On Saturday 8th August from 2pm–4pm, Care UK’s Walton Park will open its doors to families and neighbours for a free food festival, inviting guests to tuck in and celebrate the nation’s shared love of great cuisine, community and connection.
Visitors to the Severn Drivehome can look forward to tucking into residents’ favourite meals, with a selection of cultural dishes inspired by the foods that remind them of home. The dishes were chosen during a series of ‘Memory Menu’ sessions held in the lead-up to the event, where residents shared cherished food memories and traditional recipes.
Each ‘Memory Menu’ dish will be accompanied by a display board featuring photos of residents and team members, the name of the dish and a short memory or quote explaining its personal significance. Guests will also be able to take home a recipe card for each dish, printed on a biodegradable seed card that can be planted after use.
Alongside the culinary celebrations, visitors can enjoy a sustainability-themed craft corner, where they can decorate a biodegradable plant pot, choose a herb to grow and take away their own ‘taste of home’. Used coffee grounds from the home's bistro will also be available for anyone wishing to use them in their compost or garden.
Barbados-born resident Sandra S., 71, said: “The delicious taste of Cou-Cou and fried chicken is what reminds me of Barbados, that’shome! I can’t wait to share my traditional dish with everyone.’’
The event is part of the ‘A Taste of Home’ initiative, which willseeCare UK homes across the countryhost foodie-themed celebrations and showcase what life in a care home is really like.
Each festival will offer sustainable, community-focused activities while championing the diversity and creativity within the homes, from residents’ favourite recipes to seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Charito Herman, Home Manager at Walton Park, said: “We’re so excited to welcome the people of Walton-on-Thames to our home for our memory-inspired food festival.
“Not only will we be serving delicious food using seasonal ingredients, but guests can also take part in our upcycling activity, 'Grow Your Own Taste of Home’, led by Kerry Jolly. Upcycling is a great way to reduce waste and get creative, and residents are looking forward to sharing their skills and inspiring others to think differently about the things we throw away.
“We can’t wait to open our doors for what is set to be a fun, creative and meaningful day.”
To find out more about A Taste of Home, please visit careuk.com/a-taste-of-home.
Designed to enable residents to leadactive and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, Walton Parkincorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.
For more information on Walton Park and to book your place at the event, please contact Customer Relations Manager Dominique O’Donnell on 01932 731 013, email dominique.o'donnell@careuk.com or visitcareuk.com/walton-park-walton-on-thames.