Edinburgh care home celebrates VE Day

Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, hosted a special afternoon tea to encourage residents to reminisce and celebrate this historical milestone.

Article Source: Care UK
Last Updated: 13 May 2021 15:03

“Everyone was throwing confetti” – Edinburgh care home celebrates VE Day

A care home in Edinburgh marked the Victory in Europe Day anniversary with a special event.

Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, hosted a special afternoon tea to encourage residents to reminisce and celebrate this historical milestone.

The home was adorned with flags, balloons and homemade bunting specially for the occasion. Residents were treated to a special VE Day afternoon tea prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Dave Johnston, and spent the afternoon discussing their memories of VE Day.

Among them was resident Albert, aged 99, who was fighting for Britain in Burma when he heard the news on the radio. Albert said: “It took us a long time to get home, so we missed most of the celebrations! I remember how pleased we were to find out it was all over.”

85-year-old resident June, remembers everyone throwing confetti in their gardens, and 89-year-old Winifred added: “We had a huge party in Drumchapel in the farmer’s field. We had fireworks, a huge bonfire, and I remember cars up and down the roads were beeping in celebration. It was amazing.”

Gillian Goodall, Home Manager at Cairdean House, said: “We had a wonderful time celebrating the 76th anniversary of VE Day, and hearing about residents’ memories of the war.

“Reminiscence activities like these can be a great way to prompt conversation, connect with others, and reflect on happy times, which can be incredibly beneficial for older people, especially those living with dementia.

“Some residents, like Albert, were serving at the time, while others were just children. To hear about the street parties and the emotional reunions with loved ones that followed really was amazing – we are so lucky to have so many fascinating residents with incredible stories to tell. It was a great afternoon, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s celebrations!”

Cairdean House is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable the residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

For more information on Cairdean House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Leona Thomson, on 0131 516 8460, or email leona.thomson@careuk.com

For general information, please visit: careuk.com/care-homes/cairdean-house

Image: Cairdean House residents - Albert, Edith and Sheila

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Edinburgh care home celebrates VE Day

Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, hosted a special afternoon tea to encourage residents to reminisce and celebrate this historical milestone.

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