Introducing our comprehensive guide to Armchair Travel to England, specially crafted for activity coordinators in aged care settings!

Embark on a virtual journey to the heart of England without leaving the comfort of your facility, as we provide step-by-step instructions on how to host this enriching activity for seniors.

Whether you’re seeking to spark conversations, evoke memories, or simply provide a delightful escape, our guide equips you with the tools and resources needed to create a captivating experience.

Designed with the unique needs of aged care facilities in mind, our guide offers practical tips and creative ideas to ensure that every Armchair Travel session is a resounding success.

From choosing the right destinations to incorporating sensory elements and interactive components, we cover it all to engage seniors and make your Armchair Travel event a huge success!

Our Premium Members gain exclusive access to downloadable resources, including themed visual aids, discussion prompts, and activity sheets, to enrich their Armchair Travel sessions and provide an unforgettable experience for residents.

Join us on a virtual voyage to England and unlock the power of Armchair Travel to create meaningful connections, foster engagement, and cultivate a sense of adventure among seniors in aged care.

Planning the Experience:

Pick a Date & Promote the Session for Optimal Attendance: First things first, let’s pick a date that works best for everyone! Also, spread the word beforehand using eye-catching posters or flyers around the facility or neighborhood. You can even make a casual announcement, drumming up some excitement with a friendly, “Are you ready to explore the wonders of England?” Here’s an invitation card you can print at the bottom of this page!

Arrange a Cozy Space with a Large TV for the Event: Make your place feel like a fancy place for kings and queens! Find a good spot and put comfy chairs around a big TV, like a small movie place. Imagine you’re in a warm English house, getting ready to explore beautiful lakes and big castles.

Print Passports and Boarding Passes to Add a Playful Touch: To enhance the excitement, print out customized boarding passes and passports. Seniors will love to have that printed passport in their hands and see the stamp as you put it in.

Get Creative with Decorations—Consider Bunting Flags, Fabric Awnings, and More: Decorate with colorful bunting flags and fabric awnings to create a cheerful atmosphere. Envision English flags fluttering alongside charming cowbells, all against the backdrop of picturesque English landscapes. Enhance the ambiance with images of iconic English landmarks such as Big Ben or the White Cliffs of Dover to capture the essence of England.

Enlist Your Chef to Prepare English Snacks Like Jaffa Cake and Fudge: No trip to England is complete without indulging in its scrumptious delicacies! Gather your chef or a willing companion to whip up some traditional English treats. Treat yourself to the tangy sweetness of Jaffa Cakes, with their delightful combination of cake, orange jelly, and chocolate. And for a taste of true English indulgence, savor some creamy and rich fudge, bursting with flavor. These delectable delights will transport you to the heart of England, satisfying your taste buds and leaving you yearning for another bite.

England Session Program:

Printable A4 version of this step-by-step program is found in our premium membership download at the bottom of this page.

Follow our Step-by-Step Sample program for a successful Armchair Travel event:

1. Welcome

Set the atmosphere with English Folk Music as guests arrive. As they walk through the door, let’s give them a warm welcome and have a staff hand them the passport with their names already on it.

Seat residents comfortably. Have a staff member go around to each table and glue the stamps into the passports. (Stamps provided in our printable kit) To spice things up, dress the volunteers and the staff as airplane/ship crew for a more realistic experience!

Duration: 5 – 15 minutes

2. Introduction

Engage residents by asking what they know about England. Ask them basic questions such as the color of the flag, nationality and the national anthem, the continent, famous personalities, and other general knowledge about England.

Duration: 20 – 30 minutes

3. Refreshments

How about serving some refreshing Knickerbocker Glory or, for those who like it, a small glass of Strawberries and Cream? Let’s ensure our seniors relish the full English experience! And, naturally, we’ll ensure there’s an abundance of delicious non-alcoholic alternatives for them to enjoy.

Duration: 5 – 10 minutes

4. Quiz & Trivia

Conduct an English Quiz and share interesting trivia. You can implement the quiz provided or customize your quiz based on the level of your beloved seniors.

Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

5. Show some captivating videos of England

This can be shown on the big TV or projector screen during the travel experience. Explore the 10 Best Places to Visit in England and the enchanting Highlands. Ready your minds and travel with your imagination!

Duration: 15 minutes

6. Dancing Demonstration

Introduce English Folk dancing by presenting the videos below:

You may also get your seniors engaged in vibing the armchair travel by watching this English Country Dance.

Duration: 30 minutes

7. Share Experiences

Invite residents who’ve visited England to share their memories. Form a big circle and let every one of them speak and share their core experiences with England. You can formulate your own or use the provided template for a more organized sharing.

• My most memorable experience in England is/are _____
• What I like about England is/are _____
• What makes England unique is ______
• The people from England are _______
• If I get the chance to travel back to England again, I would ______

Duration: 10 – 15 minutes

8. The Beauty of England

Watch short, engaging videos covering England’s cities, railways, and English delicacies. Enjoy the beauty of England from every angle and perspective.

Duration: 30 minutes

9. Culinary Delights

Treat your residents to a delightful taste of England! Our chef has crafted a menu brimming with flavorful dishes inspired by English tradition. You can try cooking two or three of these recipes. Watch these recipe videos for inspiration!

Duration: 20 – 30 minutes

10. Closing

Discuss the next travel destination and express gratitude, or you may extend the session with additional activities or conclude with an English Theme Day event.

Duration: 10 minutes or less

Extending the Experience:
England Fun Facts

• Present about England
• Show them interesting facts about England.

Embark on this Armchair Travel to England, an immersive journey lasting hours or more. Whether you stop there or extend it into an all-day English Theme Day, the aim is to create memorable experiences and happy travels!