Activities at Elm Bank 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.
Tina Prosho
Hello. I am Tina, I have been a team member at Elm Bank since 2023 and began my career as a Team Leader and was upskilled to Head of Care before moving my role to become Activities Coordinator.
I am passionate individual with vibrant character and my goal is all about life enriching activities that enhance the lives of our residents. I ensure that the entertainment is stimulating and is inclusive of all our residents no matter their challenges. It is important to me that our weekly calendar offers rich experiences with music from live entertainers, visits to various locations outside the home of interest, as well as arts and crafts tailored to individual abilities. We are a pet friendly home and fully support the benefits animal therapy can bring to the lives of our residents and welcome animals of all kinds to the home on a regular basis.
Getting to know our residents better is so important to me, and through regular family and friends’ meetings we can gain a greater understanding of their loved ones' interests and life prior to joining Elm Bank that will make for a richer activities program to be developed. I look forward to getting to know you, and your loved ones.
We are always open to new ideas. If you would like to get involved in any of our Life Enrichment activities or have a skill, or project you'd like to share with our residents, please click here to contact me direct. New entertainers and community links are always welcome.
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 Elm Bank Care Home
Dementia Action Week and Cafe Launch
On Monday 15th May 2023, staff and residents at Elm Bank care home in Kettering marked the launch of ‘Dementia Action Week’ alongside Mayor of Kettering; Cllr Keli Watts with the opening of our monthly Dementia Friendly Community Café.
Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering, reasoning – which can affect a person’s day to day life and activities. Functions that can be impacted are memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management and the ability to focus and pay attention. The number of people living with dementia in the UK is forecast to increase to over 1m.
Joined by Cllr Keli Watts on what would be her final Mayoral engagement for the year. Residents, staff and guests enjoyed playing games and chatting together over café snacks prepared by Sophie and the home’s hospitality team.
During the fun-filled day Cllr Watts had the opportunity to meet with Elm Bank’s oldest female resident; the wonderful Doris who, at 102 years-young happens to have the same birthday as Mayor Keli!
General Manager, Katie Hudson, said: “We want to thank Cllr Watts and everyone who joined us launch Dementia Action Week and support our efforts in turning Kettering Blue by wearing blue in recognition of all those living with dementia and donated to the cause by purchasing cakes from our pop-up stall.
We know the importance of supporting our local community, the café is fully complimentary and a great way to relax, make new friends and find out information about Alzheimer’s and dementia from our specially trained staff and guest speakers.
Save the date of next months café in your diary 19/06/23; we look forward to welcoming you.”
International Nurses’ Day Thank You's
In 2023, the theme for International Nurses’ Day is... Our Nurses. Our Future.
International Nurses’ Day is a day to give thanks for the dedication of care givers everywhere, who go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver extraordinary care and support.
On Friday 12th May, in celebration of Florence Nightingale’s birthday and founder of modern nursing our General Manager; Katie Hudson had the opportunity to meet some wonderful nurses across the local community, nurses who provide support to our residents and countless others in and around Kettering.
Everyone at Elm Bank care home sends you the biggest thank you on International Nurses Day. We all hope you enjoy the home-made cakes and goodies.
VE Day Remembered
The Residents and staff at Elm Bank care home marked the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in style by throwing a 1940s afternoon tea party to remember.
The home was decorated in red, white and blue and residents and staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired glad rags and enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment courtesy of singing sensation; Fiona Harrison - A Voice in a Million
We all observed the national two minute silence and our residents reminisced about their memories of VE Day. Among the hundreds paying their respects across the country was Elm Bank resident and Second World War veteran 95-year-old Bill Gristwood.
Mr Gristwood joined the Navy at the age of 16 years and 9 months. He saw 6 months’ war service, spending VE Day in Malta and VJ Day in Sydney. The day meant a lot to Bill, many residents were singing along to war time songs, including Bill who knew the words perfectly!
Head chef, Sharntelle Hall whipped up a delicious selection of freshly-baked biscuits, sandwiches, cakes and pastries for the occasion, all washed down with pots of tea and a celebratory glass of fizz to mark the occasion.
Katie Hudson, General Manager at Elm Bank said: “Many of our residents can remember the end of the war and we all know what it meant for our country so we wanted to celebrate the date and listen to our residents’ memories of the war and the experiences they lived through.”
Coronation Weekend Celebrations
What a wonderful Coronation Weekend we had to celebrate King Charles III.
Saturday was spent watching the Coronation on TV and reminiscing with friends. On Sunday we invited our families along for a Coronation Picnic, with live entertainment from Steve Carmel, a Coronation Quiz and Coronation Bingo.
Thank you to all the families who came along and to the staff for all their hard work and dedication over the weekend.
We hope you all had a great weekend too.
Local Fire Service Thank You
Thank you to Kettering Fire Station for visiting us all yesterday. The 4th May marked International Firefighters' Day, and we all wanted to share our 'Thanks' to Kettering Fire Station for all of their hard work and dedication to our community and surrounding areas.
Our residents enjoyed getting to see the fire engine and talking about all the gadgets and tools you have. We can't wait to have you come along again to do talks and meet more of our residents.
We hope you enjoyed your cakes and goodie bags. Thank you all for your service.
St Peter's School Coronation Event
Thank you so much to St Peter's School for inviting us along to your Coronation event. The weather didn't stop an amazing afternoon. The children as always were a pleasure and so polite and helpful. You all did yourself so proud with the whole event and what wonderful singing by all the children.
Well Done to you all.
Thank you to Mr Thomas for your support and organisation with helping the residents attend your event. We hope to return the invite to a future event at Elm Bank soon.
Upcoming events
Christmas Tombola
We kindly ask for Tombola donations, these can be brought into the Care Home and left at reception or passed to any staff member.
Closing Date 9th December
Support Your Local Foodbank
Elm Bank continually strives to support the local community, we are collecting food donations for the local Food Bank. You can help by dropping of your donations at the Care Home.
Exercise Class every Fortnight
There are many health benefits to gentle exercising, strength, balance and energy. Why not come and try out at our free exercise class, every other Wednesday. All welcome.
Dementia Cafe at Elm Bank
The Dementia café is open to all, providing support, fun and friendship to those living with dementia and to their carers in a safe and relaxed entertaining environment.
