South Shields care home residents take a trip down memory lane for 1940s day

The first of two events planned at Garden Hill Care Home, on Monday, January 20, saw residents dancing to their favourite songs on the record player, and tucking into treats from times gone by.

It came about after the home’s new activities coordinator, Stacey Adams, asked residents to share some of their favourite memories from the past and many spoke of getting dressed up and going out dancing in the 40s and 50s.

At the home, which cares for up to 40 people, some living with dementia, residents had their hair done and sang along to old classics such as Run Rabbit Run, with some of their families joining them for a dance earlier on in the day.

In the afternoon there was a spread of Battenberg cakes and fruit scones, followed by Woolton Pie - a vegetable pastry dish of vegetables served in Britain during the Second World War - and jam roly poly for dinner.

Joan Hunnam, who was five-years-old during the war, told staff how she remembered being evacuated and hiding in the shelters, and even now her eyes fill up when she recalls it.

“It was a scary time for us, but there are lots of happy memories too,” she said.

While another resident, Mari, commented that she enjoyed the event, even though there was too much butter on the scones.

“It was being rationed back then,” she explained.

Kerri Smith regional marketing coordinator for care home provider, Maria Mallaband Care Group, which runs the home, said the event was about making residents feel part of a community.

“We want all of our homes to be the residents' home,” she commented.

“It’s important for them to feel like they are part of the community and that they are making the decisions, so we always encourage them to have a say in what they want to do.”

She added: “The residents had a fantastic time. There’s no reason why these events can’t become a regular thing.”