seasonal goodies. Each stocking has been carefully prepared to bring a smile to the faces of the residents, making Christmas Day an occasion of celebration and warmth.

The impact of these stockings will be significant, brightening the day for residents and creating a sense of festive spirit throughout the home. The simple pleasure of receiving and opening a stocking filled with treats will evoke the joy and magic of Christmas, reminding residents of the special moments of the holiday season. The festive gifts not only provide a source of enjoyment but also show the residents that they are cherished and remembered during this special time of year.

The Friends of Cedar House are thrilled with the outcome of this collaboration and are thankful to Tesco for their kindness and community spirit. This generous donation has made it possible to enhance the Christmas experience for all the residents, reinforcing the sense of community and goodwill that defines the holiday season.

Overall, the support from Tesco underscores the importance of community involvement in creating memorable and joyful experiences for those in care. The Christmas stockings will undoubtedly be a highlight of the holiday celebrations at Cedar House Care Home, bringing happiness and festive cheer to every resident. The Friends of Cedar House extend their heartfelt thanks to Tesco for their contribution, which has helped make this Christmas a truly special and memorable occasion for all.

The proceeds from the raffle will go towards buying Christmas treats for all of the residents

On Saturday 30^th September a gardening challenge was happening at Cedar House Care Home. The Friends were joined by volunteers planting the flowers, trees and plants and tidying up the garden. They also managed to trim the hedges in the courtyard. It was lovely to see residents coming out while friends and volunteers were doing the gardening.

Since Covid, the routines have changed the way people volunteer in care homes. Alongside this so have many of the people: both staff and volunteers.

These all combine to make people feel a little uncertain about elements of their volunteering at some point or another.

While there has always been the opportunity for one-to-one contact with Attend by contacting Sona at sona.sladkova@attend.org.uk we are now looking at another way for our volunteers to gain more support.

On the first Tuesday of every month, we will be holding open zoom sessions for any volunteer to catch up. These will be at 2pm. If you would like to join the call, email sona.sladkova@attend.org.uk to be added to the zoom invite.

As the King’s coronation quickly approaches, celebrations are being prepared across the country and Cedar House care home is no different. As part of their coronation weekend celebrations, the home will be hosting a raffle. The Friends of Cedar House donated six bottles of alcohol to use as raffle prizes including wine, Aperol, Pimm’s and Sambuca. We hope the winners of the raffle are pleased with their prizes and the coronation celebrations are lively and fun for everyone!

The contributions of the Friends of Cedar House are varied and have changed through lockdown and afterwards. Cedar House Wellbeing Co-Ordinator, Samantha, has worked in the home for about four years and was involved in community and volunteer work for years prior. Sam, who used to be a carer at Cedar House, was only in the position of wellbeing Co-Ordinator for a few months before lockdown began and as restrictions have eased, she is excited to plan many events for the home going forwards. 

 One regular event that has already returned to Cedar House is monthly coffee mornings organised by the Friends of Cedar House. The Friends include volunteers from a local church. Sam said this event is really appreciated by residents and it is nice to have a regular and ongoing relationship with the Friends of Cedar House. 

 “It’s lovely that they come in once a month with the local church, because you really get to know them. It’s not just somebody on the end of a phone or an email, you actually feel you get to know them face to face, which is nice. You can interact with them as a person,” Sam said. 

 Volunteers like the Friends are extremely important, according to Sam, who said for residents who don’t have any family, volunteers play a major role in providing company and conversation. These volunteers are great because they can make even the smallest difference in residents’ lives and “just put a smile on their faces.” 

 Around Christmas or when the home wants to host events, Sam said they rely on donations for extra items and funding to make the events a bit more special and to meet some of the needs of residents. The Friends regularly contribute materials or funds to the home to help facilitate special celebrations, events and to provide certain resources for residents. Sam is able to work with the Friends to make sure they are helping get resources and events into Cedar House Care Home that are needed and will be appreciated by residents and staff alike.  

For coffee mornings, the Friends provide cakes for residents and help to set up and host the event. Residents love the chance to chat with volunteers and with each other, because they don’t always get the opportunity to spend time together. Coffee mornings bring a festive atmosphere to the home and Sam said “anything with cake and tea always goes down well with residents.” Sam said residents also always love music, which is something coffee mornings sometimes incorporate through the radio or by bringing in live entertainers. 

 Outside of coffee mornings, the Friends helped raise money for a Summer House, supply toiletries for residents and treats for the trolley, and raise money for specialist equipment and events. The Friends also recruit and bring volunteers into the home, including students. Sam fondly remembered a time prior to lockdown when groups of students brought in by the Friends organised a painting event to make art with residents.  

 Sam said during lockdown, many of the residents of Cedar House, especially those with dementia, did not understand why volunteers and family were not coming to visit and felt almost abandoned. Sam said it has been lovely for the residents to have people like the Friends coming back into the home on a regular basis. 

Val Pyper is the minister at the Harefield Baptist Church which is just down the road from Cedar House Care Home. Val has been volunteering with the Friends of Cedar House for just over two years to help host monthly coffee mornings and to share religious services and prayer. Val hosts religious services throughout the year at Cedar House care home, like at Christmas and Easter, but she is also called on by the home to speak and pray with individual residents.  “The home is so welcoming, the residents are so caring and so well cared for,” Val said. “It’s lovely to be with staff. The whole feeling of the whole home is a warm, welcoming place.” 

 At monthly coffee mornings, Val helps to host the event for Cedar House residents and ends the morning with a closing prayer. She said the event is an important way to build connections between the care home, the church and the wider village of Harefield.  “I think it’s important we keep those links between the church and the care home and the community going, so I think there’s lots where that doesn’t actually happen, which I think is sad for the community, sad for the home, sad for the churches. So I think these coffee mornings are important for the relationship with the community and with this care home.” 

 Being from a Christian background, Val said she feels the role she and other friends from Harefield Baptist Church play is especially important.  “I think it just helps and it also helps families if they know that somebody from a church background is coming in, especially when they have to call on the church when they lose a loved one,” Val said.  

Having the coffee morning as a regular event has helped the Friends to build relationships with residents. While the residents may not always remember that an event happens month to month or recognise a regular volunteer, Val said the volunteers will remember the residents.  “It’s really nice, you can engage in conversation because you remember them from last month, what their hobbies are, what they’ve been doing, and I think that’s a really important thing,” Val said.  

You can never know whether a resident will remember a volunteer once they leave for the day, or how they have been impacted, but Val said it is important to try and find a connection and common ground while together. She said it’s always nice to see when residents are responding to a topic of conversation, or an activity brought on by the Friends. She said the Christmas events are always extra special because the residents are usually familiar with the Christmas carols and stories that are shared. 

Val said while she enjoys helping with coffee mornings, she is also pleased that the home feels that they can call on her at other times to visit residents for prayer or to provide them with comfort. One of the most rewarding relationships she has formed with the home was with a bedridden resident who she has been regularly visiting to pray with. She said she loves seeing how well cared for the resident is and that she is able to talk with staff and with herself about God.  

More generally, Val said she loves seeing the joy residents get from speaking with her as a volunteer, about any topic. She said they love to talk about the garden and the work that is being done there.  

A monthly favourite returned to Cedar House on Monday 12^th December 2022. Friends of Cedar House and volunteers from Harefield Baptist Church came together to host a coffee morning, which has been held monthly since August 2022. Residents had a wonderful time enjoying festive cakes, tea and coffee, and volunteers had a wonderful time chatting with the lovely residents. Residents and volunteers alike enjoyed the chance to chat 1 to 1 and build connections with each other. Living in a care home can be a very isolating experience and chatting with new and familiar people every month brings residents a lot of joy. While the food, drink and conversation were wonderful, they weren’t the only highlights of the event. Singers from Harefield Baptist Church sang hymns and carols accompanied by a keyboard player to celebrate the Christmas season. The event created a lovely festive atmosphere in the home and was enjoyed by all.

Monday 7^th of November was another lovely morning at Cedar House Care Home, with the Friends and volunteers from Harefield Baptist Church organising a monthly coffee morning for residents. Events like this one are extremely important in care homes to help combat loneliness in residents. The monthly coffee morning creates a fun and relaxing environment for people to spend time together, and chatting makes the residents feel seen by volunteers who are able to spend time with them. 11 residents attended the event and enjoyed hot drinks, cakes, biscuits and wonderful conversation. The event ended with residents and volunteers saying a prayer and singing hymns together. Everyone had a lovely morning, residents left in a good mood and feeling happy and grateful for the experience.

Friends of Cedar House and volunteers from Harefield Baptist Church and other groups came together on Monday 12^th of September to host Cedar House’s second monthly coffee morning for residents. 13 residents joined volunteers for the event, where they shared great conversation, tea, coffee and delicious desserts. The coffee morning is a lovely event residents can look forward to each month as a chance to come together. Residents love the opportunity to chat with each other and with volunteers and Friends. While all of the volunteers worked together to organise and host the event, Friends brought along the tea, coffee and desserts. The event ended with the volunteers from Harefield Baptist Church saying a prayer and singing hymns. Everyone always leaves the coffee morning feeling better than when they arrived and in a great mood. The next coffee morning at the home will be happening in October.

Cedar House Care Home threw a garden party on Friday 19^th of August that featured all kinds of fun events for residents, including a raffle.

The raffle was made possible in part by the Friends of Cedar House who contributed prizes.

Contributions by the Friends included a barbecue, large lego, 6 different bottles of alcohol, a handbag, a room diffuser, and a jar of sweets.

These donations made the celebration even more interesting and were appreciated by residents, staff and others who visited on the day. However, nobody appreciated the donations as much as the raffle winners who got to take home the wonderful prizes.

On Monday 8^th of August, Friends of Cedar House organised the care home’s first coffee morning.

Many volunteers made the event possible, including Pastor Val Pyper and other volunteers from Harefield Baptist Church. After the Friends set up tables, desserts and the tea trolley, they along with other volunteers spent time chatting with residents.

Everyone spent time talking while they enjoyed hot drinks and delicious cakes brought along by the Friends. Residents loved feeling like they were seen and appreciated by volunteers who took the time to chat with them.

In addition to making the residents feel special, the event also helped them connect with the wider community. For care home residents this interaction is especially appreciated because homes can often seem isolated from the community, leaving residents feeling lonely.

The funds were spent on rattan garden furniture for the visitor’s pod, other items for the  visitor’s pod such as flowerpot and floral jug canvas, Smart TV including Google Chromecast dongle, multisensory items for the quiet lounge, outdoor bench, plants and water feature, goodies and sweets for residents. All of this really helped to enhance the lives of the residents and tackle the loneliness after the pandemic.

Christmas is a time of shared joy. During those days, we all love celebrating, meeting with our families, and exchanging presents. But festivities can be difficult for those who may not be as lucky as we are, especially during the challenging times we’re currently living.

Friends of Cedar House wanted residents to get their well-deserved Christmas joy, and they were delighted to donate 5 Christmas trees, plus Christmas treats such as drinks, snacks and stocking fillers to the care home. Everybody loves waking up on Christmas morning with a heartfelt gift, and nothing makes it better than a Christmas stocking! Both residents and staff truly appreciated the donations and gifts, which sparked the festive spirit at Cedar House.

Items such as flowers, diffusers, essential oils, rattan furniture and mirrors will make the summer house a nice and relaxing place where the residents can enjoy their days.

Although still not allowed to happen at Cedar House, it was great to meet Patience in person again and catch up. It was an opportunity to discuss plans and ideas. The Friends examined ways to use recently raised funds with the home manager, including purchasing multi-sensory and garden equipment. But Patience and the Friends didn’t just stop at present; they also talked about the future. The conversation brought up thoughts and ideas the home manager had for Cedar House. The Friends are glad to have such discussions as they’re essential to achieve the goal they share with care homes: supporting residents. The meeting continued with some catching up between the Friends and Patience, which have a genuine relationship and enjoy the time together. Their bond ultimately results in the smooth collaboration that benefits those staying at Cedar House.

Both Patience and the Friends were pleased they could once again work together towards improving residents’ wellbeing. They now look forward to seeing each other at the next Committee Meeting, where they will discuss plans and ideas in further detail.

The residents at Cedar House Care Home are really grateful for another purchase of toiletries from the Friends. Since the beginning of the pandemic the home is experiencing a real shortage of toiletries and everyone in the home is really glad the Friends are able to help.

At some point during the pandemic, the situation in care homes across the UK moved into the centre of attention: numerous news outlets spoke about our elderly growing lonely due to the restrictions in place that inhibited families to see their beloved grandparents. Nurses and caretakers worked incredible hours not being able to leave the care home for days on end to ensure that the care home residents were as protected from the virus as possible. A lack of human interaction, stressed and overworked caretakers, and an overwhelming feeling of being left alone were the consequences. And yet, one thing that was rarely mentioned was the shortage of everyday essentials like toiletries many care home residents encountered. As a matter of fact, most elderly living in retirement homes rely on their family and friends to bring them things like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc., during visits. And with social distancing rules in place, this wasn’t possible at all.

In the midst of this strenuous situation, volunteers stepped up to provide some comfort for the care home residents by organising care packages; amongst them the Crown Church in Uxbridge, which arranged three generous toiletry donations for the Cedar House Care Home during the lockdowns. We spoke with Dan Smith, one of the pastors of the Crown Church, who was involved in the donation process.

The Crown Church was approached through email asking for a donation for the Cedar House Care Home, as the residents ran out of everyday essentials like toiletries. With many local shops being closed down due to Covid-19 as well as many residents not having the funds to pay for things like these, the care home was in desperate need of help. Since his Grandad lives in a retirement home himself, Dan is well aware of the things that went on behind the closed care home doors during the lockdown. So when he heard about the issues at the Cedar House, he knew he had to do something about it: “It was a simple call for help and a simple response.” Although there was no prior connection between the Crown Church and the Cedar House, naturally, they were happy to help. “We were well aware that there would be plenty of needs in the borough, so we asked the Crown Church community for some spare money for donations.” Due to this foresight, they were able to move quickly and help the care home out. Together with two volunteers, Dan put together a care package for the residents, including shampoos, shower gels, toothpaste, and many more everyday essentials. For the first two donations, one of the volunteers took the package to the care home, dropped it at their entry, and left immediately. It was then picked up by a care worker and brought inside—completely social distancing friendly.

Up to today, the Crown Church facilitated three toiletries care packages for the Cedar House Care Home residents. For the third donation, the Crown Church changed its approach: an Amazon order was placed and directly delivered to the care home, making the process even safer and more convenient for everyone involved.

This shows that something very simple can already make a difference—no matter if big or small—for many lives. “It really only takes one request, and people are willing to do it. Churches are always willing to do what they can to help, especially in extraordinary times like this!”

The money will be spent on various items that will enhance the lives of the residents at Cedar House. For example, some furniture for the visitor pod, a ‘smart’ television for general use to nurture and expand the virtual volunteering, some multisensory items which help people with dementia or communication problems to feel connected and stimulated. The grant will also pay for a lovely new bench and extra flowers and plants for the garden. We will also hold a thank you event for volunteers on Zoom, sending cream teas so we can enjoy a scone together!

For many volunteers like Jean, the time they spend at care homes has a hugely positive impact not only on residents but on themselves. Jean began volunteering many years ago in homes in the 1990s after her mother moved to a nursing home. The move inspired to help the residents of care homes in whatever way she could, namely injecting some fun and joy into their days through regular visits. For the families of many residents, Jean is the first port-of-call to soothe their worries about their loved one making the life-changing move to live in a care home. As Jean explains, ‘you cannot look after your loved one at home like they can do 24/7 in a care home. I explain that I had to put my mum in a care home – after you’ve got over the initial shock, you’ll realise that that’s the best thing you could have done. You can still go and visit them and if you’re able to you can take them out’. Having a friendly face like Jean explain how well looked after residents in care homes are certainly goes a long way in dissuading these very common worries.

Later on in life Jean’s partners Alzheimer’s worsened, and he sadly had to move to Cedar House full time. Now with an even stronger connection to care homes, Jean continued to be passionate in making the care home a happy and vibrant place and leading her to kindly volunteer her time for not just her husband, but all the residents at Cedar House. Jean makes sure that those who unfortunately don’t have relatives or friends to visit them never feel alone. She loves talking to the residents, in her own words ‘making a fuss of them’, and making the residents feel special and valued, something which in turn adds value to Jean’s own life. As she says, ‘as soon as they see me their face lights up, That’s the payment for what you do’.

Along with the rest of the nation, Jean has been unfortunately unable to maintain her usual routine during lockdown. Outside of this time there’d be an array of activities she’d be throwing herself in at Cedar House, from a risky bet on the Grand National to celebrating raffles wins – ‘before lockdown we’d have entertainment and Easter bonnet competitions, it just makes life more normal and fun’. Jean can’t wait to get herself back in Cedar Wood house doing the volunteering that she, and the residents, love.

The future and the re-opening of Cedar House for volunteers and visitors is looking positive. Last year, Jean managed to raise a huge three thousand pounds for the home. Along with four other trustees who volunteer for another residential home, Jean managed to secure enough funds for a huge summer house for Cedar House, a place where residents can relax and enjoy some much-needed entertainment as the weather gets warmer. Jean even generously raised funds to support Cedar House at her husband’s funeral, showing how much the care home means to her and her constant unwavering support for the care home. As Jean explains, ‘I haven’t been able to go since March, I just want to get my feet back under the table!’.

Both residents and volunteers rely on their relationship as a chance to connect, have fun and spend time together. As Jean explains, ‘I feel that I’m missing out on something as well as them’.  Despite a turbulent year for volunteers and the roles they play, there’s been a lot of hope and we are looking forward to seeing residents back socialising and volunteers re-introduced to their roles. This is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!

This funding was used to purchase a Garden Summer House which will be used as a socially isolated space for visitors to meet their family members who are resident in the home

Thank you to Crown Church In  Uxbridge for their generous donation of toiletries  for the residents in Cedar House Care Home. This support is highly appreciated and makes a real difference in the current times.

Thank you to St Johns the Baptist Church in Hillingdon for their ongoing donations of toiletries for the residents in Cedar House Care Home. All the kind donations are making a huge difference for residents in the current challenging times.

We would like to say thank you to a  group of people from St.Johns Hillingdon Church in Uxbridge for organising and donating toiletries to Cedar House Care Home earlier this month. This is really appreciated.

We would like to say thank you to Crown Church in Uxbridge which organised the delivery of toiletries to Cedar House Care Home on 12^th of June. This is highly appreciated by  residents and staff.

Nowhere has this been felt more than in care homes, where eager residents have sadly been unable to look forward to their usual visit from friends and family.  Situations like this can be unsettling for both loved ones and residents; however, in the midst of such an adverse situation, volunteers have stepped up to provide some comfort for residents in the form of generous donations. Adhering to social distancing, they have gifted the residents with some much-needed necessities, kindly picked up on the doorstep by staff.

Many of the residents of the care home rely on their visitors to bring them their toiletries and home comforts, ranging from basics such as soap and shower gel to essential self-care items such as nail polish and a pink lipstick or two! With current distancing guidelines in place and essential shops having been shut for months on end, acquiring these necessities has become increasingly difficult. Staff are run off their feet and with the local shops closed it’s no longer as easy to acquire these things. Although staff have attempted to help out, there remained a distinct shortage in the home. The Friends of Cedar House care home have reached out to the local community and many have generously donated to the home in these pressing times.

Volunteers have long since made up the fabric of Cedar House care home. As Samanatha Dreelan, well-being co-ordinator explains, ‘we’ve had so much support in the past. Last year a couple of groups came in a did a few projects, painting a downstairs indoor garden and painting the sensory room. People have even come in singing at Christmastime. It’s fantastic.’ However, unable to do their usual tasks, volunteers have still been keen to make a difference and have adapted to the circumstances by bringing in donations. For Samantha, these items are a huge help. ‘The main help has been the toiletries, things like pop socks, hair brushes, nail clippers, manicures… it’s nice to be pampered and people can easily forget that these are so important for our residents. It’s little things that we take for granted, we haven’t been able to pop in the shops and just buy a few little items. Little things like that make such a difference, I can usually pick them up and claim it back but I just haven’t been able to.’

‘We rely on donations from people that don’t have a lot. Silly things like shower gel, shampoos, you wouldn’t think about. For someone who doesn’t have anyone that can supply them it really makes a big difference, toothbrushes, razors. If you haven’t got any family to buy any of them it’s hard It makes such a difference just to brighten their day.’

These small but vital acts of kindness remind us the importance of community, coming together and caring for others during such a difficult time, and shows the adaptability and resilience of volunteers as they continue to give the best care they can in an ever-changing landscape. For the residents, that touch of lipstick and a spray of aftershave reminds them that, despite not being able to see their family, friends and volunteers, the care of others is still all around them.

The money will go towards  toiletries such as  shampoos, shower gels, and disposable razors to have a good stock as there has been a shortage lately.  To ease the isolation,  so residents can keep in touch with their friends, relatives and volunteers via Skype or Zoom, part of money will go towards tablets.. Part of the budget will also be spent on  portable radios and  games such as jigsaws or playing cards to keep residents entertained.

Dear Care Home Friend,

In less than a month it feels like everything has changed. As I was looking at my diary for March, we had committee meetings planned for most homes, and lots of volunteers on the brink of starting. I did get to a Dementia Cafe in very early March but within days we were having to look at everything differently.

In all homes, we have no volunteers going in. Understandably, most care homes won’t even allow families to visit residents except in very extenuating circumstances.

We regularly hear from volunteers who want to help, to continue to do something to support the residents and staff of the home that they are supporting. If any of you have any thoughts about something volunteers might practically do, please let us know.

So what are we doing? The King’s Fund, where our offices are located, shut down  at very  short notice. The last few hours looked a bit like we are passengers on the Titanic grabbing the essentials for an unknown period in the lifeboats. At this point, the care homes support team are all set up to work from home.

You may continue to hear from Sona who is totally reviewing and updating all our records relating to volunteers. We are contacting some as part of the process. Also we are continuing to have regular enquiries from people who want to get involved once we come out the other side of this current situation. We are processing their applications, taking up references etc.

Alongside this Said and Kim are getting the financial records up to date. Today is the last day of the care home groups financial year, so there is plenty to do to prepare the draft accounts.

Alongside this we are continuing to look for funders who might support the projects you have told us you would like to do.

So, while perhaps less physically present, we are continuing to work hard to ensure these projects are in the best position they can be, once we return to practical day to day volunteering in the homes.

Once again, if you have any ideas on what else we might do now, do get in touch. In the meantime, do stay safe and well.

With very best wishes

Nichole Wheaton

Head of Projects Delivery
Tel: 020 7307 2570
Email: nichole.wheaton@attend.org.uk
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On Thursday 17th October, IMG Studios volunteered at Cedar House Care Home for their “Walk the Walk” community service initiative. The volunteers were enthusiastic to brighten residents’ days through a variety of activities. They first revamped the multi-sensory room in the care home. Upon arrival, the room was painted in white. Since this backdrop was unfit for the purpose of stimulation, IMG Studios volunteers painted the room a cheerful, vibrant purple shade. It instantly transformed the vibe of the room from ordinary to exciting. The fresh coat of paint will brightly welcome residents with dementia into a room where they can enjoy mental stimulation. There are also a few multi-sensory activities already available in the room, with more to come in the future.
IMG Studios volunteers also interacted with Cedar House residents during their lunch break. Lunch is a routine part of their structured days, but it brings everyone together and gives them a chance to connect with each other. Volunteers joined them by chatting and helping care home staff serve the food. Residents were excited to talk to new faces in addition to those they already knew, which helped create a sense of a wider community.
After lunch, volunteers hosted a sing along for residents, which included crowd favourites from their younger years. Residents were given lyrics to the songs so regardless of whether or not they knew the words, they were able to participate. One of the volunteers happily led the residents in song, passing the microphone to give everyone a chance in the spotlight. The activity put smiles on the faces of all residents as they thought back on old memories and created new ones.
The volunteers also brought donations for Cedar House residents. They offered residents cake and tea after the sing along and lunch, which are treats they don’t often get to enjoy. Additionally, volunteers gave residents a variety of toiletries, such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. Although toiletries are basic necessities, this gift was a symbol of how the volunteers care about residents’ well-being. The donations meant a lot to the residents, especially because many of them may not receive gifts at all.
IMG Studios’ volunteers made a big impact on Cedar House residents. Their eagerness to spend time with residents created a joyful mood throughout the care home, which was contagious to both the residents and staff. Their compassion for the Cedar House community will now be remembered in the long run every time someone looks at the purple walls.

Skanska voted to dedicate their volunteering day to the Cedar House Care Home because helping the residents who often struggle with isolation and lack of stimulation means a lot to them. Skanska’s 20 employees came to Cedar House Care Home with one goal in mind: to revitalise their gardens so residents have a cheerful place to enjoy.

Cedar House residents have shared with us that their gardens were a place they would like to spend time in, but usually do not because they were not as bright and lively as they were in the past. The Skanska volunteers wanted to transform the garden into a place that residents would appreciate and benefit from, since they mostly stay inside of the care home. Gardens provide residents with a variety of sensory stimulation, such as the smell of the flowers, the sound of the wildlife, the sight of the vibrant colours, and the textures of all the different plants. They also give residents an opportunity to get some light exercise by walking around the building and experiencing all the gardens have to offer.

Skanska volunteers did many things to bring the garden back to life. They picked weeds and planted new flowers, power washed the pavement, and repainted tables and benches. They even painted a garden mural inside the care home for residents who cannot easily access the garden.

After a hard day’s work, the outcome was incredible. The garden looks brand new, with brightly painted yard furniture and newly planted flowers. The pavement in and around the garden is spotless. The Skanska volunteers worked incredibly well together to achieve all of this in only around 5 hours. Cedar House residents have now the opportunity to spend more time outdoors in a lovely space.

Friends of Cedar House Care Home were happy to sponsor Skanska’s Volunteering Day. We know how big of an impact just one day can make when volunteers come together with enthusiasm and determination, just as Skanska did. Many of the Skanska volunteers were thrilled at how beautiful the garden now looks compared to the beginning of that day due to their efforts. The event helped them achieve a deeper sense of unity and camaraderie within their community.

There are even more plans for enlivening the Cedar House Care Home gardens. Friends of Cedar House Care Home plan on building a brand new summerhouse for the back garden. This will allow the care home to store gardening tools on their premises, so they can ensure the upkeep of the garden all year long. This will also make it easier for Friends of Cedar House to host future events like this one, without having to worry about transporting gardening supplies ourselves. We hope that continuing to maintain the Cedar House gardens will improve the lives of their residents for the long run.

Before and After Photos

The group visited three times, and on each occasion you could feel the buzz of energy between the 20 or young people, and the residents of the home.

The group decided to do some fundraising to help buy some added extras for the residents. They set themselves a target of £1000.

They also held a campaign day to raise awareness of people living with dementia.

On their day in the home, the group decided to spend time with the residents working on different initiatives the residents had identified. The two key ones were hand massages, and nail painting, as well as planting up nine hanging baskets for the back garden.

One of the residents, Joan said, “aren’t they lovely people”. We are glad she thought so as three of the NCS group have decided to permanently volunteer at the home.

We first met Ruth through her ministry at Harefield Baptist Church. As Ruth now moves to Milton Keynes to continue her work, we want to thank her for everything she has done, and wish her every success and happiness in her new role.

The project was born following a series of consultations with family members and carers of the care home residents which indicated a strong need for introducing a service that focused entirely on the residents’ wellbeing and their relationships with the local community, as they can often feel lonely and isolated.

We will train volunteers to provide companionship and emotional support as well as 1:1 relationships with elderly residents who can often fell overlooked by society. We believe that introducing the Building Stronger Bridges project at Cedar House will not only build a stronger local community, but will also benefit the residents who have requested more activities.

Local residents will play a key role in the establishment of the project. Providing this opportunity for people to make a difference to their elderly neighbours can break down islands within the local community. Local residents will be given the chance to connect and spend time with older residents. The initiative will strengthen the community as local volunteers learn from and engage with the older generation in a humbling experience. This project is a chance to learn that care homes are not places to be afraid of or to avoid. For the residents, it is a chance to see new faces, discover different interests and stories and, as a result, make each day different.  Fostering social interaction and commitment to looking after each other is a vital step in growing healthy and strong communities.

Friends of Cedar House are a group of enthusiastic volunteers who aim to improve the well-being of the residents of Cedar House Care Home. Friends of Cedar House can now support residents in gardening activities to help them stay healthy and socially engaged.

The benefits of gardening are endless but most importantly it is an excellent exercise. Moving around in the garden and looking after the plants means the residents will be able to increase physical strength, mobility and hand grip without putting excessive strain on their bodies.

Thanks to an improved garden, residents will have the ability to harvest their own plants which will be a perfect topic to discuss with others over a cup of tea at the new tables and chairs. A sense of accomplishment in plant growing will give residents a boost of confidence and improve their mental well-being. Additionally, gardening outdoors means spending more time in the sun. Thanks to this residents will notice a positive change in their mood as well as find themselves more stress-relieved.

Gardening in a care home is a way for residents to get together. With this project, specially-trained volunteers will engage with the residents to cultivate and enjoy the gardening hobby together. A responsibility shared between the residents will give more opportunities to socialise, build new friendships, and eventually bond with other residents or volunteers.

Spending more time in the garden is an opportunity for an exciting learning process. Residents will have the ability to gain new skills and spark an interest in something that they might not have had an interest in before. This means that regular garden-tending will keep the residents’ mind active which is a helpful technique in Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

With the combined efforts of Friends of Cedar House, the staff and the volunteers at Cedar House Care Home, the residents will be given a therapeutic chance to make the most out of their garden and health, and as a result, age gracefully.

With this project, we will purchase a specialist sensory case for the elderly as a tool to exercise sensory perception. The case will include a variety of equipment for residents with dementia and those who might need some sensory stimulation.

The sensory case contains tools which will give the residents the opportunity to exercise visual, olfactory and auditory perception. Musical gloves will give the residents the opportunity to play music with ease and the fruits card game will allow them to recognise and match fragrances with fruits.

Additionally, cushions and armchair covers of various textures will constitute a tool to explore tactile perception.

The kit will be a chance to build a bridge between trained volunteers and the residents, form new meaningful relationships developed through leisure whilst simultaneously improving their physical health. Our volunteers will contribute to improving the lives of residents by exercising day-to-day tasks which involve sensory stimulation. Thanks to this project, residents will gain confidence in recognising textures, sounds and scents and, consequently, improve their concentration and memory.

The Multisensory Equipment project is one more step forward in making residents’ lives more enjoyable and meaningful.

Jean has been a trustee of a residential care home in Beaconsfield where during her trusteeship she helped raise money for the Resident Comfort Fund. For many years Jean was also chair of governors at the local junior school in Iver Heath.

Volunteering is a cause close to her heart since her husband had been diagnosed with Dementia at only 64 years of age and he became a resident in a care home in Slough. “When this home had to close down we moved him to Cedar House where I have volunteered ever since my husband passed away”, Jean explained. In the incomprehensibly difficult time of the loss of a loved one, Cedar House staff had been extremely supportive to Jean. “The staff are fantastic, they helped me so much when my husband passed away”, she recalled, “they made it feel like they were family”.

Jean’s first-hand experience made her realise how important it is for residents to be around volunteers. “Making them happy is such a gratifying experience”, she explained. Jean engages in numerous activities with the residents at Cedar House. Whether it is starting a conversation, singing and playing old music or visiting the zoo land and having a coffee in the Garden Centre – Jean will do what it takes to put a smile on residents’ faces. “Sometimes even just a chat is all they need, and once you’ve approached them, it’s a matter of seconds for them to brighten up!” Jean also engages in the weekly painting sessions – her experience with aesthetic art came out in the open when she partook in those as well as decorated the rooms of Cedar House, “one time I arranged daffodils in bouquets and had all the residents ask if they were decorated by a professional”, she confessed. “Being a hairdresser you have that arty feeling about you, and it does play a role in daily activities with the elderly”, she explained.

“I love talking to them and I love how they’re always looking out to see me. “That is the most rewarding feeling one could experience”, Jean said.

“Since I retired I have been volunteering every day apart from weekends.” Jean is a proud owner of a dog who accompanies her and the two of her grandchildren in their weekly hiking trips. Jean is always out and about but does not think of stopping helping the elderly – she will carry on volunteering and advises everyone else to do so too, “it’s the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped somebody”.

Although her voluntary work might be sometimes overwhelming and trigger memories from the past, she “just wants to make the residents feel wanted”. “I will carry on doing what I do here”, Jean stated firmly. Jean would advise anyone to volunteer, “go ahead and do it. It is a rewarding job. You don’t have to receive money to be rewarded for what you do”.

The service offers residents of Cedar House Care Home a range of goods to purchase including books, music records, cards, toiletries, gifts, and sweets. The residents can make independent choices and treat themselves or their loved ones by choosing items from the “shop on wheels”.

Not only does Trolley Service respond to residents’ need of purchasing basic goods, but it also provides an opportunity to chat with volunteers on duty. Visiting the residents’ room on a regular basis allows volunteers to engage with residents and brighten their day with a chat. Conversation – a seemingly simple act – can make a great impact on an elderly person’s sense of well-being. The Trolley Service also captures some of the elements of life happening outside of the care home which residents long for the most. Incidental chit-chats resulting from the service stand a chance to become a beginning of friendships and meaningful relationships between residents and volunteers, allowing volunteers to play an active role in making residents’ lives more enjoyable.

On Friday 7^th July 2017 the group came to the Home to meet and chat to residents of the home. They then came together to sing some of their favourite songs with the residents.

The volunteers went on to support the weekly trolley service at the Home which goes around to each room offering residents the chance to purchase items they wouldn’t normally be able to buy; from sweets to toiletries, cards and gifts.

They returned on Saturday 8^th July 2017 but this time to get their hands dirty by doing some work on the garden; putting new plants down all around the grounds of the home and also planting new raise bed in the garden (bought by the Friends of Care Homes). The volunteers also got creative with the fence, painting it in a colourful pattern which really makes the garden stand out. Finally to keep the garden in good condition for the residents the paths were jet washed and the whole garden tidied by the volunteers.

The first day began with a session on getting to know the home. The group then met and spent time with the residents in some of the lounges and ended the day singing to residents in the garden.

On the second day the group returned much to the delight of the residents. The group had practiced a a performance which they did in the garden, they then played games and chatted to residents.

The following week the group returned for their social action day. They had worked hard raising money to buy plants for the home many of which were to go in raised beds purchased by the Friends of Cedar House. They had also fundraised for paint to paint one of the fences with a design they had created. A lot of time was spent jet washing the paths which vastly improved their appearance. The garden was much more attractive and we hope the residents enjoy the beautiful flowers and herbs throughout the summer.

The day was a great success and we are hoping to welcome another group in the future. 

This project will be a trolley service, with the aim to improve each of the lives of the 42 residents of the home. By setting up a trolley service it means that Friends can visit the residents in their room on a daily basis, to offer the option of buying items or just having a chat. Following from this, other activities will develop.

What happens on the trolley will vary: it may be sweets one day, toiletries, or books on another or even a theme for the holidays, for example Christmas.  It will be an opportunity for the residents to treat themselves or a loved one, even if they are unable to get out to the shops. Even if the residents don’t wish to buy anything, the trolley service will encourage friendly chats on a daily basis and help to ease the loneliness and isolation that can occur.

Volunteers will be trained and will run the trolley service, to give the residents a chance to see new faces and make some new friends.

The residents will be encouraged to request items such as socks or toiletries, and the trolley will have some small freebies to give away.

Pinda, the activities co-ordinator is delighted, saying “this means we will be able to support more of our residents to keep in with their friends and relatives on skype.

The laptop will also be used to help access the many online resources which can be interesting and helpful to people living with dementia.

The Friends have received funding for a trolley service which will be up and running soon. There are also 2 carol singing events planned and the dates for these will be confirmed in the near future.

As part of his role, he is patron of each of the friends groups in care homes.

Pictured here, he is talking to Nichole, project manager, and Kahlil who is newly appointed to the team. He was delighted to hear of the progress to date.

The Committee met and are looking to purchase new equipment for the trolley service and have submitted a bid for mobile multisensory equipment. We have applied to the Charity Commission to become a registered charity.

It will take a little while to get set up, but hopefully will be fully operational by Christmas.

She currently studies at Sixth Form College where she spoke about her introduction to the basics behind dementia that dealt with understanding more of the health field, too.

Currently, she volunteers at The Friends of Cedar House Care Home on a weekly basis coming in every Wednesday from 2-5pm in between College. Orla loved how she was introduced to all the staff and residents that she would be working with, giving her that sense of comfort and love.

In the beginning, she was nervous because she had never worked directly with individuals suffering from dementia. “Knowledge of how the brain and nervous system work coherently gave me the confidence to make strong connections through small conversations with the residents,” said Orla. Recently, she has been working to pass her Level “A” examination.

Orla says working at the care home has made her appreciate her own life much more and she views the world from a different point of view.  Even though she has only been volunteering here since January, caring for the elderly at Cedar House Care Home has been different in many ways from her studies in the classroom at college because it has given her a hands-on experience and one that is entirely different each time she volunteers. From the beautifully painted pictures that she works on with the residents, she remembers times of her own childhood of painting in her art classes that she treasures. Orla speaks about how her family and friends have found her to be more patient after only several weeks of volunteering.  This remark, has allowed her to see how much of a difference she is making in the residents lives every time she sits down with them for tea and coffee, paints that beautiful picture, or simply says hello.

One of her supervisors told her how much the four residents look forward to going with her to the coffee shop each Wednesday afternoon; it is all they talk about leading up to the day. “What a perfect picture it is seeing how much the four of them smile after we have sipped on some coffee and spoken about their favourite past times.”  She was moved and devoted to branching out of her comfort zone and meeting and interacting with new people.

Orla has found many benefits to volunteering and it has given her a greater respect for the community as well as a self-confidence boost when it comes to giving presentations or speaking with individuals at College. She has become very attached to many of the residents.

After attending University and before coming to Cedar House Care Home, she worked with individuals who had suffered from acquired brain injuries as a community worker at Head Way. Ruth could not express enough her great amount of love for Cedar House Care Home and how she admires the warm welcome that she receives from staff there when she walks through the doors. “Every question I have is answered with a smile and this volunteering role is so rewarding,” stated Ruth.

For several years now, Ruth has been a minister at her local church. She has done many events with her church members around the community, and enjoys leading services in care homes. Aside from coordinating volunteer activities of the church she comes into the care home with members from her church to hold Sunday services. The residents have learned from word-of-mouth from each other about these services, and it recently has gathered a number of care home residents together for an hour.

“It’s wonderful to see a group of people smile so much from our songs that we all sing together.” Some of residents do not speak and cannot sing the songs, but they have that warm spirit that can be seen all over their faces when everyone is singing and smiling around them. Everyone feels included in the service, even if they do not practice the same religion. The services are all about welcoming the residents to be a part of something that they can enjoy and look forward to each month. Sometimes the residents bring their own immediate family members to participate in the services, as well.

“I simply cannot name all of the beneficial aspects that have come out of this volunteering experience so far as there are too many.”

It was supported in its ambitions by Attend Academy. Other supporting organisations were Harefield Baptist Church, and the Harefield Academy.

In August 2016, the Friends of Cedar House were thrilled to receive funding from Awards for All to set up a trolley service. The trolley includes squash, sweets, and small gifts. The trolley, largely run by volunteers provides a talking point for residents and something to look forward to, and provides an opportunity to exercise choice. It’s an important foundational activity for the community to get involved in, and has been described as a garden gate, something to lean on and chat over. One of the most important roles of the home has been involvement with young people, either individually or in groups. In July 2017, the first visit by the National Citizenship Service took place, and this began a long relationship over many years.

Skanska were the first local corporate to send their staff to volunteer alongside the Friends of Cedar House in September. The Skanska staff split into teams, and focussed on projects both inside and outside the home. Alongside this, they had time to sit and chat with residents.

In 2021, the Friends of Cedar House were delighted to receive funding of £5313 from the Fassnidge Memorial Trust. The funds supported so many initiatives across a period of 12 months for the residents. The money received also funded the purchase of a summerhouse. The idea was to provide residents who weren’t confident to leave Cedar House to have the option to go out.

In August 2022 with the relaxation of Covid regulations, the Friends partnered with Harefield Baptist Church to set up a regular coffee morning. New volunteers from the local community have come into the home, and delighted residents by taking them for tea, coffee, cake, and a chat.