TESS DRIVE LAUNCHES SILVER PRIDE AT WELLINGTON CARE HOME

Residents of a Wellington dementia care home have wholeheartedly embraced their first Pride Day, taking part in Pride activities organised by their care team with great enthusiasm.

The day started off with dressing up using rainbow accessories for fun photos in their photo booth, followed by a mini parade, echoing the public parades taking place nationwide over the summer to celebrate Pride.

Entertainment for the afternoon featured drag queen, Tess Drive, who describes herself as “The Wicked Witch of the South West, queen of the dad joke and vegetarian drag icon.”

Tess had residents up and dancing with a lively repertoire which included songs from Shirley Bassey, Abba, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner.

Richard Dempslake, activities co-ordinator for Camelot House and Lodge, said: “We explained to everybody what the day represented, and they were very supportive towards the LGBT+ community.

“The daughter of our resident Patricia Hill came along on the day and told us that her mum had absolutely loved it. She said she didn’t stop laughing and singing, and even had a cheeky dance.

“This is a popular culture day in care homes at the moment as there are still Pride parades going on, even though the official Pride Month is earlier in the summer.

“It was clear everyone had a great time, and that’s what we aim to achieve.”

Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care providers Camelot Care who also run homes in Bridgwater, Plymouth and Yeovil www.camelotcare.co.uk