Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

Residents are embracing ‘National Allotment Week’, which called for a trip to ‘The Green Patch Community Garden’ based in Kettering.

Founded by the National Allotment Society in 2002, National Allotment Week is a way of raising awareness about allotments and the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles, grow their own food, develop friendships and bolster communities. The day started with a lovely look around the fabulous 2.5 acre site, a meditation and yoga session along with Tai Chi were underway, with people of all abilities joining in.  The residents were thrilled to be a part of the community garden session, tending to the garden and the animals. The poly tunnels were bursting with home grown produce that got the residents talking and fully engaged in learning about the different varieties of vegetables. A walk around the Harmony Garden was a hit with the beautiful sights, sounds and smells of nature, it certainly touched all senses. The morning ended with a delicious home cooked lunch, provided by the volunteers that certainly tantalised the taste buds.

Fiona said, “I love being here, seeing everyone out, it is just so peaceful, the space and the animals, the smells, you know it is just lovely. Everybody is so nice, the chickens, well I used to have chickens back in the day, just lovely.”

Elm Bank care home, in Kettering have invited members of the local community to join their monthly dementia café.

Taking place every fourth Tuesday of the month, starting at 14:30pm until 16:30pm, guests will have a chance to meet other carers supporting others living with dementia. Free to all, the dementia café at the home provides small respite and social support for all that are touched by dementia.

During the monthly get together at the Dementia Cafe, guests will enjoy live entertainment and refreshments, and also have a chance to meet the team at the home, to discuss any questions they might have about care that is available. This month’s Dementia Café was held in the lavish home gardens, with the sun shining and amazing entertainment from Neil Richardson. The dementia café was organised with the help of Yvonne Robinson Tingle, a local community figure.

General Manager Marvellous Bindura said: “We’re really looking forward to making more friends in our local community. The condition itself can be quite lonely and frightening, and the more support we can provide to each other, the better. If anyone is unable to make it on the day of the monthly café, but would like to pop in for a tour and a cup of tea, our doors are always open to all, and we will welcome you in anytime.”

The residents at Elm Bank got themselves ready and geared up for an afternoon of keeping fit with ‘Tom G Fitness’.

We all understand the importance of life enriching activities that help keep our mind and our bodies active. All of the residents at Elm Bank care home enjoy the wonderful outdoor garden space the home has to offer, and it is simply a joy to be outside in the beautiful surroundings of the home. The sun was out, the birds were singing and the garden parasols were up, and the residents were ready for an afternoon of keep fit. Tom is a fantastic instructor that comes to Elm Bank care home every fortnight, ensuring that the residents are keeping fit and active with specially adapted exercises.

Betty, a resident at Elm Bank said, “We all enjoy being outside in the warm sun in our beautiful gardens, I enjoy keeping fit, it is important”.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is lovely to see our residents enjoying activities that enrich their lives. The sun has been out and the birds singing, it was just nice to be out in the fresh air surrounded with the smell of beautiful flowers that the residents had planted up earlier. The exercise that Tom provides to our residents every time he comes to the home is crucial to ensure we are help maintain the fitness of all, with exercises that are adapted to suit varying abilities. The residents enjoy the fortnightly visits and they also enjoy Tom, he is a very polite man who understands our residents very well". 

Staff and residents at Elm Bank care home got the flags out and celebrated American Independence Day in style, by hosting a live musical garden show, and amazing American style food.

Some residents have visited America and some have family living there, so American Independence Day was a great excuse to reminisce about previous trips and happy memories. Residents enjoyed an amazing afternoon with music from Emily who sang songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood as well as dancing to playlists including American greats such as Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra and Doris Day. Home chef’s enjoyed cooking up a feast of hotdogs, cheesy Nachos and so much more for all in the home to enjoy.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at Elm Bank, said: “Independence Day is always full of big flavours and a chance for us to celebrate all things American. We’ve had fun listening to the talented voice of Emily, she certainly had everyone singing and up dancing. The chef’s certainly show cased their cooking skills with wonderful food for all to enjoy.”

Elm Bank Care Home in Kettering marked the King’s birthday on June 8th in style with a right royal get together of music from Somethin’ Else, followed by pots of tea and cake.

Head chef Sharntelle whipped up tasty birthday cakes for all residents, washed down with pots of tea. Residents relished in an afternoon of singing along to classic songs to mark the occasion, the flags were flying high with much love in the air for the King. It was a certainly an afternoon of patriotic joy.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at Elm Bank Care Home said: “Our residents love a party and they love the King so they all enjoyed the music and the singing with tea and cakes to mark the King’s birthday. It was a lovely way to wish our monarch a great birthday. Many of our residents are 100+ and were delighted to receive their telegrams from the King, so they wanted to acknowledge his birthday too. Many of our residents are also looking forward to the trooping of the colour this weekend, and that occasion to will be celebrated throughout the home in style.”

Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges carers face, and recognising the contribution they make to our residents, families and communities throughout the UK. The theme for Carers Week this year is ‘putting carers on the map’ to try to raise awareness in an election year for the huge contribution carers make to society.

Staff were treated to a host of sweet treats which certainly went down well to mark the start of the event, that runs until the 16th June.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said: “It is so wonderful to be able to celebrate Carers Week and thank our fantastic carers for all they do. The sweet treats have gone down well, and we have many more events throughout the week to really show our appreciation for all that they do. A appreciation box has been set up so that staff are able to write messages of appreciation to each other, that will be collated together for all to read.”