Activities at Hampton Grove Care Home

What a fantastic Open Day we had here at Hampton Grove! The sun was shining, but the real radiance came from inside the home as opened to friends, old and new for a joyful afternoon.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the incredible performance by Luci and Pippa. We want to extend a huge thank you to both of them for truly bringing the party to life. Their talent has blown us away by those powerful voices!

The home energy was raised with music, laughter, and so much joy. It wasn’t long before the "dance floor" was full, with residents, families, and staff alike joined in with the singing.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Open Day and helped make the day so memorable. We already can’t wait for the next one! 

Second Chef Cassie has proven that care at the home extends well beyond the kitchen. As a dedicated member of the care home’s team for 14 years, Cassie recently went above and beyond her culinary duties to earn a certificate in Canine First Aid.

The inspiration behind this new qualification is Cassie’s beloved 3-year-old Labrador, Louie. Born with hip dysplasia in both back legs, Louie has been a regular at Well Dog Hydrotherapy, in Peterborough since he was a puppy. It was through this long-standing relationship that the hydrotherapy team, led by Stacey, offered Cassie the chance to train alongside them.

Cassie said "Stacey and her team are amazing, always giving help and advice," "When she offered me the opportunity to do the Canine First Aid course with her team, I jumped at it. I wanted to better my knowledge so I know exactly what to do in an emergency for Louie."

At Hampton Grove, Cassie is known for her 14 years of service and her active presence in the local community. While she usually spends her time preparing nutritious meals for residents, her new skills highlight the diverse passions and spirit that define the staff at Hampton Grove.

Stefan Lupu, General Manager at Hampton Grove said "We are super proud of Cassie on her achievement and passion in learning, not only in the kitchen but to support the welfare of her dog Louie, we often have dogs visiting in the home and knowing that we have a staff member that we can reach out to should an emergency arise”.

Stacey Parish who is the founder of Well Dog Hydrotherapy shared “Cassie is a valued client who is dedicated to the care of her dog Louie. Cassie was one of the first clients we asked to get involved with the first aid and CPR training which she achieved”
 

Congratulations Blesson who has been nominated by residents and staff for employee of the month for his work commitment, continued support and care he provides not only for the residents but his work ethic and support to his colleagues in the home.

General Manager, Stefan Lupu shared “Blesson is a dedicated carer in the home who shows compassion and kindness to everyone that he meets and support, it’s great he has been recognised for his work”

Stefan presented Blesson with his certificate, bottle of wine, flowers and chocolates, Blesson will also receive a voucher in thanks for his hard work and dedication. 
 

Thank you Blesson from all at Hampton Grove

Residents and staff enjoyed a heart-warming Easter, defined by a series of community collaborations and intergenerational visits that brought "happiness and warmth" to the home.

The celebrations kicked off with a special visit from the children of Busy Bunnies Nursery, who gifted residents handmade Easter cards and bright daffodils. The youngsters joined residents for a day of creative colouring and a joyful Easter egg hunt, culminating in a traditional fish and chip lunch hosted by Cassie and her team.

The musical atmosphere was further lifted by Julia, a local music teacher, who brought her students to perform. Their live instrumental sets filled the home, providing a poignant soundtrack to the festive period.

Community spirit was also extended to the frontline team. Sharron Toms, from the Tesco Hampton Community Room, made a special visit on Good Friday to deliver Easter eggs to the entire staff. The gesture and her kind words about the team’s dedication provided a significant morale boost during the busy holiday shift.

"We have been having such a wonderful Easter here at Hampton Grove," said Activity Coordinator Becky Merrington. "After our residents spent so much time spreading kindness and gifting to others, they were delighted to receive a little treat of their own. Seeing their smiles as they enjoyed their well-deserved Easter eggs reminded us all what a special community we have here."

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the February Employee of the Month award goes to Cassie, Second Chef. Who is a valued member of our team here at the home!

Stefan Lupu, our General Manager, expressed “Cassie is always happy and with a bright smile, supporting the Chef is catering for the whole home with a whole home approach attitude”

Cassie has been part of the home for over 14 years and started her career in hospitality working her way up to second Chef.  Cassie has a very positive attitude with her gentle nature which makes significant impact on the daily lives and social interactions of our residents and staff. 

Congratulations and thank you, Cassie, for your outstanding contribution from all the residents and staff here at Hampton Grove Care Home.

What a fantastic, celebration we had for St George’s Day! The spirit of England was well and truly alive as our residents came together to honour our patron saint in style.

The morning kicked off with the incredible sounds of Boots and Strings. The room was instantly filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of toe-tapping as everyone danced along to the music. There’s nothing quite like the power of a good song to bring back memories and get everyone moving!

And of course there was a feast to have! A massive thank you to our talented chefs, Craig and Cassie, who served up a legendary traditional lunch of pie, mash. It was a huge hit and definitely provided the fuel for the rest of our festivities!

As the sun came out, we took the party into the garden for a joyful afternoon of singing and sunshine. It was a truly beautiful day filled with community spirit. Thank you to everyone who made it so memorable especially our friends and amazing talented singers at Boots and Strings!

For Animal Pet Month, we were delighted to welcome Michelle and her wonderful pet therapy session back to the home

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the animals, from cuddles with the gentle dogs and friendly cat to meeting the adorable rabbit and guinea pig. There was lots of excitement and curiosity around the gecko too, which was a big hit!
It was a lovely afternoon filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of special moments. Thank you, Michelle, for bringing such joy to our residents

Residents at Brampton View love the animal therapy sessions that our dedicated Activities Team organises weekly and monthly. As one of the foundations of our Life Enrichment program, we know that animal therapy can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. 

Had such a lovely morning at Tiny Steps Petting Farm today

We got to see and spend time with so many adorable animals, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and even alpacas! Each one had its own personality, and it was such a joy being up close with them

It was the perfect little escape from the usual routine, peaceful, wholesome, and full of smiles. We had so much fun!

If you’re looking for something simple and heartwarming to do, I’d definitely recommend a visit. We’ll definitely be back again soon!

Thank you to the staff and volunteers there for being so friendly and helpful

Residents, staff, and families were treated to a vibrant display of traditional culture this St Patrick’s Day, as the home welcomed the talented young performers from the Solas School of Irish Dancing

The celebration brought together generations for an afternoon of high-energy entertainment with lots of children, ranging from age eight upwards, who performed a series of spectacular routines that showcased both traditional and modern Irish dance moves. The performance, characterised by its fast footwork and unmistakable rhythm, instantly lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance.

General Manager Stefan shared “It was a truly wonderful celebration with the energy and talent brought by the Solas dancers were simply priceless. Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter from our residents, staff, and family members as they clapped along was the highlight of the day”.
 

While dementia may take away words, it can never diminish the person within. The homes activity coordinator, Becky, recently shared a moving tribute to resident Karen and her husband, Pete, highlighting the profound "silent" communication that defines their daily bond.

Karen who is now non-verbal, continues to connect with staff and her husband through facial expressions, warmth, and a lingering "spark" of humorous personality. The story which was recently shared on social media, has resonated deeply with the local community, with family members and friends describing the couple as an inspiration.

Pete, who visits Karen daily has integrated with the home over the past number of years, and who himself is living with a serious health condition, has been praised by other resident’s families for his tireless support to other residents, with local Diane Lewis who shared, "Without his help, we would be at a loss." Pete is often seen around the home, helping here and there and also pottering about in the homes garden, ready to connect with everyone who visits or resides at the home, along with bringing heart felt warmth to the homes staff.

To support local families navigating similar journeys, Hampton Grove invites the Peterborough community to a special event: "Talking Positively to Someone Living with Dementia." Taking place at the end of the Month, this session will offer practical advice, emotional support, and insights into maintaining meaningful connections when verbal communication becomes difficult.

We took a trip to Tesco for a bit of shopping and, of course, a well-earned cup of tea. There were plenty of smiles as everyone browsed the aisles, picked out a few treats, and enjoyed a relaxing break together over a warm drink.

One of the highlights of the day was a heart warming moment when a kind lady and her child overheard us chatting and wished Millie a very happy birthday. Such a simple gesture, but it truly made her day and brought a big smile to her face.

These little trips mean so much, getting out and about and staying connected to the community. Supporting residents to enjoy outings, shopping, meals out and other trips is a key aspect of the weekly activities calendar. 

This morning our residents enjoyed a wonderful trip to the town park, making the most of the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. 

There were plenty of smiles and laughter as everyone got involved in a friendly game of table tennis , a great way to stay active while having fun! 

We spent some time visiting the bird aviary, where everyone enjoyed watching the beautiful birds and taking in the peaceful atmosphere. 

During our visit, we explored a historical spot connected to a donkey from World War One  ‘Jimmy’ we spoke about him (he transported injured soldiers and boosted wartime morale)  After the war, Jimmy was bought by the RSPCA and adopted by the Peterborough branch; he helped to raise thousands of pounds in funds until his death. 

Spring has officially sprung at Hampton Grove, as residents traded their lounges for the lakeside this week with a series of revitalising nature outings across the local area.

The week’s highlights included a tranquil morning at Ferry Meadows, where residents enjoyed a gentle stroll around the lakes. The group took in the fresh air and watched the local wildlife, with the resident ducks providing plenty of entertainment as they glided across the water and waddled along the paths.

The nature therapy continued with a special mini-bus trip to Bury Lane Farm Shop. Residents was treated to a spectacular display at the farm’s famous tulip fields, which are currently in full bloom. The vibrant sea of colours proved to be a major hit, sparking nostalgic conversations and bringing smiles to every face.

Residents said "It was such a calm, relaxing place to unwind and truly appreciate nature, The fresh air and the scenery did us all the world of good."
 

Huge Thank you to our lovely attendees who came along for our “Communicating well with Dementia” Forget me Not afternoon event at the home.

The event brought lots of topics and conversation in relation to how we currently communicate to our loved ones and how we can change the way we look at dementia and change our approach to make a more positive experience for everyone.

It’s was heart-warming to hear some of the lovely stories and also some difficulties which were overcome. The next event for dementia we will be looking at Colour Analysis, if you are interested in joining us to the free event, watch this space for future events.

With lots of thanks to our talented chef for also providing the event with lovely cupcakes and refreshments. And thank you to our family ambassadors Pete for serving drinks and offering the goodies.

Hampton Grove marked International Women's Day with a heart-warming celebration, honouring the incredible women, who are residents in the home and who make the homes communities shine. The event also celebrated the dedication, kindness, and strength of the care home's female staff, who were presented with flowers as a token of appreciation.

The "Ladies that Latte" group kicked off the festivities with a lovely cuppa and chat, reflecting on the journey to International Women's Day and celebrating women's achievements. Residents joined in, crafting and toasting with "Pink Empowerment Punch" and indulging in delicious cake.

Live entertainment was organised by the home, with vocalist, Nicky, who added to the joy, with everyone singing along and smiling. The afternoon was a resounding success, celebrating empowerment, friendship, and the inspiring women at the care home.

General Manager Stephan Lupu stated “Our Activities Team is dedicated to ensuring that we organise events that encourage our residents to host their families and friends at Hampton Grove Care home. Our home is always to open to loved ones and the local community who wish to take part in our life enrichment program”.