By Jena Carr
A Geelong aged care facility stepped through the looking glass into a wonderland straight out of a storybook for an afternoon of curiosity and fun.
Mercy Place Rice Village hosted a Mad Hatters Tea Party where its staff and residents showcased their creative costumes and wacky hats at an afternoon tea on Friday, May 19.
Lifestyle Coordinator Sharni Briggs said the tea party allowed the aged care residents to display their creative side and bring joy to the Rice Village home.
“It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the week,” she said.
“Alice in Wonderland is a childhood favourite for many, and it was really rewarding for the staff to watch residents reconnect with the childhood classic.”
Residents spent close to two months creating their colourful outfits, and Pattie McKinnon said the event was “such a fun way to spend the afternoon”.
“It was so nice to dress up and spend time with my friends,” she said.
“To see the home transformed into the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was just wonderful.”
Residents and staff also dressed up as their favourite Alice in Wonderland characters, with the Cheshire cat, the Mad Hatter, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum all appearing.
Mercy Place Rice Village is a retirement home in Marshall that offers permanent, respite, palliative, and specialised dementia care services.
