Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home
Our teams are trained to enrich the lives of residents through stimulating the mind, body and soul, and taking the time to learn about each person to ensure everyone receives support that adds enrichment to their life.
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.
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



Christmas market brings community together
Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at Hickathrift House to enjoy a wonderful Christmas Market.
There were all kinds of stalls on offer manned by residents, staff, volunteers, friends and family and lots of local stall holders came along to sell their wares too. There were delicious festive treats from Marshland Hall and Tearoom, beautiful artwork from local artist Gill Repper, fabulous handmade scented items ARTisau luxury, beautiful craft items and collectables from several local crafters, the list goes on! Residents also hosted a tomboloa stand, raffle, book sale and craft stall with the support of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteer Olly and staff.

Festive Floristry Workshop
Staff and residents across our homes were treated to an interactive virtual Christmas-inspired table decorating masterclass, courtesy of talented master florist, Kathryn Delve.
Kathryn is an independent florist based in Somerset, she specialises in creating unique wedding and event flowers. She takes much of her inspiration for her displays from the beautiful scenery that surrounds her home and the changing seasons and colours.
During the workshop, residents were invited to join Kathryn to make beautiful Christmas-themed table decorations.


Children in Need
To help raise awareness and funds for BBC Children in Need, we hosted a whole week of activities themed around childhood! Residents loved creating bright Pudsey artwork for the noticeboards, baking spotty cupcakes for the cafe, and playing a classic child's game of rock, paper, scissors and parachute games. We've also loved childhood toy reminiscing, a themed sensory trolley, Children in Need-themed jigsaw puzzles, learning about the history of Children in Need and scoring an impressive 8/12 on the children's TV quiz from Oomph Wellness.
We all had a fabulous time and hope that this raises attention this this amazing cause. A huge thank you to our staff who wore Pudsey clothes and yellow today to also help raise awareness for this fantastic cause!


Hickathrift Gameshow
There were a ton of laughs this week when we adapted the classic Mr & Mrs Gameshow into 'It’s Me or You' Hickathrift Gameshow. The same premises apply asking questions like "Who is funnier?" Or "Who's most likely to be Prime Minister?".
Residents were whooping in the audience when staff got it right and laughing when they didn't. It was a fantastic event where residents and staff got to know each other better. We already know each other well, as there was a 3-way tie for first!
But after some tense tie-breaking rounds the winners were... Resident Betty and Head of Activities, Kat! This demonstrates how well our staff know the residents and our residents know the staff. Congratulations ladies!



Remembrance Sunday
On the 11th of November, a hundred and six years ago the guns fell silent on the Western Front to signal the end of World War 1. Residents commemorated today with a two-minute silence at home and in the community for our annual trip to the Wisbech War Memorial.
It was an honour to lay a wreath to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice alongside the Mayor, Steve Barclay MP, local cadets, military attendees and locals.
Daisy, a resident said, "I lived through World War 2 and I'm so grateful to pay my respects with others. It is very important that we keep the memories of those who fought and continue to fight in conflicts around the world today".
For the third year, Barrie our Resident Ambassador placed the wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the residents and staff of Hickathrift. Thank you, Barrie.

Walk through a landscape
Residents across our services had a lovely time joining Emily and Marie-Therese from the Wallace Collection, for a virtual introduction to Reubens' Rainbow Landscape.
Residents truly enjoyed the sensory walk through one of the museum’s most famous landscape paintings.
Everyone who joined had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to put their creative skills to the test by painting some landscapes of our their in the coming days!
Upcoming events

Scrabble Competition - 12th April
Join us at our annual 'Scrabble Competition' on National Scrabble Day, from 2.30 pm

April
Hello April! We are looking forward to a fun-filled month ahead - all welcome.

Community Events - April
Dear Community Friends, we extend a very warm welcome to join us. Come along and make new friends!

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.