Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home
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.
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 Hickathrift House Care Home
Royal Parks London
Across our services our residents have enjoyed a wonderful live virtual talk about starlings, one of the UK’s most gregarious birds, hosted by Rachel Dowse from The Royal Parks London.
Rachel examined our long history with this bird and the importance of common species to our lives. Our residents had the opportunity to find out more about the great murmuration and why we need to pay special attention to these beauties before it's too late.
The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.
Crackers for the Nutcracker
Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, got in the Christmas spirit by visiting the Wisbech Luxe Cinema to see the Royal Opera Ballet: The Nutcracker with local Book Club group.
Residents, staff and the local Marshland St James Book Club had a brilliant time watching Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet, with gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, keeping true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic, combining the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular classical dancing.
Winter Wonderland
Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, got in the Christmas spirit by visiting Baytree’s Winter Wonderland and Baytree Garden Centre to see the festive decorations. Residents and staff had a brilliant time visiting all the areas at Baytree, especially the Christmas decor section, Winter Wonderland Grotto and cafe for the scrumptious food and drink on offer.
General Manager, Paula Colman said: “We absolutely love being able to take our residents out and about to visit Baytree Garden Centre and Winter Wonderland, it makes us all so happy to experience Christmas events like this. It has been a fantastic day and we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”
Betty, a resident at Hickathrift House care home said: “It’s been such a magical day. We’ve all really loved going around to all the different sections at Baytree. I particularly loved the Christmas decorations and seeing the cute animals and fish inside the garden centre. However, the best part was the grotto, the animatronics and train ride had us all singing along and laughing throughout the trip.”
Christmas Jumper Day
On the 8th of December we enjoyed the spirit of Christmas here Hickathrift House, wearing our Christmas Jumpers in support of Save the Children UK ! All of them look absolutely amazing !
Christmas Baking
Residents love attending the weekly baking club! Over the past month they've made vegan cherry bakewells, lemon drizzle cake, festive puffed chocolate treats, Christmas cookies and of course the seasonal Christmas cakes!
This week we've been icing our Christmas Cakes ready to enter into the Barchester Christmas Cake Competition! Residents worked in pairs to design 4 beautiful cakes! Don't they look scrumptious!
Blended monkey crafts
This week, residents enjoyed a fabulous talk by these incredible local business owners, Louise and Simon. Everyone found their talk and woodturning demonstration both informative and moving. Residents enjoyed sharing some fond memories of their own wood craft hobbies.
Simon and Louise focus their efforts on offering creative therapy workshops to provide rehabilitation and therapy for people of all ages who are suffering with brain trauma, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as well as other conditions.
Elsie said, "Thank you so much for coming in to speak to us. It's so wonderful what they do and they're so passionate about helping others. It's just so kind".
Upcoming events
November
The leaves are falling, November is calling and we hope you can join us - all welcome.
Newsletter
We are delighted to share our latest newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading.
Professionals Open Evening - 19th December from 5.00 pm
Calling all local professionals, come and join us for an evening and take a tour of our newly refurbished home and meet our General Manager, from 5.00 - 7.00 pm.
Countdown to Christmas
Counting down the days to Christmas with a fun filled month ahead and we extend a warm invitation for you to join us - all welcome.
Merry Christmas!
Speakers Corner - 10th January with guest speaker, June Massey
Join us for our monthly 'Speakers Corner' with January's guest speaker, June Massey - local fused glass artist from 11.00 am. All welcome.
Professionals Coffee Morning - 04th February
We extend a warm invitation to our local professional community to join us for a coffee and chat with our General Manager.
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.
