Care home team share their childhood memories to mark national trivia day

To have a bit of fun for this year’s National Trivia Day, the care team at New Copford Place, our Colchester-based residential care home, delved into their pasts to surprise the residents – and each other – with amusing facts about themselves that nobody knew. “We thought it would be a light-hearted activity to find out a little bit of trivia about members of the care team to surprise the residents with,” said Chelsey Leather, the Activities Coordinator at New Copford Place. “Some of the fun facts we found out about each other were hilarious, and the residents thought so too.

“It all started with a simple question – ‘What could you tell me about yourself that I didn’t know?” explained Chelsey. “To get the conversation going, I went first saying did you know that I have danced on London’s West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre and at Disneyland Paris? I think the residents and my colleagues were amazed. “The background to my story is that I used to dance for the Carol Gale School of Dance in Colchester and would take part in dance competitions and perform in shows. Once I had extra special opportunities – one to dance at Her Majesty’s Theatre and the other at Disneyland Paris. They were both great experiences and so much fun, but I will never, ever forget being behind the scenes at both venues. Seeing all the props, dressing rooms and backstage life was so exciting. I did pick up one very handy skill – being able to do a quick costume change. I took a lot of practice, but I got there without any embarrassing moments.”

Another funny story comes from Joy Clarke, New Copford Place’s Office Manager. “Did you know that Donny Osmond was my Teen Idol?” said Joy. “I was in the audience watching a pre-recording of ‘The Pyramid Game’ which was shown on TV’s Challenge channel, and it was hosted by my childhood sweetheart, Donny Osmond,” continued Joy. “The recording took place on my birthday, so it was an extra special treat. Donny was standing right next to me, but I was too shy to say anything, and shortly afterwards, broadcasting legend, Tony Blackburn – who was a guest on the show – surprised me with a big hug and a kiss as my Sister had had a cheeky quiet word and he was lovely.”

New Copford Place’s Deputy Manager, Kelly Hull, also has a celebrity story. “Did you know that I once served breakfast to the cast of TV’s Hollyoaks?” said Kelly. “I met Nick Pickard, who plays Tony Hutchinson, and he asked me for butter. I was only 15-years-old at the time – it was my first ever job. I was a Waitress at a local golf and country club hotel, and the cast of Hollyoaks were filming nearby and staying there, so I got to meet them all one morning and serve them their breakfast. I was very star struck.”

Hayley Jones, one of the Carers at the care home once served the Mayor of Colchester. “When I was at secondary school, my Dad worked for The ARC Legal Group in Colchester and his Foreman’s Sister was looking for waitresses for a function and she asked my Dad if me and my Sister wanted to help out,” said Hayley. “We said yes and whilst waitressing at this function at the Town Hall, I got to serve the Mayor of Colchester.”

Joanne Hillyard, one of the Shift Leaders at New Copford Place got to have a sneaky peak of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, the charity’s former Royal Patron. “I was 13-years-old and was sitting in the Army Offices where my Nan worked. That day The Queen and all her guards visited. I wasn’t allowed to be out the front, so I sat around the back in a little room, a bit like a small staff area and drunk a bitter lemon and had a packet of crisps. I had to be very quiet as I wasn’t supposed to be there, but I insisted

I didn’t want to be left at home. My curiosity got to me, and I had to try and get a look at The Queen, and I managed to get a quick, sneaky glimpse of the then Monarch.”

“Each member of the New Copford Place care team has an interesting background and story to tell,” added Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at the care home. “They are all wonderful individuals who share the same goal – they are dedicated to keeping each resident happy, safe, comfortable, motivated and engaged. They work tirelessly to ensure each resident is supported to be as independent as possible and deliver high quality, bespoke care to meet each residents’ needs – every day.”

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