Tasty treats at Mansfield Care Homes

Food is so important for sustenance of all kinds, and the chefs at Mansfield Care Homes love making treats for residents, whether it’s a birthday cake, afternoon buns and scones or specials for activities or theme days. Wellbeing Coordinator Gemma at Peebles Care Home also includes food and tasting in sensory games with residents, as she explains:

“We recently challenged our senses in the most enjoyable way possible, when we took an afternoon out to participate in a socially distanced ‘Guess the Cake’ activity. We had lots of photos of well-known patisserie to share with residents on the big screen, and asked residents to guess what they were seeing by providing taster-samples of the on-screen sweet treats to go alongside the photo snippets. This added an extra dimension of fun and challenge to the quiz, by bringing the senses of sight, taste, touch and scent together to solve the tasty puzzles! It was much harder than everyone had expected at the outset!”

Gemma says activities like this have been particularly appreciated during the coronavirus pandemic. “They have been very effective and come into their during the pandemic, as they can be enjoyed at a distance without compromising on the social engagement that we all need and thrive on.  Cake never disappoints either…”

Peebles residents have also made the best of the autumn weather out in their very own ‘Gin Garden’.  

“We have all enjoyed a good social hour on sunny days, with freshly made raspberry gin and various other alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages outside in our garden,” says Gemma. “The enveloping scent of lavender, carried by the gentle breeze, has made these socially distanced get-togethers very relaxing indeed. Our in-house chef has also made extra special treats to serve alongside summery beverages – including warm chocolate chip cookies.”

Meanwhile, residents at Belleville Lodge in Edinburgh have enjoyed a cheese and wine tasting, says Matron Margaret:

“We had a variety of cheeses from different countries to taste, along with a red and a white wine. Everyone especially enjoyed the extra mature Gouda from Holland. We also introduced some interesting facts about cheese, which intrigued the residents. Did you know that they found cheese in an Egyptian tomb? Also, it turns out that mice don’t like cheese, which everyone thought was funny.”

Many thanks to the staff and residents at Belleville Lodge and Peebles Care Home for the lovely photos.