In celebration of world chocolate day on the 7th July 2021, Hazel End residents were transported to their very own world of pure imagination. World Chocolate Day is celebrated annually and not only does it gives us an excuse to indulge in delicious treats, but also marks the introduction of the food to Europe in 1550 – until this point, chocolate was only known to indigenous communities in Mexico and parts of central and south America.

Residents were invited with a golden ticket like in the film, for admission to the afternoon. One resident said, ‘Oh how lovely, I can’t wait for this afternoon!’

The cinema room at Hazel End was decorated with all things sweet and chocolate, candy hung from the ceiling for an immersive screening of Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory. In true world chocolate day style, residents were greeted with a chocolate fountain, complete with fruit, marshmallows and more! Residents thoroughly enjoyed dipping delicious fruit into the liquid chocolate and definitely weren’t afraid to get messy. One resident commented ‘This is just so amazing I have never had one of these before, I think I need one for my room.’ Another resident said, ‘This would be my favourite day, I didn’t think there was such a day? But I am glad we celebrated it and I would like to do again.’

Following the chocolate indulging, residents watched the 1971 film of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory among all the candy decorations and treats to make it seem like we were really there. Residents particularly enjoyed the scene where the children frantically unwrapped the Wonka bars as they were given their own bars to unwrap in order to race to find a ticket!

At the end of the film, one resident took it upon herself to stand up and address the room, she said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to say thank you and well done for an absolutely fabulous afternoon. You have put on such a treat for us all, with all the chocolates and attention to detail. Thankyou so much.’ The other residents at the activity began to clap and all said what a brilliant time they had and they look forward to the next one.

Hazel End uses on Facebook and Tiktok which allowed families and loved ones to keep up to date with all we do here. Relatives absolutely love seeing event photos and especially love the Tiktoks we do. The Willy Wonka extravaganza called for a very colourful tiktok showing what we got up to over the afternoon. One family member commented ‘I think it is the best idea ever- shame we couldn’t all be there’ and another commented on Facebook, ‘Fabulous! You’ll be having all the residents either running around on a chocolate high or on a sugary low. Seriously though, it looks amazing, even if the chocolate is running off those plates. Bet the room smelt delicious, well done.’

Here at Hazel End, nothing is too much. We are focused on providing high-quality person-centred care 24/7, and look to come up with new and engaging events all the time. Hazel End is welcoming new residents, to book your socially distanced visit or for more information please contact 01279 925388 or email info@halcyoncarehomes.co.uk