Listen to us on Radio Berkshire this Thursday 2 December

Tune into the Radio Berkshire’s Drive Time programme from 4pm this Thursday 2nd December to hear more about our River View to Lapland

charity cycle challenge.

You’ll be able to hear an update on our progress so far as staff, people living with us at River View, family members and visitors all join together to complete the 151 hour cycle challenge in support of The Alzheimer’s Society ‘Elf Day’

River View Care Home are holding their own challenge to cycle from Tilehurst to Santa’s Village in Lapland, all in support of The Alzheimer’s Society ‘Elf Day’ this Thursday 3rd December.

Google tells us that it will take 6 days and 7 hours – a total of 151 hours, so we really need everyone’s to reach our target!

On Elf Day, Theo the 8 foot mascot for ‘The Knights Foundation’, a children’s disabilities charity, will come and collect the Christmas post and say hello to everyone at River View.

It was the first of our Christmas activities today - it’s that time of year already! Our residents enjoyed making Christmas cards today ready to give to family and friends. They enjoyed using paint and adding some sparkly sequins!

At Birch Heath Lodge one of our gentlemen has been sharing with all his matchstick models.  He has kindly donated many of his works to the home. When asked  he said he started making his models in his retirement-  he had seen an article in a magazine and liked the idea. Since then he has spent a lot of time, skill and patience in these works of art. A fabulous passion and loves to  share  his work and stories with residents and staff.

The residents at Woodland created a fantastic Firework display for bonfire night and also created a 3D rocket display. They enjoyed watching the firework display we held at the home!

For Remembrance Day, the residents spent the week making poppies which hung in the lounge and had a service of Remembrance with a local vicar.

Some of the residents at Hope Green had been talking about how they used to love knitting. Terms like 'casting on' 'casting off' and 'cable' were being used freely and to the amazement of those who had never knitted before. Following steps on Youtube and concentrating hard enabled those interested to get to grips with the basics. We'll see if we can start with knitting a few squares but we're not sure if we're at the stage of forming a 'Knit & Knatter' group anytime soon.

We spent the morning colouring in some lovely pictures today, we chose a colour by numbers activity which was a Christmas Gingerbread house and our residents really enjoyed colouring it in. We also had a good go at our Word searches which our residents liked and found very relaxing.

Music always brings Joy to our residents and we have always loved using our record player for some our favourite oldies especially Elvis Presley but we decided to add to our music collection and our new technology friend 'Alexa' arrived this week. Our residents have been singing along with their favourite Bands and Musicians and even asking Alexa to play some of their requests. Our Alexa is a great addition not only for music but for Audiobooks, podcasts and relaxation sounds.

The residents at Carmel Lodge have been collecting leaves over the past weeks during Autumn.

They have made the leaves into collages. Here is Sylvia who enjoyed the joint effort of putting together these pictures.

Clarendon Court are all ready to welcome our local community for carols, minced pies, mulled wine or hot chocolate in support of the Stapeley Christmas Lights Walking Trail. Chilly night so we'll all be wrapped up warm.