Activities at Lochduhar Care Home
Activities are the cornerstone of a wholesome home experience and our Activities Coordinators are always putting their creative minds to the test by organising new and exciting social events for residents to partake in. Of course, we take into account the likes and dislikes of those we support, so if someone doesn’t feel like trying something new, there will always be something on offer to reflect their personal interests. For the people who may just prefer some peace and quiet instead, we also offer one-to-one time that can be enjoyed with a nice cup of coffee or just a simple chat – whatever they desire.
Sally Gilder
Sally has been in the care sector since 1998. Sally joined the Lochduhar team in 2018 as a care assistant.
Sally is very passionate about the care she provides and the welfare of the residents. Working as a care assistant Sally was able to get to know the residents wants and needs to provide excellent person centred care to each individual. Then in 2020 Sally found the opportunity to become Head of Activities. Sally feels that she provides a different side to herself to promote an active and inclusive lifestyle through her role as Head of Activities.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Lochduhar Care Home
Gardening Club
We have finally had some wonderful sunshine and we have been able to be out in our gardens. We had already planted some tomato and cucumber seeds in our greenhouses and were surprise to see how quickly they grew. So we replanted them into some grow bags, watered them and we can’t wait to see the end produce.
The Nursery children had recently potted some broad beans and asked the residents to look after them until their next visit. The residents and activity team got together and replanted the broad beans in the high beds, ready for the children to see on the next visit. The residents recently planted some potatoes and onions and they are shooting up well. We also have some strawberry plants that are doing well too.
A Visit from Reggie
We have recently been visited by Reggie, the dog who has just started up with pet therapy.
This was his first visit, he came in with his owner Maggie and he visited residents in their rooms
and around the home. Maggie Reggie’s owner had some treat for him, which the residents enjoyed giving him.
It was very thirsty work for Reggie and he enjoyed a bowl of water. The residents are very much looking
forward to seeing him again, in a couple of weeks’ time.
Northwest Nursery Visit
We had our weekly visit from the Northwest Nursery children.
Our residents always look forward to seeing them. This week we replanted the broad beans into bigger pots with soil. We gave the plants some water and the Sally and Maggie our activity team are going to look after them, for when the children come again next week.
When the plants get use to been in the greenhouse, the children and residents will plant them in our high beds, with some canes. The residents and children also planted some sunflower seeds and we are eagerly waiting to see them shoot up.
Claire's Cool Creations
We have had a visit from a lady called Claire from Claire’s Cool Creations, who bought in her reptiles and animals, for our residents to see and hold. Some of our residents were very excited to have this animal encounter. They were even brave enough to hold and stroke them.
There was a Python, African millipede, Silky hen called Lulu, Hermann’s tortoise a whites tree frog a hedgehog called Beatrix who was only 15 weeks old, Skinny pig and Guinea pig a gecko. Claire gave us some interesting information about the animals and reptiles, where they originally come from and how they live and what they feed on.
The residents really enjoyed this animal encounter and are looking forward to seeing them again.
International Women's Day
Residents at Lochduhar Care Home in Dumfries marked International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th by spending the day celebrating the achievements of wonderful trail-blazing women throughout history.
IWD takes place on March 8 every year to celebrate women’s rights and inspire people to fight for gender equality. A United Nations-sanctioned global holiday, IWD celebrates women’s contributions to society, raises awareness about the fight for gender parity and inspires support for organisations that support women globally.
Minibus Trip
We recently took a mini bus trip to the Palmerston Arena Café, which is situated next to Palmerston Park, Queen of The South football stadium. It was a very chilly day, so some of us decided to warm ourselves up with a hot chocolate. We each chose a chocolate tray bake and we sat and reminisced about passed football players and games.
On the last Thursday of every month there is a community football memories support group that meet up at Palmerston Park and we are very much looking forward to that this month.
Upcoming events
What's Happening In November?
Please have a look at what's coming up in the home in November, we welcome anyone to join us.