Activities at North Park Care Home

Residents of North Park were delighted to have a socially distanced visit from popular North East performer, ‘Wor Vera’ on VE day who performed outside the home to sing a medley of war time songs. Residents watched from their windows waving flags and singing along with her.  Neighbours  ventured out of their homes and enjoyed the show from their own front gardens. As the final notes … We’ll Meet Again … could be heard there was a tremendous round of applause from everyone in and around  North Park with Resident, Jessie commenting “This is what it is all about! this is why I’m proud to be British”.

Congratulations to Lisa Frame, who has been named as a Divisional Winner in the 2020 Barchester Care Awards. Lisa is a finalist in the Carer of the Year category and has been invited to attend a virtual awards ceremony on 8th October, where she will find out if she has won overall.

Ken Brownson celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by his family including his 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren his friends at North Park. Ken who spent all his life in Byers Green Spennymoor before he came to North Park at the end of last year, had a wonderful afternoon starting with musical entertainment to which Ken was more than happy to sing along to even having a dance with two of his daughters.

As the celebratory drinks flowed, the kitchen staff delivered a fantastic birthday buffet which ended in Ken having a delicious birthday cake with sparklers.

North Park Care Home hosted a romantic Valentine’s Day Meal for residents and their partners. Tables were set with pristine white table cloths and were decorated with red chocolate hearts and chocolate roses. Centrepieces comprised of tea light holders in stands full of beautiful scented rose petals and adorned with delicate illuminated hearts.

Head Chef Kevin cooked up a scrumptious feast and desert was individual heart shaped shortbread filled  with strawberries and cream and topped with a heart shaped sponge. With the lights dimmed, soft music playing in the background and a choice of pink or white Champaign our couples dined in romantic style.

Everyone agreed it had been a truly special evening with Tricia saying “Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the valentine meal so enjoyable. We really appreciated the effort you made to make it special”

North Park Care Home, in Darlington have invited members of their local community to join them for free knit and natter workshops at the home, held each Monday morning in the home's beautiful lounge.

Resident, Mrs Kaur has always enjoyed knitting, sewing and has made many of her own clothes. Since becoming a resident at North Park, Mrs Kaur has never missed a Knit and Natter group and is currently finishing off a long scarf for her daughter. Mrs Kaur is over the moon that it will be finished in time to give it before the forecasted snow arrives next week. The weekly Knit and Natter group is a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends over a cup of tea and the home welcomes members of the community to join them.

General Manager Daniel Hart said: “We started this project for elderly people in the community who might want some time outside of the home and to make some new friends. We also wanted to make a space for those who spend their time taking care of others to have a little respite of their own, we know a cup of tea and a friendly ear can go a long way.”

During a reminiscence afternoon, Margaret told the story of how her grandmother, followed by her mother and then by Margaret herself always kept the best china either away in the back of a cupboard, on show on a dresser and later in a China cabinet.

Margaret and other residents explained that this was done in case the King or Queen popped in for afternoon tea! We all had a good laugh about this and ended our afternoon with a cuppa in our best china cups. Sadly the Queen did not attend on this occasion.