Care UK’s Pinetum, on Valley Drive, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day with their very own 1940s-themed street parties.

VE Day was celebrated on 8th May 1945, after Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end. This emotional news sparked celebrations across the country, with many taking to the streets for spontaneous parties.

The team has been hard at work organising their own special commemorative event, which will see residents and guests enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, entertainment and dancing as they embrace the spirit of the 1940s.

At Pinetum, guests are invited to join a special 1940s-themed coffee morning on Thursday 8th May, from 11am-3pm. The home will welcome a host of VIP guests, including local veterans, pupils from St. Oswald's School, Acresfield Nursery, and Headstart Nursery, and cadets, while treating visitors to tasty home-baked treats. 

Resident Gwilym Parry age 93 at Pinetum said: “VE Day is important to celebrate as it marks the formal end of World War II in Europe, a period of immense suffering and loss, and a significant turning point in history.”

Narcis Mitu, Home Manager at Pinetum, said: “We’re passionate about building and maintaining relationships within our community here at Pinetum, so we’re pleased to be opening our doors to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day for a special day of sharing memories. 

“Reminiscence activities are a great way for older people, especially those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity. In the run up to the day, residents have been sharing their own stories and it’s been inspiring to hear everyone’s experiences and memories from wartime Britain.”

Pinetum has officially received ‘Veteran Friendly’ status for meeting eight standards laid out in the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and Royal British Legion, and NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

The VFF framework involves noting Armed Forces status within residents’ care plans, addressing social isolation, and signposting residents and their relatives to relevant support services, such as their local Royal British Legion branch and other charities that provide support for veterans and their partners.

Pinetum has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.   

For more information about Pinetum, please contact Home Manager Narcis Mitu on 01244 729 280, or email narcis.mitu@careuk.com

To find out more, visit www.careuk.com