Activities at Collingtree Park Care Home
Our specialist activities staff are committed to organising a mix of activities and events for residents and the local community to get involved in, including trips out to local places of interest in our minibus and visits from entertainers and musicians. It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these as they can, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities as best as possible, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join in with activities and events as often as they can.
Lucia Pivetta
Hello, my name is Lucia and I'm one of the Activities Coordinators here at Collingtree Park care home. My role is to enrich the lives of our residents by providing stimulating and person-centred activities. We offer something for everyone, including arts and crafts, games and live entertainment including visits to places of interest in the local area. I love to provide one-to-one time and sensory activities with residents who need a little more support.
Getting to know our residents better is so important, and through regular meetings with family and friends I can gain a greater understanding of their loved ones' interests and life prior to joining the Collingtree Park community.
We are always open to new ideas. If you would like to get involved in any of our Life Enrichment activities or have a skill, or project you'd like to share with our residents, please click here to contact the activities team direct. New entertainers and community links are always welcome.
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 Collingtree Park Care Home
Art Therapy
During this weeks art therapy session we spent time sharing memories of trips to the seaside. Resident Julian said he wanted to give his masterpiece to his wife as they loved being by the sea.
Pam said she has so many fond memories of the growing up near Margate with regular trips to the beach she loves everything about the coast.
Classical Afternoon Tea
Today our residents took afternoon tea relaxing to classical music performed by King & Rackham Duo. Andrew Rackham gave us a synopsis of each piece prior the duo's beautiful rendition.
One of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program is live musical entertainment. Resident involvement in choosing genres along with feedback after each performance means that we are able to constantly improve our activities calendar.
Today's audience loved the duo's performance and have requested we book them to return over the Christmas period.
Employee of the Month - July
Please join us in congratulating Care Assistant; Sumalee Boland better known to us all as the wonderful 'Pom' on receiving ‘Employee of the Month’ for July 2024.
Pom was nominated by our residents, her colleagues and residents’ relatives for being so hardworking, kind and respectful. Pom is always willing to help in every department and has a smile for everyone.
She was presented with her certificate, £25 voucher, flowers and chocolates by General Manager Rosalyn who wanted to say a special 'thank you' on behalf of everyone at Collingtree Park for her continued support to the team.
Alan and Fiona Entertain
Our residents love it when pianist Andy Salter comes in for his monthly performance. This week Alan was joined by the amazing ukulele and flute playing vocalist Fiona, who had us all singing and tapping our feet along!
The methods and mediums may change but the heart of live music - the communal joy, the shared emotions, the collective energy - remains untouched.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: live music will continue to be a cherished experience at Collingtree Park, even as its form and format evolve.
Dementia Café Dedicated to 'Playday'
Our monthly dementia friendly café for residents as well as members of the local community takes place on the first Wednesday of each month. To celebrate National 'Playday' this month's community café focused on the importance of 'play' as a child, and in later life.
We marked the occasion with a selection of interactive games for guests to play and afternoon tea to enjoy. Joined by VIP guests; Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Paul Joyce and Mayoress, Mylissa our café was a welcoming space for carers in the community and their loved ones who may be living with dementia to play retro games and take time to reminisce about 'playtime' with friends.
Cllr Paul Joyce and Mylissa fully immersed themselves in all activities, leading the ‘Play Your Cards Right’ game and trying all the other games on offer with residents, staff and guests. Mayoress, Mylissa was a master at ‘5-Jacks’ and the smell of ‘Play-Doh’ took us all down memory lane as we chatted together about life at school, and how our residents would keep their children entertained during the holidays.
During the afternoon the amazing Sparky & Sprite Entertainment singing duo had everyone up and dancing to songs from the Past to Present day. Attendees enjoyed a complimentary afternoon tea with homemade refreshments courtesy of Chef Jennifer and the homes hospitality team.
General Manager Rosalyn James said: “Today’s café was full of brew-tea-full fun and energy that our VIP guests made even more special. The power of play with friends at its best! One of our residents; Betty had a special conversation with the Mayor and Mayoress about growing up and living in Northampton that absolutely made her day!”
Dedicated to our residents and members of our local community who are carers for loved ones who are living with dementia, our next café will take place on Wednesday 4th September between 2.30-4pm.
Celebrating Long Service
Two of our amazing Care Assistants have this month received their prestigious Long Service Awards in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for a combined 30 years! Rowena Crisostomo and Widya Lilley joined the Barchester family at Collingtree Park as Care Assistants in August 2004, and 2014 respectively. Both have worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.
Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Rowena has achieved this 20-year milestone, and Widya her 10-year service award. It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”
General Manager, Roz said: “We’re so proud to have these wonderful ladies part of the Collingtree Park care team, their knowledge, experience and loyalty to our home and its residents year after year has been exemplary. I speak for all of us here at Collingtree Park when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with them both!”
Upcoming events
Macmillan Coffee Morning
We are inviting friends, families and members of the local community to join our residents and staff for a Coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Wear It Pink Day - All Welcome
Join us 'Wear it Pink' on 18th October as we raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. They'll be plenty of pink cakes and buns on offer - All Welcome!
Newsletter Summer Edition 2
Please take at look at our latest news from in and around Collingtree Park care home.
Key Workers - Take a Break!
If you are part of the emergency services or a community healthcare professional in need of a break, drop in at any time complimentary refreshments and a warm welcome await you.
Community Church Service
Join our Monthly Church Service on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.30am courtesy of Vicar James from Church of St Columba, Collingtree, Northampton.
