Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home welcomed care home residents from across Essex to take part in an Easter-themed bake off.

The event was organised by Essex charity Friends and Neighbours (FaNs), which aims to keep older people connected to the wider community.

Dunmow Broadcast: Residents competed to bake the best Easter treatsResidents competed to bake the best Easter treats (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

Residents from five other care homes - Mansion House, Elmcroft House, Totham Lodge, Boucherne and Hailey House - visited Hatfield Peverel and donned their Easter Bunny ears to take part.

Ingredients for the bake off were donated by FaNs ambassador and community partner Tesco Maldon.

Dunmow Broadcast: A resident baking at Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care HomeA resident baking at Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

Staff and FaNs volunteers judged the Easter-themed entries based on appearance, taste and creativity.

Kathleen, a resident at Hatfield Peverel, said: "I loved taking part in the bake off.

"Baking is a huge passion of mine and I’m grateful that my home arrange lots of baking activities for us.

Dunmow Broadcast: Residents displaying their Easter treatsResidents displaying their Easter treats (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

"It was lovely to welcome residents from other care homes to Hatfield Peverel and meet new people. We also got to enjoy the cakes after the judging."

The judges announced the chocolate nest cake made by Hailey House as the winner, against tough competition.

Cristina Matei, activities coordinator at Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home, helped organise the event. 

Dunmow Broadcast: Care home residents donned bunny ears for the occasionCare home residents donned bunny ears for the occasion (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

She said: "Our residents loved taking part in the bake off and enjoyed the friendly rivalry between the homes.

"It’s not just about making delicious cakes - it’s about doing something enjoyable together that brings back lots of happy memories, as many of our residents used to bake regularly, so it’s a great opportunity for them to reminisce."

Hatfield Peverel home manager Muhammed Neeliyath said: "We encourage our residents to live active and fulfilling lives, so we organise a variety of activities for them to take part in.

Dunmow Broadcast: The winning cake by Hailey HouseThe winning cake by Hailey House (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

"Inter-home events, such as the bake off, offer great opportunities for our residents to meet new people and make new friends, keeping them connected to their local community.

"Thank you to FaNs for supporting us in so many ways and helping us make this event such a success."

Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care, including those living with dementia.

Dunmow Broadcast: Residents competed to bake the best Easter treatResidents competed to bake the best Easter treat (Image: Bupa Care Homes)

Dunmow Broadcast: Hatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home hosted the Easter bake offHatfield Peverel Bupa Care Home hosted the Easter bake off (Image: Bupa Care Homes)