An activities co-ordinator with a romantic streak created a magical transformation at a specialist dementia care home Bridgwater on Valentine’s day, offering residents a ‘private dining’ experience so they could enjoy an intimate lunch with their loved ones.

Lisa Priddice, who organises the activities programme at Avalon Nursing Home, said: “We wanted to provide an opportunity for residents who may sometimes find it difficult to go out into the community to spend some “together time” over a quiet romantic lunch in a restaurant setting, feeling safe and settled, and it really worked beautifully.

“Our residents loved the idea of inviting their partners to join them for a romantic meal for two, so we gave the main lounge a makeover, installing beautifully decorated tables for two, a playlist of romantic music, and pretty candles, roses and flowers everywhere.

“Our chef, Richard Adams, put a wonderful menu together, with warm breads, olives, cold meats and cheeses as appetisers, followed by chicken in a pepper sauce or a tomato and pesto pasta dish, with chocolate sponge for dessert, and a choice of wine or cava to accompany the meal.

“We spent the morning designing Valentine’s cards so residents could give their husbands and wives a personal token of their affection.

“And each couple had their own dedicated waitress, so there were no disturbances, and they were all able to enjoy some real quality time.

“We also supported those couples who wished to join in with a game of ‘who knows who best?’ – with questions such as: ‘Who is the better dancer?’ ‘Who initiated the first kiss?’ sparking memories which created a lot of laughter.

“For residents not involved with the restaurant, games were also organised in other areas of the home, as well as pretty cakes, sweets and roses.”

Avalon is run by award-winning dementia care providers Camelot Care, who have two other homes in Wellington and Plymouth and are about to open a fourth in Yeovil.