Residents at Vecta House Care Home in Newport partied with their friends and family at their private carnival party last weekend. It all started when Tanya Everson the homes Lifestyle Leader asked for help from the Isle of Wight community to bring the carnival to the homes residents. Ane Abe from Dance-Vibez was straight in line to lend a hand rounding up a team of volunteers from different organisations and groups across the island to help create a special day for Vecta House residents. Mish Whitmore a friend of Ann’s contact Tanya after hearing of Tanya’s plans for the carnival. Mish put forward the idea to run a carnival club leading up to the big day. Mish visited Vecta House every Tuesday for a month where residents had the opportunity to create bunting, headdresses and a banner. These groups brought a great way for residents to express themselves through art and created a group for everyone to socialise and have a great time and reminisce about carnivals they had once watched or took part in. The carnival club also helped Mish with her Master’s degree in socially engaged theatre. Despite the blustery winds the event went ahead with the parade starting inside the home giving residents who chose to stay in and shelter from the wind the opportunity to be part of the big day. Residents and staff lined the corridors clapping and cheering as the carnival parade made it’s way through the home. The parade then continued in the beautiful gardens that were decorated in everything bright with residents, families and friends waiting in anticipation. After the parade had finished the FaT Samba group kept everyone entertained creating an authentic carnival feel. Students of the Pink Cow Theatre preformed a short play that they had written and directed themselves for the days event. For the rest of the afternoon guests were entertained with dance performances by the Dance-Vibez group with residents, families and children all joining in and the children participating in a game of hook a duck to win a prize. 
The homes gardens were filled with the sound of laughter and joy and everyone had a fantastic afternoon. To end the day everyone headed inside for delicious hot dogs, popcorn and a well earned cup of tea. Ian, resident of Vecta House, has said:
“It’s been a wonderful day I really enjoyed it, watching the dancers preform gave me great memories of when I would go dancing when I was younger “
Tanya Everson Lifestyle Leader at Vecta House said:
“The day was fantastic and it was a pleasure to see the joy it brought to our residents and families. Events like this our an important way to help our residents feel that connection with the local community. I have to say I am overwhelmed with all the members of the Isle of Wight community that helped to create this special day and I would like to thank everyone for their support, everyone took time out of their already busy schedules to bring joy to our residents. I would also like to thank Michelle Jackson Photography for also taking her time to do the photo’s on the day.”
