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
Weekly Pet Visits
If you've ever had a pet, you probably know the happiness a Dog can bring you when it greets you at the Door or a Cat when it settles on your lap.
Every week our residents and staff welcome visits from their new four-legged friends. There are a variety of animals who visit from Dogs and Cats to Horses and Bunnies.
Pets provide opportunities to reminisce, reduce loneliness and improve mood.
These weekly visits mean a lot to Helen as she has had pets all her life and enjoys being around animals.
Ann tends to our tresses!
We at Hickathrift House believe it is absolutely essential our residents feel and look their best no matter what. We encourage all of our residents to visit the Hair Salon - a soothing environment in which they can relax and enjoy getting pampered by Ann!
Ann is a fully qualified local Hairdresser with years of experience in the salon and mobile hairdressing. She has also worked at Hickathrift House for 10 years and understands the importance of tailoring her services to residents living with Dementia. She understands the varied needs of individual residents and knows the importance of how a trip to the salon can make you feel. Whether it is a Trim, perm or a Blow-dry, Ann can make you feel 10 years younger!
Knitting for local Rescue Dogs at Willowdale Farm
We've been busy knitting away making an array of Blankets for rescue Dogs at Willowdale Farm in Marshland St James.
Our lovely group of ladies are residents, community knitters and volunteers of Hickathrift House who have come together to make squares which are then knitted into these beautiful Blankets.
Betty has really enjoyed sharing her passion with others and knits squares every day in the lounge!
Our next project is knitting Blankets for the homeless, keep an eye out on our page for upcoming Knitting Groups for you to join!
Community Crafty Ladies Group
Every month our residents visit the local Crafty Ladies Group at the Marshland Hall & Tearoom for a good natter and a spot of Knitting. Our avid knitters have been visiting the group regularly since March and formed lovely friendships with the local ladies who have even made our residents bags to keep their Knitting and Slippers!
We all enjoy seeing their different knitted projects and share our own. Of course, we always enjoy some of the Tearoom's fabulous baked treats and cups of Tea too! If you're interested in joining the group please contact the Marshland Hall & Tearoom.
Outings to the local community are very important to our residents here as they help build friendships and opportunities to reminisce and share experiences and interests with others. Here at Hickathrift House, we arrange a minimum of 5 outings a month to suit all residents' interests which everyone thoroughly enjoys as you can see!
National Afternoon Tea Week
Afternoon Tea Week is the perfect opportunity to take part in a range of activities that celebrate this quintessentially English tradition - to meet people, chat, laugh, be creative and eat a lot of Cake - all washed down with lashings of delicious Tea served in a fine China Cup of course!
At Hickathrift House we've been busy making unique floral placemats, beautiful flower table centrepieces and vibrant floral bunting which created the perfect backdrop for our afternoon Tea Trolley. Residents enjoyed an assortment of delicious Scones, treats and the beautiful China sets brought back lots of fond memories and discussions.
Crafty Ladies Group
We headed to the wonderful Marshland Hall & Tearoom to meet the community knitters and crafters. This outing has become a regular for us at Hickathrift House as we've made good friendships with the ladies there. We enjoy sharing the items we've knitted and vis versa. Of course we just have to have a cup of tea and delicious treat while we're there.
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.
