Local Care Home Serves Up Wimbledon-themed garden party

Residents at Heathland Court Bupa Care Home in Wimbledon have enjoyed a tennis-themed garden party to celebrate the return of the championships. Over 40 people were in attendance including residents’ families, members of the community, and staff from the Bupa care home team.

The event took place in the perfectly preened garden, which recently won a ‘Bupa in Bloom’ competition, praising the staff and residents for their green-fingered approach to their outdoor space. In preparation, they painted the fences, installed shade sails on the decking area, planted new greenery in their wheelchair friendly raised flowerbed, and decorated the space in colourful new cushions and garden accessories.

The event saw all care home staff dressed in tennis whites, while they handed out cucumber sandwiches, sparkling fizz, and strawberries and cream to residents.

Staff arranged for a 10ft tennis net to be placed in the garden for all to enjoy, with Home Manager Felicia and Operations Director Donald playing the first match as the crowd cheered them on. The court was then opened up to all family visitors, residents, and staff.

Attendees were also treated to a private singing performance from local entertainer Martyn Halsey, who sang renditions of Cliff Richard songs, as requested by the residents.

Felicia Kolade, Home Manager at Heathland Court Bupa Care Home, commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome friends and family to spend the day in our lovely garden. The sun was shining, and everyone had big smiles throughout the party. As Heathland Court is based in Wimbledon, we thought it was a great excuse to have a get-together during the World-famous tennis tournament. Of course, we had Wimbledon on the television and were cheering on the Brits!”

Reflecting on tournaments gone by, the residents shared their fond memories of Wimbledon:

Yvonne, aged 97 said: “I went to Wimbledon a long time ago. I had two friends who had debenture tickets, and they would give their tickets to me whenever they weren’t able to go, so I went with my daughter, which was fantastic. We had great seats, and saw an English player called Ann Jones while we ate strawberries and cream. I’ve always been fond of the sport, as I played tennis at school and on the hard weather courts at The Hurlingham Club.”

Adrian, aged 73 said: “I saw one of the Williams sisters on Centre Court. I was given a debenture seat as a corporate gift. We had some champagne, and for me it was all about the camaraderie and meeting up with old friends who had queued day and night for tickets.”

Carole, aged 71 said: “I have been to Wimbledon several times and I like to watch it on TV, too, which I still feel gives you a sense of the atmosphere.”

Eddy, aged 75: “I went a few times and saw Pat Cash play in a semi-final match on Centre Court. If you went on the last Sunday after the men’s final, you could watch matches for free. There was one occasion when I got to sit in the Royal Box which was a real treat.”

Heathland Court Bupa Care home welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care, including those living with dementia. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services

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