Roberto's Chair Zumba Brings Joy to North Devon Care Home

Edenmore Nursing Home has been enjoying their Chair Zumba sessions from Robert ‘Roberto’ Campbell for a number of years now, with family members (residents) lighting up every time he walks through the door.

Roberto has been leading Zumba sessions for over 20 years, starting out by teaching people living with disabilities and church groups, where he saw first-hand the benefits of movement in combination with music. Believing people living in nursing and care homes could benefit from a similar approach, Roberto began taking his sessions into homes too.

Unlike a traditional Zumba class, where learning and following fixed routines may take centre stage, Roberto’s sessions at Edenmore use gentler movements and are shaped by the mood in the room, allowing him to adapt the pace and approach as he goes. They are more about supporting wellbeing with music and movement, rather than purely physical exercise.

Family members who choose to take part do so in their own way. Some tap their feet from their chairs or sit with their eyes closed, nodding along to the beat, while others sway hand-in-hand with someone beside them or get up on their feet. For many, music has the power to evoke positive and familiar feelings linked to their past, such as favourite songs from a happy time in their life.

Family members Harry, Diana, Carol and Anthony particularly love these afternoons. Although Anthony isn’t always able to dance up on his for feet for too long before getting tired, his feet start tapping and he starts singing as soon as he sees Roberto. Harry and Diana have a lovely dance together, talking and smiling at one another as they sway, holding each other’s hands.

One memorable afternoon, Carol decided to get up to stand at the front of the room and sing the song that was playing to everyone!

Sessions are held in one of the home’s lounges, with family members from Edenmore’s different households encouraged to come together and take part. The household model approach means people with similar care needs live in smaller communities within the wider home, while still having opportunities to spend time with people from other households.

Edenmore is also preparing to open its newest household, The Quays, which will welcome people who are self-funding.

Home Administrator Emma shared about these sessions, ‘Roberto is always so happy and vibrant. He doesn't just come in and put some music on. He is totally involved and talks to everyone, getting as many family members up dancing as he can. Even the team can’t resist joining in!’

Activities like these at Edenmore give family members different ways to spend an afternoon together and socialise, with the music and movement naturally prompting laughter, conversation and interaction.

 

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Former Flight Engineer’s Life in the Skies Remembered

A former flight engineer whose career took him from aircraft hangars at Gatwick to the skies around the world has had his remarkable story put into writing by the team at Edenmore Nursing Home.

Born in July 1940, Colin was placed for adoption by his mother and spent his early childhood in foster care before moving to More Place War Nursery during the war. It was not a particularly happy period of his childhood, and one he has spoken little about with his loved ones. When Colin was five, however, his life changed for the better when he was adopted.

His adoptive parents lived in Kent and were an older couple who had sadly been unable to have children of their own.

Young Colin was quite mischievous, his daughter Lisa shared, ‘He once accidentally burned down the scout clubhouse!’ It’s not entirely clear how this happened, but it wasn’t deliberate and is a story now told fondly, with plenty of laughter.

Colin went on to become a flight engineer, a career that required considerable mathematical and technical knowledge. As Lisa explained, ‘In those days, I think someone could show an aptitude for something and, with a little luck and determination, progress from there.’ His career reflected both his natural ability and his determination to succeed.

Colin began his aviation career in 1964 with Ace Freighters at Gatwick Airport, working as a ground engineer on Lockheed Constellation aircraft before obtaining his Flight Engineer’s licence.

His career later took his young family to Zambia, where he worked on Hercules C130s, before returning to the UK and joining Laker Airways as a Flight Engineer on the Boeing DC-10.

Flying long-haul routes around the world, Colin combined his engineering knowledge with life as part of the flight crew. If an aircraft needed repair work after landing somewhere such as America or Barbados, he had the expertise to carry it out himself.

His daughter, Lisa, also has vivid memories of growing up around her dad’s career. She and her brothers would visit aircraft hangars, go aboard the planes and watch the ground engineers at work. On some flights, Lisa even travelled in the cockpit jump seat alongside her dad.

After Laker Airways went into administration, Colin later returned to flying with Dan-Air on the Boeing 727 and subsequently worked on Boeing 747s before joining Monarch Airlines as a Flight Engineer on the DC-10.

Today, Colin lives at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, where conversations about aircraft and his flying days remain one of the best ways for those around him to connect with him. Laker Airways, in particular, still holds a special place in his memories.

His aviation career is just one chapter of a much wider life story, which his family and the team at Edenmore have recently brought together – from Colin’s early childhood and family life to his love of gardening, Jaguars and dogs, and his life today at Edenmore.

To read Colin’s full story, visit: From Humble Beginnings to High-flyer: Colin’s Story

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Aloha Ilfracombe! Edenmore Brings Hawaii to North Devon

Edenmore Nursing Home recently transformed its garden area for their Hawaiian-themed ‘Aloha’ party.

Balloons, banners, paper fans and tropical hanging decorations were strung through the trees and along the fence, while the home’s new garden furniture arrived just in the nick of time! A Tiki mocktail bar was set up alongside a photo booth, complete with inflatable props and blow-up musical instruments.

Family members who chose to join the party were encouraged to wear something bright or add a Hawaiian lei, while team members got into the theme with Hawaiian shirts and holiday wear.

Almost all of the home’s family members chose to spend some time in the garden, including people who often prefer their own space or usually receive their care in their rooms. Some preferred just to stay for ten or twenty minutes before returning to their household or bedroom, while others settled in for longer. A number of relatives also came along for the afternoon.

Edenmore is made up of separate households, allowing people with similar care needs to live together in smaller communities within the home. It is currently preparing to open its newest household, The Quays, which will welcome people who are self-funding.

Head Chef Mike took charge of the barbecue, serving burgers, sausages and skewers, followed by puddings including large trifles and ice cream.

Sydney, the Home Manager’s grandson, proudly took charge of the Tiki bar. He followed the mocktail menu, added ice, shook the drinks and made his way around the garden asking family members and relatives what they would like. Family member Diana was particularly taken with the mocktails, and when Sidney returned to ask whether she would like another, her answer was a definite, ‘Well, yes!’

There were a number of games throughout the afternoon and plenty of photos taken in the photo booth before Roberto, who regularly visits the home for Chair Zumba sessions, joined the party with music and singing. Hands and feet soon began tapping along to the beat, with Diana and Harry, who particularly love music, getting up to dance.

Home Manager Gayle shared about the day, ‘There were just so many lovely moments. At one point Harry and Brian each picked up one of the blow-up instruments and began to ‘play’ beside each other. I said to Emma [Home Administrator], “Just look.” They had simply picked them up themselves and started playing together.’

Events like these at Edenmore give family members plenty of different ways to spend an afternoon together and socialise, whether that means sitting down to some good food, listening to music, joining in with a game or simply enjoying the atmosphere. For some, it might just be ten minutes outside with an ice cream, a little sunshine and a change of scenery.

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Seaside Visit Evokes Reminiscence for North Devon Care Home Residents

Family members (residents) Harry and John, from Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, recently spent the afternoon enjoying everything Ilfracombe Harbour has to offer, from watching the boats to visiting the funfair and enjoying an ice cream by the sea.

Accompanied by Home Manager Gayle and Home Administrator Emma, the pair made the short journey to the seafront in the home’s car. On arriving, Harry proudly helped push John's wheelchair along the harbourside as they watched the boats and explored the local shops together.

After browsing, they stopped for an ice cream, and each picked which flavour they would like. Harry's daughter later shared that he and his late wife, Eileen, used to visit the ice cream shop almost every day!

John, who has always loved boats and had a special visit to the RNLI last year, enjoyed watching the fishing boats come and go, while Harry's face lit up as they wandered through the funfair. He even took a turn on the teacup ride before stopping to watch the Ferris wheel turn.

As they stood together, Harry gently took Gayle's arm and smiled, saying, 'Let's watch this, Eileen,' as he looked up at the wheel with a smile from ear to ear.

For many people, particularly those living with a Dementia or on a cognitive journey, places such as the seaside, harbour or funfair can evoke feelings of familiarity and comfort. They may represent childhood holidays, family outings or special moments shared with loved ones, helping them reconnect with positive emotions and things that have always been meaningful to them.

On the journey home, John became emotional as he thanked Gayle and Emma for the day. Holding Gayle's hand, he told them how beautiful the day had been and asked if he could have printed copies of the photographs to keep in his room. Before arriving back at the home, he was already planning the next visit, promising that next time he would treat everyone to fish and chips!

Staying connected with the local community continues to be an important part of life at Edenmore Nursing Home. Whether it's enjoying days out around Ilfracombe or welcoming visitors, such as pupils from Ilfracombe Junior School, into the home, there are plenty of opportunities to stay connected. On less sunny days, family members can still enjoy the sea views from many of the home's lounges and bedrooms.

 

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com