28th June – 3rd July: Henley Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the most famous regatta in the world. It is a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season.

Spread your celebrations of the event out across the five days. On some days, you may wish to simply watch the television coverage and provide Pimm’s as a refreshment. On other days, you may schedule rowing-themed activities.

Plan a regatta-inspired music and movement session, using songs like 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'; 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean'; 'A Sailor Went to Sea'.

Make paper boats in a craft session. Then, if you get a dry and sunny day, why not set up a paddling pool in the garden and have a go at racing them!

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Armed Forces Day - Saturday 25th June

Start your activity planning by checking if there are any events on locally. Invite in a local cadet group, or re-enactors, or ask anyone with a military vehicle if they would be willing to drive it to your care home – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

You could make red, white and blue ribbon badges for each resident to wear, or to decorate walking sticks and/or frames.

Don't forget to raise a toast to the work of the Armed Forces (serve sparkling grape juice in plastic wine glasses). Follow this with a singalong to appropriate tunes, such as the marches of the Navy, Air Force and Army. Have fun!

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Windrush Day

First officially recognised as a day of celebration in 2017, tomorrow marks the fifth national celebration and 74 years since the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush on 22nd June 1948.

On this day we recognise and thank all the Windrush Generation – the 1,027 passengers who arrived on Empire Windrush – for the contributions they made to Britain during its recovery from WWII.

Today is a day to learn about and celebrate the Caribbean culture. If you have residents with connections to Windrush, invite them to share their memories. Otherwise, invite individuals from your wider community to visit your care home and share their experiences of the Caribbean culture. They may wish to play some reggae or calypso music, serve some samples of their native cuisine, or simply talk about their heritage.

Ask your chef to serve Caribbean-inspired dishes today. Jerk chicken, fried plantain, exotic fruit and coconuts would all make tasty, nutritious additions to the menu.

For a simple craft activity, make friendship bracelets by plaiting together wool in the colours of both the Jamaican and Union Jack flags.

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