Activities at Paternoster House 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 specialist activities staff are committed to organising a mix of activities and events for residents and the local community to get involved in, including trips out to local places of interest in our minibus and visits from entertainers and musicians. It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities as best as possible, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join with activities and events as often as they can.
Angela Hawkins
Hi my name is Angela, known as Angie, I joined Paternoster House in April 2016 as a care assistant, I have a passion for enriching our residents lives and being part of the Activities Team means I can help them achieve their dreams, keep them motivated and happy.
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 Paternoster House Care Home
Gingerbread House Making
We love any excuse to get creative so when we found out it was Gingerbread House Day on December 12, we didn’t need any persuading to get cracking.
Our activities team supplied the gingerbread kits for our residents and volunteers who got busy constructing, and decorating each with icing, marshmallows, jelly babies and edible glitter stars.
What a fun way to spend the afternoon, those little houses had us in fits of laughter as each side collapsed trying to affix the roof! However, we think you'll agree we made some of the glitziest gingerbread houses in town.
They tasted as good as they looked as we enjoyed a slab or two with our afternoon tea!
Upshire Primary Carol Concert
The 12th day of Christmas brought a festive Carol performance from the young students of Upshire Primary Foundation School.
Their little faces were a picture of delight when, as they entered the homes reception ‘Father Barry Christmas’ was there to welcome them!
Our Parklands community residents and staff really enjoyed the children's singing and signing each song, they even had a little dance along! We all loved chatting with the children and find out what they hope Santa will bring them for Christmas.
We know that intergenerational activity is hugely beneficial to all involved as it encourages communication and social skills. It helps children to develop empathy, care and kindness all of which the young students from Upshire Primary have in abundance
Resident Father 'Barry' Christmas
Our very own Father 'Barry' Christmas has been making local Nursery Children’s Dreams Come True.
Resident, Barry Watson is Father Christmas! Well, he’s Waltham Abbey’s answer to Santa as far as the children of Wishing Well preschool nursery - Waltham Abbey are concerned.
Every year Barry nurtures his beard, dons his red coat and winter boots to visit local children, hand out gifts and listen to their individual hopes and wishes for Christmas before passing onto his colleagues in Lapland.
This year, Wishing Well Nursery organised for Father Barry Christmas’s reindeer, and his portable Grotto (courtesy of The Reindeer Centre in Bethersden) to join him which made the whole occasion extra special. Even the Mayor of Waltham Abbey; Shane Yerrell took time to meet the children, and Santa, ensuring he too stays on ‘nice’ list!
It was a truly magical day for all involved.
Our home manager; Corina Popescu said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing, especially at this time of the year. Barry takes his role as Father Christmas very seriously, knowing he’s there to keep the belief in Santa alive. We’d like to thank chief Elf; Nursery Practitioner ‘Hope’ and everyone at Wishing Well Nursery for inviting us to play such an important part of the children’s Christmastime.”
Hillhouse Primary Bring Delight
As part of our Intergenerational programme, our residents were thrilled to watch the annual Christmas carol show performed by the children from our local school, Hillhouse Church of England Primary School.
Many of our residents gathered together in the homes large reception area to be entertained before the wonderful children visited each community to sing and chat the all the other residents, going from room to room spreading Christmas cheer throughout the home!
It was truly magical and put the biggest smiles on everyone’s faces.
Singer is a Christmas Gift
On the 10th day of our Christmas calendar of events our residents enjoyed a good old Christmas sing-along courtesy of Daniel Robinson & Sons who provided the afternoons live musical entertainment, singer ‘Colin’ who performed a selection of all-time favourite Christmas songs and memorable favourites.
Our residents loved joining in with the singing, and took to the floor for a dance or two! Thank you, Daniel, for your generosity, we wish you and the family a very Happy Christmas from all at Paternoster House.
Festive Performing Pets
Every resident within the Paternoster House communities had the chance to meet Grayson the American miniature pony (aka Santa's little helper) and Lulu the festive sheep!
We all love it when Performing Pets visit as Animal therapy is one of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program. All animals are special, but at Christmas time these little visitors were simply magical!
Our Countdown to Christmas calendar is full of activities and events open to the local community. Please feel free to join us on any day.
See Events poster for more details.
Upcoming events
Professional's Networking Breakfast
Are you looking for a relaxed, inviting environment to network with local professionals? Join our General Manager on third Thursday each month for breakfast from 8.00am.
Community Coffee Mornings
Come along and meet new people while enjoying a chat over a hot drink and a selection of sweet treats every Friday from 10am-12 noon.
