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
Barchester Care Awards 2023 - Divisional Winner!
We're so happy to announce that Julie Rowlands has been crowned Hospitality Champion for the Central Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2023 and is through to the national round of judging.
The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 13,000 residents living in Barchester’s 252 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.
Shakespeare Day
In honour of the world’s greatest playwright residents enjoyed a trip out to his place of birth, Stratford upon Avon. Enjoying delicious fish and chips wrapped in paper for lunch on the river’s edge, sitting opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Residents remembered studying Shakespeare when they were at school and recalled watching his plays. It’s fascinating to think Shakespeare was born in 1564 and his plays are still studied and staged all over the world. In the afternoon we enjoyed freshly baked scones topped with Jam and cream alongside a nice hot cup of tea.
The British Motor Museum reminiscence boxes
A fantastic visit from the British Motor Museum who brought along memorabilia from British Motoring history for residents share and browse.
Residents had so many stories and wonderful memories to share, which brought back some very fond memories of days gone by, first cars, family cars, last cars, driving on the open road and looking after their pride and joys! The museum brought along photographs, old maps which were pre motorway, steering wheels, lights, first aid boxes that included a key for the SOS boxes on the side of the roads and much more! A great afternoon reminiscing on British Motoring History!
Lambing experience
Residents enjoyed afternoon at the farm having plenty of cuddles with newly born lambs. Residents were greeted off the minibus by team members at Hadsham farm and were so grateful to be given a guided tour around the farm and all its animals, visiting the pregnant ewes, as well as the little chicks and piglets. Followed by delicious coffee and cake in the glorious sunshine after they finished exploring around the farm!
Quiz Night
The home hosted a quiz night, to raise money for a local hospice Katherine House. The community support for the event was outstanding and after 8 rounds of quizzing it ended with a tie break question to decide the winning team. There was also a raffle to help raise more money for this wonderful cause, with our raffle prize winner taking home a fabulous hamper of goodies! All in all we raised an amazing amount of money £250 for Katherine House Hospice.
Days out with Wildlife
Residents were filled with joy to visit the Butterfly farm in Stratford upon Avon, Hatton Country world and Cotswold wildlife park. During their visits they were able to see animals and wildlife from all around the world, as well as see spring lambs that had only just been born. Residents had the chance to feed some of animals hold the little furies and get up close with some of the big five lions and Rhinos!
