Activites at Hilderstone Hall Care Home

To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and in commemoration of the victims, Residents took part in activities and moments of reflection.

We started the day reading poems written during these times, discussed how the poems made us feel and some Residents were able to share their own stories about the war.

Holding tradition, we then decided to paint candles to display in our windows to represent 'Light in the darkness' on this sad day and then after lunch we gathered in the lounge to watch an insightful documentary called 'The Last Days', about Holocaust survivors. 

We humbly spent the day reflecting and feeling grateful for what we have today and what we can do to create a better future. 

To celebrate International Flower Day Residents took part in a flower arranging workshop. 

We are super lucky that our Activities Co-ordinator, Ellie is also a qualified florist.  Just look at the beautiful arrangements our Residents were able to produce under her guidance. 

It was a very wholesome activity, everyone was delighted with their masterpieces and the variety of beautiful arrangements have been displayed proudly around the home.

This is definitely an activity we will be repeating again.

Created by our Residents and their families, our Getting to Know me Booklets are a tool that allows us to understand the likes and dislikes of the people we care for. 

To make sure we are delivering person centred care, our new Activities Co-ordinator Ellie has been spending dedicated one-to-one time with Residents to help complete their booklets.  

Knowing our Residents allows us to deliver the highest quality of care and it ensures Residents are living the life they want to live.

In recognition of National Robin Day some of our ladies got busy making bird feeders to hang in our garden.

The main purpose of National Robin Day is to raise awareness of the challenges that birds, such as robins and other wildlife face during the cold winter season.

Our garden birds need not worry, the ladies here at Hilderstone Hall have got them covered, even though it was a little windy outside!  We even managed to get a photo of a visitor.

Residents and Staff have been spreading festive cheer and getting crafty to create their personalised Christmas cards for family and friends. 

Each design was unique and Residents added Christmas messages for their loved ones, along with another cheeky little surprise inside!

We bobbed along whilst listening to Christmas tunes and enjoyed spending time together.

Residents are looking forward to giving out their Christmas cards over the coming days.

Residents got in the Christmas spirit by wrapping up warm to visit the fourth annual Christmas Tree Festival at Christ Church Hilderstone.

The beautiful Georgian Church donned an array of Christmas trees uniquely decorated by local schools, businesses and members of the local community - and what a fantastic job they did too!

Carole, one of our Residents said: “We have all had the most wonderful time visiting the Christmas Tree Festival - How lovely to be able to visit places like this and enjoy the atmosphere, it has made us all feel so Christmassy!”

Residents enjoyed a trip out in the minibus to visit friends at Lawton Manor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, where we received a warm welcome.

It was a magical day out to feed the visiting reindeer from Oakleys Farm Group and to chat to the elves! 

We were treated to mince pies and mulled wine. A perfect festive day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Residents, family, friends and staff gathered to enjoy our spectacular fireworks display.

We wrapped up warm and huddled together outside, to enjoy the display which was expertly executed by our maintenance team and willing volunteer Mark.

There were a few sensible ones who cosied up by the window to enjoy the display from the warmth of our bistro too!

Hotdogs, burgers, beverages, hot chocolate and cakes were circulated by our hospitality team and they were delicious

A huge THANK YOU to everyone involved.

Our hands authentically tell a lifetime of stories, they portray the journey of life.

Earlier this week we took some time to read over our 'These Hands Have..' project. A time when we shared and reflected on our personal life journeys, capturing the essence of these stories in our own words and artwork.

Margaret wrote 'Raised a Daughter, and knit teddy bears for children in hospital'.

We regularly reminisce here at Hilderstone Hall, it keeps us closely connected to our life history and memories.