Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home
Our teams are trained to enrich the lives of residents through stimulating the mind, body and soul, and taking the time to learn about each person to ensure everyone receives support that adds enrichment to their life.
We have two Activities Coordinators here at Hickathrift House. We have a wide range of activities within the home, including musical entertainment, arts & crafts, clubs for like-minded people, such as flower arranging and gardening, board games, baking (where the best bit is the eating afterwards!), and we celebrate special events throughout the year. We also have trips out on a regular basis using our own minibus, where we find out places of interest each person would like to visit.
It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these activities as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join in with activities and events as often as they can.
For the less mobile residents, we unique one-to-one session, such as simple chats over a cup of tea, reading or listening to music. Activities are some of the most important aspects of a care home, so it is essential that our team are dedicated to ensuring that residents are entertained, and that life at Hickathrift House is fun and active.


Kat Colangelo
Hello, my name is Kat and I am the Activities Lead here at Hickathrift House.
Since 2017 I have been working in the field of well-being and I am passionate and enthusiastic about enriching all our of residents' quality of life.
As the Activities Lead at Hickathrift House, my focus is learning about each of our resident's likes and dislikes and supporting them to remain receptive and active in addition to supporting them to engage with our local community friends.
I organise activities to stimulate the mind, body and soul in an enjoyable, comfortable way. My aim is to diversify and increase activities ensuring that there is something for everyone - from Wine and Cheese events, excursions on our home Mini Bus as well as individual bespoke person-centered activities.
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 Hickathrift House Care Home



Fair brings community together
Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at Hickathrift House to enjoy a wonderful Spring Fair held in the home’s grounds on 18th May 2024.
Hickathrift House care home hosted a variety of activities throughout the day, including a book sale, games, a tombola, BBQ, over 15 local businesses and craft stalls as well as entertainment company KJ Entertainments who provided face painting, balloon modelling and singing, which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event. The home also had a car washing service named Auto Fusion Detailing which two 14-year-old entrepreneurs run.



Home buzz for World Bee Day
Staff and residents were buzzing when they celebrated World Bee Day on May 20th and continued celebrations throughout the week.
Created by the UN, World Bee Day is an annual global event raising awareness of the importance of bees and beekeeping for the survival of our ecosystems. Three out of four food crops across the globe rely on bees and other pollinators but those pollinators are under threat from human activities.



Lifelong race fan realises dream
Richard, a resident at the home was the owner of a racehorse and a lifelong supporter of the sport. Before coming to Hickathrift House, Richard was a racehorse owner and spent his time looking after his horse, Sleepy Blue Ocean. He has always wanted to return to the racecourse and be part of the atmosphere again, so the Hickathrift team made his wish a reality on the 7th of May 2024.
Since joining Hickathrift House, Richard often reminisces about his many days at the racecourse and training grounds with Sleepy Blue Ocean, winning and losing races and the best jockeys he worked with. He last raced his horse in 2009 but to Richard, those are some of his most vivid happiest memories, so our team worked on preparing a beautiful day at the races for him and his friends.

Celebrating Cadbury's
Residents across our services had a wonderful time joining Cadbury for an interactive virtual talk on their fascinating 200-year history.
Residents joining learnt interesting facts about the chocolate giant, shared memories, and reminisced about their favourite sweet treats.
It was a heartwarming experience filled with laughter, nostalgia, and plenty of chocolatey goodness!

Ambassadors join home team
Staff and residents welcomed their first Relative Ambassador and re-elected Resident Ambassador to the team. Firstly, the daughter of a care home resident has been given a new role at the home to help support the families of other residents. Viv's Mother, Joan, joined Hickathrift House in 2023 and ever since, Viv has become part of the Hickathrift House family, helping residents, relatives, and staff. This new role is to help other families considering care options as well as those whose loved ones are living there.
Viv, Relative’s Ambassador said "I'm a very passionate, caring person and I am always happy to help anyone. I like joining in the activities with mum and the other residents and chatting to new relatives about my experience at Hickathrift. I couldn't ask for a better home for mum".



Tiptoe through the Norfolk Tulips
Residents were thrilled to be able to visit the most colourful event of the year, the Norfolk Tulips fields, that raise funds for The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House! The vibrant colours of Norfolk's famous tulip fields were just awe-inspiring and magical.
Residents and staff were laughing as we frolicked through the tulips, shared our favourite types and loved seeing all the children playing. We also are so pleased to have helped raise funds for this meaningful cause.
Resident Rosemary said, "What did I do to deserve this lovely treat to the tulip fields. You're all so kind to have taken us. One of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Even with the wind, I've enjoyed every minute".
Upcoming events

Scrabble Competition - 12th April
Join us at our annual 'Scrabble Competition' on National Scrabble Day, from 2.30 pm

April
Hello April! We are looking forward to a fun-filled month ahead - all welcome.

Community Events - April
Dear Community Friends, we extend a very warm welcome to join us. Come along and make new friends!

Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
Calling all emergency personnel! Come and take a break on us - there may be a cake or two available!

Volunteer Coffee Morning - every Tuesday
We recognise the special impact volunteers can have on the lives of our residents and we hope you can join us.

Don't Dine Alone - Every Wednesday
We know meal times can be lonely for seniors in our local community and we invite you to join us for lunch. *places are limited.

Dementia Cafe - 3rd Friday of the month
We understand the importance of supporting our local community in hosting regular monthly groups. All welcome!

Knit and Natter - 3rd Friday of the month
Do you enjoy knitting? Come along and make new friends at our monthly Knit and Natter group - all welcome.

Coffee Morning - 2nd Friday of the month from 10.30 am
We extend a warm invitation for you to join us at our monthly Coffee Morning - make new friends and enjoy a slice of homemade cake.

Dementia Friendly Movie Monday
Come and join us for our monthly movie matinee club, dementia friendly. All welcome 2nd Monday of the month from 2.30 pm.