Winter Wonderland

This is the article featured in the local press regarding our Dignity Day

'A STUNNING winter wonderland – complete with polar bears, penguins and plenty of snow – was the highlight at a local nursing home.

The colourful transformation at Stallingborough Lodge was all the idea and work of care assistant Elizabeth Waumsley as part of a special day.

The home, in Station Road, Stallingborough, was one of many across the country taking part in national Dignity Action Day activities at the weekend.

Ms Waumsley is the home's dignity champion and, to mark the day, decorated one of the rooms with Winter Wonderland features, including three Christmas trees, an ornamental tree, snow globes, snow flakes and pictures of polar bears and penguins.

Residents enjoyed a lunch, including goulash and rice followed by jam sponge and custard, and also had a tea party later.

Ms Waumsley also made fudge, coconut ice, popcorn and cakes to sell. Another care assistant, Lisa Raithby, made a dignity celebration cake.

Residents watched their choice of film, the classic It's A Wonderful Life, with the help of Ms Waumsley's partner, Andrew Hunter.

The treats were warmly received by the residents.

Betsy Rhodes, 95, said: "I must give congratulations to Liz for doing all this work. The decorations are absolutely superb. We had a nice meal."

Stella Speachley, 94, said of the decorations: "They are brilliant. She's very clever. It has been good.

"It's added to it because she has made it all. It makes it all more homely."

Nurse manager Christine Wright said: "I think Liz is absolutely remarkable.

"She works 48 hours a week and she has done this in her spare time. She's very motivated. She has done it alone. She is just fantastic – no two ways about it. It looks fabulous."

Ms Waumsley said the decorations and other treats were part of the home's commitment to the principle of dignity in its care of the residents.

"It's to promote dignity in care," she said.

"The more we try to promote dignity, the more it's going to stick."

The home has 40 residents and is in the process of refurbishing and modernising its lounge. A new extension was completed recently.

Dignity Action Day was aimed at helping to uphold people's rights to dignity and to provide a memorable day for people receiving care.

Its purpose was to ensure that people who use care services are treated as individuals and are given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their daily lives.'

Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Winter-wonderland-takes-pride-place-care-home/story-28693352-detail/story.html#ixzz40BKu5hM4

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