Crouched Friars summer update

We’ve had a lovely few months at Crouched Friars care home. The summer months and longer days mean more outings, more time spent  in the garden and generally higher spirits from residents and colleagues alike.

We’ve got some fun things lined up over the next few months as we continue to enjoy the summer, but let’s have a look at what we’ve been up to recently

A trip to the pub!

Bernie and Rusell have enjoyed a trip to the Hospital Arms where they both enjoyed a pint (or two!) of their favourite tipple. Russell even befriended a little pug whilst on their visit. We all love a visit to the local for a nice refreshing glass of something, and it’s great for the residents to interact with their local community.

Pub trip

Teddy came to say hello

There are so many benefits to spending time with animals, especially for the elderly. Did you know that spending time with our furry companions can reduce stress and anxiety, help to reduce blood pressure and promote good heart health and encourage us to live more active lifestyles? Although, Teddy was really just interested in the attention and the treats! We look forward to welcoming him again soon as it’s a joy to see the residents’ faces light up when interacting with animals.

Visit from Teddy

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

We have all had an amazing time celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Crouched Friars. Colchester was given city status as part of the celebrations, and as lots of our residents have lived here for most of their lives this was a really exciting development! We asked our residents what they thought about Colchester becoming a city and there were varying opinions…

Jane was really pleased about it all, she  said: “I am delighted! This has been a long time coming. Colchester was the first recorded town, so hopefully this attracts more tourists.” Pam was also pleased! She  said: “I grew up in Colchester and am very happy about it, I know all the places and shops in town.” 

On the other side of the fence we had Margaret and Suzanne. Margaret said: “I think this could spoil the countryside so I’m not too happy about it” and Suzanne said: “I would like to keep it all the way it is! It is such a lovely town.” 

Whilst we had varying opinions on Colchester’s promotion, everyone had a great time when we had a special visit from our very own Queen! We decorated the home in red, white and blue, enjoyed some lovely food and had a good laugh with our queen performer. 

Platinum Jubilee

Dance and exercise morning

At Crouched Friars, we love to keep busy and active. Exercise and staying physically fit can be so helpful for our residents. In fact, our last blog post was all about keeping active and its benefits. You can read it here if you’d like; it explores the positive impact on our mood, strength and cognitive function.

This month though, we have had a good boogie and made our bodies move. This is always a lovely group activity which gets everyone in a great mood.

Dance & Exercise

A big welcome to Yvonne! 

To finish off what have been a lovely few summer months, we are really excited to introduce our brand new activities coordinator Yvonne! Yvonne joins the Crouched Friars care home team with lots of experience, and is absolutely passionate about enriching the lives of our wonderful residents.

Welcome to the team Yvonne, we’re looking forward to all of the fun events that you organise for us all.

Yvonne

Crouched Friars is currently welcoming new residents and recruiting for more care workers to join its dedicated team. If you would like more information about how we can support your loved one at our Colchester care home please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we will gladly discuss all of your options with you. You can visit the about us page of our website here or call us on 01206 572 647

< Back to news

Latest News

Spring activities to brighten life for residents with dementia

Posted on April 24th, 2025

There’s something magical about spring – the longer days, the blooming flowers, and the gentle warmth in the air all bring a renewed sense of energy and possibility. At Crouched Friars, we embrace this season as a chance to introduce fresh, meaningful activities that help our residents living with dementia feel connected, engaged and uplifted. […]

Read more >

Celebrating Mother’s Day When a Loved One Has Dementia

Posted on March 25th, 2025

Mother’s Day is a special time to honour the love, support and care that mums give us throughout our lives. It’s a day filled with appreciation, gratitude and family moments. But for families affected by dementia, the occasion can come with a mix of emotions – from joy and nostalgia to sadness and uncertainty. If […]

Read more >

The Benefits of Music When Living with Dementia

Posted on February 12th, 2025

As humans, music can have an incredible impact on us throughout our lives.  We often associate songs and singers with key memories, people and moments from our past. For people living with dementia, this connection can be particularly powerful. Listening to familiar music or music linked to key memories offers a range of benefits, including […]

Read more >

Navigating the New Year with Dementia: Understanding and Supporting Loved Ones

Posted on January 16th, 2025

A new year brings a sense of hope, excited anticipation and fresh starts for many.  However, for people living with dementia, this can be overshadowed by feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. As the world around them continues to change, they may grapple with a range of emotions and fears for the future. At Crouched Friars, […]

Read more >

Preparing for the festive season at Crouched Friars 

Posted on December 2nd, 2024

The festive season is upon us. Christmas lights are already twinkling brightly and we are listening to Christmas songs on repeat.  At Crouched Friars, we believe that the holidays are a special time to connect with loved ones, create lasting memories and spread some festive cheer. We are gearing up for the festive season with […]

Read more >

Celebrating Grandparents Day when they live in a care home

Posted on September 30th, 2024

Grandparents’ Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the incredible contributions of grandparents. This day highlights the amazing support they provide to their families and the unique bond they share with their grandchildren. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your grandparents feel cherished. Share your favourite memories together and create new ones that will […]

Read more >