Activities at Camellia House Care Home
We understand that the people we support have passions and interests that could be difficult to pursue after moving into a care home – but that doesn’t mean we don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are dedicated to ensuring that everyone we support is able to do what makes them happy to the best of their abilities. Social events are organised with individual tastes in mind and with the idea that residents have the opportunity to try new and exciting things.
Linda Wilkie
I have worked in this home for nearly 30 years, so it is very much part of my life. I started as a part-time Domestic when my children were small and, as time has gone by, I have become a Senior Carer and the Activities Coordinator.
I have NAPA and OOMPH qualifications, as well as an NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care.
I am very passionate about my role, as it is very important to us as a team that every individual is able to live the life they wish, feeling fulfilled in their mind, body and soul, maintaining past hobbies, yet have the opportunity to try new experiences.
I have built up a very good rapport with our team, our residents, family and friends, and I have built many links with the local community, which all help the residents get the most out of life at Camellia House.
I enjoy every day; the smiles on the faces I see are reward for doing a job I love.
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 Camellia House Care Home
Mother's Day
Residents celebrated Mother’s Day with Mothering Sunday cards from our friends in Year 4 at Simon Balle School; a luxury afternoon tea with a selection of cakes and pastries, a glass of Prosecco, freshly filtered coffee or a selection of teas. The home was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and bunting for the occasion.
We are now rated 'Good'!
Camellia House passed a recent Care Quality Commission inspection with an overall 'Good' rating after being praised for a responsive, safe, effective, caring and well-led service.
The CQC inspected the home on 3rd December (the report was released on 20th January 2021) and rated the home as 'Good' overall.
The report stated that there were, “examples where staff have a great understanding of peoples support needs , likes and dislikes, where people had support with social engagement and were encouraged to maintain hobbies and interests.”
The report went on to say, “the staff encouraged and empowered people to become more independent, with a resident saying that they could not talk for some time ,when moving in to the Home , the staff had helped them develop their speech and they are now able to communicate.”
Also highlighted in the report was how residents were involved in decisions with a resident, saying that, “They always listen to you , I do not have to worry to say what I need."
Well done to everyone who has made this possible!
World Wildlife Day
Staff and residents took a walk on the wild side when they celebrated UN World Wildlife Day on 3rd March.
World Wildlife Day is an annual nationwide event to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. World Wildlife Day 2021 is celebrated under the theme ‘Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and the Planet’ as a way to highlight the role of forests in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally.
Residents had a brilliant time learning about all the different species of plants and trees native to the UK and then spotting the ones that they have in their own garden, and the wildlife those plants and trees attract. Residents went on a virtual tour of Kew Gardens to see the exotic trees and plants in the greenhouses there. Some of the residents were inspired to create artwork from the different tropical plants and trees they had seen on the tour.
Our residents love to find out about new things and many of them are very keen and knowledgeable gardeners, so they jumped at the chance to find out more about all the other exotic plants and trees we have seen today, and the birds and animals they attract. They had a wonderful time reminiscing about the different gardens they have tended and their favourite plants and trees to grow.
Valentine's Day
Camellia House was filled with flowers, cards and speciality cakes in celebration of St Valentine’s Day. Staff and residents celebrated the day of love with incredible woven hearts and messages made by the year 4 students of nearby Simon Balle Schoolearts, who have been writing to our residents throughout the Pandemic.
Big Garden Bird Watch
Staff and residents got up close and personal with some feathered friends in recognition of the Big Garden Birdwatch on 31st January.
This is an annual nationwide event, run by the RSPB, raising awareness of the number and species of garden birds. The aim of the event is to inspire people to take action for wildlife. The cold winter months are especially tough for birds, as temperatures drop and food becomes scarce, birds such as robins and sparrows need a little extra help.
Residents had a brilliant time, starting earlier in the month, drawing and painting a variety of birds, making fat balls to feed the wild birds; having a bird-themed quiz and deciding to buy suction bird feeder to go on residents' windows, which are proving to be really popular, especially with our less mobile residents.
International Flower Day
Residents at Camellia House celebrated International Flower Day, which took place recently.
International Flower Day promotes the psychological boost that flowers can give to people. From growing and nurturing plants and flowers to gifting flowers to show love and appreciation, and sometimes just the simple act of admiring their beauty – flowers have the power to make someone’s day.
Residents took part in flower-based activities throughout the day, including a flower and foliage arranging competition, reminiscing about their gardens/flowers in the home’s garden and a flower quiz which everyone really enjoyed. Their collective knowledge about flowers gained from years of gardening experience was very impressive.
Our garden is a much loved space. Residents really enjoy looking after the plants and flowers and watching them grow and change through the seasons. We don’t have many flowers at the moment, so our residents are very much enjoying the reminiscence of their own gardens and creating some beautiful arrangements.
