RESIDENTS at a care home in Melrose have finally been able to enjoy the sunshine with their loved ones with an old-fashioned picnic weekend.

The 1940s and 50s inspired picnic was organised by staff members at Mansfield Care’s St John’s care home who invited residents’ family and friends for an afternoon of food, drinks and live entertainment.

Alison Grant, 54, Care Home Manager at St John’s, said: “The weather has been beautiful, so we decided to organise a traditional picnic with gingham table cloths, as well as all the scones and small sandwiches that they would’ve had in those days.

“Along with their tasty sandwiches our residents and visitors enjoyed strawberries and cream, champagne, wine and drinks.

“Everyone really enjoyed themselves. We even had an entertainer who performed all the old classics from the era, recreating the feeling of that time.”

Each year Mansfield Care organises a garden party for each of the care homes, but due to lockdown restrictions, invitations could not be distributed as far and wide as usual.

Despite a number of challenges, staff at St John’s took the initiative to organise the perfect summer picnic for its residents and family members.

Alison added: “Usually we send out invitations to the Care Inspectorate, social workers and local residents of our community who are often around in the homes, but due to the restrictions it had to be a bit smaller this year, so we decided to have a picnic day instead.

“We just wanted do something special this summer for our residents, and their family and friends.”

Alison joined St John’s as a care manager in April this year, bringing her vision and fresh ideas to the care home, supporting both residents and their family members.

Audrey Graham, a resident at St John’s, said: “It was just a marvellous day.”