Mid-Summer Madness

Not to be depressed by the rain, the cold, the darker days and the onset of winter, a group of elderly residents in Yeovil have celebrated with a day at the seaside – virtually.

Arranged by staff of Yarlington Housing Group for their older clients at Malmesbury Court and Park Lodge Extra Care schemes in Yeovil, the sunshine crew created a seaside atmosphere for the day in the comfort of their own lounge.

Realistic sound effects of a steam train leaving the station created a perfect start for a day of adventure at the coast, and as the residents were transported back to times past, they reminisced about day trips to Weymouth and all of the fun of the seaside.

"I used to go for days out with my husband" said 93 year-old Dorothy Jackson as she chatted after enjoying her fish and chip lunch. "We would go to the seaside and finish with a chip supper".

Scheme manager James Lynch from Malmesbury Court told of how it helps to stimulate memories of people as they get older and may suffer from dementia. "It is so wonderful to listen to these people as they are taken back to a time when they were younger and could enjoy these delights for real. It makes such a difference to them to enjoy the sights, sounds and memories from those days."

The event was rounded up with ice cream cornets and a sing-song with old favourites including 'Day trip to Bangor' and 'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside' followed by a very popular Punch and Judy show.

When it comes to beating the winter blues its clear to see that 'That's the way to do it!!'