Activities at Newlands Care Home
Our teams are trained to enrich the lives of residents through stimulating the mind, body and soul, and taking the time to learn about each person to ensure everyone receives support that adds enrichment to their life.
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.
Hlabekile Nyoni (Nayoni)
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.
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
Summer party
Summer was introduced in style at Newlands with a Tropical Themed party. Staff and residents had a great time and enjoyed the party as they couldn’t hold back their joy. They were happy feet everywhere with a great performance from Sam of West Coast Entertainments, it was a lovely atmosphere with great tropical fruit salads, drinks and cakes.
A wish come true
It has been Jackie's wish to attend a show at the theatre, since she came to Newlands. Jackie has spent most of her life in theatre and knew all the cast on stage because she has worked with them. She has worked and performed at the same theatre for more than 30 years. So this was a very special moment for her. When our activities team learnt about Jackie's wish they knew exactly what to do. On Saturday the team headed to Carnegie theatre in Workington where they were given a special treatment. Everyone had a wonderful time watching Beauty and the Beast. The show was spectacular. It was a very special moment for Jackie and we could tell. "My wish has surely come true, I couldn't ask for more" said Jackie. One of our residents Sheila, also expressed how amazing it felt to be back at the theatre after such a long time. "This just reminds me of the days I used to come here with my sister, it brings great memories, I never missed a show," she said.
Celebrating Dementia Action Week
Celebrating Dementia Action Week at Newlands was truly special. Our residents and staff came together for a heart-warming reminiscing activity to share memories and stories. Staff and residents got spoilt with Cadbury chocolate bars and delicious frosty hot chocolate.
Thanks to the generous supply of Cadbury, we received a delightful surprise - memory bar boxes filled with Dairy bars wrapped in designs reflecting Cadbury rich 200 -year history.
We all had a great time while enjoying some delicious treats. We also had a wonderful time joining Cadbury for an interactive virtual talk on their fascinating 200 year history. Our residents learnt interesting facts about the chocolate giant, shared memories, and reminisced about their favourite sweet treats.
It was a heart-warming experience filled with laughter, nostalgia and plenty of chocolatey goodness!
Mental health week
At Newlands we believe that taking care of your mental health is an act of self-love. Our staff are important to us and so is their mental health.
Our staff adorned in green to raise awareness for mental health and got treated with some delicious nibbles, motivational gifts and messages. One staff member was quoted saying " this is exactly what I needed today, thank you". Residents' families and visitors got served with some delicious cakes and coffees. The atmosphere was amazing. We say - It’s okay to ask for support when you need it. Your mental health matters.
Minibus Trip
A little minibus trip is what our residents needed. We visited the Lakes Garden Centre in Cockermouth for a special lunch treat and though the weather was wet and cold, the atmosphere at the table was definitely the opposite. The views on our way to our destination was magnificent. We wonder were our minibus will take us to next.
Easter
Easter time has been the busiest time as our residents enjoyed our Easter celebration through music , an Easter Sunday Lunch, an egg hunt, hat making time and lots of delicious food. The bunny made her visit and spoiled the residents and staff around the units, everyone had such a lovely time. There was such a lovely feeling in the air with great entertainment from Sam.
