Representatives from ten Care UK homes and dozens of local people stepped right up to experience the first ever Care UK circus day.

The team at Ambleside care home in Stratford-upon-Avon worked with colleagues from nine other homes to stage one of the most ambitious care home events seen in the region.

It was set up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the circus while giving residents a day filled with amazing experiences.  Guests were treated to a magical day with stilt walkers, acrobats and jugglers entertaining the crowd, while the residents and visitors had the opportunity to master their balloon modelling and circus skills at a workshop.

Guests arrived in their best fancy dress, with one resident’s granddaughter taking home the prize for ‘best costume’, with her colourful clown costume. Residents from the other care homes were also encouraged to makeover their circus tents and Priors House, in Leamington Spa, took the prize for ‘best tent.’

Prizes were also handed out throughout the day for the best balloon model, homemade cake and best resident involvement. Shetland ponies trotted by to join in the fun, and residents and the local community were able to meet and feed them at the petting area.

Clare Mudge, Home Manager at Care UK’s Ambleside, said: “We’re really proud of the happy environment that has been created at Ambleside, and our door is always open to welcoming the local community and other homes.

“Holding a circus-themed event was the perfect way to entertain residents, their families and the local community and we hope they enjoyed the fantastic day as much as we did.”

Ambleside is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.

 www.careuk.com/ambleside