Maplewood Court’s fabulous photo shoot makes Hilda, 100, feel 20 years younger!

The creative and caring team at Maplewood Court care home gave residents a fun and fabulous photo shoot that made them feel 20 years younger.

Residents dressed in bright colours, outrageous flower-studded wigs and donned statement sunglasses and hats in a photo shoot that brought laughter and excitement into the home.

“I loved it, they made me look 80 instead of 100!” exclaimed centenarian Hilda Howes.  “It was so much fun to dress up in all the bright clothes.”

Maplewood Court is a purpose-built home that provides residential, nursing, memory and respite care.  The ladies and gents taking part in the shoot were given the full works with hairstyling and make-up to complete their look.

It was the idea of Lifestyles Team Leader, Laura Taylor, and Lifestyles Assistant, Jo Morgan.

“We’d been inspired by a video we’d seen on social media.  We loved the idea of giving our residents the chance not just to dress up but to go over the top and feel fabulous,” said Laura.  “We planned a lot of it in secret to build the excitement, and there was such a buzz in the home.”

The pair sourced the wigs online, and members of the team contributed jewellery, scarves and sunglasses.  Deb Eve, a care assistant at Maplewood Court, did the ladies’ make-up while Jo took the photographs with the help of her daughter, Gemma Harwood, and Gemma’s fiancée, Emma Rogers.

“We were thrilled that everyone was so keen to get dressed up,” Jo said.  “You don’t get so many opportunities to do that in your twilight years, and certainly not be part of a photo shoot at the same time!  The whole thing lifted everyone’s mood, it was wonderful to see!”

If the residents couldn’t go to the photo shoot, the photo shoot went to them.  Barbara Stenning, 88, is cared for in her room where she chose to dress up in a huge pink wig dotted with sunflowers, a scarlet jacket and oversized pearls.  Even her pillow was given a makeover with silver sequined fabric.

The team will now print the photos for the residents to display in their bedrooms.  They’re also planning an exhibition to show off the results of the shoot to visitors and families.

“I’ll be able to look at it every day and see how fabulous I looked,” said Violet Syers, 92, “and remember what a fun afternoon we had.”

Discover more about our care home community at Maplewood Court