Care Home Residents Mark Southampton’s Annual Boat Show By Racing Their Own Boats
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In the lead-up to the 54th Southampton International Boat Show this month (15th - 24th September), residents at Alston House Care Home in Eastleigh have been eagerly getting into the spirit by decorating and racing their own sailboats.
Residents at Alston House brought their experiences of coastal living in Southampton to life by creating bright and uniquely decorated sailboats, as well as sharing their memories of the boat show’s past.
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A Week Of Fun Activities At Alston House Care Home
We worked with the Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coach at Alston House Care Home Lidia Nikolova Gjorgjieva to help organise a week of activities for residents to enjoy, each based around the Southampton International Boat show, including a visit to the River Itchen Valley Park to race their own boats.
Lidia said, "The Southampton Boat Show is a popular event in the area and is enjoyed by many, so being part of this feels like a true honour. We had a day dedicated to decorating the boats, and the residents were very creative with their designs, carefully choosing the colours and making lovely drawings.”
“We then went to the local River Itchen Valley Park and had a boat show of our own. We had a lovely stroll by the river and found the perfect spot for the boats to go in the river. This was the very first Alston House outing, and it will be remembered as an amazing day full of fun!"
Celebrating Southampton's Boat Show Has Been Fun For All Residents
Maz
84-year-old Maz, a resident at Alston House Care Home, made it a tradition to go to the Southampton Boat Show with her husband each year and remembers how "we used to go and look at the big boats and enjoy being by the water. The weather was always nice and warm, just like this year.”
Maz loved decorating her boat and shared, "I enjoyed sitting in the garden and decorating the boats". Maz designed a pink and white boat with lots of stars and called it 'Two Stars'. She shared, "I chose the design of my boat because I liked the colour, and the stars just happened."
Alison and Phyllis
Other residents at Alston House Care Home - including Alison and Phyllis - also enjoyed decorating the boats.
However, without a doubt, the favourite activity of the week was the boat race, with the trip to River Itchen Valley Park sparking many happy memories for the residents.
83-year-old Alison reminisced about bringing her two dogs Benji and Gemma for walks along the river and described the boat race as her "perfect day out".
She shared, "It was lovely to go on the trip to the park. I call that area my homeland, and it brought back a lot of memories to me. I loved the stroll down the river, and I even put my feet in the water, which was lovely. The ducks even came to join us for a snack! This was a perfect day for me - I could not have asked for anything more!".
92-year-old Phyllis wasn't too sure who would win the boat race, but had her fingers crossed it was her!
She shared, "I really enjoyed this activity. We enjoyed the lovely warm weather while decorating the boats, and it was amazing to see them go in the water. The trip to the park and the stroll by the river were splendid! We definitely had a boat show of our own!"
The three ladies - Alison, Maz and Phyllis - all looked very glamorous whilst racing their boats - wearing floppy sun hats and big sunglasses. Maz joked, "We've had years of practice to look this glam!"
The Importance Of Staying Connected To Your Community As You Age
It's great to see the joy decorating and racing sailboats in the run-up to the Southampton International Boat Show has brought to residents at Alston House Care Home.
Participation in community events like these brings generations together and helps older adults feel connected to others. Both of these things are important parts of wellbeing as we age, and are crucial in reducing any feelings of isolation and loneliness, while also encouraging a sense of belonging.
What's more, creative activities like boat decoration allow older adults to tap into their artistic abilities and stimulate their cognitive functions, contributing to a more fulfilling and mentally active lifestyle and promoting better overall mental health.
Activities like this at Alston House are a wonderful way to stay connected to the local community as you age and offer the perfect opportunity to reminisce about unique and fond memories of living in Southampton and beyond throughout the years.
Learn More About Alston House Care Home
Alston House Care Home is located in Eastleigh, Hampshire and offers four main types of care. These are:
You'll also find plenty of additional care options at Alston House, including convalescent care, palliative care and specialist support for people with physical disabilities.
Some of our favourite facilities at Alston House include an amazing activity room, communal and private dining spaces, a beauty salon, idyllic gardens, a gym, a spa and even a cinema room!
