Before the Easter Break, I wrote about how residents can get involved in meal preparations in various ways, depending on their interests, abilities, and level of assistance needed.
This week I'm sharing how a group of residents from Country Court Care Homes; Eccleshare Court Care and Nursing Home and Swanholme Court Care Home had the opportunity to participate in
Nostalgic Cookery sessions run by GoGro CIC, a community interest company, based in Greater Lincolnshire.
The sessions were designed to bring back memories and to help people reminisce through food by creating some of their favourite meals.
Co-Directors, Rob Hewis and Masterchef finalist from 2012, Eamonn Hunt, first met with the
residents so they could get to know them and decide on the meals they would create together.
The first session had an American theme with hot dogs, American mustard, and caramelised onions.
The inspiration came from resident Peter who was a WWII evacuee. He spent time in New York during his childhood at a Noel Coward school. Talking to staff about this reminded him of baseball games and trays of hot dogs and provided the chefs with plenty of ideas for their cookery session.
Subsequent sessions had a seaside theme with fish and chips, mushy peas, and mint sauce. Resident Joyce provided the inspiration for this session. She grew up in Mablethorpe. Many of the residents enjoyed reminiscing about trips to Mablethorpe, visits to the smokehouses in Grimsby and learning that Lincoln market used to have a mushy pea stall.
The third session was all about Caribbean food, including tasty jerk chicken and rice for Malcolm and his son who attended the session to share the memories with his dad.
The next session was traditional food but gluten-free for resident Ann and her husband Derick. The residents enjoyed sausages, mash and onion gravy.
And the final session was a high tea farewell party to celebrate the time spent together and the stories shared between everyone.
Sharon the Wellbeing lead thanked the pair for coming in to the home, explaining “ It means a lot to our residents. Having people come in from the community, helps them to feel valued and to share their stories with you means the world. The nostalgic foods have taken them back to some very happy memories. We have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and
learning more about each other and our experiences.”
Inviting professional groups in to host sessions such as these offer an amazing opportunity for residents to reminisce, build new relationships with other residents and to rediscover pastimes they previously enjoyed.