A Month of Celebration and Connection at Oakdene
This month at Oakdene has been full of joy, laughter, and meaningful moments as residents took part in three wonderful events—our Gardening Club with Tom, our gardener and Wellbeing Lead, and a lively joint St Patrick’s Day and birthday celebration. Both activities brought residents together, helping them rekindle old passions and make new memories with their loved ones.
Our Gardening Club has been a much-anticipated activity, offering residents the opportunity to engage in a hobby many of them enjoyed before moving to Oakdene. Gardening can be incredibly therapeutic as it provides a sense of independence, purpose, and connection to nature. This month, residents visited a local garden centre to choose beautiful flowers to plant in pots and hanging baskets. With Tom’s guidance, they spent a lovely afternoon potting their selections, creating colourful displays around the home. For those unable to go outside, the team ensured they still had the opportunity to take part. Peggy, one of our residents, was delighted when her hanging basket was placed outside her room, allowing her to admire her flowers from her window each day.
Alongside our gardening activities, we also embraced the spirit of St Patrick’s Day with a lively celebration. The home was beautifully decorated in green, and the highlight of the day was a live ukulele performance that had everyone clapping, singing, and even dancing. The atmosphere was filled with joy, and it was a particularly special day for June, one of our residents, who was celebrating her birthday. Her family joined us for the festivities which made the day even more memorable. Instead of a traditional birthday cake, we presented June with a stunning rainbow fruit platter as we know how much she loves fresh fruit. The kitchen team also prepared a delicious Irish stew, green jelly, and a selection of sweet treats served on china cups and saucers—a detail her family truly appreciated.
One relative shared their gratitude with us, saying: "Mum's birthday party yesterday was lovely, we really appreciate the effort your staff made—china cups and saucers, cake stands full of sandwiches, scones, cake, and a glass of prosecco! We would like to thank Remy and the chef; they made the occasion very special. Thank you, you should be very proud of your team."
To round off a wonderful month, we also received fantastic feedback from our recent social service visit. Emma, our social services contact, praised the dedication of our staff, and to celebrate, we hosted a small tea party with residents and team members on duty. Moments like these remind us why Oakdene truly feels like a home away from home.
If you or your loved ones require a care home in Wimborne Minster that provides exceptional care and a vibrant lifestyle in an environment that is loving and supportive, get in touch with us here at Oakdene Care Home.
