Residents at Exeter retirement village prove Christmas isn’t cancelled
Residents at Millbrook Village retirement community, in Exeter, have gone all out this year, enjoying an array of socially-distanced festive activities to remember, from a ‘night of lights’ and wreath making, to the ultimate ‘North Pole Fitness Challenge’.
The village team at Millbrook, which is which is operated by award-winning later living provider Inspired Villages, has demonstrated that Christmas doesn’t have to be cancelled at the village this year, working with residents to create a timetable of festive celebrations to remember.
Throughout December, residents have enjoyed an array of Christmas activities, including: Zoom wreath making, a ‘Millbrook night of lights’ village light switch on, competitions for the best decorated door/window, as well as a Christmas jumper day with a cake and craft sale, Christmas lunch and a Christmas quiz.
As part of Inspired Village’s drive to help residents improve their physical wellbeing, there were also a range of fitness challenges, including a ‘trip to the North Pole’ joint challenge for residents and the village team to walk, swim or cycle the miles to the north pole. The team also provided ‘twelve days of Christmas’ fitness and wellbeing tips and exercises to help residents keep fit throughout festive indulgence.
Rachel Tottle, Village Manager at Millbrook Village, comments: “Our philosophy is centred around looking after residents’ physical, social and mental health and encouraging everyone to enjoy a healthy, happy life.
“At Inspired Villages, we are passionate about combatting loneliness and isolation amongst older people so it’s been fantastic to see colleagues coming together to create some socially distanced festive events for residents to enjoy. I’m so glad we could make the most of festive celebrations this year.”
During lockdown, the team at Millbrook Village has done their upmost to ensure residents feel safe and supported. These include extra cleaning measures, delivering groceries and cooked meals to residents doors, calling for a daily for a chat, and hosting Zoom exercise classes with the village’s dedicated wellness navigator, to minimise the need for them to leave the safety of the village.
The team has also contributed engaging content to Inspired Villages’ Virtual Village Centre on Facebook. This resource, available to all Inspired Villages residents as well as the wider public, provides home exercise videos, recipes and gardening tips from Inspired Villages’ Head of Horticulture, and much more, to help over 65s combat isolation.
Millbrook Village is home to a host of state-of-the art facilities including a wellness centre, spa, gym, cinema, brasserie and games room. With a choice of one, two or three-bedroom homes Millbrook has a range of properties tailor-made for later living.
For more information on Millbrook Village, please visit: https://www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/village/millbrook
