Activities at Chacombe Park 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.
Heather Gooch
My name is Heather and I am the Head of Activities here at Chacombe Park. My role is to ensure that all residents are supported in enjoying hobbies and events that enrich their life.
I have a Bachelors degree in Theatre Performance, as well as a PGCE in Secondary Drama. I have previously worked for another Barchester home back in 2012 before working as a secondary school teacher, teaching Drama at both GCSE and A Level. I have a passion for person centred care, which has come from my love of pastoral work during my time as a teacher. I want each resident to feel appreciated and supported to enjoy the skills/hobbies that they have treasured before their time at Chacombe.
In my spare time I enjoy singing, cross stitch and learning new skills. I endeavour to bring these hobbies and passions into my role here at Chacombe, as well as learn some new skills from the vast range of knowledge that our residents can bring!
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 Chacombe Park Care Home
Christmas Market
We organised an in-house Christmas arket for the residents to be able to browse the stalls for special gifts and some treats for themselves. Local business holders brought their products to the home for us to display. Residents were overjoyed to be able to shop from the comfort and safety of the home.
Let There be Lights!
Team members have been hard at work creating our very own light trail in the garden.
Each year, we would be out and about on the minibus visiting the likes of Blenheim Palace and Waddesdon Manor, but because we haven't been able to enjoy such outings this year, team members came together to create a winter wonderland light trail in our own back garden.
Residents can enjoy the lights any time they wish and warm up with a glass of mulled wine afterwards. So much joy has been brought by creating this light trail; the residents have all commented on how wonderful the garden looks and how it brings real festive spirit to the home.
Bonfire Night
Residents enjoyed delicious hot dogs and jacket potatoes before we made our way out into the cool fresh evening, wrapped up warm with a hot drink, to enjoy our annual firework display. Residents watched from the garden, balconies and the welcoming warmth of the inside, as fireworks lit the sky.
Birthday Celebrations
Charles celebrated his day with family and friends around him, raising a glass of fizz in the morning with family from the comfort of the visiting pod, and later enjoying an afternoon tea with friends and team members in the home.
Staff contacted his family and arranged for birthday video messages to be sent; Charles was overwhelmed with the heartfelt birthday messages he received.
Oktoberfest
Staff and residents held their very own beer festival in recognition of Oktoberfest. The residents had lots of beer to sample from all around the world. They enjoyed listening to traditional German music and watching clips from Oktoberfest on YouTube to learn about the culture.
Indoor Shopping
We held an indoor shopping event with the help of one of our regular stallholders. The selection of cards and gifts, usually a familiar sight at our bazaars and fetes, were brought to the home where the residents were able to browse and purchase, maintaining their independence with shopping and getting ready for the lead up to Christmas, with a beautiful selection of Christmas cards on offer.
