Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home

Hickathrift House in Marshland St James, Wisbech, have recently launched a dementia café for residents as well as members of the local community after upgrading their activities room, ‘the Snug’. The new Dementia Café was launched as a welcoming space for carers in the community and their loved ones who may be living with dementia. Taking place every third Friday of the month, guests will have a chance to meet other carers, gain support and advice for their loved ones living with dementia and have a chance to meet the team at the home, to discuss any questions they might have about care.

Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland st James commemorated the signing of the Armistice Day agreement on the day that the guns finally fell silent. They joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, along with members of the local community at the war memorial in Wisbech, including the Mayor and Mayoress, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Steven Barclay MP and the local cadets and military attendees.

Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland St James welcomed the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Dr Bharat, his wife Mrs Khetani and Kim Taylor of ‘Wisbech Tweet.’ The residents and staff were thrilled to be approached and asked for a visit due to the High Sheriff being so happy with what he saw online about the home.

On Monday 13th November, the High Sheriff and his lovely wife arrived at Hickathrift House and was welcomed by General Manager Paula Colman, Deputy Manager Sarah Sage and Activities Coordinator Emily Jackson, before being given a grand tour of the home and introduced to all the residents

Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, got in the Halloween spirit by visiting Worzals to see Rusty’s Great Pumpkin Patch.

On the 29th of October, Hickathrift House Care home, while working with the team at Worzals, took a bus full of residents and 3 carers to the pumpkin patch. Residents and staff had a brilliant time exploring the various themed areas from Stanger Things to Hocus Pocus. In additional to the beautiful themes the residents and staff loved seeing the various types of pumpkins available to purchase.

Black History Month, held in October every year, not only provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Britons now and throughout history but also how Black History influences our present and our future world.

To begin the celebrations, we held a Caribbean party with the local entertainer the Banjo Man. The banjo originated from descendants of African and Caribbean heritage. Everyone enjoyed listening to this unique instrument and sang along over some pina colada cocktails. We have hosted a variety of activities to celebrate and raise awareness including watching Hidden Figures as part of our film club, discussing famous influencers in our history club, and an interactive talk with Rhiannon Watkinson from the RAF Museum London. These activities were enjoyed by all and offered an opportunity to learn more about a different culture.

On the 10th of October, we raised awareness of mental health and took steps to support residents' own mental health. We celebrated by calming and stimulating the mind, body, and soul with a range of activities.

At Hickathrift House, we spent the morning having a pamper with nail painting and hand massages, while listening to mindful music and watching beautiful aquarium scenes. The afternoon residents felt reinvigorated and refreshed with the incredible Amanda from Wings of Eagles Yoga Therapy and Wellbeing.

Betty especially loved the activities as the yoga reminded her of her ballet days. She shared a few ballet exercises with us which we all enjoyed.