Activities at Hyacinth House Care Home

Every 1st Friday of the month we host The Chitter Chatter Club to help combat loneliness in the community. We had new faces join us today, as well as our wonderful neighbours who come along and support our events, residents and visitors really enjoy their company.

We knew one in particular 'Jonathan' retired a week ago and we wanted to celebrate this, also as a thank you for being so involved in our community efforts, so we had a few fun surprises in store.

We had another enjoyable morning with great conversation, cuppas and cake!

Our wonderful respite resident David, celebrated his birthday in style today. He enjoyed a lovely lunch with staff and residents joining together to sing him happy birthday and present him with a special gift and a cake of his choice.

Being a wine connoisseur, it was only fitting that we seeked out the perfect bottle of red for him to enjoy with his chosen steak dinner.

Happy Birthday David from all of us, we hope you enjoyed your day.

For this day, we had a special celebration of our residents. 

After a delicious lunch, we hosted a fun award ceremony, each resident was recognised for their unique talents and personalities - everything from "Fashionista, Adopt a Grandad to the undefeated Scrabble King!" Thanks to our amazing Activities Coordinator Tammy and staff for coming up with such thoughtful awards.

Each resident was presented with a certificate and trophy and a glass of bubbles to toast to one another. There was a lot of laughter and celebration when receiving their surprise award. Even our admission that arrived 20 minutes prior to the ceremony was not missed out and was presented with 'Best Newcomer'.

We couldn't be prouder of our wonderful community!

Staff and residents are celebrating because their fantastic Managing Director Natasha lazovic, has been nominated as a finalist in the Leaders in Care Awards 2024, having been shortlisted in the prestigious Executive Leader category! 

In association with Care Home Professional magazine, the Leaders in Care Awards celebrate the achievements of care home providers in the UK and the suppliers that serve them. The award ceremony will take place on October 8th at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Natasha came to the UK in 1994 from Serbia and commenced her training as a nurse. Natasha, extremely caring by nature, has had an amazing career, and with dedication and determination has progressed from a registered nurse to Managing Director, working in a variety of care settings, both in the NHS and private sector, with London being a main base. Natasha joined Barchester in 2014 as Regional Director leading 10 homes, which then doubled to 20 as Senior Regional Director, and as Managing Director she now oversees more than 80 care homes in the South Division. Handling an extremely challenging role, Natasha leads the teams with a calm can-do attitude, she is a brilliant leader with an amazingly inspirational story and she truly deserves to win.

Natasha says: “I am very humbled to be nominated for this award, and I am very proud to be part of the shortlist, and to be representing Barchester as a finalist. It is an honour to be recognised for doing a job I love. I’ve just celebrated my 10 year anniversary with Barchester and those years have absolutely flown by, I’m looking forward to the next 10!”

Barchester Healthcare’s CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, comments: “It comes as no surprise to me that Natasha has been shortlisted for this award. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside her for over 18 years, we’ve both just celebrated 10 years with Barchester. Natasha is an incredible leader who is totally devoted to her teams and her residents. I can think of no one who deserves this award more than she does.”

With the wonderful guidance and support of Paula from the Craft Cabin residents tried something new, Felting! They got to create personal pictures of their choosing, producing some beautiful pieces which were then framed and are now proudly on show in their rooms. 

Feedback from our residents was how therapeutic and relaxing they found it and thoroughly enjoyed it!

This experience reminds us all, that you’re never too old to try something new, just give it a go.
 

Today, on International Day of Sign Language, we had the pleasure of welcoming George Raggett, an expert in sign language and living with hearing loss. He has taught for many years and we are extremely grateful he gave up his spare time to share his knowledge and teach us a few things.

Residents really enjoyed the session and asked many questions, which George answered with such enthusiasm and warmth. We were taught some basic sign language including the alphabet, how to sign our names and we were lead in to signing two songs: ‘Colours of the Rainbow’ and ‘What a Wonderful World'.

What an interesting and fun morning, a real insight for everyone. Thank you again George and we hope for another lesson soon.