With the nation marking 100 years since the First World War ended, residents at The Oaks, Aldwick House and Buxton Lodge care homes paid their respects for the fallen.
Aldwick House care home in Bognor Regis saw residents pay tribute by creating moving poppy displays, including the planting of some poppies in the garden as a colourful reminder.
The care home’s activity co-ordinator, Donna, asked residents how they would like to mark the centenary of armistice with many agreeing on the importance of the displays emphasising the dates of 1918-2018. Nearly every resident also took part in creating handmade poppies. From the front entrance to the lounge, the care home is covered in tributes.
The home manager at Aldwick House, William Warden, said everyone “took the centenary seriously and worked hard to make meaningful displays.”
Aldwick House also had a silhouette of a soldier on the wall while Buxton Lodge care home in Caterham will be visited by Nigel Dawson from Creative Talks who will educate and entertain the residents with interactive stories from the First World War on Friday 16 November.
One resident reflected on the shellshock he suffered following the wars. However, he did recall some positive memories during his time in Africa and the feeling of comradery while serving in the armed forces. He described how a country united to come together for a common cause.
The commemorations left the younger members of the care team much to think about during the service that was held on Friday and the two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday.
One staff member noted that this opened her eyes to what that generation had gone through on our behalf.
The Oaks, Aldwick House and Buxton Lodge care homes are part of the New Century Care group.
