Friends of Horse Fair

To build stronger and happier communities in Rugeley, a group of volunteers formed Friends of Horse Fair Care Home where they can socialise with the residents and add a new aspect into their lives.

Shelbie Haynes was encouraged by her school friend Clotilda to become a volunteer of Friends of Horse Fair Care Home in the beginning of the year. Shelbie started her volunteering journey at Horse Fair whilst undertaking her A-level exams. Despite attending school 5 days a week, Shelbie had some time on her hands which she wanted to make the most of. Volunteering at a care home was an opportunity for her to gain first-hand experience for her Health & Social Care lessons, “you can only read so much in the books and I wanted to learn more than that”, she explained.

During her first days as a volunteer, Shelbie met the residents and particularly got along with the sweetheart of Horse Fair care home – Violet. The relationship they have developed over time is a perfect example of two generations completing and giving to each other. “We have quite a lot in common”, Shelbie explained.  Both ladies have visual impairment which sparked conversations from the start and marked the beginning of strong, ongoing mutual support. “Sometimes we just go outside in the garden and listen to the birds”, she said. Shelbie and Violet have bonded over long hours of chatting about life, passions, school, family and friends. Violet enjoys telling Shelbie stories from her childhood about her very first love which has eventually turned into marriage. Violet also feels the responsibility to give Shelbie as much wisdom as she can since girls like her “are the future of this country”.

Shelbie’s experience with Friends of Horse Fair Care Home has given her a boost of confidence. Helping the residents gave her the opportunity to develop strong sense of empathy, especially toward Violet. “She lost her sight suddenly in her 60s because of Multiple Sclerosis”, Shelbie explained. “I wish I had known about Friends of Horse Fair sooner”, Shelbie has committed to volunteering at Horse Fair and cannot wait for the summer when she will be able to visit more often. She persevered for the cause and effectively, has become more patient and learned how to communicate with the residents to give both the best experience. Volunteering has inspired her future plans to work in a similar sector with children and young people.

To anyone considering volunteering, Shelbie would advise to “go for it”. “It gives you a one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t get elsewhere”, she explained. Shelbie will continue bringing generations together and giving to the community in a meaningful way.

Violet, 80, became a resident at Horse Fair in June 2015. She has always been an open and bubbly lady and became comfortable at the care home soon after was admitted and joined the Committee which she has been a member of since July 2016.

Aged only 7, Violet had to leave school and care for her ill father. Despite the hardship she had experienced, with hard work and determination she returned to school 5 years later to graduate with excellent grades. “I used to work as a chemist in Scotland. It is beautiful there, but coming down here meant I could be closer to my family”, she confessed. She has since moved to Rugeley where the care home is based.

In the same care home, a group of volunteers established Friends of Horsefair on 18^th July 2016. Volunteers have been engaging with the care home’s residents with the purpose of adding value to their lives ever since.

Violet is always thrilled to welcome volunteers visiting Horsefair Care Home, “I love the volunteers. Every time they come down I never stop talking to them”, she explained. Violet tells volunteers stories from her life including her childhood sweetheart and husband who “was the only boyfriend she has ever had”.

At the home, Violet has become particularly close with one of the Friends, Shelbie. “We clicked the minute we met”, Violet explained. Shelbie and Violet’s bond grew strong since the moment they had learnt that both ladies had lost their vision. Because of this, they get to share special moments like listening to the birds in the garden. Together, they are planning on writing a book about their experiences and the bond that blossomed between the two.

Her relationship with Shelbie strengthens each time she comes to the care home and has become a bond of reciprocated care from both, “I look forward to when Shelbie comes down, she is such a lovely child.  I love talking to the youngsters particularly, they are the future of this country”, Violet explained proudly.  Just like the volunteers look after their elderly and make sure they put a smile on the residents face, Violet feels the responsibility to take care of the volunteers, “I talk to them about school and how things are. I have the right to teach them a bit about life too. It is so important that the volunteers come and visit us. I couldn’t do without the girls, they are my life”, Violet said.

Friends and staff of Horse Fair do their best to make the residents’ experience delightful. To achieve this, alongside Live Music Now, Friends organise music workshops which Violet gets involved in, “I am a very noisy person and I may not sing as well as I used to, but I love to sing whenever I can!” she explained. Violet also believes that the staff at Horse Fair deserve more credit for their hard work as they are “extremely helpful but don’t get applauded enough”. The Wellbeing Co-ordinators arrange festive events such as Christmas Pantomime, where last year Violet stole the show as the Wicked Witch and was the only resident to star. “We pre-recorded her parts so she could perform as her voice was projected. We pimped her wheelchair and all had a great fun!” Jess, a Wellbeing Co-ordinator, explained. Violet’s grandson, who is an actor himself, saw his grandmother’s performance leaving him in awe.

Thanks to the familial relationships between volunteers, staff and residents, Horse Fair care home truly feels like home, where residents like Violet make it a delight to live in.

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.