A LIFETIME of DIY skills was on show when residents and staff helped renovate the care home where they live and work.
Amateur gardeners, painters, seamstresses and more at Pelton Grange Care Home, on Front Street, Pelton, have come together to revamp the home’s garden and foyer.
Resident Sidney Wilson, 86, a former forklift driver, began painting a gazebo before handing the brush to James Todd, son of senior care assistant Louise Todd, to finish the work.
Fellow resident James Finnegan, 82, a former coal miner, also picked up a brush and lent a hand to painting several planters outside.
Eileen Cameron, the home’s kitchen assistant, is a keen amateur gardener and decided replant several areas of the garden to create seating for residents and visitors to spend time together.
One of those has since been made into a memorial garden, with a bench dedicated to a former resident.
She said: “It’s important that residents have an outside space that is appealing and enjoyable, where they can relax and enjoy nature.”
Inside the home, resident Ann Capon, 75, a former bookkeeper, made cushion covers for new furniture, including chairs and sofas, in the foyer.
She was joined by activities coordinator Lindsay Sale-Thorn at the sewing machine, as they cut material and stitched each cover by hand.
The foyer also received new carpets and wallpaper, which were professionally fitted, giving it a completely new look.
Christopher Hogan-Hind, home manager at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “Family members and visitors to the home have stated that the foyer and gardens look lovely and the work has made a real difference.
“The residents all showed enthusiasm about getting involved in the work any way they could. Many had transferrable skills from past jobs and hobbies, which came in really useful.
“More than that, however, we know there are wide ranging benefits for the residents in using skills they gained before living in a care setting. It can bring back fond memories and gives them a goal; something to achieve as well as look back on proudly.
“They did a brilliant job with the painting and decorating, alongside our superb staff and volunteers. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who was involved.”