Coronavirus: Hastings singer gives performance in care home care park while residents join in from their windows

Staff at a Hastings care home are finding creative ways to keep residents entertained and their spirits up during the Coronavirus lockdown.
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Hastings Court Care Home, on The Ridge, was scheduled to welcome regular singer, Ritchie Lee, into the home but because of the ban on all but essential visitors they set Ritchie up to perform for residents in the car park instead.

Ritchie, from St Leonards, drew shouts of support and toots from passing motorists as he performed favourites such as ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Johnny Be Good.’

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Staff joined in, dancing with him outside, while thrilled residents danced in their rooms on the home’s three floors. To make sure no-one missed out, Ritchie then took his act into the home’s back garden.

Hastings care home car park performance 1 SUS-200423-111020001Hastings care home car park performance 1 SUS-200423-111020001
Hastings care home car park performance 1 SUS-200423-111020001

“The staff team have performed for residents with music and dancing in the garden but we thought they would appreciate some proper entertainment.” said Senior General Manager, Georgina Gamble.

“Luckily, the weather was very kind to us so we could invite Ritchie here to perform safely and within current guidelines. And it meant we could support a local entertainer which was also a positive thing for us to do.”

Hastings Court offers person-centred residential, nursing, memory and respite care for up to 80 people.

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Resident Jean Botting said; “It was wonderful to see Ritchie and hear him outside. Although he comes here regularly this felt so different, it was great. I really enjoyed it.”

Hastings care home car park performance 2 SUS-200423-111113001Hastings care home car park performance 2 SUS-200423-111113001
Hastings care home car park performance 2 SUS-200423-111113001

Like homes across the county, Hastings Court on The Ridge has closed its doors to all but essential visits due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The staff are keeping family and friends in touch with their loved ones with a weekly internal newspaper, video calls, and photos and messages on Facebook.

Residents have also been treated to a Hastings Court version of the Grand National with staff ‘riding’ hobby horses around the courtyard garden and family members were able to join in a resident’s 100th birthday party via Skype.

After the success of Ritchie’s car park performance, the home is planning more outdoors entertainment.

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“All of us enjoyed ourselves immensely,” said Georgina, “and for the public to react in the way they did was a real tonic for us all in these challenging times. At Hastings Court the good times always roll but this took us to another level!”

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