On Thursday 8th May, from 12pm–3.30pm, Care UK’s Oakfield Croft, on Oakfield, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day with its very own 1940s-themed afternoon.

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.

At Oakfield Croft, the team has been hard at work organising their own special commemorative event, which will see residents and guests enjoy an afternoon of delicious, lunch and desserts, speeches and entertainment as they embrace the spirit of the 1940s.

The afternoon will begin with a traditional British lunch and desserts, specially prepared by the home’s chef. There will be a tribute to veterans with speeches from VIP guest Ewen Douglas from the Imperial War Museum North (and Veteran) and PO Harry Pickering, and active serving member of the Royal Navy Submarine Service. To keep the 1940s spirit alive, guests can tap their feet to live entertainment from Deborah McCormick and join in on the home’s costume contest.

Resident Fred aged 98, said: “It is so important to bring the community together both old and young, we are here to pass on stories to make sure the younger generation don't have to experience what we did during the war. I was in the RAF and loved my time during the service, but nobody should ever experience what we saw ever again, even after the war. Times have changed and for the better.” 

Dan Cole, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: “Here at Oakfield Croft, we’re always grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the community, so we’re looking forward to welcoming people for a special event marking the 80th anniversary of VE day.

“This is an incredibly important milestone for many residents, and we’re keen to honour all those involved. Music is a fantastic way to bring back memories for older people and a wonderful way to bring communities together, so we’re thrilled to host a wartime singalong to get everyone’s toes tapping. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old faces into Oakfield Croft as we mark such a significant moment in history.”

Oakfield Croft 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.

Oakfield Croft is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobbies and leisure activities. The building's layout is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities, as well as facilities like a cinema, coffee shop and hair salon. 

For more information about Oakfield Croft, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Amber Williams, on 0161 820 4019 or email amber.williams@careuk.com

To find out more, visit careuk.com/oakfield-croft