Activities at Hafan-Y-Coed 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.
Marie Spires
I'm Marie, the lead activities coordinator for Hafan Y Coed. I have been the activities coordinator for nearly three years and am passionate about encouraging the wellbeing of our residents. Ensuring all abilities are catered for in a bespoke schedule is paramount to their individual wellbeing needs. I am joined by Clare and Sue who also help to create a life enrichment program suitable for all communities.
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 Hafan-Y-Coed Care Home
Nostalgia for all in our TV and FIlm Quiz
Our February themed event was enjoyed by our residents, family and friends and of course our wonderful staff who always get involved in ensuring fun events are a regular occurrence.
The idea behind this event was to bring back fond memories of typical TV programmes and well known films that would have been enjoyed over the decades. It prompted many conversations and memories across the home when planning the event. Images of well know TV characters were made into bunting, cinema tickets were given out to make it feel like a real cinema experience and Nachos and dips were also given out to enjoy during the evening. Many people joined in the fun with fancy dress attire. While our activities team took on the part of being the Ghost-busters, others opted for larger costumes such as our very own Jurassic park dinosaur (AKA our Manager Sarah Morgan) many of our residents dressed up with face-mask's of other well known famous faces along with family members who were also such good sports.
The quiz started off with a general knowledge film and TV round, followed by a famous faces round and to finish off the evening, a name that TV show musical round which had everyone singing along to popular shows! Our winners all enjoyed a hamper to share with their team which was filled with some delicious treats. We will be enjoying a monthly themed evening and encourage families and friends to join us!
Happy St David's Day- Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!
Residents had a wonderful day celebrating our Patron Saint of Wales. We started the day with some tradditional baking where residents and staff got together to make delicious Welsh cakes. Art sessions took place on all communities and the completed pictures were put on display for all to enjoy the beautiful bright daffodil images.
The afternoon was enjoyed with a Welsh musical arrangement by the wonderful Chris Caine. Residents sang and danced along while also enjoying some beautiful Welsh cakes prepared that morning. Welsh rarebit and cockles, along with Cawl were prepared by the kitchen team for residents to enjoy during the Welsh themed dining experience.
Children's choir from local school, Stebonheath Primary joined us to sing their hearts out for the residents singing modern and traditional Welsh songs. Everyone said how much they enjoyed the performance. Thank you once again for joining us.
Ensuring our residents sense of "identity" is maintained is one of the domains of wellbeing in dementia care.
One of our residents said "I am very patriotic and proud to be Welsh. Whenever I meet someone new it's one of the first things I love to say about myself. I am Welsh and speak Welsh".
We go above and beyond to recognise what is important to each and every resident and what "identity" means to them.
Ensuring staff's wellbeing benefits everybody
At Hafan Y Coed we recognise that our staff's wellbeing not only benefits our employees but our residents too.
We often ensure events are held within the home for our staff's wellbeing and this month held a holistic therapy day. Staff were treated to a massage in our relaxation and meditation room.
Clare said "it was amazing to have a little time out to relax and unwind. I went back to work after my massage revitalised and full of energy"
It has been proven that when employers ensure staff's wellbeing is taken in to consideration, it can help reduce stress, anxiety and promote a happier culture and environment to work in along with improved productivity.
Happy staff = Happier residents
Recognising Success in Annual Awards Ceremony
It was our second annual awards night which saw the whole home come together to celebrate the wonderful staff we have within the home. Over the last few weeks, categories were devised and voting cards printed. Staff, residents, families and friends were all given the opportunity to vote for the staff who deserved an award. The votes were counted and verified ahead of our glitz and glamour evening.
The evening arrived and the theme for the evening was ‘Bright colours’. Staff in teams got together to create a coloured board of food and drink to share amongst everyone who attended. We had, Blue, yellow, orange, rainbow, beige, green, pink and purple to match each table which was brightly decorated. The boards were fantastic and the VIP awards decorations hung around the room.
During the evening the 20 different awards were handed out, from carer of the year to team of the year, there was an opportunity for all departments to win. Prosecco and goodie bags were presented with certificates and their name boldly displayed on the giant projector. Manager Sarah said “It was an opportunity to recognise staff who go above any beyond in their roles and I was more than happy with the chosen winners”.
Learning New Skills in Dementia Care
Studies have shown that residents living with Dementia are able to learn new skills. We are always looking at new ideas to capture our residents interests. This week we found that some of our ladies were keen to pick up new tips and advice on how to apply make-up. Residents asked many questions during the live make-up demonstration and were keen to have a go themselves. Our Activities Coordinator (A previous make-up artist) demonstrated the different looks that can be achieved, which brushes to use and which colours suit which skin types. Our ladies were thrilled to model, along with some of our staff meeting everyone’s self-esteem needs.
New Year's Eve
Our New Year’s Eve went out with a bang as we enjoyed our masquerade ball, with tribute Elton John singer. We pulled out all the stops with a lovely buffet prepared by our head chef and popped open a prosecco or two to toast the year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has walked through our doors in 2023 and who has made a difference to our residents well-being. We are excited to see what 2024 will bring , however we can ensure the same amount of, love, care and laughter.
