Activities at Harton Grange 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.
Marius Sidoriuc
Hi, my name is Marius, I am the activities coordinator here at Harton Grange. I joined Barchester's family in 2021, as I found their approach and standards on dementia very interesting. Since early 2022 I work for Barchester as both activities coordinator and care assistant. In 2018, I started my journey in health and social care as a care assistant and very soon after, I completed courses on dementia and activities (NAPA, level 2) and I worked as both activities coordinator and care assistant in Kent. I'm also an apprentice in health and social care. I've met some amazing people that have guided my understanding of dementia.
The most important thing for me is to see our residents achieving a meaningful raison d'etre, living as they like and to benefit from a range of activities starting from Namaste to reminiscing and spiritual needs (such as praying or listening to hymns), art and craft, armchair exercises, music therapy or finger nail pamper sessions.
I like to acknowledge that I am working as a part of a whole team, including the fantastic management, hospitality and maintenance departments, promoting a person centred approach for each resident and we are glad to know each persons preferences and abilities in order to plan how the day will look with them. One way we are able to do this is through our residents' and family' meetings where we try to let everyone have their say about the way they want to live and the activities they take part in.
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 Harton Grange Care Home
Magic table fun
At Harton Grange we enjoyed playing with the Magic table, watching the goldfish swimming around and opening the water lilies was awesome then as it is Autumn we cleaned up the beautiful colourful leaves gold and orange as they rustled across the table they were so lifelike and the sound was so crisp, after that we bopped the balloons and to top it off Florence played the virtual piano for us, we really enjoyed ourselves.
Wine tasting virtual event
We had a lovely time joining Hospitality Manager, Christophe Noel and special guests Lee Isaacs DipWSET and Nick Parker from Unity Wines and Spirits – as they introduced us to wine tasting techniques, the history of wine and wine making, as well as consumer attitudes.
Our residents had the opportunity to try a variety of wines from sparkling and white to rose and red, alongside a selection of delicious treats.
It was a wonderful experience, enjoyed by all.
English National Ballet virtual event
We celebrated Last Night of the Proms virtually with members of English National Ballet’s Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Gavin Sutherland.
We listened and danced along as members of the orchestra took us on a magical, musical journey. English National Ballet Philharmonic is made up of many of the country’s top musicians, and boasts considerable experience in all forms of music-making. With insights and anecdotes into what it takes to conduct an orchestra for a world-class ballet company, this special concert got our feet tapping, arms waving and hearts singing!
It was a wonderful experience, enjoyed by all.
V&A Scottish Galleries talk
We had a lovely time joining Becca Clark and James Wylie – members of V&A Dundee’s exhibitions team – as they took us on a virtual tour of the museum’s incredible Scottish Design Galleries.
We were introduced to the wide range of unique objects at the galleries from architecture and engineering, jewellery and textiles to theatre and their fascinating stories.
And we were able to learn more about the importance of all objects in telling the rich and varied history of Scottish design.
It was a lovely talk, enjoyed by all.
Spending time in the kitchen
At Harton Grange we have some lovely places to work with our residents one of our favourites is the living kitchen we had an amazing morning chatting about our lives and how we used to live whilst enjoying a cuppa from our fine crockery, we looked at some of the memorabilia that has been donated from times gone by and then made chocolate crispy cakes, what a lovely start to the day.
Keeping fit together
At Harton Grange we enjoy our seated exercise our friends from Northumberland (Mind active) are providing on line zoom sessions of Tai chi and also seated exercise with soft balls, shakers and stretch bands. Mavis who facilitates the sessions is amazing, our residents are really enjoying the sessions and how they are feeling afterwards. A big thankyou to Mind Active for their support.
