Activities at Ashcombe House Care Home
Activities are an integral part of life at our care home. We want to ensure that the people we support have as much fun as possible during their time with us, so it’s important that our activities programme is created with the interests of residents in mind. Our skilled Activities Coordinators bring a certain uniqueness to the home that can’t be found anywhere else, and which is reflected in the activities they organise.
Michelle Martin
I’m a fun, loud and outgoing individual who loves organising fun activities for residents at Ashcombe House (and staff, if possible). I’m very creative and keep the residents very active, both mentally and physically In my spare time, I love doing a lot of fundraising, which usually ends up with me sliding in mud.
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 Ashcombe House Care Home
Hen Party Fun
Residents celebrated a senior carer’s upcoming wedding with a hen party hosted at the home.
Residents and staff all got involved with the spirit of Hen party by decorating the room with balloons and banners. Residents dressed up with hen party boppers and sashes for the’ Bride Tribe’. Senior carer of the home Mellisia Irwin was shocked as she entered the room to residents singing well-known song ‘Love and marriage’.
The afternoon was filled with hen party games such as pin the ring on the finger, and staff and residents enjoyed snacks and drinks
Resident of Ashcombe house Joan Howes, said: “I’ve never been on a Hen night before it’s been a huge amount of fun, we all wish Mel a fantastic wedding and we are all looking forward to seeing her photos afterwards.”
Resident Jose Horton added “ What a wonderful afternoon, Mel is going to make a beautiful bride and we all wish her lots of love and luck for her wedding day”.
Puppy Mayhem
One of Ashcombe’s care staff is also an Ambassador for the RSPCA, Sarah dedicates herself to help animals of all shapes and sizes. Sarah recently had a lovely Dog in her care who gave birth to 8 puppies! The puppies are being very well looked after by Mum and Sarah and at 6 weeks old the Puppies came for a visit to Ashcombe. Residents and staff were overjoyed to see the tiny bundles running around the lounge, playing with toys and having cuddles on laps, it really was the highlight of the week. The puppies made visits to rooms and enjoyed getting all the attention. There are many benefits of animal therapy that go well beyond feelings of emotional support and comfort. Studies have found animal therapy has effectively helped people to relax, lower blood pressure, regulate hormones and improve interactions. Research has also shown the effectiveness of therapy animals in improving physical health conditions.
Friends & Family Summer Party
Friends and family along with health professionals were invited to a summer party at the home. Stalls were set up with raffle prizes, a tombola, craft stall with items made by residents and bric and brac stall.
The kitchen hosted a BBQ with fresh potato salads, burgers, sausages and meat free options, before the ice cream arrived with 99’s all-round much to everyone’s delight.
The afternoon Continued with Live music from Tony Allgood of reminisce entertainment which got everyone singing and dancing along.
It was a truly wonderful day to see everyone enjoying themselves and the staff worked hard to ensure residents had the best day. Residents decided they would like any proceeds from the day to go towards a tropical fish tank for the home for all to enjoy.
Intergenerational Bake off!
As part of our intergenerational program of activities, the local students from Queen Marys College who are studying Health & Social care have been designing an activity program for our residents every Tuesday afternoon. The students have been thinking about the variety of activities they can deliver as well as the benefits that it brings to the residents. This has been really good fun, this week the students hosted their own mini bake off with residents. With cupcakes, biscuits and low sugar snacks available, residents were tasked with who could do the best decoration. Unfortunately the students couldn’t award just one winner so everyone was crowned a champion. The residents enjoyed sharing their decorated snacks with staff and other residents around the home there was something for everyone. Resident Peggy absolutely loves the students visiting and will often help them select an activity ( usually one she enjoys) for the following week and seeing the relationships grow between the generations is wonderful to see.
Boat trip to Henley
The minibus was full and we headed off on a sunny day to Henley on Thames for a boat trip. Residents loved the scenery as we entered Henley most having never been here before. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park before boarding the Rivertime Boat Trust craft. Our skipper Lucy was very knowledgeable having grown up in Henley and pointed out places of interest and even a few stars houses along the Thames. We were lucky enough to see the ladies rowing teams out practising for the Henley Regatta. A wonderful day was had by all and we all slept well that evening.
D-Day 80th Anniversary
Residents and staff decorated the home and held their own celebrations to commemorate the 80 year anniversary of the D –Day Landings. Many residents remember this vividly and we spent the morning reminiscing and remembering those that gave their lives for us.
The afternoon was a celebration, with entertainer Anthony Allgood singing some war time hits and well-loved songs from yesteryear.
