Online activities for Sheffield care home residents

For on the two dementia units at Deerlands Residential Care Home, on Margetson Road, Parson Cross, staff have been using the latest technology in a bid to keep their residents in touch with the outside world.

The home - one of 10 properties operated across Sheffield by charity Sheffcare - usually visits regular memory cafe sessions at the nearby St Thomas More Community Centre, on Margetson Crescent.

However, with all trips currently on hold, the team at Deerlands have been using iPads and laptops to ensure their residents do not miss out on such activities as weekly keep fit, arts and crafts and live entertainment.

And inspired by that success, the home has also had remote tea parties, with live entertainment provided online by singer Keeley May.

Rebecca Smith, Deerlands activities co-ordinator, said: “We have had a great time thinking up ways of keeping all our residents happy and safe at the same time.

“We normally attend the memory cafe at St Thomas More three times a week.

“However, the online sessions have been a real success and everybody really enjoys it.

“It’s been the same with our afternoon tea, which had everybody in the party spirit and singing along.

“In these difficult times, we are doing everything we can to ensure our residents enjoy as positive an experience as possible and using the latest technology ensures they maintain those vital links with the rest of the community.”

Other Sheffcare homes include: Burnt Tree Croft, St Phillip’s Road, Netherthorpe; Castelayn, Leighton Drive, Gleadless; Cotleigh, Fourwells Drive, Hackenthorpe; Grange Crescent, Sharrow; and Housteads, Richmond Park Grove, Handsworth.

Sheffcare, which provides residential care, home care, day care, respite care and specialist care for people living with dementia also operates Knowle Hill, High Street, Beighton; Midhurst Road, Foxhill; Paddock Hill, Gleadless Road, Gleadless; and Springwood, Herries Road, Shirecliffe – see sheffcare.co.uk