Local Hedgehogs Set To Benefit From Care Home Open Week Activity At Brooklyn House
Residents at Brooklyn House celebrated Care Home Open Week with an event focused on the great outdoors, with a special effort made on behalf of the local hedgehog population.
Brooklyn’s Nature Loving Residents
The team and residents at Brooklyn House Nursing Home are always keen to participate in anything nature related whether it’s visiting a farm, planting flowers in their own garden or welcoming owls to the care home. There’s also a regular nature club for residents, which includes listening for birds and identifying them using a special app, and nature quizzes are always popular.
As it was National Nature Week, everyone was keen to reflect the outdoor theme at the event hosted to mark Care Home Open Week – an opportunity for care homes across the UK to open their doors to their local community and invite guests to enjoy activities and entertainment.
Encouraging our Hedgehogs to Thrive
The morning began with activities to get residents into the spirit of the day - a fun nature colouring session and a hedgehog quiz. Well done to Dorothy and Brian for being joint winners.
The main event of the day was the ‘launch’ of the home’s two brand new ‘hog houses’ – small, robust structures where hedgehogs can raise their young in a protected environment, sleep safely during the day, and even hibernate through the winter. With hedgehog numbers in the UK declining, everyone knew how important it was to find exactly the right position in the garden for the new hog homes – especially as May / June is peak mating season, also known as ‘the rut’.
After much research and viewing nature professionals on YouTube, two locations were selected, both quiet, secluded and shady. Meanwhile, residents were preparing the ‘furnishings’ – some chunky pine cones and leafy foliage – and laid out some special dried hedgehog food as a welcome offering. The majority of hoglets are born in June and July so everyone has their fingers crossed. Resident Ambassador Ann said, "We really hope to attract some hedgehogs. Nature is something that my late husband and I have been passionate about."
Fruity Frog and Macaroon Bees Feature in Special High Tea
Another highlight of the afternoon was a fabulous nature-inspired high tea, specially created by the catering team, which included a hedgehog cake, fruity frog, baby cheese ladybirds, macaroon bees and some super cute egg mice. It was an impressive spread – colourful and very tasty. “We didn't know where to start!" exclaimed resident Brian.
Royal British Legion Join a Happy and Sociable Event
Members of the local Royal British Legion branch also joined the event, helping to raise awareness and visiting Brooklyn House’s resident veterans - Allan, Gordon and Michael, and Brian who is a member of the Royal British Legion and has a keen interest in military history. Brooklyn House is proud to be an accredited member of the Veteran Friendly Framework and building relationships between residents and local veterans’ groups is an important part of acknowledging and respecting their service.
Meanwhile, guests browsed craft stalls and plants for sale, then everyone took their seats for a fantastic performance from one of Brooklyn’s regular singers – the popular Jack Darcy. It was a wonderful day where residents, friends, family and members of the local community came together to celebrate nature, socialise, and enjoy some delicious tea time treats.
The prospect of the England men’s football team playing their first World Cup fixture that evening added an extra element of excitement to a very happy day – and who knows, there may be some new hoglet residents in their own little Brooklyn House homes in the near future!
A Caring Home in the Heart of Attleborough
At Brooklyn House Nursing Home in Norfolk, we understand the decision to find care for a loved one is never easy. That’s why our purpose-built home offers not only expert residential and nursing care, but also a warm, welcoming environment where comfort, safety and dignity come first.
Whether it’s enjoying the calm of our enclosed gardens, relaxing on the terrace, or joining in with meaningful activities, life here is about choice and companionship. With Attleborough’s shops and cafés nearby, residents can stay connected to the community they know and love.
