Activities at Appletree Grange Care Home
Our Activities Coordinator is constantly arranging new activities to stimulate and catch the imagination of our residents. From visiting entertainers to a regular craft table to outings on the minibus, there is always something for our residents to keep them entertained. Our Activities Coordinator also takes the time to sit with each resident and go through a life history so they get to know what the likes and dislikes of each individual are and can tailor the activities to suit them. A monthly residents meeting is held to get the views of the residents and to get suggestions from them and their families about what they would like to do and everything that can be done to accommodate their requests is done.
Christina Curtis
Hi, my name is Christina and I am the activities coordinator here at Appletree Grange. I joined both Barchester and the home in July 2024. We all know that keeping active is important. We have created a wonderful culture within the home and we will work together to give residents the best possible experience.
We are here to ensure that residents enjoy an environment that is both stimulating and socially active. We ensure the team knows each residents' preferences, so that we can deliver a person-centered program of events and activities. Essential to our homely feel is the strong relationships of trust we build with residents and their families and friends
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 Appletree Grange Care Home
Royal Parks London
Across our services our residents have enjoyed a wonderful live virtual talk about starlings, one of the UK’s most gregarious birds, hosted by Rachel Dowse from The Royal Parks London.
Rachel examined our long history with this bird and the importance of common species to our lives. Our residents had the opportunity to find out more about the great murmuration and why we need to pay special attention to these beauties before it's too late.
The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.
Crosswords and Puzzles
Residents here at Appletree Grange enjoy a varied program of activities which include, music, singing, arts & crafts, quizzes, seated exercises and film afternoons. A firm favourite is when we welcome live entertainment to the home. This week we have been busy in our crossword group and testing our knowledge together in finding the answers – team work!
Christmas spirit
The Christmas spirit has been sprinkled throughout Appletree Grange as residents and colleagues continue to countdown to the big day!
Throughout the month Residents have enjoyed festive crafts, baking, decorating the home along with music, games and live entertainment – it’s been a fun filled month.
Trudi Gilliespie, General Manager says “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and our fantastic residents love to get festive so we’ve pulled out all the stops. It is so lovely to see them all getting into the Christmas spirit, it’s definitely my favourite time of year.
On behalf of our residents and colleagues we’d like to wish our families and friends a very Merry Christmas”
Residents enjoy panto performance
Residents and staff from Appletree Grange were in for a treat with a visit from a travelling theatre production company, Northeast Producers Ltd with their ‘Alice in Wonderland’ production.
Residents from the home along with staff sat back to enjoy the timeless tale full of magical twists, fun, laughter and adventures of Alice. Would Alice find her way home for Christmas? Would we be the ones to help her? Who would beat the Queen of Hearts?
A virtual trip to Donkey Sanctuary
Across our services, Residents enjoyed a fantastic virtual tour of the Donkey Sanctuary Manchester. Residents were thrilled to meet the lovely herd of donkeys, including Henry and his best friend Tiny Tim and to learn more about their every day care. They were introduced to the sanctuary’s work and the impact they make to the lives of donkeys in need worldwide. The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.
Residents get festive!
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Appletree Grange care home, in Chester-le-Street, have been decking the halls, getting out the tinsel and unravelling the fairy lights, ready for a whole host of Christmas celebrations. Appletree Grange residents and staff have been busy creating lots of home-made bunting and garlands to make the home as festive as can be. The residents have also been crafting home-made decorations for the Christmas tree which they all helped to decorate, the tree is looking truly magnificent covered in beautiful Christmas lights, bows and candy canes!
General Manager, Trudi Gilliespie said: “Christmas is such a magical time and our residents love nothing better than to spend time creating decorations for the home and then we all help to put them up together. It is so special to be able to share these rituals and we all love to see the home decorated and filled with twinkly lights.”
Upcoming events
November
As the leaves begin to fall we are looking forward to a fun filled month ahead. All welcome.
Blue Light Breakfast - throughout November
If you are a member of the Emergency Services personnel or a Community District Nurse, pop in each Monday throughout November and enjoy breakfast on us! 08.30 - 10.30 am.
Could you be a Volunteer?
Do you have any spare time? Could your time make a difference? For more information on Volunteering, please pop in or give us a call.
Calling all Emergency Services!
Calling all members of the emergency personnel, come and take a break with us! there will be a warm welcome and maybe a cake or two.....
