Festive highlights at Sleaford Hall Care Home

Sleaford Hall started the month with a delightful day trip with Myley Tours to Pennell’s Garden Centre in Lincoln, where we admired the festive Christmas displays and enjoyed hot drinks and cake in the café.

Next on the agenda was the pantomime Mother Goose, performed by Eva Long Productions. It was a fun-packed evening with plenty of audience participation—”Oh no we didn’t!” “Oh yes you did!”—and ended with hot dogs and warm drinks.

We also contributed to the Christmas Sack Project in Lincoln, which supported over 700 families in need this year. Thanks to the generosity of our residents, families, friends, and team members, we donated four large bags of gifts.

In preparation for our 1-Year Anniversary Celebration, we created Christmas table decorations and wreaths to sell, organised a teddy tombola, and set up a raffle and a “water or wine” game.

Our 1-Year Anniversary was celebrated during a festive Christmas fayre. The event included a beautiful cake approved by our first-ever resident, June Ellis, and cut by resident Betty Cushing. Balloons, banners, and party poppers added to the cheerful atmosphere as everyone toasted to many more happy years. The fayre was a resounding success, raising just under £300 for the residents’ fund.

A highlight of the month was a visit from Sleaford Day Nursery, where 16 adorable 3- and 4-year-olds sang Christmas carols, enjoyed snacks, and received gifts from our very own resident, Stephen.

We also hosted a wonderful Residents’ Christmas Party featuring a performance by the talented Sadie Langton. The evening was filled with dancing, laughter, a delicious buffet tea, and festive drinks. Team members joined in the fun, exchanging Secret Santa gifts and receiving chocolates from Tanglewood. A special gesture from Church Lane School, who delivered large presents to thank us for caring for their elderly neighbours, was deeply appreciated.

Throughout December, the Christmas spirit was alive and well. Team members, residents, and families donned festive clothing, and wheelchairs and walking frames were decorated with tinsel. Be Great Fitness brought holiday games into their exercise routines, while Christmas tunes and films played throughout the home. The Ukulele Band Four Plus One also treated us to a delightful performance.

On Christmas Eve, the home buzzed with festive cheer as residents, families, and friends gathered for mince pies, delicious coffees, hot chocolates, and even Baileys.

Christmas Day was a truly special time, with everyone gathering in the lounge to exchange gifts and enjoy a three-course traditional Christmas dinner. The day concluded with the King’s Christmas Day speech.

We ended the year on a high note with a cheese and wine afternoon to bid farewell to 2024.

Happy New Year from all of us at Sleaford Hall!