Activities at Claremont Parkway Care Home

Residents quite often enjoy a little quiet reading of their favourite novel or a history book of a once admired regal figure in the corner and discussing how they are enjoying quiet reflection time.
 
Some mindful colouring while chatting to their fellow residents, enjoying refreshments and discussing the beautiful sun shining in the room, a reminder that Spring is just around the corner, which in turn brings smiles and radiance to the residents. 

Following a fun armchair fitness session with the wonderful Tom from Gfitness our residents joined us for today’s Healthy Heart Awareness event. General Manager Joanna opened with a talk on the facts about the importance of keeping our hearts healthy through regular exercise and eating the right food-stuffs. She spoke about the primary function of the heart and the major risk factors for heart disease, giving everyone the myths, and facts on maintaining a healthy heart at any age.

Deputy Manager Chloe provided blood pressure tests and our Customer Relationship Manager; Samantha created nutrition rich natural yogurt smoothies full of heart healthy fruits including avocado and spinach leaves… a combination chosen by our residents, which after blending tasted delicious!

Guests had the opportunity to try a variety of fresh fruits including strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and blackberries. Chef prepared cucumber and pepper sticks for dipping in the low-fat tzatziki and hummus dips alongside rice crackers which went down a treat during the Heart Healthy Quiz. Residents and guests found the session really helpful and enjoyed learning more about looking after their heart health. 

Noelle said it was a very good day, she really enjoys our get-togethers and loved the strawberries! Phyllis loved the bubble tea and pieces of dark chocolate (honestly its heart friendly). Marigold mentioned she’d had a very good time and enjoyed listening to the talk. Anne said she enjoyed the whole session saying it was ‘learning with a purpose’ and Patricia commented her favourite part was all the avocado as she loves it!

This week is National Pie week and at Claremont we do not like to miss out on an excuse to have some extra special tasty treats. We have started the week with some scrumptious savoury pies made by our talented chef Dijon.

Our residents had a tough decision deciding which one was their favourite from Chicken & Leek, Steak & Ale or Vegetable. Will tomorrow bring savoury or sweet pies and by the end of the week will we have found the four & twenty blackbirds!
 

A toe tapping afternoon with Spencer Jordan.

On Monday at Claremont we enjoyed a sensational afternoon with Spencer Jordan as he he entertained us with songs from Buddy Holly, Elvis, Bill Haley and many more of the all time greats!

We all had a fantastic afternoon singing and moving to the music.

Friday at Claremont the residents enjoyed a fun and relaxing gentle seated exercise session with instructor Tom from G-fitness, who guided everyone through a series of easy movements designed to improve flexibility, strength, and circulation.

With plenty of smiles, Tom made sure everyone felt comfortable and supported throughout.

These gentle exercises are a great way to keep joints moving, boost mood, and enhance overall wellbeing, all while enjoying a bit of light hearted fun together. 

Today we transformed our quiet lounge into something truly magical — a tranquillity spa right here in the heart of our home, in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

Our Home Manager Joanna Mosses, a qualified reflexologist, led a beautiful wellness day for our residents and guests - creating a fully immersive experience with sound bath meditation rhythms and a twinkling night sky across the ceiling. The space became a sanctuary of healing and mindfulness, inspired by this year’s IWD theme: ‘Give to Gain’.

Activities Assistant; Trisha from the homes’ Life Enrichment Team was on hand treating guests to relaxing foot spas, while Joanna’s expert reflexology touch did the rest.

The feedback from our guests said it all:

Phyliss said it was the best respite care she has ever had — and that the bubbles and foot spa were just lovely.
Bill had a laugh about being surrounded by women, saying they were all enjoying the posh way of living.
Anne shared wonderful stories from her time working at Champneys, and the famous faces she met there — what a life!

It was so warmly received that Joanna is making this a regular event - open to residents, staff, and members of the local community who could do with a little well-deserved pamper time. 

Did you know that the first Friday in March every year is known as ‘Employee Appreciation Day’?

It serves as a reminder that saying "thank you" is not just polite, but powerful! The day is a chance to show appreciation for employees beyond pay and perks. Today home manager Joanna treated her hard-working team to delicious range of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Doughnuts are more than just a sweet indulgence - they are a symbol of happiness, community, and the simple joys in life!
Their round shape, often associated with unity and continuity makes them the perfect treat that symbolises the togetherness of the Claremont Parkway team

Thursday afternoon at Claremont the residents enjoyed a fun and relaxing gentle seated exercise session with instructor Tom from G-fitness, who guided everyone through a series of easy movements designed to improve flexibility, strength, and circulation. Also with ball use to strengthen the muscles of the arms and legs, with some practice throwing in to the net.

With plenty of smiles, Tom made sure everyone felt comfortable and supported throughout. 

These gentle exercises are a great way to keep joints moving, boost mood, and enhance overall wellbeing, all while enjoying a bit of light hearted fun together. It was a packed room and there were laughs and many of the residents commented on how beneficial it is for them, a 45 minute non strenuous and fun exercise session.

Residents at Claremont had an unusual visitor on Sunday afternoon, welcoming wrestler "Unstoppable Steve Pym" to give a talk on what it takes to be a wrestler. 

Wrestler name "Unstoppable Steve Pym” wrestles for the IWU - Independent Wrestling Universe and he is the reigning next generation champion. Steve has been wrestling since he was very young and is now one of the trainers for the group, which meet every Tuesday at Kettering Buccleuch Academy sports hall in Kettering. Where they also hold shows throughout the year.

Residents enjoyed learning about wrestling and the in's and out's of it all, how much was actually theatrical, which Steve did explain there was an element of theatrics to it, however fitness was important and also learning how to fall properly on to the floor of the ring which in some cases can be quite hard!

Steve also brought along his winning belt, which residents had the chance to hold and finding it quite a great deal heavier than it looked. The weight of the belt was guessed by the residents and they were all surprised to know that it weighed just over 6lbs.
They residents certainly also reminisced about watching the wrestlers on television in years gone by and remembering the names "Big Daddy", "Giant Haystacks", "Hulk Hogan" and "The Rock".

Refreshment's afterwards was ofcourse a glass of Pimm's!

The residents certainly enjoyed finding out more about the wrestling world, and would like to express their thanks to the "Unstoppable Steve Pym" for taking time out to come in to give a talk to them.
 

At the beginning of February we celebrated the Birthday of Bill who was delighted to have a rendition of Happy Birthday sang to him and was even more delighted to be presented with a cake to mark the occasion and to also share with his fellow residents.

At Claremont we celebrate birthdays not just as a mark of ageing another year but as a celebration of life, achievements and personal growth. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and looking forward to future possibilities. Birthdays provide a special opportunity for us to help residents to gather with loved ones and create lasting memories.

On Sunday 8th March the world marked International Women's Day - a moment to celebrate progress and stand in solidarity with women and girls everywhere.

The ladies were presented with flowers to show how much they are appreciated and how much each of them inspire one another, we're truly grateful for the kindness, and hard work each of you brings every day. Your passion and teamwork make our workplace brighter and stronger. 

Together, let's keep lifting each other up and giving support, so women and girls everywhere can gain in moving forward.
International Women's Day has been around for over a hundred years, let's celebrate women's achievement.

If ever there was a feeling to box up and hold close forever, it's that of this morning's intergenerational session at Claremont Parkway.

Both the children and residents had so much fun singing and moving along to the music together - pure magic! Reading and sharing books between the young and residents was pure joy to see the interactions. It's a chance for different generations to come together and have fun, with music, reading and a sing-along too. The photo's show the joy on the residents faces, that certainly enjoyed this mornings session.

Thursday afternoon we welcomed back Helen from Integr8archery who with her expert guidance tested our residents aims and coordination, laughter and cheers filled the air as arrows thudded into the target boards.

The activity not only encouraged physical movement and focus but boosted confidence and camaraderie among the residents and by the end of the session everyone had got more and more competitive and all agreed what a fun afternoon they had and are looking forward to Helen returning again soon when we can hopefully take the fun out into the sun.

Residents enjoyed some quiet relaxing time looking for birds that may fly into the grounds at Claremont. 

One resident who has her own pair of binoculars was on look out spotting those birds that could be hiding in the trees that surround the grounds and explained to us all that there may not be many as some would have migrated to warmer climates.

After quite a wait, and hearing the birds calling in the distance, a robin finally flew down and went for a bath in the bird bath which for the residents looking was an absolute delight. 

The residents also saw a couple of pigeons that was agreed by all that one had found plenty to eat. This activity brought discussions about their love of birds and how relaxing it had been looking to see how many birds visit the garden.

On Tuesday evening we had the pleasure of welcoming the 17th St Andrews Cub Group and their leaders  for a social and reminiscing evening. Some of the Cubs had brought along items from home to show the residents and our residents had a selection of things to show the Cubs from their earlier years.

One leader in particular was of great interest to the residents and that was Daniel who is a Kings Scout and has been lucky enough to meet the King twice, and both Prince William and Edward, he has also been a guard of honour at the Cenotaph.
However during the evening visit with our residents he was lucky enough to get to chat to our newly appointed Resident Ambassador Alice.

Both the Cubs and our residents had a very enjoyable evening and we look forward to welcoming them again soon