Dementia patients carve Halloween pumpkins at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital

Dementia practitioner Jodie Barwick said: “We were donated pumpkins and as part of our afternoon activities staff and patients carved pumpkins. The patients that took part really enjoyed themselves and didn’t leave the room until every pumpkin was finished.”

Patients on ward 6B were given safe instruments to use to scoop out the pumpkins and were assisted in drawing and cutting out the faces on the pumpkins.

Jodie has recently taken on her role as dementia practitioner and provides one to one support for patients identified with dementia at the hospital.

At Pilgrim, Jodie runs afternoon activity sessions for patients where they can mix with other patients, socialise, play games, paint, decorate cakes and listen to music from their era. She encourages patients who are mobile to take a walk with her outside and get some fresh air.

Jodie added: “Sister Becky Tomlin on 6B has been really supportive in letting me try new things on the ward to improve the care we give to patients. We hope to be doing an activity session each week in the dayroom which will also be for 6A patients to come along. In the lead up to Christmas we will be doing festive themed activities. It was so good seeing the patients enjoy themselves and socialise with others.”