Five Dollar Shake Brings Festive Joy to Mountside Care Home Residents

Festive Joy Features in Sussex World Online

Residents at Mountside Care Home were recently treated to a day of festive joy and heartfelt kindness that has since captured the attention of Sussex World. The news outlet featured a heartwarming story about Matt and Christine, the creative duo behind Five Dollar Shake - Handmade Greetings Cards, and their unforgettable visit to the care home.

The article highlights how the couple surprised residents with an enchanting collection of handmade Christmas cards, each one brimming with festive charm. But as Sussex World reported, the generosity didn’t stop there—Matt and Christine spent time with every resident, helping them select the perfect card for their loved ones, adding a deeply personal touch to the occasion.

Read the full story in Sussex World here.


Mountside Care Home Welcomes Young Visitors

Sussex Express Covers School Academy Visit

Mountside Care Home intergenerational visit from Ark Blacklands Primary Academy features in the Sussex Express.

The special intergenerational gathering warmed hearts and created lasting memories bringing together the wisdom of age and the energy of youth in a joyful celebration of community.

The event was part of Mountside Care Home’s ongoing efforts to create a sense of connection with the wider community. Intergenerational activities have been shown to improve well-being, reduce loneliness among older adults, and teach children valuable lessons about empathy and respect.

The full story can be seen in The Sussex Express in a proud spotlight online showcasing the power of community connections and the joy of bringing generations together.

Mountside Care Home is looking forward to spreading even more cheer, with a renewed focus on the importance of community spirit and connection.


Fairways Enjoy Sensory Fun

Fairways Enjoy Sensory Fun

Fairways Care Home was recently buzzing with creativity and sensory stimulation as residents enjoyed a day of hands-on crafts and interactive games designed to spark joy and enhance memory.

The vibrant arts and crafts session, saw everyone create beautiful button trees. This colourful activity provided a fantastic way for everyone to unleash their creativity, working together to arrange an assortment of brightly coloured buttons to form unique tree designs.

Another highlight was the introduction of the ‘scent-sational’ guessing game, a sensory memory game that delighted everyone who participated. Designed to engage both the senses and memory, the game featured a range of fragrant scents—each matched with a specific image on a memory board.

The game not only offered a fun, interactive way to stimulate sensory responses but also helped participation strengthen their memory and cognitive recall.

Manager Alison Yarnley said: “We were thrilled to see everyone so engaged, laughing, and sharing memories. It’s lovely to witness how these activities bring everyone closer, creating an atmosphere of joy, nostalgia, and friendship.”

With the success of this sensory day, Fairways Care Home is looking forward to organising more creative and memory-boosting activities, encouraging participants to enjoy and explore the benefits of interactive, sensory-focused activities in a lively and supportive community environment.


Mountside Care Home Welcomes Young Visitors

Mountside Enjoys School Visit

Mountside Care Home recently enjoyed a joyful and enriching experience as they welcomed young visitors from Ark Blacklands Primary Academy. This much-anticipated visit brought a lively exchange of stories and laughter, bridging generations in a gathering that left everyone with a smile.

Throughout the visit, the children introduced themselves, answered questions, and eagerly shared glimpses into their daily school routines. From discussing favourite subjects to describing activities in their classrooms, the school pupils painted a vivid picture of their school lives.

“It was such a pleasure to see the interactions unfold,” shared Manager Lisa, “The children’s energy and curiosity brought a special vibrancy to our community, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each pupil.”

Many are already looking forward to future gatherings with Ark Blacklands Primary Academy, hoping to create more cherished memories together.

Mountside Care Home extends a heartfelt thank you to the children and staff of Ark Blacklands Primary Academy for bringing so much joy to their home.


The Old Rectory Care Home Savors Wine Tasting

The Old Rectory Savours Wine

The Old Rectory Care Home recently enjoyed an extraordinary afternoon of wine tasting that transformed the care home into a cosy vineyard inspired setting.

With glasses in hand, everyone got into the spirit of the occasion, exploring the flavours and aromas of carefully selected wines, bringing out the inner connoisseur in each participant.

The tasting session offered an array of wines, each with unique taste, residents swirled, sniffed, and sampled, identifying subtle flavours and textures while sharing their impressions with one another.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter and lively discussion as everyone compared tasting notes and debated which wine would take the top spot as their favourite.

“It was amazing to see everyone so engaged and enjoying the experience together,” commented Manager Cheryl. “Everyone brought such enthusiasm to the tasting—it was tough for everyone to pick a favourite!”

The wine tasting event provided an opportunity to try something new, socialise, and connect over a shared activity. After much deliberation, everyone toasted to a successful tasting, raising their glasses.


Selfie Frames Capture Halloween

Old Rectory Care Home in Dymchurch captures Halloween spirit with themed selfie frames.

The Old Rectory Care Home in Dymchurch brought the Halloween spirit to life this year, encouraging residents, staff, and visitors to don their spookiest costumes and strike a pose with Halloween-themed selfie frames.

The event was packed with smiles and laughter, celebrating the playful side of the season and creating delightful memories for everyone involved.

The care home’s festive selfie frames added a unique and fun element to the day, inspiring everyone to get into character, from witches and vampires to friendly ghosts and skeletons.

Residents and staff joined in on the fun, laughing together as they posed for pictures that perfectly captured the day’s lighthearted, spooky spirit. The event wasn’t just about costumes; it was a reminder of the joy that comes from letting go, embracing silliness, and making lasting memories with friends and family.

This Halloween, the Old Rectory Care Home showed that no one is too old to enjoy the playful spirit of the season. With a simple but effective touch—those spooky selfie frames—the home turned an ordinary day into a celebration filled with laughter, costumes, and treasured memories.


Care Home Casts a Spell

Gabriel Court Care Home casts a spell with spooktacular Halloween festivities.

Gabriel Court Care Home in Kettering truly embraced the Halloween spirit this year, transforming the home into a bewitching haven of spooky fun! With “spooky spells,” festive decorations, and an irresistible assortment of Halloween treats, residents and staff came together to celebrate a memorable day filled with laughter, magic, and community.

The atmosphere at Gabriel Court was electric as everyone got into the spirit, channelling their inner witches and wizards. Staff and residents alike donned witch hats, cloaks, and themed accessories, setting the stage for a day of enchantment.

Festive decor, including cobwebs, pumpkins, and cauldrons, added to the home’s spooky charm, creating the perfect setting for Halloween revelry.

At Gabriel Court, Halloween was more than just costumes and treats—it was a day to embrace the lighter side of spooky traditions, bringing smiles to everyone involved.

With fond memories of the witching fun, Gabriel Court Care Home is already looking forward to next year’s Halloween celebration, where the magic is sure to return.


Spooktacular Family Halloween

Mountside Care Home in Hastings recently embraced the Halloween spirit with a festive family fun day, creating cherished memories for residents, staff, and their loved ones.

The event was filled with seasonal activities, laughter, and a vibrant atmosphere that brought joy to everyone who joined in, making it a truly memorable celebration.

The home was transformed with spooktacular decorations that captured the excitement of Halloween. From friendly ghosts and cobwebs to pumpkins and skeletons, every corner was decorated to perfection.

Costumes were another highlight, with everyone donning their Halloween best, from classic witches to wizards, making the day as colourful as it was festive.

One of the event's biggest hits was the traditional apple bobbing, which brought smiles and laughter from both young and old. Children were thrilled to take turns, splashing around to catch the apples.

The Halloween celebration at Mountside Care Home was a heartwarming reminder of the joy that comes from community, family, and shared traditions. As the spooky season winds down, the home is already looking forward to the next chance to bring families together in celebration.


Spectacular Pumpkin-Carving

Fairways Care Home Transforms Halloween with Spectacular Pumpkin-Carving Day

Fairways Care Home in New Romney embraced the Halloween spirit in style this year, hosting a pumpkin-carving event that delighted residents, staff, and guests alike. The care home was alive with creativity and festive fun as everyone came together to turn simple pumpkins into glowing masterpieces, adding a unique touch of warmth and joy to the celebration.

The activity room at Fairways was transformed into a Halloween workshop filled with pumpkin seeds, carving tools, and boundless imagination. Each participant brought their own flair to their pumpkin, crafting everything from classic jack-o'-lanterns to intricate, themed designs. Everyone had a wonderful time getting their hands into the festive spirit, and the support from staff ensured everyone could partake in the fun.

The results were absolutely stunning, showcasing a range of artistic expressions and creative designs that added an extra glow to Fairways Care Home. The carved pumpkins were proudly displayed, creating a cosy and magical Halloween atmosphere throughout the care home.

With smiles, laughter, and a wonderful sense of accomplishment, Fairways Care Home’s pumpkin-carving day truly embodied the Halloween spirit, making it a celebration to remember for years to come.


ACI | Image showing a collage of harvesting apples

Apple Harvest Featured in Sussex Express

Mountside Care Home Celebrates Autumn with an Apple Harvest, Featured in Sussex Express

Mountside Care Home has been making headlines with its unique and wholesome approach to celebrating the autumn season: an apple harvest!

This year, Mountside teamed up with Sassie from Eve Apple Press, a collaboration that brought the delicious, nostalgic joy of freshly pressed apple juice right to the home’s doorstep. Read the full story in Sussex Express.

Sassie from Eve Apple Press, known for her expertise in apple pressing, brought along her equipment to give residents a firsthand experience of traditional apple pressing.

This partnership with Eve Apple Press, and the wonderful story highlighted in Sussex Express, reflects Mountside Care Home’s dedication to bringing enriching, joyful experiences to its residents. As autumn continues, Mountside looks forward to many more heartwarming celebrations that capture the essence of the season. Cheers to apple harvests, community connections, and the sweet taste of autumn!

You can read all about it here.