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
International Country & Western Day Celebrations
Take your partner by the hand and swing them round and round! Residents, staff and our community friends joined us here at Hickathrift House as everyone got dressed up, danced, sang and swayed to the fabulous country music celebrating International Country and Western Day - complete with music by the incredible KJ & The Catt.
Alpaca adventure!
Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, was full of animal mischief when a group of Alpacas came to visit the home’s residents, staff and friends who attended from the local community.
Everyone at Hickathrift House was pleasantly surprised to see their new furry friends roaming around the garden as Gorefield Alpacas paid a visit. The 6 loveable animals, known for their beautiful soft fur, were welcomed with cheers, gasps, laughter and even a few surprised faces!
Everyone from the children who attended the event, to one of Hickathrift’s oldest residents - Norah, a 101 years old lady, adored stroking and feeding the stunning animals. Norah gleamingly said, “What beautiful animals they are oh how soft they are!”
Keeping active together!
Every week residents enjoy a variety of physical well-being games that link to their interests and are suitable for their capabilities. Residents enjoy parachute games, beach ball toss and a game of kick about.
We had a lot of fun tossing, kicking and catching the balls whilst residents listened to their favourite tunes. Everyone has a great afternoon – a fun way to keep everyone fit!
Physical well-being games are not only great fun, they help maintain strength, improve moods and build esteem and confidence.
Eyes down! Residents and Relatives bingo night
Residents and their loved ones joined us for a fabulous night of Bingo hosted by the wonderful KJ Entertainments !
The night was filled with laughter, interesting bingo calls and delicious refreshments served by our superb kitchen team. The winners walked away with sweets, chocolates, biscuits and wine. Joan was over the moon to win her favourite Milk Tray!
A huge thank you to all the families involved in the event and we hope to see you all at the upcoming community Quiz Afternoon.
Community group
Every month we visit this fabulous book club at Marshland Hall & Tearoom . This month we're excited to be reading, My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal . We hope you'll be able to join us next month to discuss the book over a cup of coffee and delicious treat from the Tearoom. But if you can't make it please feel free to leave your comments below.
We are also pleased to announce we'll be visiting the Luxe Cinema to watch the Nutcracker together in December! If you'd like to join please don't hesitate to get in contact for more information.
Queen's Memorial Outing
In loving memory of the Queen, we paid a special visit to St Peter's & St Paul's Parish Church in order to sign the book of condolences and light candles on behalf of all staff and residents of Hickathrift House. The day before residents made beautiful flower arrangements for the Queen and on Sunday we laid them at the base of the Church's memorial.
We were joined by Robert West, who shared his deep insightful knowledge of the Church and memories of past royal visits to Wisbech. We can't thank the team at St Peter's and St Paul's Parish Church enough for opening up the Church for us in order for us to pay our respects before the Queen's funeral.
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.
