Activities at Drummond Grange 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.
Katie Nicolson
Katie Nicolson is our Head of activities here at Drummond since August 2023 beforehand she worked as an activity assistant in the home for two years. Before coming to Drummond Katie has worked in many care roles over the years and studied Psychology and Sociology at Queen Margaret’s University and was awarded a Degree of Bachelor of science in Psychology and Sociology at the start of 2022. Katie loves being part of the Activity department here at Drummond Grange and bringing new and exciting opportunities and experiences to the residents. When she’s not at work Katie is a local Girl Guide leader and youth leader for her churches youth group.
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 Drummond Grange Care Home
Physiotherapist scoops coveted title
Gerard Fox at Drummond Grange Care Home in Lasswade has been crowned Health & Safety Champion of the year for the North Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2021 and is through to the national round of judging.
The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12,000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.
More than 2,900 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Gerald is over the moon to have been named the winner for the North beating hundreds of other nominees.
Inside Dartmoor Zoo
We were able to virtually dive into the impressive wildlife of Dartmoor Zoo.
We explored its grounds and learnt about the unique history of the park from the zoo’s educational team. The culmination of the tour was the live tiger training demonstration, which was wonderful to see and enjoyed by all.
Our residents were delighted to see amazing photos and short videos of the animals and take a peek inside their home.
Puffin Rescue Centre - a peek into their lives
We took a wonderful virtual trip to Iceland’s Puffin Rescue Centre at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary.
We were able to virtually meet some of the rescued Atlantic Puffins and to learn interesting facts about their care and unique lives. We took a peek into their lives in the wild, the Puffling rescue program in the Westman Islands, and how SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary’s team takes care of these charismatic little birds each day.
It was a very exciting experience, enjoyed by all.
Home host big t-break
Resident Susanne Watson asked if it would be possible to hold the ‘Big T-Break’ for the NHS on the 5th July 2021.
Susanne said “After all that I have been through myself in the past 8months I thought that this would be the ideal way for me to thank the staff. At the same time it is a way for me to thank the wonderful, lovely staff at Drummond Grange who have looked after me since I came into the Home.”
Eleanor Wilson General Manager at Drummond Grange said: “It is a truly wonderful idea and we are delighted to support Susanne in every way possible. She is an inspiration and we all applaud what she is doing and wish her every success.”
Residents enjoy tour of Hereford Cathedral
We had a lovely time joining the team from Hereford Cathedral for an exciting virtual session.
We enjoyed a glimpse of this spectacular building and its treasures in a series of short pre-recorded videos. From the stunning gardens which lead down to the River Wye, to the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.
It was wonderful to learn more about the history and beauty of Hereford Cathedral.
Virtual floristy demonstration
Staff and residents at Drummond Grange were treated to an interactive virtual floristry masterclass courtesy of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski, from Blooming Haus.
Blooming Haus started with a small pop-up shop in Chelsea. They have since blossomed spectacularly on to the floristry scene as ‘floral engineers’, carving themselves an outstanding reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative floral design studios. The company is the vision of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski and his business partner, Michael Dariane. The pair bring a completely fresh approach to floristry and their ambition to push the boundaries of traditional floristry has laid the foundations of Blooming Haus’ success to date.
