Staff and residents at Lostock Lodge Care Home in Northwich are preparing to celebrate Christmas a little differently this year. Staff are doing everything they can to ensure the season of goodwill prevails and residents have the opportunity to make the most of the festivities.
Residents have been getting creative and making decorations for their home. The crafting sessions have been a great opportunity to reminisce about Christmas in years gone by, as well as decorate the home. Staff will be entering the residents’ creations in the Country Court ‘Deck the halls Creative Christmas Competition’. Throughout December, residents across the group’s 33 homes will be taking part in weekly festive crafts from baking to making decorations and singing carols, with a prize of a new year party for the home that makes the best overall effort. Residents enjoyed a wonderful selection of carols from Mereside Brass Band who played for them from the car park this weekend. Residents watched from the comfort of their rooms and the reception area as the band braved the weather to bring some festive cheer. Staff dressed up for ‘Elf Day’ and took the opportunity to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society, the residents loved seeing them all in their outfits which bought lots of smiles and laughter.
Lostock Lodge is also taking part in a Christmas Message Exchange, “We have invited schools, pre-schools and other community groups in Northwich to send our residents a Christmas message.” said Customer Relations Manager Nina Rogers. “As we are not able to invite the community into our home this year, we thought this would be a great way to exchange Christmas wishes. We’ve already received some wonderful video messages from local children, so we’ve been having great fun making a video to say thank you which we’ve posted on our Facebook page”.
The Hospitality Team at Lostock Lodge has been at the heart of the Christmas preparations with plans for the big day well underway. “We’ve been consulting with the residents about our Christmas Day menu.” Said Simon Bullock, Chef Manager at Lostock Lodge Care Home. “We want to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether they prefer a traditional roast turkey or something a little bit different. Food is such a big part of any Christmas celebration; it’s a day when everyone’s favourite dishes are on the menu, and all tastes and preferences catered for.”
In line with new government guidelines, residents will be able to see visitors to Lostock Lodge in their new COVID-safe visitors’ areas. Visits are following the current government guidance and have been a welcome return to the home. Between each visit, the whole area is sanitised and prepared for the next visitor. “Our residents have enjoyed seeing their loved ones again.” said Kyra Travis, Area Manager, “It’s so important for people’s wellbeing, especially at this time of year.”
Traditionally Christmas is an opportunity for Country Court directors to visit Lostock Lodge Care Home to say ‘thank you’ in-person to staff teams for all their hard work and to celebrate with their Staff Awards. This year the Awards will be going ahead virtually; with nominations made online, the judges have reviewed the entries and will be announcing the winners in a series of virtual award ceremonies througout December.
“The Country Court Board of Directors will be taking the opportunity to say thank you to all staff for their hard work during 2020. This year, more than ever, the staff family has pulled together, supporting each other and our residents. We are delighted to reward their efforts” Said Alykhan Kachra, Co-CEO.
To find out more about how residents are celebrating Christmas in 2020 take a look at our Facebook page @lostocklodgecarehome or contact Customer Relations Advisor Nina Rogers on 01606 331 953.
