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
The Veteran of Hickathrift
Cpl Norman Newbold 90 of the Royal Fusiliers, a current resident at Hickathrift House Care Home, Marshland St James, completed his national service in June 1949. He had recently been invited to attend an Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club meeting held at Rose Lodge Care Home, Wisbech, where it was found that several veterans had still yet to receive their Veterans Badges. Staff at both Homes are actively applying for Veterans Badges for those who have yet to receive theirs.
The HM Armed Forces veterans’ badge was launched in May 2004 by the then Minister for Veterans Ivor Caplin to enable the wider public to identify veterans. The first lapel badge was issued on 10 May 2004 to Lord Healey, a veteran of the Battle of Monte Cassino. This initiated the roll-out of the badge to the generation who served in the second world war. Since then eligibility to apply for the badge has been extended in sequential phases and now all veterans are eligible to apply.
Mr Newbold’s family was able to provide his service record book which allowed the ease of the application and he is the first of several to receive his Veterans Badge at Hickathrift House. His badge was presented by Warrant Officer Class 1 JM Hall Royal Engineers (Hickathrift House Head of Maintenance) who is also a Veteran and current Army Reservist.
Coffee Morning
We headed out to one of our sister homes, Rose Lodge, for a coffee morning, where the ladies and gents enjoyed a chat, along with some tea, coffee and cake in the dining room. Everyone said it was really nice to get together, and would like to do it again soon.
Halloween Preparations
Residents have had a lovely time carving pumpkins to decorate the home for Halloween. They helped with the designs and the carving of the pumpkins. Great fun was had and there were definitely some sticky hands.
Dessert Time
Our residents enjoyed a lovely selection of cream cakes for their dessert at dinner time one afternoon. Some lovely flower arrangements were also made, and this is always a very popular activity.
Autumn Newsletter
Fundraising Fun
Staff at Hickathrift House put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ on Saturday 10th August with a tandem bike ride from Hunstanton to Hickathrift House to raise money for our Memory Lane sensory garden.
Hickathrift carers, Lisa Tibbs and Julie Price, came up with the idea to fundraise to improve the sensory aspect of the Memory LanegGarden. This will benefit those at Hickthrift who are living with dementia. The tandem bike was kindly donated for the occasion by Dave Parrin Car Sales in Wisbech.
Lisa & Julie battled the windy weather to complete the tandem bike ride, with some stops at local pubs in between for snack breaks. They were also supported by a resident’s daughter, who also took her turn in the saddle. They were cheered on by staff members who were following in the minibus and collecting money along the way.
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.
