An infamous grumpy festive character and the much-loved Santa Claus visited Southern Healthcare’s Dawlish care home for some festive fun.
The Seaton nursing home held an outdoor Christmas extravaganza for residents and their families with visits from Father Christmas and The Grinch. The festive celebrations were held outdoors to adhere to Government covid-19 regulations.
Staff enjoyed dressing up as elves and the care home’s maintenance man, Bryan Gasson, took on the role of Father Christmas to hand out presents to the children in attendance. Another team member, Jennifer Simpson, dressed up as a Christmas turkey and she also spent time dressed as the famously miserable film character, The Grinch. The Seaton’s administration manager, Kelly Boweren, dressed up her greyhound, Bodhi, as a reindeer.
There was festive music and a snow machine along with a giant Christmas tree decorated in red and gold baubles. The care home’s award-winning chef, Anna Gubanska, made mulled wine and mince pies, and local company Albethel Waffles and Doughnuts, provided some delicious Christmas-themed waffles for the Christmas party goers.
The Seaton Care Home Manager, Emma Seal said: “It was lovely to be able to put this festive event on because the recent tightening of government restrictions during the pandemic are making it difficult for extended family to visit their relatives over the holiday. We like to see The Seaton as a home from home, so it was wonderful for us all to have the opportunity to get together at this special time of the year.”
Prior to the festive period, covid infections were up slightly in England, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Anyone who is over 50, a health or social-care worker, carer or who has a condition that makes them particularly vulnerable to Covid, can have a booster jab. So far, 16.5 million people have had the latest Covid booster.