Care home residents across the south have taken part in open days, visits and other activities to celebrate the work of the emergency services in their communities.
Colten Care homes in Dorset, West Sussex and Hampshire were among those marking the annual Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day.
It aims to educate the public about how ‘blue light’ responders such as the police, fire and ambulance services, and mountain rescue and coastguard, operate, and to promote responsible contact from those who request their help.
Among the homes that organised visits to local police stations was Wellington Grange in Chichester.
After meeting Home Manager Hayley Geddes, who presented them with a card and chocolates, officers returned the compliment with a trip to the Broyle Road home to meet residents and talk about their jobs.
At Dorset homes Castle View in Poundbury, Bourne View in Poole and Amberwood House in Ferndown, the focus was on the fire service.
Castle View resident Betty Morris took a trishaw ride to deliver a box of cakes to her local fire station, while all three homes also hosted visits by community fire officers for afternoon tea.
One of the residents who welcomed firefighters to Bourne View, 101-year-old Nora Lowe, had a close-up look at a fire engine with crew explaining how it operates.
On their Amberwood House visit, firemen brought antique uniforms and equipment, some dating back to before the First World War.
The home’s Companionship Team Leader Maddee Baker said: “The residents were fascinated as they looked over the historic items, including the fireman’s whistle, brass hats and hose ends, and spent time reminiscing about the war years and sharing memories of times gone by.”
Two Colten Care homes, The Aldbury in Poole and Belmore Lodge in Lymington, chose to show their support for local RNLI lifeboat stations.
From Belmore Lodge, residents Louisa McIntyre, 94, and Paul Cavanagh, 103, both yachting enthusiasts in their younger years, delivered treats and cards to Lymington RNLI.
Paul, a member of the nearby Lymington Yacht Club for nearly 60 years, said: “Our visit brought back lovely memories of being at sea, but at the same time, as sailors, we are only too aware of the lifesaving work that the RNLI does day in, day out.”
Residents at The Aldbury meanwhile took a tour of the training pool at Poole RNLI, handing out thank-you cards and homemade cookies, and called in at their local fire station too.
Melissa Siat, Companionship Team member at The Aldbury, said: “We were very proud to thank our local emergency responders with cakes and cards of gratitude. Our residents made an artsy thank-you collage on the cards which we handed out to RNLI lifeguards and firemen alike.”
