The Friends of Horse Fair support the work of the home situated within Rugeley, Staffordshire. Horse Fair is a purpose built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. Horse Fair Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.
The Friends aim to improve the quality of life of the residents of the care home by working with staff, residents and relatives.
The Friends of Horse Fair Care Home are looking to looking to develop services on the site. We have found that this is particularly valued by some residents who through deteriorating health do not have the confidence to come out of their rooms. Alongside this we support the care homes’ activities’ coordinators by providing extra pairs of hands during organised activity sessions and outings.
Thank you to Tesco
Grant from Tesco helps ease residents isolation
The Friends of Horse Fair Care Home are really grateful for a grant from Tesco which was used for purchase of 2x iPads, musical instruments, 2x karaoke machines and 2x echo dots for residents. All of the these items are great help to ease the isolation for residents in current times and bringing entertainment for them.
Musicians in Residence and in Online Concert at Horsefair Care Hom
In these restricted times, it is so important to break up the day-to-day, to have something to look forward to. Music is the opportunity to express feelings that our words might fail to do, which so many of us are experiencing right now.
Friends of Horsefair and Live Music Now musicians Elfair and Hedi had been providing an opportunity to do this for the residents of Horsefair, during regular sessions held December through to March. With their instruments in tow, they wanted to bring the transcendental joy of music into the residents’ lives, help them learn something new and exciting, and provide them new ways of expressing themselves.
In sessions, residents at Horsefair had been inspired to create music with Elfair and Hedi, with some singing Fields of Gold, duetting with Hedi acappella, or picking up new skills through lessons on the baby harp, led by Elfair. During one performance another resident, Violet, laid her hand on the playing guitar, connecting herself with the music, and said simply: “That’s beautiful.” Another took up the ukele, having had one at his home before moving to Newcross, and delivered a George Formby song, to much applause.
Beyond these performances, a floor drum was used to create musical conversations. A rhythm is struck between two people, alternating between one another to build a dialogue, and communicate feeling that might not be so easily expressed otherwise. Drumsticks were provided for use, but this didn’t prevent one resident from adding his wit and humour, by alternating the drumsticks for his cane, much to the amusement of everyone else. The enthusiasm with which the staff and residents alike took to the sessions revealed the power of music to enrich their lives. A hidden talent was revealed by one staff member, Celina, who brought her recorder from home to lead a session.
Confidence grew in staff and residents alike: “The talented musicians Elfair and Hedi have had us all taking part in music making from our favourite musicians and folks songs.” The musicians remember residents being “so engaged with the session, moving to the music, dancing and never stopping playing their instruments.”
These moments of fun, beauty and freedom continue to go on, even under the Covid restrictions, through a remote concert recorded by Elfair. It includes many of the residents favourite songs, beginning, as they always did their sessions in person, with a beautiful rendition of Pachelbels Canon in D, which is followed by plenty of chances for the residents play along with Elfair with the instruments they have at the home. Looking ahead to the days in which they can once again play in concert with one another, it is more important than ever that the residents are able to keep up their new practises, and that they can continue to come together through music.
Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund
The Friends of Horsefair Care Home are delighted to have received funding from Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund for £500.
The money will go towards items such as electric oil diffusers, hand creams and fleece blankets. All the items are very helpful to residents. They appreciate this very much and it makes them feel cared about.
Volunteering opportunities
We know your time is valuable and any time you can spare for us will make a big difference. You could volunteer at a one off event or regularly, it is entirely up to you.
If you don’t see a volunteering opportunity to suit you then please get in touch because we could develop an opportunity just for you. If you would like to volunteer please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk
Befriending
- A friendly approachable manner
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Helpful disposition with an interest in local community
When: Monday – Sunday (AM or PM)
How long: 3 hours a week
How to apply: please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk
Lunch Time Companion “Let’s Do Lunch”
- Patience and understanding
- A calm relaxed nature
- A friendly approachable manner
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
When: Monday – Sunday (Lunch Time)
How long: 1-2 hours a week
How to apply: please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk