Activities at Derham House 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 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.
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 Derham House Care Home
Virtual trip to Lapland
Today the residents took a virtual trip to Lapland.
Our journey took us deep inside the Arctic Circle, to meet the ancient Sami people and the animals they hold so close - reindeer.
Known as the reindeer people, the Sami were traditionally nomadic, relying on their precious animals to help them survive the Arctic's harsh winters of -20.
The residents also witnessed the natural phenomenon the Sami most revere - the magical Northern Lights.
The residents really enjoyed watching this program one resident from memory lane said I really enjoyed that the reindeer were lovely and how about the weather that's really cold.
Home receive dance training
Derham House in Upminster is receiving specialist training as part of English National Ballet’s Dance for Dementia initiative and ongoing partnership with parent company, Barchester Healthcare. Staff at the home have been specially selected to receive training and to attend interactive sessions led by English National Ballet Associate Dance Artists and Musicians in order that they can help lead dance and music-inspired workshops for their residents. Dancing and creative arts and music interventions engages the brain and can help with symptoms associated with dementia such as memory loss, communication, and physical coordination. Sessions foster creativity and can help improve symptoms as well as providing artistic stimulation and social interaction.
Pamper Day
We really went out there with Christmas fast approaching; some went for bright reds while others enjoyed the Christmas sparkle and had glitter.
And for those who do not like a manicure, they enjoyed a soothing hand massage.
Derham House Remembers
On the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th hour, Derham House asks that you join us in observing a two minute silence to remember those who gave their lives so we could live ours.
We have also made a remembrance wall to remember the residents & family members who thought for this country.
World Vegan Day
We took part in World Vegan Day having a taster afternoon. Residents tucked into some wonderful dishes, all freshly prepared by our chef, on the menu was mushroom pie, spinach swirl, pumpkin swirl, and stuffed peppers.
The residents were very surprised that the dishes tasted so good made of just vegetables. After they had eaten, the chef was congratulated on how well he had done.
We then had a fun afternoon with plant-based quiz, which was harder than expected, but hilariously funny.
Pumpkin Carving
Residents took part in carving pumpkins for Halloween. With help from the nurse on Memory Lane, they had a fantastic time enjoying the feel and texture of the pumpkins, which helps with their sensory needs. They cannot wait for night to fall so they can see what they all look like.
