Jiggery-pokery, spells and magic in Luton at Little Bramingham Farm

At Little Bramingham Farm, the award-winning Luton-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the residents and care team had ‘eerie-sistable’ fun at the care home’s annual community Halloween Spooktacular, welcoming relatives, friends and members of the local community, who all had a ‘fang-nomenal’ time.

“Our Community Halloween Spooktacular was ‘fa-boo-lous,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm. “We were so ‘fang-tastically’ happy to see so many people – friends, residents’ relatives and members of the local community, come along and enjoy the hauntingly happy morning.”

Just before the ghostliest night of the year, Little Bramingham Farm’s gardens transformed into a Transylvanian landscape where even Count Dracula would have felt at home, and the mysteriously decorated Susie’s Tea Room was open, serving devilishly delicious treats and refreshments.

“We had a spell book full of ‘un-boo-lieveable’ activities which everyone got involved with and enjoyed,” added Karen Charity, the Activities Coordinator at the care home. “This year, we also had a ‘straw-some’ Scarecrow Competition which was judged by the visitors and residents. All the entries were ‘outstanding in their fields’, and it was a very close competition and everyone who took part deserves a huge well done as each Scarecrow was so imaginative and so well put together; but in the end, the winning chap was created by Woodlands Secondary School.”

Guests at the Halloween community event also took part in scary arts and crafts and balloon modelling, were mesmerised by an outstanding magical performance by Chris Garside of Krisgar Entertainments and took lots of photos and selfies in the haunted photo ‘boo-th’.

“We host many community events throughout the year,” continued Emma. “Attending our community events brings many benefits to the residents,” As, together with our commitment to the residents to keep them engaged with, and an active part of, the local community, each event helps to improve the residents’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being and offer major physical and social benefits.”

“Sharing conversations, making new friends and enjoying a good laugh can help reduce feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Engaging with members of the local community helps residents feel valued, included and connected. Taking part in events also encourages residents to keep active through walking, standing and moving around, helping to maintain their strength, balance and flexibility,” added Karen.

“Our next community event is our magical Christmas Santa’s North Pole Grotto on Saturday 5th December and Sunday 6th December from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Big Red, Mrs Claus and his mischievous elves, are excited to be spending two days meeting and chatting to the residents and local children – and everyone at Little Bramingham Farm is looking forward to see them all too,” concluded Emma.