Queen for the Day: Parklands residents step into the spotlight

Residents at Parklands Care Home in Alloa recently enjoyed a very different kind of activity, swapping the everyday for crowns, pearls, bright pink gowns and a full Queen for the Day photoshoot.

The idea was created to give residents the chance to have a bit of fun, enjoy some pampering and step in front of the camera in whatever way suited them.

Some went for full royal glamour. Others added sunglasses, gloves or a glass in hand. Every resident brought their own personality to the shoot, which is exactly what made the photographs so good.

An idea brought to life by the Parklands team

The photoshoot was the result of weeks of planning by Parklands hairdresser Jackie, who organised the day and sourced everything needed to turn the idea into a full experience. From the costumes and accessories to the finishing touches, a huge amount of thought went into making sure residents could enjoy the day in a way that felt relaxed and fun.

Jackie was joined by Michelle and Edna to form the home's Glam Squad, helping residents get ready and encouraging everyone to make the look their own. Corri then took on the role behind the camera, capturing each resident's finished portrait and plenty of candid moments along the way.

It became a real team effort, and a brilliant example of colleagues using their own skills and creativity to create something different for the people living at Parklands.

Personality over perfection

What stood out most was how differently residents approached their turn in front of the camera. There was no one way to be Queen for the Day. For some residents, it was about dressing up and embracing the glamour. For others, it was the fun of trying something completely different. Some chose a crown and pearls, while others added their own accessories and sense of humour.

That individuality is important at Parklands. The home's approach to everyday life is built around getting to know residents as individuals, including their interests, routines, preferences, relationships and the things that help them feel comfortable and involved. Parklands provides nursing, dementia, residential, respite and palliative care within a 62-bed home in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Activities are therefore not about creating the same experience for everyone. They are about providing opportunities that residents can choose to take part in, adapt and enjoy in their own way. The Queen for the Day photoshoot captured that perfectly.

More than filling an activities calendar

At Meallmore, meaningful activity is not measured simply by how busy a calendar looks. What matters is whether the experience means something to the person taking part. That might be continuing a lifelong interest, spending time with family, getting outside, visiting somewhere familiar or simply having a reason to dress up and enjoy a bit of attention for the afternoon.

For the residents taking part at Parklands, the photoshoot offered something light-hearted and social, while also creating an opportunity for conversation, confidence and connection with the colleagues around them. These are the kinds of everyday moments that sit at the heart of Life at Meallmore, where residents are supported to maintain their individuality, make choices and remain involved in the things they enjoy.

A care home connected to Alloa

Parklands is based on Alloa Park Drive and has strong connections with the wider Alloa and Clackmannanshire community. The home supports residents and families from Alloa as well as nearby areas including Tullibody, Tillicoultry, Menstrie, Stirling and surrounding parts of Central Scotland.

Those local connections are an important part of everyday life at the home. Whether residents are heading out into the community, welcoming local visitors and organisations into Parklands or taking part in activities within the home, maintaining relationships with familiar people and places helps the home remain firmly part of the community around it.

Families looking at care homes in Alloa can also explore the different types of care available locally, including nursing, dementia, residential and respite care.

Creating great places to live

The Queen for the Day photoshoot might have involved crowns and plenty of pink, but underneath it was something much simpler. Colleagues had an idea they thought residents would enjoy. They put the time into making it happen. Residents chose how they wanted to take part. And the result was something full of personality.

That is a big part of what creating a great place to live looks like. It is not always about grand events. Often, it is about colleagues knowing residents well enough to recognise what might make a good day and then being given the freedom to bring those ideas to life.

Across Meallmore's care homes in Central Scotland, residents are supported to enjoy meaningful everyday experiences while receiving care shaped around their individual needs and preferences.

A royal thank you

A huge thank you goes to Jackie for developing the Queen for the Day idea and putting so much effort into preparing for the photoshoot. Thank you also to Michelle and Edna for joining the Glam Squad, and to Corri for capturing the finished portraits.

Most importantly, thank you to every resident who got involved and brought their own style to the day.

Looking through the photographs, one thing is fairly clear. Parklands did not have one Queen for the Day. It had quite a few.

Find out more about Parklands Care Home in Alloa, including the care available, facilities and how to arrange a visit.