Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

The residents and staff at Elm Bank care home in Kettering were delighted in welcoming local school children from St Peter’s School, Kettering, to their home for a magical afternoon of Christmas carols. It was an afternoon that allowed the residents to immerse themselves in the joy of Christmas and all that it has to offer.

Residents were very excited to have beautiful young voices echoing throughout the home spreading Christmas joy to all. The residents enjoyed an afternoon of learning about the lives of the young children at school, reminiscing on how things have changed since they were at school themselves. Many of the children explained about the badges they had pinned to their beautiful uniforms, how they earned their badges, and questions asked by the children to the residents of how they earned badges when they were at school. It was a wonderful opportunity for residents to reminisce of when they were younger, engaging with each other and the children of the school, sharing stories on how things have changed.

Resident Hilda said, "It was lovely, to see all the children and to hear them sing so wonderfully, they all looked so smart and listening to their stories on how they earned their badges. We never really had badges in our day, it was more ribbon but we still had the different house groups"

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is always lovely to invite the local school children in at this time of year, and to hear them sing their Christmas songs to us all is simply beautiful. It means so much to the residents and all the staff, it allows for the young and the old to mix and the wonderful experiences are shared.  I believe as do we all here at the home it is crucial to create links with our local schools and within the community to continue for our residents to remain a part of the community, it enriches the lives of all in many ways.”

The residents and staff at Elm Bank care home in Kettering were delighted in welcoming The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for an afternoon of carol singing.

The members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints sang beautiful Christmas carols to the residents and staff of Elm Bank care home. The residents and staff were blown away by the amazing festive songs across all communities within the home. The residents embraced the afternoon of carolling, joining in to the beautiful festive tunes, voices from young and old created a warm and inviting atmosphere at an important time of the year for many. After the wonderful festive carols the members of the church chatted to the residents regarding Christmas and what it meant to them, followed by offering all beautifully hand wrapped chocolates for both residents and staff.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is lovely to open our doors to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for an afternoon of Christmas Carols. The weather was bad outside and yet they all arrived with wonderful smiles and bearing gifts for us all that they had hand wrapped. It was lovely that the members of the church stayed after the carol singing to talk to us all and share the meaning of Christmas, spreading joy in all our hearts.”

Hosting events at Elm Bank Care Home is an essential part of our activities program and we are always looking for new ideas to bring the wider community into our home.

The residents and staff at Elm Bank care home in Kettering were delighted in attending the St Thomas More School Christmas Fete. A magical afternoon that allowed the residents to immerse themselves in the joy of Christmas and all that it has to offer.

Residents were very excited to have been invited to a wonderful afternoon at their local St Thomas More School’s Christmas Fete. The residents enjoyed an amazing afternoon of browsing many stalls and purchasing gifts for loved ones. Residents also had a lot of fun in chancing their luck on raffles and many other fun stalls to win prizes. It was a wonderful opportunity for all to reminisce of Christmas when they were younger, engaging with each other and the children of the school, sharing stories on how things have changed. Resident Hilda was delighted on hearing that Santa was attending the Christmas fete that a ticket was purchased instantly to ensure that a visit was had before returning to Elm Bank care home.

Resident Hilda said, "It was lovely, to see all the children and to be able to buy gifts and treat myself as well, seeing Santa was wonderful, I loved it, the whole thing, was amazing."

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It was lovely that the local school opened their Christmas Fete to our residents, it means so much to the residents, it allows for the young and the old to mix and the wonderful experiences are shared.  Hilda was overjoyed on her return, as were all the residents, because Hilda got to see Father Christmas. I believe as do we all here at the home it is crucial to create links with our local schools and within the community to continue for our residents to remain a part of the community.”

It was another busy day here at the home for all, with young children from St Thomas Moore School coming in to help with festive biscuit creations in the morning and festive arts and crafts conducted in the afternoon.

It was delightful to see so many children come to help our residents spend the morning decorating biscuits as well as enjoy our newly created sensory Santa's Grotto (more on this next week).

In the afternoon it was time to get crafting with making personalised Christmas tree decorations. The residents relaxed whilst putting their creative skills to the test. It was just simply wonderful for all to relax and reminisce about Christmas's past and memories from when younger.

The photos below captured just a fraction of the wonderful day around our home yesterday as we continue to enjoy the festive month

At Elm Bank Care home we know that intergenerational activity is hugely beneficial to all involved as it encourages communication and social skills. Intergenerational contact also helps to develop language and reading confidence through shared activities, as well as increasing confidence and self-esteem. Lastly it helps children to develop empathy, care and kindness, helping them to understand and talk more positively about ageing and older people.

Yesterday the ladies from U3A 'Singing for Pleasure' came to the home for a beautiful afternoon of singing. It was a lovely start to the month of December. With the residents full of Christmas spirit the afternoon was full of joy, warmth and magical voices that echoed through the community.

After all the delightful songs, it was just lovely to be able to sit and enjoy warm drinks with delicious scones and cakes. We are excited to welcome the wonderful ladies back to Elm Bank after the New Year.

Our Activities Team is dedicated to ensuring that we organise events that encourage our residents to host their families and friends at Elm Bank Care home. Our home is always to open to loved ones who wish to take part in our life enrichment program.

To receive a copy of our weekly/monthly calendars please email Tina and the Activities Team; ElmBank.Activities@barchester.com

Residents and staff were delighted in welcoming the 23rd Kettering Scouts over to their home for an evening of festive fun and games.

Scout leaders, Donna Rockett, Steve Hammond and Mary Docherty came to Elm Bank care home along with 20 very happy and excited cubs. The 23rd Kettering Scouts will be celebrating 10 years of running next year, they are based in the William Knibb Centre on Montagu Street in Kettering. Donna contacted Elm Bank care home to see if an evening of festive fun and games would be something that the residents at the home would appreciate. The activities co-ordinator at the home was more than delighted to hold an evening of fun and games. All the cubs came along with some of their favourite games and the evening was a huge success for both residents and for the cubs themselves.

Resident Norman, said, “It is great, they have so much energy and it is nice to see them actually playing with real toys.”

Resident Christine, said, “When I was younger I used to look after war time babies, I love little ones and to have the little ones with us and play games, it is so nice. I have learnt how to play the fishing game and it just makes me smile”.

The cubs wanted to bring some joy to the residents at Christmas time, by coming in to play games and simply have fun. They all have had such a nice time.

Taking part in intergenerational activities such as social engagements and interactions, bring together younger and older generations for a common purpose. These activities build on the strengths that different generations have to offer, as well as nurture understanding, respect, and challenge ageism.