To help keep you inspired and engaged during these challenging times, our Living Well Centre team is bringing you themed activities and resources every fortnight.
We hope you enjoyed the elephant-themed page; please send in pictures of work you have done, we love to see them. Some of the hospice staff have added to our gallery with a ‘holey elephant’ and a ‘welly-phant’!
Our theme for the next two weeks is sheep. We have included all things fluffy for you, with plenty of ‘baa-rilliant’ activities, book recommendations, interesting web links, history and horticulture!
We hope to help keep you entertained and inspired!
Sheep to help you sleep
Having trouble sleeping? Make a rocking sheep to help you sleep. Keep a pen with your sheep so that when you are worrying about things you can write them inside or on the back of your sheep.
The sheep will hold your worries and help clear them from your head – gently touch the sheep to make it rock and think about the world of nature – count some sheep to help you sleep.
Maybe try listening to JS Bach – Sheep may Safely Graze – to soothe your mind and help you sleep.
Materials don’t have to be expensive – in fact you can use things you find around your home.
I used the cardboard from a cereal box and drew around a saucer to make a circle – when cut out I folded it in half to make a rocking semi-circle.
I used the inside of a junk mail envelope with a grey pattern to cut out the head and drew a face on it.
You can stick cotton wool, or wool, on your sheep – or use a piece of white chalk to make curly woolly lines. Alternatively, you could just leave it plain so you can write down your worries.
Take a look at these ideas for other sheep-themed crafts. Why not have a go yourself? Share your creations with us, if you would like us to add them to our online gallery.
Do you know how many front teeth a sheep has, or where most breeds of sheep originate from? Test your knowledge with our sheep quiz!
Take a look at our list of books and films which have an sheep theme. Have you read, or seen, any of the titles on our list?
Ever wondered why mint sauce was paired with lamb? Read more to find one possible theory on the culinary connection.
We thought you might like to see some pictures of sheep that live on a farm not too far from the hospice. At this time of year there are lots of lambs in the fields.
Thousands of sheep, soft-footed, black-nosed sheep—
One by one going up the hill and over the fence—one by
One four-footed pattering up and over—one by one wiggling
Their stub tails as they take the short jump and go
Over—one by one silently unless for the multitudinous
Drumming of their hoofs as they move on and go over—
Thousands and thousands of them in the grey haze of
Evening just after sundown—one by one slanting in a
Long line to pass over the hill—
I am the slow, long-legged Sleepyman and I love you
Sheep in Persia, California, Argentine, Australia, or
Spain—you are the thoughts that help me when I, the
Sleepyman, lay my hands on the eyelids of the children
Of the world at eight o’clock every night—you thousands
And thousands of sheep in a procession of dusk making
An endless multitudinous drumming on the hills with
Your hoofs.
This section may not be strictly sheep-themed, but if you would like to do some exercise here is a helpful link from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Six simple exercises for strength and balance: www.csp.org.uk/easyexercises
We are going through times of uncertainty and fear in relation to global and personal health. As well as taking the Government advice and staying safe at home, one of the most empowering things we can do at times when so much feels out of your control is to manage your health and well-being by taking charge of your diet. Read some top tips, and a recipe, from Pam Clark, Nutritional Therapist, who is a former Palliative Care Nurse at St Richard’s Hospice.
We’ll be sharing pictures on this fortnight’s theme in our Sheep Gallery. If you’d like to contribute, please email Alison Mesley, hospice Art Therapist.
Meet Private Derby, a Swaledale ram and the official mascot of the Mercian Regiment, in this video on YouTube
Ever wondered how to shear a sheep? Take a look at this video on YouTube
See how Morph gets on when he tries his hand at farming
Weaving: a practical, instructional demonstration video on YouTube
Watch as Stuart Connor sets a British record for the most lambs sheared in nine hours in 2019
Watch a video on felting on YouTube
See a video on the process of spinning fleece to yarn in the 18th Century
Visit www.shetlandwoolweek.com for everything yarn-related
Read about the sculptor Henry Moore’s sheep drawings from the 1970s and 80s
During this challenging time, we are doing our utmost to continue caring for the patients and loved ones who need us most.
The way we work has been adapted, with many of our services delivered remotely – such as over the phone, or by video call. And we are working closely with other health care professionals in Worcestershire to share knowledge and expertise at this time.
Latest changes at St Richard’s Hospice
Please do not visit St Richard’s Hospice if you have a high temperature or new, continuous cough. If you have these symptoms, please stay at home and self-isolate for seven days. See NHS advice on coronavirus.
Thank you for your support and understanding at this difficult time.
