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
Remembrance Sunday
Dovedale Court commemorated Remembrance Sunday and joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at 11am.
As well as marking Remembrance Day by wearing poppies and watching the televised service, some residents created their own poppy display through their arts and crafts session.
Residents enjoying new life enrichment opportunities
The fun and laughter has continued at Dovedale Court care home, in Preston as residents recently enjoyed joining in with arts & crafts, salt dough creating, a virtual dog show, taking part in quizzes and group games, baking and recently celebrated Halloween with lots of games and fun.
Residents at Dovedale Court have enjoyed our engaging activities programmes consisting of armchair exercises with balls and a parachute, virtual trips to the zoo, video calls with loved ones and mystery senses box using their senses to guess what is hidden in the box arranged by the homes’ activities team for residents within the home and local community groups.
Bewitching tricks and spooky treats
Barchester’s Dovedale care home, in Preston was a den of ghoulish activity as the home’s spooky Halloween party got in to full swing.
Staff, residents and guests got in to the spirit of things with music and games including ‘trick or treat poke a pumpkin’ and a Halloween themed quiz before everyone sat back to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of home-made cake.
General Manager, Rachael Watson cackled: “Our residents and staff love an opportunity to dress up and what better time of the year to do this than Halloween? We’ve had a whole range of tricks and treats for the people that live here and we have all really enjoyed every moment of it!”
Residents enjoy Harvest fun
Residents at Dovedale have been very busy creating their Harvest Festival basket filled with lots of fruit and veg, all made from salt dough and hand painted. The residents had lots of fun bringing their design to life over the last week and are really happy with the end result which has been submitted to Barchester’s Harvest competition.
Whilst thinking of their design, they reminisced about previous experiences of harvest festivals and what they remembered most and everyone shared ideas for their fruit and veg.
Making life smooth-ie
Smoothie making was enjoyed by everyone, residents had fun creating their own smoothies. We held a competition for the best flavour. Residents voted for their favourite blend of fruits and the winner was.......Raspberry, Mango and banana with a hint of mint and a splash of whole milk!
Throughout the week Residents enjoyed various activities including painting, smoothie making & tasting, baking flapjacks and chair based exercise with ball & parachute.
Baking club
Residents from Dovedale Court enjoyed an afternoon of baking, which took them back to their younger years. Baking sessions are a popular group activity for the home and the activity had taste buds tingling as the aroma of freshly baked jam and coconut buns wafted through the home.
The homes activities coordinator, said: “The residents enjoy spending time in the kitchen, as it not only brings back memories of their childhood, but also times when they’ve baked with their own children and grandchildren. Once all the bakes were made, we all enjoyed sitting down with a cup of tea and a home-made cake.”
