Care homes in Honiton and New Malden hosted a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for residents and staff to mark Nutrition and Hydration Week.

Hill House and Abbeyfield House, both part of the Abbeyfield network, provide residential care to 30 and 36 elderly residents respectively.

They played their parts in the annual, volunteer-driven campaign, which is devoted to highlighting the importance of food and drink in maintaining good health and well-being in the care sector.

Beginning in 2002, the event has expanded globally and provides a platform for participants to share successful strategies in nutrition and hydration, set aspirational standards for healthcare organisations, and further staff education and professional development.

These particular care homes, with ratings of 9.6 and 9.7 out of 10 on carehome.co.uk, noted for their provision of nutritious, home-cooked meals, eagerly embraced their involvement in the event this year.

Midweek Herald: Hill House and Abbeyfield House provide residential care to 30 and 36 elderly residents

To commemorate the occasion, both joined the Global Tea Party on March 13.

Live entertainment was given at Hill House by a performer named Albert Murphy, whose act was concurrently shown to Abbeyfield House, and residents at both venues partook in a cream tea.

Hill House activities coordinator, Nicola Trueman, said: "Albert sang songs that our residents knew and were able to sing and bop along too.

"We tucked into a delicious array of cakes made by our very talented chef Jon and we had magic potions that promised to make you smaller or taller, to fit with our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme!

"We had a fantastic afternoon full of music, love and laughter.

"It was really lovely to be able to share our afternoon with the residents in New Malden as well.

"It is definitely something that we plan to do again in the future."

Abbeyfield House activities coordinator, Jay Ward, added: "Being part of a big company like Abbeyfield means we can work as a giant team within the Abbeyfield Family, not just within our own home.

"Being able to swap ideas, share what's happening and even be part of each other's activities means that all of us get to grow, learn more and be able to get to know one another, even from afar.

"Doing more things like this would really be worth it for the homes, our residents and staff."