A Year of Collaboration and Celebration – Nodens 2024 Review.
In January, we kicked off our Tai Chi classes with Michelle from White Lotus Martial Arts. This initiative emerged after learning about a resident’s impressive background as a black belt in Tai Chi, making it a fantastic opportunity for residents to enhance their balance, build muscle strength, and boost overall mobility, all while enjoying the social aspect of the class.
In February, we proudly donated £1,089.69 raised in 2023 to Great Oaks Hospice, a local organization that offers vital care and support. We also enjoyed an Afternoon Trip to Hereford Cathedral, where Poppy delighted in revisiting cherished memories from her past.
March brought Easter celebrations, where we had a wonderful time crafting Easter Bonnets with friends and family. Each resident was surprised by a visit from the ‘Easter Chocolate Bunny,’ and one resident expressed her joy at being treated so special during Easter in a care home.
April was a month filled with excitement as we officially joined the OSJCT family after their acquisition of our three Residential, Dementia, and Respite Care Homes within Elmfield Care. We were also thrilled to be featured in Knight Frank’s ‘Top 100 Luxury Care Home Guide’ for 2024 showcasing “some outstanding, and very often, beautiful properties”. To top it off, we celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary with a joyful gathering that included upbeat music Sara from MusiCare and the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir.
In May, we organized a ‘Crafternoon Tea’ for Lydney Town Council’s Poppy Project, where residents came together to create reusable Poppies for future Remembrance Events. This meaningful activity resonated deeply with many residents, who were excited to contribute to a worthy cause.
In June, we turned our home into a magical Nodens Wonderland for the Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea Party, captivating everyone with whimsical decorations, delicious treats, and delightful entertainment. Later that month, we had the pleasure of hosting the Year 5 Mini Police Team from Severnbanks Primary School, who shared their learning experiences with our Residents.
In July we were thrilled to meet with Linda from Music for Memories. As a care home specializing in residential and dementia care, we are committed to introducing innovations and activities that enhance the wellbeing of our residents. The use of the person-centred musical headsets has proven especially beneficial for individuals living with dementia. For certain residents, these headsets create a soothing environment that allows them to enjoy solitude, while for others, they foster a sense of community through shared experiences in dance and song, even if the melodies differ. One of our residents, JP, expressed her gratitude saying ‘I’m so thankful to have music in my ears when I walk. It’s like being in a different world’. On the roll out day JP was especially thrilled to be gifted a headset of classical music, expressing ‘I haven’t heard classical music in so long, it’s beautiful’.
In August, we hosted our Nodens Vintage Summer Party, inviting family, friends, Residents, and Staff to celebrate in style. We enjoyed live music from Donna at MusiCare, a treat from Storkies Ice Cream Van, and a fantastic BBQ spread prepared by our kitchen team. This month also marked the beginning of our collaboration with Pets as Therapy, where local volunteers bring temperament-assessed pets to our care home, creating joyful connections and evoking fond memories of beloved pets from the past.
In September, we were excited to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our Catering Team, who earned our second 5 Star Food Safety Rating following an unexpected visit from the Food Safety Inspection Team. Additionally, the entire team participated in Mandatory Fire Training, where they learned about the responsibilities of a Fire Marshall, the necessary actions to take during a fire, and how to safely evacuate residents to a secure area. Ensuring that all staff are well-prepared for critical situations is our top priority.
In October, we began hosting Come & Play Nursery from Lydney for intergenerational classes with our residents. Twice a month, the nursery children join the residents of Nodens Manor for enjoyable activities like music, dance, storytelling, and crafts. We were also delighted to have the Severnbanks Primary School Choir perform Harvest Songs for our residents as part of our month-long Harvest celebrations.
In November, a memorable moment was when Ruby, a talented 16-year-old from the community, graciously offered to play the piano for our residents one afternoon. Her performance brought joy to many, and residents expressed their gratitude for her willingness to spend part of her weekend with them.
As we wrapped up the year in December, we dedicated the month to preparing for and celebrating Christmas. The festivities included carol concerts, joyful outings, the local school’s Nativity play, a Christmas Communion, and a special visit from Santa.
In conclusion, 2024 has truly been a year filled with exciting partnerships and joyful moments for everyone at Nodens Manor. We proudly welcomed 18 new team members in different areas such as Care, Housekeeping, Lifestyle, and Catering. Moreover, we were delighted to welcome 78 new residents, with some coming for respite care and others for longer stays. A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported us this year, and we wish you a wonderful 2025 ahead.
