Activities at Derham House Care Home
Our teams are trained to enrich the lives of residents through stimulating the mind, body and soul, and taking the time to learn about each person to ensure everyone receives support that adds enrichment to their life.
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 don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are 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.
Kay Thompson
I have worked in the care sector for many years. I am fully trained in dementia awareness, and I have also trained as a dignity champion. I have been working here at Derham House since March 2019, and I am really enjoying my role here.
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 Derham House Care Home
Life is brew-ti-ful with a cup of tea!
Another new activity for 2025, afternoon tea at Proper Vintage with Wendy & Co.
Step back in time to your Grandma's parlour, full of proper old-fashioned wallpaper and ornaments. Our residents were in for a treat or two.
Afternoon tea for four, and wow, what a variety, from finger sandwiches to so many cakes. It was difficult to choose, and we all had scones to finish it off, with lashings of tea, of course!
Residents thoroughly enjoyed themselves and Molly kept saying, "You have done us proud!"
Meaningful Memories
What started as a general chit-chat with a resident and a family member turned into home-made apple strudel.
While chatting with Dina she was telling us how she used to love cooking her traditional Austrian dishes. Schnitzel, Sacher-torte and Apple Strudel amongst other dishes. So that was where the idea came to, for Dina to create her traditional Strudel for all to enjoy.
Dina wrote out all the ingredients needed, and we spoke to the chef, who was obliging and supportive. Dina was in her element and super excited on the day, getting her hands dirty (as they say) kneading home-made filo pastry from scratch, then adding cooking apples, cinnamon and mixed fruit, folding it into a parcel ready for the oven, and baking an extremely tasty Apple Strudel.
It made her and her family’s day, bringing back lots of beautiful memories of baking for family and friends.
Musical Bingo
Eyes down for our first game of musical bingo of the year. Great to see a few of our residents turning up as well as a few family members.
It’s perfect for our residents who love music, but who might not be able to dance their hearts out any more (or if they do, it’s not pretty). It’s also a great way to make new friends.
Whilst the social benefits are hugely important, studies have proven that, for older people, playing bingo helps keep the mind sharp, and improves hand-eye coordination.
Overall, bingo is a great way for older people to keep socially and mentally active!
New Year, New Entertainer
Derham House welcomed the New Year with a new entertainer for 2025, Ian Gallagher.
He brought all the old favourites back to life, from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Matt Monroe and many more.
What a delight for our residents. Smiling, singing and toe tapping to all their favourite songs.
Ian was born in London but moved to Santa Barbara, California, USA at an early age with his parents.
At 16, he was chosen for the part of the big band singer in the film “Yanks” which starred Richard Gere, which was a huge box office success. He has performed on the West End and also performed at Buckingham Palace amongst other venues.
What a Christmas
It has been a fun packed and very busy time this Christmas at Derham House. From Singers, School Choirs and even the odd Elf or two. Our Residents have enjoyed many a tipple and many a festive treat prepared by themselves and our Chef's.
At Derham House we have loved opening our home up and hosting events that friends and family can join us for. Shared experiences are the best experiences and we ensure that our residents remain connected with their loved ones whilst they live with us.
It's certainly been a Christmas to remember and at Derham House and that's what we like to do - create memories, and ensure our residents are leading full enriched lives.
Mince Pie Making
Today at Derham house we made mince pies.
The residents had a great time rolling the pastry filling them with mincemeat and baking them.
Oh the aroma wafting around the home was lovely but the anticipation to eat them was too much. Once they came out the oven, we waited for them to cool enough to eat and they were heavenly.
Some of the residents enjoyed them that much they had seconds.
WELL DONE LADIES!!
