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
Rock Choir
Residents had a fantastic afternoon of live music from the Rock Choir. Residents, friends and families enjoyed all genres of music, sang beautifully by all the members of the choir the choir sang two sets, with a break in the middle for delicious tea and cake! The afternoon ended with residents on their feet dancing to ‘I wanna Dance with somebody’ by Whitney Houston! A big thank you to the Rock Choir for an absolutely fabulous afternoon of music!
Animal Therapy
We have had two very special visitors today, lollipop and moomin. The Shetland ponies visited around the home, and even travelled in the lift. Residents were delighted to see the ponies visiting, they brought so much joy, what a great way to spend the afternoon!
Trips to the Theatre
Residents and staff have enjoyed a fantastic day out in Birmingham to watch the greatest of all romantic ballets Swan Lake, with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music. The story of this magnificent ballet tells the tale of Prince Siegfried who is out hunting one night when he happens upon a flock of graceful swans. When one of them turns into a beautiful woman named Odette, the Prince is utterly smitten – but Odette explains that she’s fallen under an evil spell cast by the dreaded Rothbart, which keeps her in swan form from dawn to dusk. Can Siegfried break the spell and smooth the path of true love? We travelled from Banbury to Birmingham on the train and enjoyed the spellbinding performance at Birmingham Hippodrome, it was a superb day out and we're very much looking forward to our next visit to the Hippodrome to see My Fair Lady in March.
National Storytelling Week
In celebration of National Storytelling week, residents here at Chacombe Park enjoyed the company of the children from a local school. The children all brought with them, some of their favourite books to read and share together. Residents had a wonderful time with the children.
Making Wishes Come True
Resident Mark wished to go ten pin bowling. Team members organised for this wish to come true and spent the morning at The Light in Banbury. Mark and his good friend Shirley played against team members and Mark was elated to have been the winner!
World Religion Celebrations
Team members wore traditional dress and came together to celebrate the different religions and cultures from around the world. The residents learned all about the six major world faiths – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism – and found out the most important festivals and how they are celebrated. Residents and staff sampled different dishes from each religion and found out when these foods were served and their significance.
