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.
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
A Christmas Carol
Across our homes we’ve had the most wonderful time celebrating the festive season with a special screening of 2020’s OLD VIC: IN CAMERA – A Christmas Carol.
This beautifully staged production brought the magic of Dickens’ classic tale right into our homes. A huge thank you to The Old Vic theatre for sharing this incredible performance with us. It was a truly wonderful experience.
'Tis the season to be jolly
Drummond Grange got in the Christmas spirit by getting by in the kitchen. Every year Barchester challenge their homes to a Christmas baking competition for residents in all the homes.
The Residents and activity team at Drummond Grange were full of excitement and quickly got planning their Christmas treat! After looking on the internet the residents settled on a chocolate wreath shaped cake complete with individual strawberry Santa hat bites and raspberries
The Holly & the Ivy
Staff and residents across our homes were treated to an interactive virtual Christmas-inspired table decorating masterclass, courtesy of talented master florist, Kathryn Delve.
Kathryn is an independent florist based in Somerset, she specialises in creating unique wedding and event flowers. She takes much of her inspiration for her displays from the beautiful scenery that surrounds her home and the changing seasons and colours.
During the workshop, residents were invited to join Kathryn to make beautiful Christmas-themed table decorations.
Care Awards
We settled down for a day of watching the Barchester care awards with streamers in hand and a lounge chock full of Balloons and stars!
We were so excited to have three nominations for the Barchester Care Awards – our Non Clinical Manager Mary MacDonald was up for Lifetime achievement award and our Home Manager Alina Brehar was up for GM of the year.
We were also very excited that Drummond Grange was up for Team of the Year as well.
The Highlander lounges were filled with residents and staff as we waited with excitement to see the winners being announced.
Long Service Awards
We had not one, not two, but three long service awards to give out this month.
Care Practitioner Julie Wright was awarded 15 years long service with our homes, and both our deputy manager Ana Balaj and nurse Arina Chira were awarded 10 years long service.
Thank you ladies for all the hard work you have done for the home over the years.
Singalong and Indoor Fireworks Display
After speaking with the residents and some of the families and reviewing previous years, we decided that having real fireworks was just not something that we wanted to do.
So, we decided to cosy up and keep warm this year and host our first ever indoor firework (bubble) display.
We started with a singalong around the ‘campfire’ on the big screen in the highlander lounge. Led by Head of Activities Katie and Physio assistant Amy, both of whom are guide leaders in their free time, we sang a whole songbook of classic campfire songs to get everyone going.
Everyone had a great time singing along and taking part in all the actions.
After our singalong we settled down to watch the light up bubble display, which in the dark lounge, was quite impressive and a lot of fun to watch. Everyone cheered along with their glow sticks and light up batons. We ended the afternoon with some hot chocolate served with marshmallows and biscuits.
Upcoming events
Countdown to Christmas
Counting down to Christmas with a fun filled month ahead and we extend a warm invitation for you to join us - all welcome!
