Activities at Strachan House Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
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Natasha Rubin
G’day! My name is Natasha and I am the activities lead here at Strachan House. I am Australian born and bred, braving the dark and the cold here in Edinburgh to enjoy the beautiful nature and wonderful people! I have a background in team management and design. I have always loved working with people and have a strong interest in mental health and well-being, recently embarking on a psychology degree with an interest in specialising in Art Therapy. I am working with the team to create a vibrant, engaging and person-centred home.
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Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
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 Strachan House Care Home
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Inside Blenheim Palace gardens
We had a lovely time exploring the amazing gardens of Blenheim Palace through a virtual talk, hosted by the Historian - Antonia Keaney.
We enjoyed a virtual look at how the gardens at Blenheim have developed over the past 300 years - from the formality of Henry Wise through to the ‘natural’ landscape created by Capability Brown and beyond.
Everyone was very impressed by the many jewels hidden within the 150 acres of beautiful gardens.
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Carers scoops coveted title
Mary Christie at Strachan House Care home in Edinburgh has been crowned hospitality champion for the North Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2021 and is through to the national round of judging.
The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12,000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.
More than 2,900 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Mary Christie is over the moon to have been named the winner for the north division beating hundreds of other nominees.
Mary Christie said: ‘I can’t believe I have been chosen for this award I am very grateful for receiving this. I am over the moon to have been nominate by my colleges and relatives. I can’t thank my team enough for their hard work and dedication and support they show me on a daily basis.
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Virtual event with Dartmoor Zoo
We were able to virtually dive into the impressive wildlife of Dartmoor Zoo.
We explored its grounds and learnt about the unique history of the park from the zoo’s educational team. The culmination of the tour was the live tiger training demonstration, which was wonderful to see and enjoyed by all.
Our residents were delighted to see amazing photos and short videos of the animals and take a peek inside their home.
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Stars and stripes at Strachan House
Staff and residents at Strachan house care home got the flags out and celebrated American Independence Day in style by hosting a milk shake and soda bar where the residents got to choose from our menu and make their own drinks up. They got to choose from strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla milk shake and blue raspberry and American cream soda or red cola soda floats.
We also had virtual tours to favourite places such as New York, the Grand Canyon and San Francisco. We also played a musical quiz naming songs that had the word America or songs that had America in the lyrics.
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Icelandic adventures for Residents
We took a wonderful virtual trip to Iceland’s Puffin Rescue Centre at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary.
We were able to virtually meet some of the rescued Atlantic Puffins and to learn interesting facts about their care and unique lives. We took a peek into their lives in the wild, the Puffling rescue program in the Westman Islands, and how SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary’s team takes care of these charismatic little birds each day.
It was a very exciting experience, enjoyed by all.
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WW2 virtual event
Ahead of Armed Forces Day, we were transported back in time for a World War II themed talk and tour of Blenheim Palace, hosted by Antonia Keaney, the Palace’s social historian and author.
Entitled ‘Evacuees and Espionage,’ Antonia’s wartime themed talk focused on how the Marlborough family, estate staff and the Palace itself played a full and energetic part in the war effort.
The talk and tour told the story of how the Palace prepared for the worst, survived the onslaught of 400 boys being evacuated to Blenheim and kept the secrets of MI5.
It was a lovely experience, enjoyed by all.
Upcoming events
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A taste of Strachan
On Wednesday16th July we're delighted to welcome our neighbours and the local community to sample and enjoy the delicious food and drinks offered to our residents.
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July
Hello July! We extend a warm invitation for you to join us for a fun filled month ahead - all welcome.
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Knit and Natter
Join us for our weekly Knit and Natter group and make new friends over a selection of tasty snacks and refreshments.
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Afternoon tea - Memory Lane
Join us for Afternoon Tea, 2nd Saturday of each month from 2.30-4.30pm in our Memory Lane communtiy
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Community Cafe
Join us for our monthly Community Cafe - Last Friday of the month from 2.30 pm. All welcome.
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Respite - Are you looking for a little care break?
If you are looking for a little care break for yourself or a little care break pop in and see what we have to offer.
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Volunteers - Could you make a difference?
We recognise the special impact that volunteers can make on the day to day lives of our residents. If you would like more information we'd love to hear from you.
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Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
We offer a warm welcome and a hot drink any time you need one - to all emergency services personnel, police, ambulance, district nurses - pop in any time!
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