Activities at Arbour Court Care Home
Our specialist activities staff are committed to organising a variety of activities and events for all residents and the local community to get involved in, including trips out to local places of interest in our minibus, visits from entertainers and musicians and small group and individual activities in quiet yet stimulating environments. It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect resident individual interests as best as possible, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join with activities and events as often as they can.
Aimee Pickford
Hi, my name is Aimee and I'm the Activities Co-ordinator & Dementia Champion here at Arbour Court. In 2019 I received my Level 3 Health and Social Care and decided I wanted to help and enrich the lives of others.
I started working at Arbour Court in January 2021 as a Care Assistant and progressed to be a Senior Carer. In October 2023 I moved onto the activities team as an Activities Team Leader. I love my role as one of our homes Activities Co-ordinators and love to find new and exciting ways to engage our residents.
I am also a Dementia Champion and work closely with our General Manager, Lisa and other Dementia Champions to implement Barchester's Dementia Framework within the home.
Being part of Arbour Court's family is very rewarding and I feel lucky to work in a great environment.
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 Arbour Court Care Home
Musical delight at Arbour
Residents of Arbour Court were delighted to be able to welcome back popular vocalist, Sam Jones for a special performance in the homes garden. There was great relief on the day as the typical British weather had rained off her visit previously, Residents were soon dancing and singing along as she performed a medley of hits. One resident remarked “I could sit here all day as it was beautiful!” It was a wonderful afternoon and everyone had a great time.
Inside Blenheim Palace gardens
We had a lovely time exploring the amazing gardens of Blenheim Palace through a virtual talk, hosted by the Historian - Antonia Keaney.
We enjoyed a virtual look at how the gardens at Blenheim have developed over the past 300 years - from the formality of Henry Wise through to the ‘natural’ landscape created by Capability Brown and beyond.
Everyone was very impressed by the many jewels hidden within the 150 acres of beautiful gardens.
A breath of fresh air
Residents of Arbour Court took to the homes beautiful garden to take advantage of the summer sunshine to enjoy a breath of fresh air and to enjoy a spot of gardening as part of the homes popular garden club.
Everyone commented on how much better they felt for grabbing a breath of fresh air, feeling the sun on their faces and checking on the progress of the spring bulbs growing in the homes extensive grounds.
Dartmoor Zoo
We were able to virtually dive into the impressive wildlife of Dartmoor Zoo.
We explored its grounds and learnt about the unique history of the park from the zoo’s educational team. The culmination of the tour was the live tiger training demonstration, which was wonderful to see and enjoyed by all.
Our residents were delighted to see amazing photos and short videos of the animals and take a peek inside their home.
Sea Life Trust
We took a wonderful virtual trip to Iceland’s Puffin Rescue Centre at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary.
We were able to virtually meet some of the rescued Atlantic Puffins and to learn interesting facts about their care and unique lives. We took a peek into their lives in the wild, the Puffling rescue program in the Westman Islands, and how SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary’s team takes care of these charismatic little birds each day.
It was a very exciting experience, enjoyed by all.
WW2 talk with Blenheim Palace
Ahead of Armed Forces Day, we were transported back in time for a World War II themed talk and tour of Blenheim Palace, hosted by Antonia Keaney, the Palace’s social historian and author.
Entitled ‘Evacuees and Espionage,’ Antonia’s wartime themed talk focused on how the Marlborough family, estate staff and the Palace itself played a full and energetic part in the war effort.
The talk and tour told the story of how the Palace prepared for the worst, survived the onslaught of 400 boys being evacuated to Blenheim and kept the secrets of MI5.
It was a lovely experience, enjoyed by all.
Upcoming events
Countdown to Christmas
Counting down the days to Christmas with a fun filled month ahead and we extend a warm invitation for you to join us as we step into the festive spirit!
