We were thrilled to host a vibrant day of Onam festivities at Loose Valley Care Home on Thursday 25 September, celebrating the heritage and traditions of Kerala in South India with dancing, music, and delicious food.
At the entrance to our reception, our talented team members, Jisna and Paula, created a stunning traditional pookalam – an intricate floral design made from real petals, leaves, and berries. Our residents joined in too, crafting their own colourful pookalam and rangoli decorations using glitter, paint, and jewel stickers to add extra sparkle to the celebrations.
To complement the floral displays, our conservatory was adorned with bright orange and yellow pom-poms handmade by Paula, and another beautiful pookalam made from artificial flowers. Our residents helped by sorting the petals and blooms into matching colours, ready for Jisna to assemble the final design.
The afternoon was filled with joy as our team performed traditional dances to Indian music. Our Healthcare Assistant, Noyal, delighted everyone by singing a selection of songs, joined by Jisna, who danced gracefully in her traditional cream, gold, and green outfit. Noyal wore a cream dhoti, a traditional garment for men, and the two brought the spirit of Kerala to life. There were plenty of laughs too, as Jisna taught a few dance steps to our Home Manager, Diana, and colleague Paula – with lots of giggles as they tried to keep up! Our Carers also joined the fun, dressed in beautiful traditional clothing, and our residents were captivated by the elegance of their sarees.
To round off the day, our wonderful Chef Joe prepared a mouth-watering Indian feast featuring vegetarian curry, onion bhajis, samosas, naan bread, poppadoms, and mango chutney. Our residents, team members, and visiting families all enjoyed sampling the delicious dishes together.
It was a truly special day – full of colour and connection. Our residents loved learning more about the traditions of Kerala and celebrating alongside our amazing team. What a vibrant and unforgettable Onam celebration!
