April Newsletter (draft)

Published on 2 May 2026 at 21:32

April was another wonderfully busy and joyful month here at the home. We were delighted to celebrate a very special milestone as Jessie turned an incredible 101 years young, alongside birthday celebrations for Michelle and Dorrie—three lovely occasions filled with smiles, cake, and good company.

 

Easter was marked with a beautiful three-course lunch, bringing everyone together to enjoy delicious food and a warm, festive atmosphere. Our Ladies’ Day was also a great success, With a spectacular afternoon tea.

 

We were pleased to welcome visits from the Youth Action group, who joined us for a fun game of bingo, creating a lovely intergenerational experience for all involved. Another highlight was the visit from Bunny & Co, who brought along a variety of gentle animals for residents to meet and pet—an experience that brought great joy and plenty of smiles.

 

Overall, April has been filled with celebration, connection, and memorable moments, and we look forward to what May will bring.

1st of April

Hugh had everyone laughing as he prank-called the office pretending to be a delivery driver! πŸššπŸ˜‚ His convincing act and perfect timing brought a burst of humour to the day and lifted everyone’s spirits.

We got creative and started making our own papier-mâché bunny for Easter! 🐰🎨 The project brought out everyone’s artistic side, with lots of laughter, ideas, and hands-on fun along the way.

2nd of April

We celebrated Jessie’s incredible 101st birthday πŸŽ‰

Happy birthday, Jessie, from everyone at Ardnahein — we hope you had an amazing day! Reaching such a remarkable milestone made for a truly special occasion shared by all.

To make the celebration even more memorable, a big thank you goes to the fantastic Kenny Wilson, who came to sing for everyone. His performance brought joy, music, and a wonderful atmosphere that was enjoyed by all πŸŽΆπŸŽ‰

3rd of April

Good Friday PT at our fabulous home had everyone keeping fit while moving along to some funky beats. 🎡

The energy in the room was fantastic, with plenty of smiles and enthusiasm all around. ⚑️

4th of April

Margaret and her daughter Aileen kindly handed out Creme Eggs for everyone to enjoy 🍫 A lovely sweet treat that put smiles on everyone’s faces – thank you both for your kindness!

Brian was delighted to win an Easter egg after coming out on top in the quiz πŸ£πŸ† A well-deserved win and a great bit of fun for everyone involved!

Amy and Jack joined us for a coffee afternoon β˜• It was a wonderful chance to relax, chat, and enjoy each other’s company.

Freya and Kath gave our papier-mâché rabbit body a fresh coat of paint 🎨🐰 We’re loving the colour choice of purple – it’s really bringing it to life! πŸ’œ

5th of April

Some of our ladies got to work creating beautiful bouquet centrepieces for our Easter Sunday lunch and coffee afternoon. They did a fantastic job – we’re so proud of them! πŸŒΈπŸ’

The Easter Bunny made a special visit to Ardnahein, handing out lovely Easter gift bags to all of our residents 🐰🐣 A wonderful surprise that brought lots of smiles and joy to everyone! πŸ’›

Congratulations to Lena who won our Easter Bunny Hunt 🐰πŸ₯šπŸŽ‰ A brilliant effort and well deserved!

7th of April

Nightshift got into the Easter spirit with some great Easter Monday fun! πŸ£πŸŽ‰ It’s wonderful to see the team bringing energy and smiles at all hours, making every moment special for everyone.

Ruth and Freya took advantage of the nice weather and made some daisy chains in the garden 🌼 A simple but lovely activity that brought a touch of springtime joy to the day.

We got the big net out and enjoyed a game of balloon badminton 🎈🏸 Lots of laughs, great teamwork, and plenty of fun all around – a brilliant way to spend time together 😊

8th of April

We had a great game of bingo, full of fun and laughter. Congratulations to Jessie, Kath and Mhairi, who came out as our lucky winners! πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸ˜Š

Gladys enjoyed spending time with one of our Therapet dogs πŸΎπŸ’› A calm and heartwarming moment that brought comfort and happiness.

9th of April

We celebrated Michelle’s birthday here at Ardnahein with lots of smiles, kind wishes, and a lovely atmosphere shared by all the staff and residents. ☺️ It was a special moment to come together and make her day feel extra meaningful.

Sending warm birthday wishes to Michelle from everyone at ArdnaheinπŸŽ‚

10th of April 

Residents, family, and children all got involved in our fun-filled afternoon Balloon Bash 🎈—a lively and joyful event enjoyed by everyone.

Later on, some of the ladies enjoyed a relaxing pamper and wine night, spending a lovely evening unwinding and being looked after. πŸ§–‍♀️

11th of April

Residents spent meaningful time looking through photos from their rooms, sharing special memories and the stories behind them πŸ“Έ

It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on cherished moments, loved ones, and experiences from years gone by. The conversations brought plenty of smiles, a few happy tears, and lots of laughter as memories were brought back to life.

 

Hugh was kindly lending a helping hand, getting involved in folding the laundry 🧺

His support was greatly appreciated, and it was lovely to see him taking part and contributing to the daily routine.

 

Residents enjoyed a lively and exciting afternoon watching the Grand National πŸ‡

There was plenty of cheering, anticipation, and a bit of friendly competition throughout the race. The excitement built right up to the finish, and it was especially enjoyable to have picked the winner! πŸŽ‰

It was a fantastic atmosphere all round, filled with laughter, conversation, and lots of smiles 😊

12th of April

We marked our Grand National win in style, enjoying classic 99 ice creams followed by strawberries and cream after dinner.

A simple, sweet way to celebrate together and keep the winning spirit alive.

 

Kath spent time helping to water the window plants, keeping everything looking bright and cheerful.

Later, everyone enjoyed a fun quiz, with Alvin and Brian taking the top spots — well done to both! πŸ†

13th of April

Residents were delighted to be visited by the Youth Action Group πŸŽ‰

Everyone enjoyed a lovely game of bingo together, with the boys and girls bringing along some fantastic prizes for residents—adding to the excitement and fun.

A big thank you to everyone involved for creating such a wonderful and memorable experience.

14th of April

Dorrie and Liz enjoyed a lovely walk along to the boathouse 🌿

Dorrie treated herself to an empire biscuit, while Liz made the most of her red velvet cake—scraping the plate clean and enjoying every bite! 🍰😊

 

Residents took on the hand speed reaction challenge ⚑️

There was plenty of concentration, quick reflexes, and lots of laughter as everyone gave it a go. It was a great activity, bringing fun and a bit of friendly competition 😊

15th of April 

It was a lively and enjoyable session of bingo, with Hugh, Kath, Jessie, and Brian each taking home a prize—plenty of excitement all around πŸŽ‰

The day rounded off with a classic chippy tea, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, with plenty of favourite choices on the table and great appetites to match.

16th of April

A lively and dynamic PT session at the Ardnahein brought great energy and strong participation from everyone involved.

Later on, quiz time at the Ardnahein sparked some friendly competition. After a cracking contest, Team Liz came out on top πŸ†—well done to all who took part for making it such an enjoyable event.

17th of April

A lively percussion session at the Ardnahein filled the space with great tunes, a wide range of instruments, and plenty of energy and noise!

This was followed by a friendly game of 21, bringing a bit of light-hearted competition around the table πŸƒ

Later on, everyone put their thinking caps on for a word challenge, creating as many words as possible from “teacher” and enjoying the puzzle together.

The fun continued with an inventive round of air hockey, using pool noodles as bumpers and glove boxes as paddles. The excitement was turned up even further by adding extra balls into the game, making for plenty of laughs and fast-paced action.

18th of April

Some of the ladies enjoyed a relaxing Saturday pamper session, with plenty of chat and inspiration—what colour nails would you choose? πŸ’…

Jessie and her family spent a lovely afternoon at a coffee gathering, enjoying quality time together in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Hugh took part in a game of hangman, followed by a fun meet-and-greet session at the whiteboard. Everyone shared and discussed dishes they would love to make, creating a great mix of games, creativity, and conversation.

19th of April 

Everyone enjoyed a sweet treat of choc ices, made extra special after winning in the Scottish Grand National. The celebration continued with a game of bingo and a fun quiz, making for a lively day full of laughter, treats, and friendly competition.

A peaceful and meaningful Sunday service reading session was shared with Hugh and Brian, offering a calm and reflective moment together.

To round off the day, Ruth enjoyed a lovely evening stroll after dinner, taking in the fresh air and settling into a peaceful end to the evening.

20th of April 

Out in the fresh Dunoon weather, Hugh enjoyed a pleasant time outdoors as residents made the most of the bright conditions. 🌞

A relaxed outdoor session of “What the Papers Say” brought everyone together, encouraging discussion, engagement, and enjoyment of current topics while soaking up the open air.

It was a simple but uplifting outing, combining fresh air, conversation, and a chance to enjoy the surroundings.

21st of April

A wonderful event was held at Ardnahein, where residents were delighted to welcome Bunny&Co Mobile Petting Zoo alongside friends from Patchwork Nursery ELC.

Everyone enjoyed meeting the animals, with plenty of cuddles and hands-on interaction. The visit created a joyful atmosphere, bringing together people of all ages in a shared experience full of warmth, smiles, and connection.

It was a truly memorable occasion, filled with laughter and special moments that will be fondly remembered.

There was also a lovely celebration for Liz Jackson, who was wished a very happy birthday by everyone at Ardnahein. The occasion was made even more special when friends from Patchwork Nursery ELC joined in to sing Happy Birthday, creating a heartwarming moment enjoyed by all. πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚

22nd of April

The day began with a gentle and beneficial session of chair exercises with Demilynn, helping everyone stay active and engaged in a supportive way.

In the afternoon, Earth Day was celebrated creatively by decorating rocks with acrylic pens. These colourful designs were then placed in the garden, adding a thoughtful and artistic touch to the outdoor space.

Mavis and Ruth also took full advantage of the sunshine, enjoying the lovely weather and spending peaceful time outdoors.

23rd of April

Residents enjoyed some time outdoors in the sunshine while taking part in the quiz of the week. The bright weather made for a relaxed and enjoyable setting, adding an extra lift to the friendly competition 🌞🌞

24th of April

PT at Ardnahein was enjoyed by all, with staff fully joining in and bringing great energy πŸ’ͺ

Grace surprised everyone with a pancake trolley πŸ₯ž, giving staff a well-earned treat and a chance to enjoy tea, coffee, and a friendly chat.

The lovely weather meant residents enjoyed alfresco dining in the garden πŸŒΏβ˜€οΈ, followed by fun games including Kerplunk and Connect 4 🎯.

Ice lollies helped everyone cool down in the afternoon 🍦, and Kath and Brian enjoyed a peaceful evening walk in the sunshine β˜€οΈπŸŒΏ.

A very happy birthday was also celebrated for Dorrie from all at Ardnahein ❀️

Congratulations to Amy and Allan for completing their Accolade Cards πŸ‘ Each stamp reflects recognition from residents, families, and colleagues for going above and beyond in their care and kindness.

25th of April

Kath, Hugh, Ruth, and Liz enjoyed a lively game of dominoes against Freya, with the residents in excellent form, winning 8–0 🁒

The lovely sunshine was enjoyed once again in the afternoon, with time spent outdoors in the fresh air β˜€οΈ

Later, residents helped prepare for Ladies Day by creating beautiful flower arrangements for the table centrepieces 🌸

26th of April

A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed as residents celebrated Ladies Day in style. The ladies looked fantastic, dressed in beautiful outfits and fascinators, coming together for a stylish coffee afternoon.

There was a delicious selection of homemade cakes and bakes, plenty of laughter, and special moments shared with family and friends πŸ’•

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable, and congratulations to the raffle winners πŸŽ‰

A truly fantastic afternoon enjoyed by all

27th of April

Residents enjoyed a fun whiteboard challenge, finding as many words as possible from “Ardnahein Care Home” and sharing lots of great ideas together.

A lively reaction game of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Kick” brought plenty of energy and laughter, as everyone raced to be first to reach the balloon.

Kath and Ruth also enjoyed a refreshing stroll outdoors in the fresh air β˜€οΈ

🌟 A huge congratulations to Marie on completing her Accolade Card at Ardnahein Care πŸ‘ A fantastic achievement recognising her dedication and hard work.

28th of April

Residents enjoyed a spring-themed word search, working together to find all the hidden words.

Lovely conversations followed, including shared memories of favourite foods and Marjory’s fond recollection of fresh tomatoes from the Dunclutha kitchen garden.

Jessie, with help from Amy, made a thoughtful wish for the wishing tree, hoping for health and happiness for everyone πŸ’›

The Men’s Club brought plenty of memories and stories, with Brian and Hugh sharing experiences from woodworking and farm work.

Time outdoors was also enjoyed with a walk, ice cream, and relaxing in the garden β˜€οΈ

🌟 Double Congratulations at Ardnahein 🌟
Well done to Marion and Mario Ettore Pellicci on completing their Accolade Cards πŸ‘ A well-earned recognition of their kindness, care, and dedication πŸ’š

29th of April

Kath and Margaret spent time in the garden placing the decorated Earth Day stones, adding a lovely personal touch and brightening the outdoor space 🌼

Hugh, Audrey, Marjory, and Liz enjoyed trying out new handheld games and interactive toy pets, with everyone getting involved and enjoying something a little different.

30th of April 

Residents enjoyed a lively Physical Training session, getting everyone moving and active πŸ’ͺ

The sunshine was put to great use with an outdoor game of Connect 4, bringing plenty of fun and friendly competition in the fresh air 🌞

ARDNAHEIN CHEFS TABLE 

Our chefs have once again outdone themselves throughout April, producing a wonderful variety of delicious, home-cooked dishes for everyone to enjoy. From comforting classics to beautifully presented meals, the kitchen has been at the heart of many memorable moments this month. The Easter three-course lunch was a particular highlight, showcasing the team’s skill and care, and received great praise from residents and staff alike. A big thank you to our catering team for their continued hard work and dedication.

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