Activities at Dovedale Court 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.
Brian Sandham
My name is Brian, I’m the activities coordinator down here at Dovedale. I’m new to the care sector, I’ve been a photographer and photography tutor since 2004 dealing with different ages groups and abilities. I’m looking forward to putting my people skills to good use down here at Dovedale.
I might be new to the care sector but I’m super looking forward to spreading a bit of extra sunshine and cheer around the home.
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 Dovedale Court Care Home
Virtual tour of Cliveden
We were treated to an amazing live virtual talk and a tour of Cliveden, hosted by the house and chapel guides from the National Trust Talks Service.
The volunteers kindly gave us a tour around the famous house taking an in-depth look at Cliveden’s many stories from its 350 year history, from devilish dukes to scandalous headlines and boundary-breaking garden designs to political notoriety.
Starting with the Duke of Buckingham who built the first house in 1666, our residents met the key owners who helped shape the house and its gardens including the Orkney, Sutherland and Astor families.
The talk was accompanied by an illustrated presentation which brought to life these individuals and showed how their influence at Cliveden still continues today.
Virtual coffee experience
We had a fabulous time joining NESCAFÉ’s virtual coffee experience.
We were able to look into how they sustainably farm their coffee beans, as well as, to have a virtual tour of one of their factories all from the comfort of our home.
To make things even more interesting, our residents had the chance to test their knowledge with an interactive quiz, and to the delight of all to taste the signature Sweet Cinnamon Shaken Iced Coffee cocktail.
National Nest box week
We were excited to take part in this year’s National Nestbox week – an initiative making more homes for Britain’s birds since 1997.
Our residents had fun decorating nest boxes with their own individual designs. We then put up the nest boxes on our balcony to promote the conversation of breeding birds and wildlife. Garden songbirds can struggle to find suitable nesting holes and cavities if there are a lack of mature trees in the area.
We all had a great time and can’t wait to see more birds in our garden.
60's fashion with Mary Quant
Last week our residents marked Mary Quant’s birthday with fun-filled fashion-inspired activities.
Mary Quant is an English fashion designer of youth-oriented styles, responsible in the 1960s for the ‘Chelsea look’ of England and the widespread popularity of the miniskirt and ‘hot pants’.
During the day our residents discussed all things fashion and took a look at fashion photos and created their own stylish outfits.
It was a wonderful day, enjoyed by all.
Heavenly cookery demo
We had a lovely time joining Chef Alex Connell from Vegetarian for Life for a Valentine’s-inspired virtual cookery demonstration. Chef Alex created some delicious Valentine’s Day-inspired vegetarian desserts, which our residents had the opportunity to try too.
First, our residents sampled a wonderful sticky toffee pudding, which was absolutely heavenly. Then they tried hazelnut truffles which were a huge hit and finally they were treated to a chocolate orange cake which everyone adored.
Home enter pudding competition
Residents of Lochduhar are looking forward to celebrating HM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and started their celebrations by coming together to enter Fortnum and Mason Jubilee Pudding competition.
The winning pudding will be an important part of the celebrations marking Her Majesty’s 70 years as Monarch. And the creator of the winning pudding will be invited to be at the center of the celebrations. The recipe will be gifted to The Queen and the public as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was a fun afternoon for all!
