Residents of Nightingale House care home enjoyed a Cocktails and Cabaret evening, as Create Cocktails’ talented bar-tender entertained them with expertly-crafted bespoke cocktails. Inspired by the opening of Apples and Honey Nightingale nursery, the UK’s first nursery located onsite a care home, Dan Wilks, the Director of Create Cocktails in Balham, approached the local home with a unique opportunity.
Together with actors Laurel Lefkow and Simon Shatzberger, who regularly lead drama discussions for the residents, musician Matthew Lucas and singer Larissa Murray joined with the Create Cocktails team to entertain the residents with play readings, drinks, songs and music. One resident remarked that she felt as if she was on a cruise.
The event was part of a comprehensive programme of activities run at Nightingale House, part of the Nightingale Hammerson group of London care homes for older members of the Jewish community, which is renowned for offering holistic care programmes. As well as an in-house physiotherapy department which offers targeted and specialised treatment to each resident to improve their mobility, other activities in the home include pottery making, art gallery and museum collaborations, exercise sessions, concerts and singing groups.
The benefits of music therapy are well researched as it helps to create meaningful relationships between residents and staff and gives residents a voice through music. In addition, the music helps residents retain their individuality which helps Nightingale House to deliver person-centred care.
Reflecting on the evening, Jacqui Beyer, Activities Team Leader at Nightingale House, said: “I’m still on a high from the evening. It was such an amazing event, with a special atmosphere as residents thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, drinks and the wonderful company of all involved. We laughed, talked and danced; no-one would think this is what one would get up to in a care home – we were living!”