Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home

Hickathrift House Care Home, in Marshland St James, Wisbech have relaunched their monthly Toddler Morning. On Saturday the 20th of April 2024, residents and staff welcomed a group of parents and their toddlers and babies who live locally to enjoy a morning of music, games and activities with residents of Hickathrift House.

The parents and toddlers enjoyed singing along with residents to their favourite songs such as ‘Wind the Bobbin Up’ and ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ whilst tucking into their favourite juices and biscuits provided by the Hickathrift Hospitality Team. Each Toddler Morning will be themed and supported by residents, and this month was St George's Day which included colouring and creating shields.

Residents across our homes and hospitals had a fantastic time with vocal coach Dan Cooper from Biiah as he led an amazing sing-a-long session for residents to enjoy.

Residents who joined the event were able to learn different techniques as they sang the famous ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ by Jimmy Cliff and ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by The Beatles.

Across our homes there were smiles and laugher all around. The session was such a success and was great for the mind, body and soul.

We had a brilliant time across our services with Harrogate Skills 4 Living as they took us on a wonderful virtual visit to their Harrogate Chocolate Factory.

Residents were thrilled to discover details about the chocolate-making process and the fascinating journey from bean to bar, all while enjoying some delicious sweet treats.

The Factory aims to employ people with learning disabilities and autism, involving them in all parts of the process, from sorting and roasting the beans to packaging and sales. The experience was truly enjoyed by all who joined this event.

We continue to celebrate a varied life enrichment programme and across our services we linked up with other Barchester care homes and hospitals up and down the country for some interactive Beat the Clock games. 

Our residents truly enjoyed solving word puzzles, conundrums and mathematical problems as part of Barchester’s very own game show series.

Everyone who joined had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.

Avice, a resident at Barchester’s Hickathrift House Care Home, has been knitting teddy bears for children at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for over a decade.  Avice had always wanted to take a trip to Queen Elizabeth Hospital to drop these teddies off herself, so the staff at the home made her wish a reality.

Avice originally started knitting teddy bears after answering the call during the 2004 tsunami and since then donated to numerous charities and causes, one being the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Rudham Ward. Over the years, she’s estimated to have donated thousands of teddies to the hospital and her daughter would drop these off for her.

This month residents chose Marie Curie and the Daffodil Appeal as their Charity of the Month. On the Day of Reflection, we themed our painting club to create vibrant paintings of daffodils as well as abstract pieces of artwork. These lovely, impactful paintings are on display in the reception below our Marie Curie fundraising tin. 

This wonderful cause was chosen by residents and during the activity we were reflecting on our own lives and losses. It was a meaningful activity that brought residents closer and helped us all feel there was a strong purpose for our painting club this month.

Ray, a new resident said, "I haven't painted in years. But this is a great cause it made me feel like I had to pick up my paint brushes again. With a bit more practice I'll help make even more artwork to raise awareness I hope".