Activities at Newlands Care Home

Activities within our home are tailored around the requests of residents. Our Activities Coordinator holds regular activity meetings to seek new thoughts and ideas. The home is committed to offering a varied range of activities for all residents, from hand and nail care to gardening for those who have green fingers. We carry out reminiscence activities, including planned entertainment days, bringing the seaside into the home or dance hall meetings.

We hold strong links with the community, especially schools and local children's sports teams, who visit the home to provide entertainment and engagement with residents. We also maintain relationships with the church to ensure that residents’ spiritual beliefs are met. Externally, we have our own minibus, and outings are planned and carried out, again tailored to residents’ preferences, whether it be shopping, visits to the local pub, tea and coffee afternoons, or a scenic day out in the lakes and lovely countryside that surrounds us. However, the fun does not stop at the residents we care for, but we also hold events to involve family and the wider community.

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

Hlabekile Nyoni (Nayoni)

Activity Coordinator

Hlabekile Nyoni known by everyone as "Nayoni" is the Activities Co-Ordinator at Newlands Care Centre as of  December 2023.  Hlabekile joined the Barchester team in August  2023 on a part time basis  then later became  fulltime at the end of December 2023.

 "Nayoni" says, ‘ I love sharing my ideas and knowledge to make residents life at Newlands enjoyable and memorable for them  and their families. Each day is a different day and each resident is different therefore I always put that into consideration when coming up with activities that can suit each individual. I am so glad to work with a great team throughout the home, from housekeeping, clinical, care, kitchen, maintenance, admin and managers all play a pivotal role in my work. With my strong artistic  background I find it easier to come up with creative ideas. I love my job here at Newlands.

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 Newlands Care Home

A Wet August

A Wet August

August has not seen many sunny days this year, but this has not stopped the residents of Newlands enjoying the summer holidays.

This month, the residents have been on many trips around West Cumbria, with Silloth, Keswick, St Bees and Cockermouth being visited by the Newlands minibus. Popular activities during trips out included visiting the local pubs and chippies, taking the scenic routes to enjoy the views of the Lake District and listening to music and sharing jokes on the bus.

Sport features heavily in people’s entertainment choices throughout summer, and our home has been no different. Regular exercise classes in the lounge have been enjoyed by our units, who also made use of both target games that were self-made by Newlands staff. Golf has been popular too, with indoor putting and outdoor chipping competitions taking place on the Lakelands unit.

The girls have been getting together too, meeting up in each other’s rooms and lounges and being very social. New bonds between residents are being created as they share stories with each other and most likely include a bit of gossip during this time.

We also had a visit from a local therapy dog, who enjoyed being petted by the residents. It was nice to see that this visit brought back fond memories of old pets. Our furry friend will continue to visit every Wednesday morning.

As always we continued to welcome musical entertainment into the home, as singer Phil Anthony joined us for birthday celebrations.

Lakelands have added a workshop to their many entertainment rooms. The workshop, which has been called ‘Haile Hut’, named after a resident whose family donated the majority of the tools and wood. Residents have been showing off their DIY skills and creativity.

Final Goodbyes to Borough Park?

Final Goodbyes to Borough Park?

On the 7th May 2019, two residents—Noel Hodgson and Bobby Brown—and two staff members—Ian Telford and Shaun Campbell—visited Borough Park, the home ground of Workington AFC. Read more about their day by clicking here.

Keeping Fit

Keeping Fit

Residents regularly enjoyed working out with resistance bands here at Newlands. It's a great way to stay active!

Celebrating 10 Years

Celebrating 10 Years

Congratulations to Carer, Kirsty Johnston, who recently celebrated her 10th year at Barchester. Well done!

Spring Newsletter

Spring Newsletter

Please click here to view our spring newsletter.

Wedding Bells

Wedding Bells

Residents enjoyed watching Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding live, with cakes and fizz to help celebrate.