Care home residents go on virtual world trip immersing themselves in different cultures

Residents and team members at Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare Ltd are setting sail on a 12-week journey visiting new countries from the comfort of their care homes.

The ‘around the world in 12 weeks’ initiative has been launched as part of a #NewDawnNewDay campaign to encourage those who may be considering moving into a care home to take the step with a sense of reassurance in this new chapter of their lives.

The project will see and care homes celebrating each country they visit by organising various activities and events.

Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, UK chief executive of Sunrise and Gracewell, said: “Our team members and residents are delighted to embark on an ambitious journey around the world where they will be able to experience the cultural joys from many wonderful countries.

“All set within the comfort and safety of each of our care homes, this initiative hopes to demonstrate the purposeful lives our residents live on a daily basis and the creative talent on offer by our team members.”

The campaign started in France on 12 April and all 43 care homes will continue their journey to visit countries such as Italy, South Africa, Mexico, China and India.

Each visit to a different country will include language lessons, virtual tours of famous landmarks, enjoying local music, and experiencing each country’s culinary delights as prepared by each care home’s dining team.

Every week will also culminate in a ‘celebration day’ where the care homes will come together to celebrate and immerse themselves within each country’s culture.

The campaign comes as the country gradually emerges into a new dawn after Covid-19 and one where Dr Macdonald believes moving into a care home should be a “new beginning” where every resident can live a life of “purpose and self-worth.”

Sunrise and Gracewell also hope the #NewDawnNewDay will inspire people to join the care sector to pursue rewarding and fulfilling careers.

Dr Macdonald added: “Rooted in our #NewDawnNewDay campaign, this forward-looking initiative will act as a fitting reminder for why our care homes are wonderful places to live and work for so many, particularly as we begin to look beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.”