Activities at Denmead Grange 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 won’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our activities team 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.
Lisa Harris
Being Head of life Enrichment isn’t just a job, it’s a passion.
My time with the residents has and will always be an honour and pleasure.
Finding out their interests and hobbies, so I can tailor the weekly planner is such a great thing to do, as this means lots of chats over a good cuppa! But it also means that I can get to know them personally and get to understand a part of their past, so I can continue to help them experience their interests in this next phase of their lives.
A truly rewarding role, where I can be part of and contribute to something meaningful. All I hope for, is to make this journey for both the residents and their families, as restful, easy and enjoyable as possible. Then I know I’ve done my part.
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 Denmead Grange Care Home
National Cake Decorating Day
On Monday, our resident's enjoyed an afternoon of Cupcake Decorating. Each participant enjoyed decorating as many cakes as they could with fresh buttercream icing and sweet treats including chocolate buttons, chocolate pearls and edible gold dust!
Our residents were reminiscing during the afternoon activity; Sheila explained "this takes me back to my childhood, helping my mother with the baking and getting to lick the spoon afterwards"!
All the beautiful cakes that were created were kindly given to other residents who may not have taken part in the activity, so everyone enjoyed some delicious cake with a cup of tea!
Book club An Elephant in the garden
This month, we are reading ‘An Elephant in the Garden’ by Michael Morpurgo
A thrilling and moving novel about an extraordinary animal caught up in a very human war. Dresden, 1945.
Elizabeth and Karli’s mother works at the zoo, where her favourite animal is a young elephant named Marlene, the zoo director tells her that the dangerous animals – including the elephants – must be shot before the town is bombed. Unable to give Marlene up, their mother moves her into the back garden to save her… and then the bombs start to fall.
Their home destroyed, the whole family must flee the bombed-out city and through the perilous, snow-covered landscape, all the while avoiding the Russian troops who are drawing ever closer. It would be hard enough to do on your own without an elephant in tow…We would love to hear your suggestions for our next book!
A bit of Morecambe and Wise
Everyone loves the cinema and we do too, so Friday afternoon we opened up the Cinema room to some of the Denmead locals and our residents.
It was an afternoon of laughter and joy as we watched Morecambe and Wise (they are definitely our favourite comedians) and everyone agreed we want to watch more of them and other great British comics. Sheila said "this was just what I needed, I laughed so much I cried" and Jean agreed with her telling me that she wants to do it again next week!
We had a great chat about the comedians of the 60's and 70's and decided that modern day comedians are good but not on the same level as the greats of those decades
The music must go on
Recently we have really been spoilt not only did we have Strings and Singers perform for us but Fiona Harrison also came along to entertain the residents.
Fiona sang some great well known hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and looked like she had just stepped out of a 1950’s dance hall, she opened with a Fats Domino Hit and entertained us with a variety of songs including Dolly Parton’s 9-5, songs by the Beatles, Cilla Black and many more. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves with many of them singing along. Jamie absolutely loved it and said “Fiona is a real star, I loved singing along with Bea to many of the songs from when I was young” Norman even grabbed a staff member for a quick dance!
Local Charity presented with funds from summer fete
During the summer we held a summer fete in aid of local charities and last week we were proud to finally present Cowplain Age Concern with £350 raised from our own stalls.
The fete was well supported with members of the local community plus family and friends came along and we even had an entertainer to sing for us. The fete was the first one that we had put on and we were overwhelmed with the response and support from everyone involved, Bea one of our residents said “it was such a lovely day everyone had fun, there was lots of laughter and it was great to see how much the local community came together to support Age Concern”
Cowplain Age Concern was chosen by the residents to be the main beneficiary of funds raised as they are a local charity that does a lot of work in the local community, they host a range of activities including keep fit classes, short mat bowls, table tennis, and lunch for the local elderly population as well as providing access to podiatrists and other professionals.
Abbie Johnston our General Manager said “Everyone worked really hard to make the fete work, we had some wonderful stall holders and I am so proud of what we achieved”
A bit of Ukulele fun
Music and entertainment are very important to us here at Denmead Grange and yesterday we were delighted to have the Ukulele band - Strings and Singers back with us to entertain the residents, they are a firm favourite and always go down well.
All of our residents got together to hear them and Margaret said “I’ve never heard them before and they were absolutely brilliant, I can’t wait for the next time they come and play for us.” Sheila agreed saying "I didn’t think it would be my type of music but they are so good I want to hear more”
