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
Zoo Visit
Today Derham House took a trip to the call of the wild zoo in Chelmsford originally known as tropical wings. Interacting with animals on any level can be beneficial for both family caregivers and their elderly loved ones. According to research animals can help lower blood pressure and increase feelings of happiness and well-being in people of all ages. We saw colourful butterflies in the butterfly house to the playful meerkats to patting the donkeys. One lady her favourite was having a conversation with a parrot who wolf whistled her and as we walked away he said goodbye she was so happy. To end the trip we all sat down for a lovely ice cream. A fun day had by all.
Wild Science
Today at Derham House we welcomed Wild Science who provided Animal-assisted therapy. It has been proven that interacting with animals causes elevation to mood and increased energy levels, as well as promoting social behaviours and decreasing apathy and agitation. The presence of animals can trigger pleasant memories of past life experiences for example childhood pets.
Exotic animals are ideal visitors as they are usually very docile and predictable allowing for safe interaction and demonstration. Katie the instructor was very knowledgeable and had a variety of animals with her including a giant African snail a tree frog and a royal python and some with funny names like feet the millipede and mango the bearded dragon which has now had his name changed to mango chutney which one of the resident said and Katie really liked.
Trip to the Pub
The Jobbers rest in St Mary’s lane Upminster was so welcoming making the gents feel very special the gents sat down to enjoy a Guinness, one gent was so happy that the half didn’t last very long and started singing for us!
St Patrick's Day
At Derham House we celebrated St Patrick's Day as we welcomed our new singer to the home Debbie Watts. Wow she did not disappoint and what a powerful voice she had belting out the powerful ballad Danny Boy, there was lots of smiles and a few trying the Irish jig. The best part of the afternoon is when the Guinness and Baileys came out.
Thank you Debbie for singing those Irish songs a toe tapping afternoon had by all.
Music Entertainment
We were thrilled to welcome back the talented Tim Arthur. He sang classics from The Beatles, like 'All you need is love' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and the residents truly enjoyed the experience.
One of the residents commented: ''His guitar playing is amazing', others got up and had a little jive. All in all a fantastic afternoon.
Dominoes
Here at Derham House we played dominoes recently. A wonderful, traditional game, familiar to our residents, including those living with dementia. The game is even suitable for adults with learning disabilities.
Our residents truly enjoyed it, not sure about our Activities Coordinators, as they lost 2 out of 3 games.
A lovely time was had by all.
