Aimee Davey has always had a burning desire to help care for people so becoming activity coordinator at a care home was the ideal move to make.

Residents soon found out Aimee was hot stuff when it came entertaining them at Spring Lodge in Woolverstone, including having a few belly laughs along the way.

Among the activities the former youth worker, funeral director and customer services representatives, has organised at the Main Road, home is Beltane tribal dancing with fire, dog shows, summer fetes, beach days at home and a range of different singers.

But Aimee doesn't just book the shows, she has danced with fire and shown off her Hara belly movement skills with the Hara troupe she regularly performs with around east Anglia.

"It is lovely to be able to do something from myself and bring some friends in," said Aimee through he face covering at Spring Lodge. "The residents seem to enjoy it and it is good fun for everyone.

"Helping people, seeing them smile and be happy, is why we do this and my job at Spring Lodge encompasses virtually everything I have done in the past."

Hitting the right note with the wide range of individuals at the home, can be challenge for the multi-talented Aimee, who has also been lead singer in a band and is an accomplished dressmaker. But she is helped by Emily, another coordinator, and the carers at Spring Lodge who turn out beyond their normal hours to ensure the events go well and everyone is looked after.

Aimee explained: "Variety is important because we get people here from all walks of like so it is a case of finding something to cater for all sorts of tastes.

"We chat to them and find out a bit about their background, what their hobbies, chat the families, and find out each individual likes culturally. Then look to find what I can do that would suit them now."

Spring Lodge is acclaimed for its outstanding care and experience in looking after people with dementia and the range of activities is designed to cater for the patients and on open days, helpful for families visiting their loved one.

"It could be they have gone through quite difficult times so when relatives visit and they see a family member smiling or taking part in things, when they may not have done so in a while, that is really satisfying.

"Relatives appear grateful to that staff that we can give their family members a good quality of life. They like that the staff get involved in the activities and the families

"It is one big happy family. It is not a case of just come in, do the job go home, everyone gets involved."

Working at home with a lot of ageing people can be challenging and recent events have been tough on the families and staff

Aimee admitted: "It may not be the same emotional attachment a family member would have, but of course we do get attached to them. Some have been here for years and they become like your grandparents.

"We have all supported each. A lot of tears have been shed but we are on the up again now.

"It has been a challenging time but we always had residents to look after and we stayed happy and cheerful for them.

"Most of the residents don't understand what has happened, they don't understand what is going on in the outside world. We have to remind them why we have to wear masks and and why families are not allowed to kiss them.

"We all support each other, we recognise the importance of that. The manager Jose (Simoes) is very good and so we feel supported and loved.

"For as long as they are here, whether that is for those in respite care for a few weeks, or if they stay with us longer until their end of days, we try to make it as pleasant and fun and enjoyable as we can."

Spring Lodge, which is part of the Kingsley Healthcare group, currently has empty beds and Aimee, who started working at the home three years ago, knows the way to help new people get used to their new home environment.

"It can take a couple of weeks to assimilate," said Aimee. "Usually the new people will sit in the lounge at first just watching what is going on, sussing things out, then join in when they are ready."

Singers have started to come back to Spring Lodge, and the home recently held a beach day with vocalist Kristina Bee, kiss me quick hats, inflatables, water pistols ice lollies and tea, sandwiches and cakes. The residents have also got involved in fitness sessions and other activities on Zoom during lockdown, with some sessions still continuing.