Activities at South Grange Care Home

We got moving and put the ‘fun’ into exercising with an amazing week of fun-filled activities. We started our week off with our gentle chair exercises and even added in some balloon-based ones to get every part of our body moving. 

The residents had a great time doing a seated dancer-size afternoon dancing to some upbeat music that got us dancing the afternoon away. We had a great time doing an afternoon of ball drumming to some of our favourite tunes. In between these enjoyable activities, the residents enjoyed getting out for some fresh air and soaking up the sunshine.

We kept well hydrated with lots of ice lollies and water to get us through the lovely weather we have been getting!  

One of our Seven Arches residents, Ali, recently enjoyed a fun-filled three-night getaway to St Andrews, accompanied by nurse Val and carer Nikki. The trip was packed with exciting activities and plenty of opportunities to make wonderful memories. Ali loved visiting the zoo and the aquarium, where there was so much to see and enjoy. Ali loved her day out at Craigtoun country park, which provided lots of fresh air and beautiful scenery. She also enjoyed leisurely walks around St Andrews and the picturesque fishing village of Anstruther.     

Throughout the holiday, Ali enjoyed lots of delicious food, from ordering into the lodge or going out to local restaurants. She loved every minute! No trip to St Andrews would be complete without a visit to the famous Jannettas Galateria, where Ali enjoyed a tasty ice cream. It was a fantastic break full of smiles and unforgettable experiences.     

National Walking Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the benefits of staying active and enjoying the outdoors. At South Grange Nursing Home, we encourage residents to take part in weekly walks whenever the weather permits. Residents enjoy gentle strolls around the local estate, taking in the beautiful gardens, colourful flowers and seasonal changes. These walks also provide a chance to stop and chat with passers-by, helping residents stay connected with the local community. 

These walks also spark up memories for the residents where they can reminisce and share stories about their younger days. Spending time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood, encourage exercise and support overall wellbeing. Walks are always a popular activity, bringing happiness, conversation and enjoyment to everyone involved whilst promoting healthy and active lifestyles in a relaxed and social way.        

Over four days, from May 19 to 22nd a team of Barchester staff cycled over 200 miles from Thurso, through Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee to Edinburgh and finally Glasgow, stopping at 16 care homes across Barchester’s Scotland & North East division to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way.

On Thursday 21^st May at 9am the tour stopped at South Grange where they were welcomed by staff and residents who offered a range of healthy snacks and refreshing drinks to keep everyone energised and motivated throughout the cycle event. South Grange also helped raise funds by holding a Charity Quiz Night to help support the team. 

We welcomed back The Basin Belles for another fun and lively afternoon. The dancers brought a wonderful burst of energy and colour to South Grange this Easter, creating a truly memorable afternoon for all the residents, family members and staff who attended. Dressed in bright, cheerful outfits that reflected the spirit of the season, dressed up as bunnies and bumblebees. The group immediately lifted the mood as they began their performance. Their music and coordinated dances filled the room with joy and smiles spread across everyone’s faces.    

They warmly encouraged the residents, family members and staff to join in, and several of them happily got up to dance, clapping, swaying along and having a wonderful time. A particularly touching moment of the afternoon was when one of our residents presented the group with a handmade wooden name plaque that he had spent time carefully crafting himself, it was clear how much pride and thought had gone into the piece. The Basin Belles were genuinely moved by the gesture. It was such a lovely afternoon  enjoyed by all those involved.                 

South Grange has been enjoying the celebrations in the home for Wimbledon. To kick-start the first few matches, residents gathered in our beautiful round room to watch them whilst indulging in a bowl of strawberries and cream, which everyone agreed was delicious. During the two-week celebrations, South Grange residents got to experience first hand what it's like to play at a match by engaging and taking part in our own balloon tennis afternoon. Everyone gave it a good go, but more practice is needed before we make Wimbledon … always next year!

To mark the end of the Wimbledon Championships, residents tucked into delicious cucumber sandwiches, freshly prepared by our kitchen team, which went down nicely with a refreshing cold glass of bubbly whilst they watched some of the final matches.

South Grange was delighted to welcome our little friends from Grange Nursery for two special summer picnic mornings. Over the course of two Wednesdays, the children visited with their homemade packed lunches and spent quality time with the residents. Everyone had great fun playing with balloons, enjoying giant games, playing football and chatting together, bringing smiles and laughter all round. 

Residents loved interacting with the children, asking questions and sharing stories whilst enjoying their own picnic lunch including sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, pork pies with a big selection of sandwiches. The children happily tucked into their own packed lunches before continuing the fun. These visits bring generations together, creating happy memories for the residents and children and highlights the special friendship that continues to grow between South Grange and Grange Nursery.

Residents, families and staff at South Grange put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ with a charity quiz night to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. Barchester’s Charitable Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by giving grants to help them connect or re-connect with others in their local communities. 

On the night, residents, families and staff had a great night taking part in a general knowledge quiz whilst indulging in some nibbles and glasses of wine. With the winners taking away a bottle of bubbly to enjoy.
A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this amazing cause!      

Residents at South Grange nursing home were delighted to welcome the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday, bringing smiles and a wonderful festive atmosphere to the day. The special visit included thoughtful gifts for everyone, with some residents enjoying a handmade Easter bunny with a chocolate centre, whilst others received engaging Easter-themed activity packs filled with puzzles and crafts. 

The celebrations continued with a fun-filled Easter bonnet making competition, where residents designed and decorated their own hats with colourful ribbons, flowers and seasonal designs. Chatter and creativity filled the room as everyone proudly showed off their unique bonnets. After showing off their designs, residents voted for their favourite bonnet and the winner was presented with a large Easter egg as their prize. It was a fun and heart-warming day, full of celebration, companionship and Easter cheer.      

Staff and residents got up close and personal with a furry friend when they celebrated all the wonderful things about man’s best friend for upcoming International Guide Dog Day.

Residents had a visit from therapet Korky, who worked as a guide dog for many years before retiring and becoming a beloved therapet. His owner Sandy spent time chatting to our residents explaining about all the different roles and responsibilities guide dogs have and how the dogs are trained. Our residents enjoyed learning about the crucial work they do for their owners.

During July our Seven Arches residents enjoyed a variety of outings on offer. Some of our ladies had a great time out at our local Mecca Bingo Hall in Dundee, where they played a few exciting games of bingo for the afternoon. Unfortunately, there were no shouts from us, but a great afternoon was had with good laughs, a warm welcoming atmosphere and a great opportunity to speak to others in the community. Along with Susan enjoying a glass of wine too, which she told staff made her afternoon! 

Another lovely outing opportunity for some of our gents was a meal out with delicious food. The gents enjoyed a fantastic afternoon out at our local Indian buffet, Taza, enjoying a range of Indian food from fragrant biryanis and rich butter chicken to spicy curries, crispy pakoras, fluffy naan breads and sweet desserts, and the best bit … going up as many times as they liked. All washed down with a refreshing beverage. The gents had a wonderful time relaxing and chatting whilst enjoying good food in a calm and relaxing environment!

Days like this are so important, creating special moments with memories lasting a lifetime.

South Grange and Grange Nursery recently joined together to host a wonderful Summer Fete in the care home garden. The event was packed with fun for all ages, with popular stalls including face painting, glitter tattoos, tombolas, knitting displays and a “plant your own sunflower” activity. There were also plenty of game stalls, along with delicious hot dogs, tea and coffee and a visit from an ice cream van, which proved to be a favourite with everyone.  

Residents enjoyed spending time with the children, families and friends, creating a lovely community atmosphere. The Summer Fete was a great success, bringing smiles, laughter and happy memories to all who attended, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.

For the fifth year running, staff from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals took on a gruelling cycling challenge, this time from Thurso to Edinburgh.  Their aim was to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health conditions by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities. Set up in 2000, this year marks the Foundation’s 26th year, supporting individuals, community groups and small charities all across the country.

Over four days, from May 19th to 22nd, a team of Barchester staff cycled over 200 miles from Thurso, through Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee to Edinburgh and finally Glasgow, stopping at 16 care homes across Barchester’s Scotland & North East division to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way.

South Grange had the pleasure of hosting our Barchester Cyclists who are taking part in the Tour De Barchester. The cyclists were welcomed in true Scottish style by a bagpiper and drummer. Before being served a delicious breakfast spread prepared by our chef and kitchen team. The cyclists rested, fuelled up and chatted to residents and staff before being piped on their way again.

Residents of South Grange nursing home came together to celebrate International Waffle Day with smiles and excitement. Using store-bought waffles, warmed up until perfectly crisp and golden, filling the room with a warm and comforting aroma. The real excitement came when it was time to select their toppings of choice. Residents had a variety of different fresh fruits like strawberries and blueberries, which were a popular choice, alongside a generous serving of whipped cream, melted chocolate and some fruit-flavoured sauces. Each resident enjoyed creating their own unique combination, expressing personal tastes and creativity. 

Laughter and conversation flowed as they shared stories and reminisced about their younger days, making it not only a tasty treat but also a good social occasion for our residents. Everyone involved had a lovely afternoon and enjoyed the celebration for International Waffle Day.

Residents, staff and family members at South Grange had a fantastic time taking part in activities to celebrate Nutrition and Hydration week. One of the highlights was a flavoured tea tasting session, where everyone enjoyed sampling a variety of teas including Berry Blast, Strawberry and Raspberry, Pure Peppermint, Lemon and Ginger and Chamomile. Residents chatted about their favourites while learning about the importance of keeping well hydrated. 

Later in the week, residents also had fun creating their own refreshing mocktails and cocktails. Using a selection of fruit juices, fizzy drinks, fresh fruit and optional alcohol, everyone mixed their own colourful creations and enjoyed sipping them, enjoying the sunshine. The activities were a great way to encourage hydration while bringing lots of laughter, conversation and enjoyment to the home.