Activities at Chester Court 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 Coordinator is 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.
Our aim is to make sure that our residents feel they had something to look forward to each day. We have a varied life enrichment programme, both in the home and in the community, and we always ask if there is anything different that residents would like to do. Residents and families approach our Activities Coordinator and comment on how much they enjoy what we do, so that we can continue to develop our programme to the benefit of our residents.
Lauren Corbett
Hi, my name is Lauren and I am the Activities Coordinator here at Chester Court. I joined the team in December 2020 and bring a wealth of enthusiasm to the role. I have just graduated from university in July 2020 and have previously completed work experience at another Barchester home. During this work experience I discovered how meaningful and important activities are for residents and how they can help enhance resident’s lives. Therefore, I decided to become an activities coordinator myself as I feel this is such a rewarding role.
I love working with our Residents here at the home and getting to know them and their families so that I can deliver and support in meaningful activities, keeping them socially stimulated and active as part of our extensive life enrichment calendar. The lifestyle and continued community links are also important.
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 Chester Court Care Home
Home enjoy virtual event with English National Ballet
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Chester Court care home in Bedlington were treated to a unique performance from English National Ballet to celebrate International Youth Day on August 12.
Prior to the day itself, members of English National Ballet’s youth dance company, ENBYouthCo, and their Creative Director, Richard Bermange, asked residents to submit their memories of going to see films over the years. The cast then used these evocative descriptions, along with Arielle Smith’s digital production of Jolly Folly, as inspiration for their performance.
On the day, residents were able to watch a performance of A Comedy in Long-shot, a dance film performed by ENBYouthCo, participate in a chair-based, creative dance workshop along with the cast and observe an open rehearsal where Richard and the young dancers created a performance inspired by the residents’ childhood memories.
V&A Dundee - Club culture
We had a lovely time joining V&A Dundee curator, Kirsty Hassard, as she introduced us virtually to the history and design of night clubs and the club culture from the 1960s to present day.
We explored the evolution and development of night clubs around the world, from Italy to America, and closer to home, looked at their importance as cultural venues and designed spaces.
This current exhibition celebrates night clubs at a very important moment, as we all look to a brighter future where everyone can come back together, to dance and to enjoy nights out once again.
We all enjoyed the virtual talk.
Residents cheer on team GB
Residents and staff at Chester Court care home in Bedlington have been cheering on Team GB throughout the Tokyo Olympics. The home has been decked out with flags and residents have been enjoying all the action over the past weeks. Everyone at the home has loved seeing all of our amazing Olympians progress. Residents also took part in “Chester Court Olympics”.
Sports fans at Chester Court were delighted to be able to watch this year’s Games after the disappointment of last year’s having to be postponed. Residents and staff have had a brilliant time getting together to watch all of the different sporting fixtures from rowing to cycling, gymnastics to boxing, show jumping to judo.
As well as watching the Olympics, residents at Chester Court took part in their own Olympic games with a series of sports events in the home including, an opening ceremony passing the Olympic torch, bean bag long jump, balloon volleyball, discus throw, basketball, archery, weightlifting, carpet bowls, skittles and ball darts.
Animal therapy with Tortoise
Residents enjoyed animal therapy sessions with Arthur the tortoise. Residents learnt facts about horsefield tortoises including, what they eat, their lifespan and where they live. Afterwards residents completed a mini quiz on the facts they had learnt and word searches. It was a very interesting day!
After seeing Arthur the tortoise residents were keen to learn more so we watched National Geographic Turtle vs Tortoise documentary. After watching the documentary residents enjoyed an arts and crafts session creating their own tortoises.
Fun in the sun
Residents took advantage of the sunny weather and enjoyed time in the garden. Whilst in the garden residents listened to music and played various games including, ball darts, ring toss and bean bag toss. They also enjoyed some ice lollies under our new gazebo to keep them cool and hydrated.
Mini bike show with Boom Trike!
Residents had an amazing day as they were able to have a mini bike show in the carpark with a Boom Trike. Some of our residents used to be bikers and biker chicks, we had a great time reminiscing about the past. Afterwards everyone got to read a book all about Boom Trikes and learnt a lot about them. Residents also took a virtual visit to Birmingham Motor Cycle Live 2018 and 2019 Show.
Upcoming events
Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
Calling all emergency services personnel, come and take a break with us! There maybe a cake or two available....
Volunteers - Could you make a difference?
Do you have any spare time? Could you make a difference? If you'd like more information on how you could volunteer we'd love to hear from you!
