'Mon the Saints: football charity visits local care home for kick about and activities
The St Johnstone Community Trust visited local Blairgowrie care home, Beech Manor recently to enjoy a kick about, football themed games and recounting memories with the residents.
Beech Manor hosted a football themed party for its residents having recently won a World Cup sweepstake competition across all Renaissance Care homes.
The care home has a long-standing relationship with Saints in the Community and St Johnstone FC
Charlie Smith, volunteer with Saints in the Community, visits the home on a fortnightly basis to host a football themed activity called ‘Football Memories’, which encourages residents to recount their favourite football moments, players and goals – all with the intention of increased social interaction.
Football Memories is an award-winning national project supported by football icon and former St Johnstone player, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sheila Baxter, Activities Coordinator, Beech Manor Care Home said: “The residents were delighted to win the group World Cup sweepstake and as a prize we were treated to a football themed party to celebrate.
“We had a great day at our football party. The Saints in the Community team are always up for a laugh – and a kick about – so the residents spent the day reliving their footballing days and then playing games.
“It’s just nice to do something a bit different to the day-to-day and a party is always a good excuse to get people together, make new friends and find common interests among all of the residents staying at Beech Manor.
“At Beech Manor – and across Renaissance Care - we aim to provide a varied calendar of events for our residents, including bi-weekly visits from Saints in the Community, as part of our commitment to provide residents with active and stimulating social lives here at Renaissance Care.”
Beech Manor prides itself on providing varied activities for its residents. From circus themed parties for World Circus Day, to afternoon teas to celebrate Valentine’s Day and nativity performances at Christmas, there is always something for residents to look forward to. The home has a dedicated Activity Coordinator whose role is solely to provide valuable, enjoyable activities for the residents that focus on mental and physical stimulation.
Euan McLeod, Community Projects Development Manager at Saints in the Community: “We were thrilled to attend Beech Manor to join their residents’ World Cup party. It’s clear that the residents’ appetite and enthusiasm for the game hasn’t diminished over the years as games of World Cup Bingo and the penalty shoot-out were both a big hit!
Our recently launched new organisational strategy highlights how we try to harness the power which sport, and in particular football, has. We are dedicated to promoting healthy aging by supporting people to stay active, healthy, and socially engaged, and events like these are exactly what it’s all about. We are grateful to Sheila for inviting us and look forward to visiting again soon.”
Beech Manor is part of Renaissance Care group that currently owns and operates 16 homes across Scotland. The care home has 45 en-suite bedrooms and has a mix of sociable and quiet areas for residents to enjoy.
For further information visit: Beech Manor Care Home in Blairgowrie
Anybody seeking more information about Saints in the Community’s reminiscence activities, delivered across Perth & Kinross, are encouraged to contact Saints in the Community at [email protected], or call 01738 459095.
