Dove Court Care Home celebrates Black History Month

At HC-One's Dove Court Care Home, the residents have been keeping busy with arts and crafts, singing, music folklore, and learning about history in the process.

Marylin Sutcliffe, Phil Kaila and Gloria Greenwood (Image: Supplied)

The care home was paid a visit by Phil Kaila, a world salsa champion from Salsa Northwest.

Salsa Northwest is a group that organises salsa events and African drumming experiences for the community.

Margaret Richardson (Image: Supplied)

Mr Kaila educated everyone at Dove Court about the language of drum playing through various techniques.

He also shared stories about African folklore, much to everyone's fascination.

Anne Lord, Phil Kaila and Margaret Drumond (Image: Supplied)

Maria O'Sullivan, also from Salsa Northwest, taught the residents different cultural dances.

Dove Court plans to invite the group back soon thanks to the success of the day.

Marylin Sutcliffe, a resident at Dove Court Care Home, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed myself at the African drum event and would love to see this again."

Fellow resident Gloria Greenwood said: "I had a brilliant time and absolutely loved it."

Cat Brierley and Dorothy Bottomely (Image: Supplied)

As part of the Black History Month celebrations, residents and staff also participated in a themed singalong and an arts and crafts session inspired by the late African American artist, Alma Thomas.

The catering team at the residential, nursing, and dementia care home have been creating themed dishes each week throughout the month from Jamaica, Africa, and South America.

Stephanie Tillotson, wellbeing coordinator at Dove Court Care Home, said: "It has been a great event, especially the African drum history and learning to play.

"Thank you so much to Phil Kaila and Maria O'Sullivan for such an educational and fun event.

"Everyone loved it."

Cat Brierley, home manager at Dove Court Care Home, said: "We thoroughly enjoyed the African drum event that was both educational and entertaining.

"It was wonderful to be involved in something so enriched in culture."