Care home creates traditional bar for residents to enjoy (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Care home creates traditional bar for residents to enjoy

11:53am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

A CARE home has transformed its lounge into a traditional bar, complete with a bell for last orders, to give residents somewhere to socialise.

Lakeside Care Centre, in Skerne Park, Darlington, said it wanted to stimulate residents imaginations and give them somewhere to entertain family members.

The new bar, which has been dubbed The Lakeside Inn, does not sell alcohol but has been filled with memorabilia and redecorated in traditional bar style.

Residents can book the room to host family parties and gatherings and the home also uses it to host small events.

Katie Makepeace, activities co-ordinator at Lakeside, said: “We wanted to create somewhere that our residents could take their families when they come to visit. From the outside it looks like an entrance to a bar and inside its full of bar bits and pieces.

“It’s gone down fantastically well and we’ve already had quite a few functions and family members think it’s wonderful. I don’t believe in making rooms look institutional.”