Belong Wigan residents take a trip down memory lane

Pictured: Residents Dorothy Compton and Derek Hyde, with Experience Day Senior Support Worker, Tanya Guy.
Residents and staff members from Belong Wigan, along with people from the local community, donned their best Lancastrian-inspired outfits to enjoy an evening of themed entertainment and food, at the village’s traditional ‘Lancashire night.’
Residents embraced the spirit of the event by sporting mop caps and pinafores and were treated to Manchester tart, Lancashire hotpot and real ale, provided by the village’s Bistro catering team. A guest accordionist also added to the evening, performing old-time songs and inviting residents to the dance floor.
The Venue in the village, where the event was held, was decorated with historic pictures of Lancashire and a display area housed artefacts including: miners’ lamps, recognisable Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls and old washboards and suitcases. Residents enjoyed the music and antique items, which acted as a form of reminiscence therapy, proven to be particularly beneficial for people living with dementia, stimulating cognitive ability as well as being therapeutic.
Marie Calderbank, Belong Wigan’s Experience Coordinator, said: “A great evening was had by all at our Lancashire event. Residents got really involved with the celebration by putting a lot of thought into their costumes.
“Our display area, to which residents had donated items from their past, was an effective reminiscence tool and we all enjoyed the special entertainment and meal!”