Activities at North Park 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.
Our home is always full of life, and we can thank our wonderful Activities Coordinators for this. Dedication to creating a unique and interesting activities programme is what sets us apart from other homes. We always take into consideration that some people would prefer to pursue their own interests, which is why our team strive to incorporative activities that cater to a wide range of tastes and hobbies. Our trips out are always fun and exciting as well, and residents are guaranteed to return with stories to tell their loved ones!
Claire Liddy
Hi, my name is Claire, and I am Lead Activities Coordinator at North Park. I first started doing activities in 2007 and fell in love with the job. I came to North Park in 2019 as lead Activities Coordinator.
I like to involve the local community in events within the home, so we have connections with local churches, schools and community groups. We have a PAT dog that visits weekly, so our residents can enjoy pet therapy, and lots of external entertainers, who come into the home regularly as well; in addition to fairs, monthly coffee mornings, family and friends events and so much more.
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 North Park Care Home
Mad Hatters Tea Party
Residents, staff, family and friends came together to have a Mad Hatters Tea Party. The Party began by decorating biscuits to mimic the White Rabbit’s watch which was lots of fun even though the biscuits did not last long. There was a delicious un-birthday buffet created by chefs Diane and Mark with a plethora goodies for everyone to enjoy followed by a themed quiz ending the day with music and a sing-a-long.
Residents Jean and Cec commented on what an enjoyable day it had been with Michael adding “yes, well they all mad here!
Home applaud young first aiders
Staff and volunteers applauded as eleven year old Isabelle and seven year old Theo Kennedy completed Basic Life Support training. When the two youngsters heard their dad was going into work to do his mandatory training they both asked if they could join in.
Lisa Frame, General Manager was only too happy to allow them to join in stating “I believe that everyone should have a basic understanding of first aid, no matter how young or old, we have had youngsters and residents alike join us on our training courses and they have come away with more knowledge, understanding and confidence.”
Homes join 100th virtual event
Barchester care homes and hospitals nationwide linked together for a fantastic quiz in celebration of Barchester’s 100th live virtual event.
Residents engaged in a variety of questions ranging from historical trivia to visual puzzles and brainteasers.
Everyone who joined had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.
Art in the garden
Residents at North Park enjoy a diverse life enrichment programme and we can never count on the weather in Darlington. However, when the sun shines everyone likes to go out into our garden and soak up the sun and enjoy being out in the fresh air without a care in the world.
This does not mean we abandon our other activities, we just move them outside and facilitate for those wishing to be active. We find this gives residents another perspective on life and new ideas emerge. From the arts and crafts outdoors residents have formed a plan for a ‘pool’ in the garden using pebbles and paint! We will keep you updated on how we get along.
Tea dance in the local market square
At North Park we encourage our residents to keep in touch with family, friends and community. Our residents look forward to the annual GOLD (Growing Older Living in Darlington) tea dance in the market square. Many of our residents have enjoyed this event over the years, some were volunteers and organisers.
Residents enjoy catching up with ‘old’ friends, chatting to the Mayor and having a tipple along with the fantastic entertainment provided. As resident Michael said “ I love this event, I always have fun and laughter is food for the soul”.
A trip to the Oriental museum in Durham
At North Park we strive to keep our residents connected with their community contacts, interests and friends. One of our residents’ past employment was as a Home Economic teacher, she transferred these skills to helping at the Oriental museum in Durham where her needlework skills were put to good use whenever any tapestries etc. required repairing.
Bobbie was ‘over the moon’ when we took a trip to the museum where she recalled many happy memories with other volunteers and the camaraderie that existed amongst them whilst undertaking such delicate work. Bobbie said “it has been such a lovely day full of memories, fun, laughter and learning”.
Upcoming events
Meeting Room for Hire
Are you looking for a venue? Look no further! North Park is also close to local amenities and not far from the A1.
Could you be a Volunteer?
We recognise the impact a Volunteer can make on the lives of our residents, do you have any spare time? For more information we'd love to hear from you.
Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
Calling all emergency services personnel - police, ambulance and fire services, district nurses - come and take a break on us, there maybe a cake or two available....
