Deric Scott invited four other local care homes to take part in the seasonal competition, which involved drawing on residents’ creative skills in the traditional entertainment of decorating a bonnet. One resident in each care home was asked to represent their home.  

Fairmile Grange resident, Rita Satchwell, 89, jumped at the chance to be involved with crafts and adorn the bonnet. She selected fresh flowers for her entry, which clinched the victory and Deric Scott Funeral Directors presented Rita (via Wellbeing Assistant, Andrea, at a safe social distance) with a big chocolate egg.

Rita said: “I have enjoyed every minute of making the Easter bonnet and would love to do it all again! I was chuffed to bits when I was given the Easter egg as I love chocolate. I always love doing the crafts and am so proud of all the lovely things I have made with the wellbeing team for my cabinet. My daughter always looks at the Fairmile Grange Facebook page and loves to see what I’m getting up to.”

Encore Care Homes has strong links within the community and with local professionals. Deric Scott often brings the residents at Fairmile Grange flowers for flower arranging activities. Pre-pandemic times, the funeral directors also regularly took residents out in their limousines for afternoon tea at the local garden centres.

Encore Care Homes has four purpose-built care homes that deliver residential and nursing support, as well as dedicated dementia care for long and short-term stays. The Encore family includes Fairmile Grange in Christchurch, Oakdale in Poole, Great Oaks in Bournemouth and Hamble Heights in Fareham.

The Encore team is now able to welcome family members and their loved ones to have a covid-safe viewing of the facilities available. Full PPE and rapid flow testing are in place for the safety of the care home residents, staff, and visitors. 

For more information about the care services available at Encore Care Homes, visit Encorecarehomes.co.uk