Activities at Laurel Bank Care Home

Activities are a fundamental part of a rich and varied lifestyle here at Laurel Bank Care Home, which is why we organise both physically and mentally stimulating social events for those we support. The weekly itinerary is ever-changing, and regularly includes art lessons, chair-based exercise, trips and visits from a variety of different animals, as well as one-to-one time for residents who prefer the peace and quiet. Our team actively tries to incorporate the hobbies and interests that are meaningful to residents into the activities schedule as encouragement to continue with much-loved pastimes.

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Jaimy Lee Almond

Activities Coordinator

Hi, my name is Jaimy Lee, and I am the Activities Coordinator here at Laurel Bank.

I have worked in the care home industry for over nine years. I started working at Laurel Bank in 2018 as a carer, and then, I was promoted to senior carer which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

I moved over to activities in 2020, as I was asked to help out and help encourage residents to join in. During this, I realised how much fun it could be and chose to stay on and got promoted to Activities Coordinator.

I love my role as every day is different and I try to make sure the residents are happy and engage in meaningful activities, this also helps support the transition for new residents.

Life-encriching activities booklet

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 Laurel Bank Care Home

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. During the day, our residents enjoyed putting a remembrance display together, with their own handmade wreaths and poppies, which turned out beautifully. We enjoyed a special church service to honour veterans and armed forces members who have died in the line of duty and we read some war poems.

Bonfire celebrations

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night is an annual commemoration observed on the 5th of November.  We spent time learning about the gunpowder plot where Guy Fawkes and his associates planned to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament in 1605.   We all enjoyed traditional bonfire night treats, including toffee apples, treacle toffee and a traditional parkin cake prepared by the home’s chefs.

Bewitching tricks and spooky treats

Barchester’s Laurel Bank Care Home, in Lancaster, was a den of ghoulish activity as the home’s spooky Halloween afternoon got in to full swing.  Residents and staff got in to the spirit of things by dressing up, decorating the home and creating Halloween decorations, having local children in for some trick or treating and having a disco with Halloween-themed songs, music and sweet treats.

General Manager, Lyndsay Scott cackled: “Our staff and residents love any excuse for a party and dress up! The home looks fantastic with all the decorations and our head chef did us proud with lots of spooky treats – we’ve all had a brilliant time.”

Manager scoops Divisional Manager of the Year

Lyndsay Scott at Laurel Bank in Lancaster has been crowned registered manager of the year for North Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2022 and is through to the national round of judging.   

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12,000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.

More than 2,950 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Lyndsay Scott is over the moon to have been named the winner for the North division beating hundreds of other nominees.

Royal Botanic Garden

Our homes enjoyed a wonderful virtual tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Community Engagement Manager, Charlotte Walker, and Botanic Cottage Operations Co-ordinator, Laura Gallagher.

The residents were thrilled to learn more about the history of the beautiful Garden, which is now a home to an impressive plant collection from around the world.

Charlotte and Laura also gave a demonstration of making fresh herbal tea and were happy to answer our questions.  The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all who joined.

Eyes down

Lots of fun today playing bingo. Always a crowd pleaser and results in good prizes and lots of laughter!! Especially with some of the bingo number phrases! Another lovely day at Laurel Bank!

Upcoming events

Coffee Morning - Every Tuesday

We extend a warm invitation for you to join us and make new friends - all welcome.