Cracking Easter fun at Colten Care homes in the south featured egg hunts, crafts activities and children’s visits with a host of good causes supported.
At Court Lodge in Lymington, Hampshire, residents and team members welcomed children from the community who spent time with them decorating eggs and biscuits and making Easter banners.
Together they took part in a chocolate egg hunt, sampled cakes made specially by the home’s Chef Steve Gates and enjoyed other activities raising £350 for the home’s charity for this year, the young carers’ organisation Honeypot.
Court Lodge resident Anne Burchell said: “I had a great time watching the children find the eggs, especially the gold ones. The children were beautifully behaved and seeing them all together made me really happy.”
Anne also won the home’s Easter raffle prize, a presentation basket of various drinks, which she decided to donate to the staff in the spirit of sharing.
Among other Colten Care homes, Newstone House in Sturminster Newton hosted young visitors for an Easter Bonnet-making session ahead of the Dorset town’s Easter parade.
There was similar fun at Brook View in West Moors which welcomed pupils from St Mary’s First School for an Easter egg hunt in the garden.
And at St Catherines View in Winchester, children from nearby St Peter’s Primary School joined residents for a bonnet parade and hunt.
A community celebration of Easter-themed fun at Amberwood House in Ferndown included gentle ‘cuddle sessions’ with bunnies, chicks and guinea pigs brought along by Blandford Animal Sanctuary.
And at Woodpeckers in the New Forest village of Brockenhurst, residents welcomed children for a day of arts and crafts activities and an Easter egg hunt in aid of the home’s charity for this year, Olivia Inspires.
Fellow New Forest home Belmore Lodge in Lymington laid on a host of Easter treats for residents and visitors, and organised a raffle for the home’s charity, Lymington Cat & Kitten Rescue.
Also in Lymington, dementia care home Linden House held an Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon tea event including an appearance by the White Rabbit.
Elsewhere, Avon Reach in Mudeford invited families and children for an egg hunt and afternoon tea with proceeds going to the Christchurch Community Partnership.