Activities at Mount Vale Care Home

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Mount Vale care home in Northallerton were treated to an interactive virtual floristry masterclass courtesy of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski, from Blooming Haus. 

Blooming Haus started with a small pop-up shop in Chelsea.  They have since blossomed spectacularly on to the floristry scene as ‘floral engineers’, carving themselves an outstanding reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative floral design studios. The company is the vision of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski and his business partner, Michael Dariane. The pair bring a completely fresh approach to floristry and their ambition to push the boundaries of traditional floristry has laid the foundations of Blooming Haus’ success to date.

There were smiles all round at Mount Vale care home in Northallerton, as live entertainers were allowed to perform in the home once again.  Aquatic Finatic visited the home, bringing a selection of their exotic animals for staff and residents to meet and handle. Prior to the pandemic, visits from Aquatic Finatic with their Pet Therapy sessions were a regular spot on the homes activities programme so it was a welcome return to near normality.

Just like the rest of the country, Government guidelines for care homes are starting to relax and performers can now entertain residents again safely.

Helen Lewis, General Manager at Mount Vale Care Home commented: “It is great to be able to open up our home and have some live entertainment for our residents.  We have really missed being able to welcome performers into our home during lockdown, although we’ve had lots of virtual concerts, quizzes and talks.  It’s lovely to be able to host events again now that lockdown is easing.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Mount Vale care home in Northallerton were treated to a photographic tour and talk about the era of ocean travel by V&A Dundee Curator, Charlotte Hale.  The presentation forms part of a series of six talks and virtual tours that V&A Dundee is hosting for Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and private hospitals across the UK.

V&A Dundee is Scotland’s design museum, it showcases Scotland’s outstanding design achievements and features world-class exhibitions alongside the permanent Scottish Design Galleries, and a changing programme of commissions, events and activities.  

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Mount Vale’s care home in Northallerton were treated to an armchair work out courtesy of the Green Goddess, Diana Moran, and Shackleton’s furniture company, followed by a mindfulness session led by Shackleton’s Emma Raybould.

Diana rose to fame as a glamorous fitness guru on BBC’s Breakfast Time in the 1980’s and has made an outstanding contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of people in the UK. She now brings that experience to Shackletons as their Health and Wellness Adviser.

Mount Vale care home in Northallerton recently presented Northdale Horticulture with a cheque for £700.  

Mount Vale has built up excellent reputations within its local community, regularly holding events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours. 

Helen, General Manager at Mount Vale, said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to local charities who are providing services to improve the lives of others. We decided to support Northdale Horticulture with it being a local charity but also as a thank you for all the support they have provided us”.

Residents at Mount Vale enjoyed a lovely cream tea afternoon with delicious treats, especially prepared by the homes chef, Moira.

Moira, had especially prepared mount-watering scones, with jam and clotted cream, cupcakes and iced biscuits to the delight of all.  Marion, a resident at 101 years young passed on the tea to enjoy a glass of wine and sherry!  It was a wonderful afternoon,