‘Eat-me’ cookies, a well-stocked Mad Hatter’s tea-trolley, Alice in Wonderland fancy dress and themed decorations transformed Avalon Nursing Home into a magical venue for afternoon tea in Bridgwater.

The creation of fairytale décor for the home and fancy dress costumes for residents and staff ensured residents were engaged both in preparation and participation on the day.

Activities co-ordinator, Lisa Priddice, said: “The residents are our focus and the reason we have events like this, so their involvement in the run-up, as well as on the day, is very important.

“They have been creating flowers and colouring characters all week, as well as making signs and bunting during activity time - we've had great fun!

“Our maintenance man, Wally Perlik made a fabulous tea-cart, complete with horn, out of old equipment and wood and painted it beautifully.

“Healthcare assistant Maureen Hewitt created wonderful floral centre-pieces and really went to town with her baking, producing home-made jam tarts, lemon drizzle cakes, bread pudding slices and amazing ‘eat-me’ cookies for the day - all in her own time.

“There were also delicious home-made smoothies, dips and crudites created by the chefs at Avalon.”

Residents and guests sat together to enjoy a specially curated ‘Wonderland’ playlist, and Avalon resident Norman Butler, dressed as the Mad Hatter, helped with an Alice-themed afternoon quiz.

The team were also focusing on encouraging good hydration and nutrition, reflected in the attractive and interesting selection of foods, including finger foods, on offer.

“Not a scrap was left,” said Lisa. “The whole event was a great success, and everyone had a lovely time.

“All our residents are affected to a greater or lesser extent by the eating issues associated with dementia, such as lack of co-ordination and difficulties in recognising foods, so we work hard to ensure mealtime is a calm and comfortable experience for them.

“Eating together is an important part of this. We pride ourselves on inclusion so that everyone feels they belong and are welcome, and staff and residents at Avalon often eat and drink together.

“This was a great excuse to turn tea-time into a celebratory event – and we always grab any excuse we can for a celebratory meal, so everyone was very happy to join in.”

Avalon Nursing Home is run by award-winning care providers Camelot Care, and there were also Afternoon Tea Week celebrations at their other homes in Wellington and Yeovil in Somerset, and in Plymouth.