Rushden nursing home marks anniversary with 'bright and bubbly' 80s-themed celebrations

Rushden Park nursing home took its residents back in time with a celebration of all things 1980s to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its parent company, Methodist Homes (MHA), this month.

The facility, which provides residential and nursing care for 65 residents, was decked with balloons and banners to mark the occasion and brought entertainment in the form of a karaoke, with pop hits from the decade as well as plenty of food and refreshments.

Family members were also invited, and there was a competition for the best outfit.

Home manager Grainne Wokes said: “We spoke to the staff and residents about how we wanted to mark MHA’s 80th birthday and an 80s themed party was the best idea.

“It was a very bright and bubbly day, staff members dressing in typical attire from the 80s was great to see and the residents had a lot of fun.

“Everyone at the home got stuck in with the preparation and the kitchen staff prepared some lovely food for all of us.

“Some of our residents did dress up and felt like they were back in the 80s as a lot of them remember that era.

“We got a lot of positive feedback from family members of residents and the atmosphere throughout the day was good.

“Working for an organisation that's been around for 80 years is a great feeling and we are all very proud to work for MHA.”

Staff were on hand to help roll back the years by donning fetching shell suits, tutus and neon wristbands to help take residents on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

An MHA spokesman added: “As a national charity, we enable people to live later life well through our 86 specialist care homes and 65 thriving retirement living schemes.

"With 80 years’ experience we put people at the heart of everything we do in all our homes and schemes across Britain.”