Activities at Glebefields Care Home
Activities are the cornerstone of a wholesome home experience, and our Activities Coordinators are always putting their creative minds to the test by organising new and exciting social events for residents to partake in. Of course, we take into account the likes and dislikes of those we support, so if someone doesn’t feel like trying something new, there will always be something on offer to reflect their personal interests. For the people who may just prefer some peace and quiet instead, we also offer one-to-one time that can be enjoyed with a nice cup of coffee or just a simple chat – whatever they desire.
Kay Boland
Hi, my name is Kay and I’m the Activities Lead for all things ‘Life Enrichment’ at Glebefields care home in Drayton, Banbury.
Throughout my career within the care industry, I have thrived o the many challenges presented and developed immense satisfaction through enabling others. As an activities coordinator, I act with integrity and always ensure that I place residents at the heart of what I do. I work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to help create and maintain a robust service. I am committed to my personal and professional development which aligns Health and Social Care core values, providing diversity, empowerment, equality and independence for all residents.
Making links with local groups and organisations to ensure our residents remain part of the local community is a key part of my role, if you would like to make contact with me and our residents, please feel free to call me on 01733 246840 or drop me an email Glebefields.activities@barchester.com
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 Glebefields Care Home
April Fools
Activities assistant, Nicola, gave the residents a good old giggle this April fools' day, visiting residents in their rooms and sharing many April fool jokes with them before helping them to pick their favourite joke to share with others.
The residents could be heard laughing all along the corridor, the best sound to be heard during this time! 'you will have a job stopping us from smiling and making each other laugh through all this' said resident, Bert. The residents have been cheering us all up with their jokes whenever we need it!
Mother's Day
Activities co-ordinator, Emily, wanted to do something special for Mother's day this year so created these little gifts for each lovely lady at Glebefields. 'I knew that the residents would not be able to have face to face visits from loved ones this year so I made little posies of tulips for each lady with some chocolates and love heart sweets.'
The residents were also able to FaceTime their loved ones and were so thrilled to be able to see them over the phone. 'It was so thoughtful to have a little personal gift especially as we couldn't see our family. I have been so grateful for a FaceTime with my son who is stuck in Australia, so Emily has continued to FaceTime him for me each week which has been wonderful.' said resident Pauline.
Indoor Gardening
Despite the current circumstances, we thought that we would bring the outdoors inside with an indoor gardening afternoon with Emily. Our flowerpots outside the home were looking a little bare so we decided to plant some bright spring flowers in them to keep everyone smiling.
Residents Jean and Myrtle had a wonderful afternoon helping each other chose which colours went well with each other and choosing their position for the pots. 'We were all very proud of our work and cannot wait to see them outside in pride of place' says Jean. All of the residents worked incredibly well together as a team to create these beautiful pots for the home.
Valentine’s Day Tea Party
For Valentine’s day this year, we decided to do something a little different. Many of our residents unfortunately no longer have their loved ones, so we decided to do a memorial balloon release at our valentines tea party. Entertainer – Amie-Louise Knight, performed a wonderful array of love songs with her partner for us, as we enjoyed afternoon tea, and Activities Coordinator, Emily visited the residents during the performance to help them to write notes and memories for their loved ones, which were put into balloons and released into the sky after the party.
Despite the bad weather, family members came outside for the balloon release and helped Emily to release the balloons whilst the residents watched in awe from the window. “It was a very emotional afternoon but so lovely to do something different and honour those no longer with us”, said Emily. Sheila, 98 said “It was a great idea to still be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day and remember those that we love dearly, family, friends and partners”
Radio Horton Broadcast Surprise
This February, Glebefields surprised one of their residents with a trip he would never forget. Every Thursday at the home, we are lucky enough to have our own request show broadcast from our local hospital. The residents request a song each week and it is played over the radio with special mentions to each resident. One resident in particular, Alvar, 76 is a huge fan of the show and sends regular letters to the broadcaster with whom they have built quite a friendship!
One morning of the weekly show, Activities coordinator, Emily Sweetingham, visited Alvar in his room and told him to get ready for a special trip. She then helped him to the homes minibus and drove him up the road to the local hospital where he was greeted by Jon, radio host. Emily and Alvar then spent the afternoon with Jon whilst the show was broadcast and much to Alvars surprise, he was even allowed to co-host the show with Jon! Alvar was incredibly emotional, and although usually unable to stop talking, even he was lost for words!
“It was so heart-warming to surprise Alvar, he really did have no idea that he would be able to have co-host the radio show with his new friends, we even had listeners in Spain and Australia! A fantastic afternoon was had by all, and Jon has invited us back to co-host whenever we wish in the future!” – Emily Sweetingham, Activities Coordinator.
Alvar has not been able to stop talking about his special day, “I was brilliant to go and chat to Jon live on the show, I can’t believe I became speechless at one point that’s not like me! He has become a great friend to me and I am so grateful to have been able to have this opportunity.” said Alvar.
ZooLab
Residents at Glebefields enjoyed their regular visit from ZooLab recently. Resident, Terry, was thrilled to be holding a corn snake for the first time in years since keeping his own in the past. Terry does not usually attend group activities, so we were incredibly happy to see him smiling and enjoying himself!
Resident Kathy was positively beaming whilst holding a hissing cockroach, despite Activities Coordinator, Emily, keeping a safe distance! Kathy couldn’t stop stroking and saying how ‘sweet’ the cockroach was and was amused at her name, 'Witney Houston'.