Activities at Claremont Parkway Care Home

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. 

Did you know we organise regular meetings with residents and their relatives to keep everyone updated and make sure their views and preferences are heard? 

The first meeting of 2026 was well attended and very productive; full of positivity and fresh ideas for the year ahead. Lead by manager Joanna, supported by all heads of department we took the opportunity to welcome Alice as our new Resident Ambassador.
Our hospitality team laid on a little winter warmer tipple and cheese to finish the social gathering in style, which went down very well!

We can’t wait to see you in our next meeting on 24th February from 2.30pm – Family & Friends welcome.

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.

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming PC Jo Barlow, Fraud Protect and Prevent Officer, and David Reed, Cyber Dependent Protect and Prevent Officer from Northamptonshire Police into our home to provided our residents and staff with invaluable advice and information on how to identify and deter scam artists and fraudsters.

We learnt how to identify ‘Cyber Crimes’ that try to access our personal information via emails, phone calls, text messages, social media and websites to ‘Scam Visits’ when individuals pretend to be official bodies over the phone such as your bank and even the police!

During their informative chat, PC Jo Barlow met with one of our residents who started her career as a serving police officer before having her daughter and moving onto become a teacher of mathematics. It was wonderful to hear her recall her role in the service and enormous pride in the fact that one of her grandsons has also join the force.

Many of our residents use mobile phones and iPads to stay connected to their family and friends, and to make online purchases. The Northamptonshire Police team provided us all with key ways to spot potential fraud and scams which are one click away from stealing our personal data. 

The team shared the following important numbers for us all to take a note of: 
- Suspected fraud can be reported to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
- If you think any of your bank details have been capture notify your bank immediately on 159
- Suspect text messages should be forwarded to 7726

We've asked the team to join us again. Please look out for the next event poster, we cannot recommend the session highly enough. Its FREE and invaluable advice that helps protect us all from online theft.

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

Friday Activities Coordinator Karen was surprised by our General Manager Jo Mosses with flowers, chocolates, pamper set and certificate in recognition of her work.

Her compassion, creativity, and dedication bring joy, purpose, and connection to every resident’s day. She has a special gift for turning everyday moments into meaningful memories, and the impact she makes is truly priceless.