As part of Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May) residents, their families and staff spent a day of fun activities together at The Manor House Gosforth.

In the morning it was back to school with a St Trinian’s theme and a quiz with residents and families versus staff. The combined years of knowledge of the residents helped them win the quiz hands down and home manager Karen Johnson presented trophies to the winners. After lunch there was a pirate treasure hunt which was lots of fun and caused much laughter.

The first dementia friendly garden in a UK public park was officially opened in Rothwell on 17 May by the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Gerry Harper. It is now part of Dementia Friendly Rothwell, led by local dementia awareness campaigners Peter and Liz Smith.

Guests at the opening included members of the local community, local and city councillors, the Giving Voice Choir, KL Falconry, Connect For Health and Carers Leeds, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Police.

A recent trip to The Yorkshire Air Museum near York, formerly the site of RAF Elvington, brought back memories for residents of Oulton Manor care home.

The all male group, most of whom have RAF or army experience, were accompanied by Oulton Manor carers Daniel and Emery, maintenance manager Michael and Mike the minibus driver. They are pictured with a Handley Page V bomber.

Over the Easter period residents and staff at The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle enjoyed Easter egg hunts, an egg painting competition and a special chocolate demonstration by Kelsey Anderson of the Kacoa Chocolaterie.

The Kacoa Chocolaterie is based just outside Richmond and produces handmade chocolate treats such as dipped ganache and truffles.

This year’s Easter activities at Oulton Manor have had a distinct farmyard feel.

In March a batch of eight fertile eggs arrived from Eggs to Chicks Hatching Adventure based at South Stainley near Harrogate, along with an incubator and everything they needed to make their start in life.