A group of residents from Eccleshare Court Care and Nursing Home and Swanholme Court Care Home had the opportunity to participate in Nostalgic Cookery sessions run by GoGro CIC, a community interest company, based in Greater Lincolnshire.
The sessions were designed to bring back memories and to help people reminisce through food by creating some of their favourite meals.
Co-Directors, Rob Hewis and Masterchef finalist from 2012, Eamonn Hunt, first met with the residents so they could get to know them and decide on the meals they would create together.
The first session had an American theme with hot dogs, American mustard, and caramelised onions. The inspiration came from resident Peter who was a WWII evacuee. He spent time in New York during his childhood at a Noel Coward school. Talking to staff about this reminded him of baseball games and trays of hot dogs and provided the chefs with plenty of ideas for their cookery session.
Sharon the Wellbeing lead commented: “Thank you for coming in, it means a lot to our residents. Having people come in from the community, helps them to feel valued and to share their stories with you means the world. The nostalgic foods have taken them back to some very happy memories. We have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learning more about each other and our experiences.”
Rob from Go Gro said: “We would like to say thank you to everyone, staff and residents from Eccleshare and Swanholme, after a few short visits we feel like we have been welcomed into the family, it means a lot to us, and we would love to come back again in the future if we can.”
Subsequent sessions had a seaside theme with fish and chips, mushy peas, and mint sauce. Resident Joyce provided the inspiration for this session. She grew up in Mablethorpe. Residents enjoyed reminiscing about trips to Mablethorpe, visits to the smokehouses in Grimsby and learning that Lincoln market used to have a mushy pea stall.
The third session was all about Caribbean food, including tasty jerk chicken and rice for Malcolm and his son who attended the session to share the memories with his dad.
The next session was traditional food but gluten-free for resident Ann and her husband Derick. The residents enjoyed sausages, mash and onion gravy and the final session was a high tea farewell party to celebrate the time spent together and the stories shared between everyone.
The GoGro Nostalgic cookery project aims to use the power of nostalgia and food to support people living with dementia. The food and conversation project designed for older people seeks to enhance health and wellbeing as well as reducing social isolation.
Funded through Shine Lincolnshire’s Innovation Fund, the project takes a multi-sensory approach to reminiscing therapy and is delivered in a range of residential, nursing and community settings in Lincoln.
For more information about Eccleshare Court Care and Nursing Home or Swanholme Court Care Home or to make an appointment to view the homes please contact, Lisa Dent Home Manager on 01522 965 458 or email ecclesharecourt@countrycourtcare.com.
