A new baking club has been formed at Gibraltar Nursing Home in Monmouth, with its first session involving the making of mini doughnuts.
Doughnuts ready for dusting!
The idea to create the club came from family member (resident) Rosemarie, who suggested to a team member that it would be nice to spend some time cooking and baking together in their household kitchenette, with anyone who fancied joining in.
Plans were put in place, with a date set for their first session and a playful name chosen: ‘The Dough Nuts’! With that decided, there seemed only one sensible choice for the first bake.
Family members who wanted to join in came together in Fernlea household’s kitchenette to get started. Gibraltar’s household model approach means people with similar care needs live in smaller communities within the wider home, while still having opportunities to spend time with people from other households.
House Lead Anita led the session, explaining the ingredients and the steps of the baking process while around the kitchenette, some family members got involved with measuring and mixing the ingredients, while others preferred to watch the process with a cup of tea, enjoying the company and chatting as they waited for the first batch to be ready.
Rosemarie was quick to share her own knowledge when she saw team member Sujamol mixing the ingredients, stepping in to show her how it should be done and explaining that the flour needed to be folded into the mixture rather than stirred!
Sujamol, Rosemarie and Anita mixing the batter.
Baking is something many people have done throughout their lives and may be associated with fond memories of time spent with family or teaching children how to cook. The club gives family members the opportunity to reconnect with these feelings and rituals and bring their own knowledge and experience to the kitchen.
This is part of what is known at Gibraltar as ‘occupation’, with everyday activities and interests supporting family members to stay engaged and socialise with others, while also supporting motor skills, independence and a sense of purpose in everyday life.
Anthony taking a turn stirring.
Once the doughnuts were ready, they were dusted with cinnamon before being passed around. Everyone enjoyed them and thought they were very tasty, and conversation soon turned to what they could make next. Christmas cakes and puddings are already being discussed, with the possibility of making some bakes for Gibraltar’s annual Christmas Fayre.
Rosemarie said about the doughnuts, ‘These are absolutely beautiful, aren’t they?’
Anita shared about the afternoon, ‘It was lovely to see people taking turns at mixing the ingredients and I did have to laugh when Rosemarie adamantly corrected Sujamol’s folding method! Baking can be such a nice, shared activity and people can engage as much or little as they want while enjoying a chat and a cuppa.’
Gibraltar Nursing Home is based in Monmouth, Wales and supports older people with residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. Life in the home is shaped around people continuing the interests, routines and everyday things that matter to them.
To read more stories about the events, activities, and people living and working at Gibraltar Nursing Home, please click here.