Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home

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.

We had the absolute pleasure of being entertained by members of the Denver Windmill Acoustic Session. It was an absolute joy listening to a variety of instruments and seeing all these incredible jig dolls from this local group. Jig dolls have loose limbs that step dance or 'jig' on the end of a vibrating board.

Residents sang along to several songs they knew and loved from when they were little. These sparked many memories which we shared throughout the session.
Betty said, "It was just marvellous. It was such a joy to meet and swap stories together. I had a brilliant time".

Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, is a den of ghoulish activity as the home’s spooky Halloween celebrations get into full swing.  Residents and staff are getting into the spirit of things by holding a pumpkin flower arranging afternoon with Bargain Bridal Boutique.

Corrine, owner of Bargain Bridal Boutique, visited the care home with numerous artificial flowers of various types and colours for the residents to use for their pumpkin flower arranging. Corrine, her daughter and grandson supported residents in making stunning floral displays for the home’s communal areas.

As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month which takes place throughout September, staff and residents created stunning Forget Me Not crafts and other creative activities that help spark memories. The forget me not flower is long associated with dementia. Everyone enjoyed sharing their anecdotes when they took part in a range of crafts including knitting, wreath making, aqua painting and designing sensory collages. The beautiful pieces of artwork is on display at the entrance of our Memory Lane unit for all to see.

Being creative gives a lovely balance of expressing yourself, a sense of achievement and pure joy for people with dementia. It not only helps with cognitive functions but reduces stress and sparks beautiful memories of pets, nature and an array of other topics.

Norah was joined by her family to celebrate her 102nd Birthday. It was an incredibly special day. It started with opening presents and cards, reminiscing about past birthdays and looking through photographs of Norah's life. In the afternoon, we hosted a special cake and coffee treat with Norah's family in our Snug. All the staff came to sing Happy Birthday and deliver her favourite flavoured cake, Victoria Sponge. 

Happy Birthday, Norah from everyone at Hickathrift House Care Home.