Activities at Claremont Parkway Care Home

Claremont we had a lovely visit from a resident who came to have a short term stay with us and had returned home.

Along with her daughter in law she called in to say hello and kindly brought us a gift of a Rose bush to say THANK YOU for the amazing time and the care she had whilst staying with us.

The rose was aptly named Litchfield Angel and Phyllis said " I chose it because you are all Angels" along with this was a lovely card and kind words. It was so nice to see Phyllis again and she said she would come along again to see us all again and has told all her friends what a wonderful caring home it is and that she had an amazing stay with us.

It is always really nice to see people again after they have been with us and we are lucky enough at the moment to have three other residents who also come and join us for either dinner or our activities or just to catch up with friends that they have made whilst they have been with us.

A big congratulations to Mel our 2nd Chef for being awarded employee of the month for May, Since Mel has been with us here at Claremont she has shown, commitment, dedication and flare for making an exceptional dining experience for our residents.

Nothing is to much trouble when you request extra treats for our activities or a change to the daily menu and her whole home approach is greatly appreciated by all.

A well deserved award and a big THANK YOU from everyone at Claremont.

We went on a whistle stop tour of Kettering taking in the house down Windmill Avenue where she was born, a stroll around the pleasure park and the bandstand remember time of listening to the Salvation Army Band, a visit to Park Infant School where she was a pupil when younger and we went inside for a look around and was even lucky enough to see one of the chicks that the children have seen hatch.

Then went by the Parish Church and back to the home. 
Reminiscing outings like this reinforce personal history sharing stories and generally boosting ones morale. 
Mollie stated on the return that it was lovely to get out and see some of the places that important to her.

This week we had a lovely visit from Louise Cavell Knighton who read from her book How to Be Human, residents listened intently as she gave an insight into her journey of writing the book and asked several questions regarding the content.

After the reading Louise explained  about the other areas that she was covering and how she was doing podcasts on different subjects to help peoples well-being and we are hoping that she will come and visit again and discuss some of these areas with us.

It is nice as a home to support local authors and we are still reading our novel by Lorna Marlow.

Having a book club within the home setting can bring both social and mental benefits to residents, giving them a chance to get together, share opinions, and enjoy friendly conversations. 

Residents of Claremont were treated to an afternoon of wonderful music, which included reggae hits and many other classics from some great artists.

Welcoming back the talented Reggae Ray Hue who also explained his heritage from his father who served in the RAF during WW2.

Residents joined in with the songs which brought a party atmosphere to the whole afternoon with songs such as 'Israelites' by Desmond Dekker, 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley, ‘Kingston Town’ by UB40, Amazing Grace, Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley and many more outstanding hits.

Residents were singing, waving their pom-poms and even had a chance to dance either in their seats or with assistance with members of the activity team.
After the entertainment residents tucked in to Jamaican inspired food and drink jerk chicken with peas and rice, a selection of mouth watering fruits, ginger cake, ginger beer, fresh fruit punch and pina colada, which was all freshly prepared by the homes 2nd chef Mel. Residents and vocalist Ray thought the food was fantastic with many going in for seconds!

Residents and team members found out more about the music genre reggae and how it all came about and that it originated in Jamaica in the late 1960's, with famous artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff and Toots and the Maytals.

Music always lifts everyone's mood and helps support memory and emotional well-being.

Residents enjoyed a spectacular virtual trip on board the latest luxury liner, Cruise Ship Parkway, for its highly anticipated maiden voyage.

Passengers were warmly welcomed on deck by "Captain" Daniel (Home Service Advisor) and his dedicated crew, Chloe (General Manager), Nico (Deputy Manager), and team member Jo.

During the voyage, residents were treated to live entertainment as Daniel played a wonderful selection of well-known tunes on the piano, prompting plenty of singing and smiles. Upon safely docking at their destination, the travellers celebrated the successful journey with delicious strawberry cupcakes and a glass or two of refreshing Bucks Fizz.

It was a creative, joyful afternoon that brought the holiday spirit right into the home.

Residents enjoyed a vibrant week packed with engaging activities and special guests. Local author Sue Moorcroft visited the home to share the inspiration behind her career as a romantic novelist. She delighted everyone by reading a few chapters from one of her 27 published books.

The culinary highlights featured a cheese-tasting session hosted by Second Chef Mel. Residents sampled a variety of flavours, including feta and farmhouse cheddar, pairing them with wine and beer while discussing their favourites.

Mel also crafted a vibrant rainbow fruit platter for Pride Awareness Month. Residents marked the occasion by exploring the history of Pride and enjoying a lively sing-along to hits.  Gentle Seated activity was also on the agenda, with a game of balloon tennis that brought plenty of laughter and smiles.

Providing a diverse activities programme ensures that every resident finds something meaningful and fun to enjoy.

Today we enjoyed a special mealtime experience as the Wellingborough Salvation Army Band performed lively music in the garden while residents dined comfortably.

The sound of familiar tunes drifted indoors, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere that brought smiles and conversation.
Music can support memory and emotional well-being as well as strengthen the sense of community within the home as everyone clapped and sang along to the tunes played.

We were so touched to discover this beautiful hand-knitted bear left outside our care home by our Warkton WI (Northamptonshire Federation of WIs). His little note says it all:

"I am not lost, but all alone
If I make you smile, take me home
Yours to keep, or give away
To bring you luck along the way"

Our Resident Ambassador; Alice said; "on behalf of everyone here, we truly believe he's found exactly the right home. Claremont Parkway is full of love to give and we've set up a special rota so that everyone here gets to spend time with him in their room and feel the warmth and love that went into every stitch!"

Thank you so much to the wonderful members of Warkton WI. This small act of kindness has meant the world to our residents. You are the very best of our community. 

Claremont was delighted to welcome back the incredibly talented singer Steve Jay for a very special performance.

Together, Steve and our residents came together to pay a heartfelt tribute to the brave individuals serving in our Armed Forces.

Steve performed a wonderful selection of classic oldies that immediately resonated with the audience. The lounge was filled with energy as everyone sang along, clapped to the rhythm, and shared memories of the era. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon that beautifully combined high-quality musical entertainment with a meaningful moment of gratitude for our service members.

Claremont proudly celebrated two of our exceptional night carers, Filippa and Tracy, who were presented with 10-Year Long Service Awards. This milestone honours their unwavering dedication, commitment, compassion, and professionalism.

Every single night, they provide outstanding care and support to our residents while offering vital encouragement to the team working alongside them.

To mark the occasion, both were presented with beautiful bouquets of flowers as a small token of our appreciation.

Well done, Filippa and Tracy! Thank you for your continued service and for the profoundly positive impact you make on everyone in our home throughout the night.

Wednesday evening residents enjoyed a social get together playing traditional pub games whilst enjoying burger & chips and for some a small tipple of wine or lager.

We started with a game of shut the box which residents enjoyed and then some had a friendly game of darts. Get togethers like this enhance residents' well-being and bring companionship and fun everyone. Taking part in social events helps create a warm, supportive atmosphere where everyone feels included and valued, which can have a positive effect on both mental and emotional health.

On Monday 13th April in the evening we got together to have a very enjoyable game of scrabble we paired up with friends and got our thinking caps on to see who could come up with the best word.

Evenings like this are a lovely way for residents to spend time together whilst engaging in some laughter, friendly competition and companionship.