Our Care and Supported Housing customers bury a lockdown memory capsule

Customers at one of our Care and Supported Housing schemes in Herefordshire have buried a lockdown memory capsule to remind themselves of this unusual time.

Ambito Care Hereford run the scheme and they organised events for customers in lockdown to keep them busy and help them look forward to the end of restrictions.

Our residents filled the capsule with memories of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, salt dough hand prints and other items relevant to their time spent in lockdown.

They also made a wish box which contains their wishes for when lockdown is finished – this included seeing family again and enjoying a Mr Whippy ice cream.

Residents Iris Williams, John Davis and Lorraine Jones all created and buried the memory capsule.

Iris said: “I wanted to be reminded of my 71st birthday in lockdown, as we had a Victorian style tea party. John made my birthday cake, so I wanted to put my candles from my cake in it.

“I also find it funny with staff walking round with masks on as they sound different and look funny, so I wanted to put a mask in there to be reminded of what they looked like!”

John added: “I wasn’t sure what a time capsule was to begin with, but my support worker explained it and I got really excited about what we could put in it.

“I wanted to be reminded of our Easter tree competition which we won, so when this lock down is over, we are going on a trip to the seaside! I put in some of the decorations we made for the tree and I also put in a tv magazine with the date and year on.”

Lorraine said: “I played 52 card pick up with a support worker who had never played it before, I laughed so much watching her pick them all up, so I put the Joker cards in out of the pack of cards.”

The time capsule will be dug up and opened in 2025.

Our Supported Housing Coordinator Rob Breeze said: “It was brilliant for our residents to take part in these activities during lockdown. This has been a particularly difficult time and it is good that our customers have been able to take part in some fun activities which they really enjoyed.

“It was lovely to hear what our residents are most looking forward to when lockdown ends thanks to the wish box too.

“I am sure our residents will enjoy remembering this time when the capsule is dug up in five years’ time.”

Our Head of Housing Support Elizabeth Carroll added: “We love seeing our residents taking part in activities like this during lockdown, it’s very important that they stay positive during these unusual times.”

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