Activities at Derham House Care Home

We have a large memory garden with a rowing boat that was turned into a flower bed which the cubs had previously planted which needed a bit of attention, so they so they bought the plants to spruce the areas up. This activity counts towards one of their many badges.

The boys arrived at 6.30pm but they was bursting with energy so the scout leader set them a task to do a sprint to one tree and back off they ran obviously a few cheated so was made to do it again LOL, they was then put in to pairs.

They dug, weeded and planted. Then patted down the plants and carefully watered them. Our residents watched from their rooms in the warm so some of the cubs came into the lounge and chatted to them and also visited them in the rooms one gentleman gave them sweets so they gave him a big hug.

We would just like to say a big thank you to 2nd Cranham Cubs and the scout leaders who worked very hard you are always welcome at Derham House.

Today at Derham house the residents finally had the weather for the beach so we all took a trip to Southend-on-Sea.

The day really was perfect as we sat on the broadwalk for lunch, one lady asked if she could walk on the beach she also brought back some shells. 

Southend-on-Sea commonly referred to as Southend, is a coastal city and unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. 

It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, 40 miles (64 km) east of central London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford and to the west by Castle Point. 

London Southend Airport is located north of the city centre It is also home to the longest pleasure pier in the world when asked if the residents wanted to walk it NOT ON YOUR NELLY was their answer LOL.
Southend-on-Sea originally consisted of a few poor fishermen's huts and farms at the southern end of the village of Prittlewell.
In the 1790s, the first buildings around what was to become the High Street of Southend were completed. In the 19th century, Southend's status as a seaside resort grew after a visit from Princess Caroline of Brunswick, and Southend Pier was constructed.
From the 1960s onwards, the city declined as a holiday destination. 
Southend redeveloped itself as the home of the Access credit card, due to its having one of the UK's first electronic telephone exchanges. 
After the 1960s, much of the city centre was developed for commerce and retail, and many original structures were lost to redevelopment which the residents commented on why the light structures was so high and twisted in shape, the structures are high to light up the walkway but wasn’t sure of the twisted design. 
An annual seafront airshow, which started in 1986 and featured a flypast by Concorde, used to take place each May until 2012.
On 18 October 2021, it was announced that Southend would be granted city status, as a memorial to the Conservative Member of Parliament for Southend West, Sir David Amess, a long-time supporter of city status for the borough, who was murdered on 15 October 2021. 
Southend was granted city status by letters patent dated 26 January 2022. 
On 1 March 2022, the letters patent were presented to Southend Borough Council by Charles, Prince of Wales. 
Some of the residents also got to play on the penny slots which was great fun while some went into the trinket shops where one gent bought a magnet for his board in his room as whenever he goes to the coast he buys one so we kept with his tradition. 
Before leaving you cannot leave the seaside without an ice cream and hot doughnuts all very naughty. 
All in all a very successful trip.
 

Today at Derham house we hopped on board the Derham Express and took a trip to Maldon Promenade Park. Located on the sloping bank of the river Blackwater, Maldon's Promenade Park has been a popular leisure location for over a hundred years.

Avenues of mature trees and recreation areas lead down to the ornamental lake complete with fountains and resident swans and other birds and wildlife. Smaller children will love the sand pit, which is located at one end of the lake.

The pit is adjacent to one of the many refreshment kiosks in the park, so you can relax with a cup of tea and watch the kids enjoying themselves. There is also a seafood bar which is open on weekends and bank holidays.

The residents had a great time we stopped for lunch and was swamped by the starlings and gulls looking for a freebie.

After lunch we had a leisurely walk along the promenade were a lovely lady stopped with her pooch a very friendly Shih Tzu who was happy for the residents to pet him with his tail wagging in acceptance.

Before leaving we all sat down for a luscious Mr Whippy ice cream and in keeping with dementia action week and celebrating Cadburys we all had a flake as well MMMMM was the reply from one of the ladies we know that she was definitely enjoying it.

Unfortunately nothing lasts and we had to jump back on the Derham Express were our Chauffer AKA Andy was ready to take us home we can honestly say the bus was a quiet one home as they was very tired including the Staff J

Derham House would like to introduce you to our very new and very wonderful, Resident Ambassador - Albert Schless. Pictured with Hugo Ruela our General Manager.

What is a Resident Ambassador you ask?

Well the Resident Ambassador welcomes new residents and befriends them as they adjust to their new home.

Our Resident Ambassador will also act as a tour guide around the home and invite other residents to the various activities throughout the week.

We could not be more proud of Albert.

Namaste care is a person-centred approach, supporting people with advanced dementia to engage in meaningful activities to promote an improved quality of life. These activities may include: offering gentle touch through playing favourite music and sensory smells.

We turned the lights down low closed the curtains to the outside world to relax from the hustle & bustle of everyday life.

We had a virtual flowing waterfall and ambient lighting to set the mood and lovely aromatherapy smells.

The residents came into the room with a WOW one resident even replied this looks very peaceful I cannot wait for my turn.

Every resident really enjoyed the experiences in particular the head massage to the point they all nodded off ZZZZZZ LOLS.

We will be doing this on a weekly basis as they really benefited from the session.

Namaste

The Easter Bunny visited Derham House.

We were all delighted to have a visit from a special VIP - the Easter Bunny! Handing out chocolates and making everyone smile, our favourite rabbit was assisted by their little friend Ivy who charmed all the residents.