Activities at Sutton Valence 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.
Gemma Bhandari
My name is Gemma I am an Activities coordinator at Sutton Valence care home. I have been working here for nine years and love it. I grew up in Sutton valence village and attended the local Primary school.
I have always been passionate about the care of others and enjoy enriching the lives of our Residents. I have a Diploma in Health and social care and have worked in private health care for over 14 years. I have always loved performing arts and studied this at school. I am a very proud Mother to Amaya and Jacob.
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 Sutton Valence Care Home
The Green Goddess
Staff and residents were treated to an armchair workout courtesy of the Green Goddess, Diana Moran, and Shackleton’s Furniture Company, followed by a mindfulness session, led by Shackleton’s Emma Raybould.
Diana rose to fame as a glamorous fitness guru on BBC’s Breakfast Time in the 1980s and has made an outstanding contribution to improving the health and well-being of people in the UK. She now brings that experience to Shackleton's as their Health and Wellness Adviser.
Shackleton's and Diana both celebrate the importance of exercise, a healthy diet and mindfulness, particularly in later living. Diana has been working with Shackleton's since 2019 to promote their bespoke seating. She has produced a series of exercise videos extolling the virtues of gentle exercise in a Shackleton's chair.
Adele’s Mosaic
After many months of planning and hard work by our very talented resident, Adele, her beautiful competition-winning mosaic design has been completed to create a stunning display piece to be mounted in the grounds for all to see and enjoy.
The inspiration for Adele’s mosaic design came from all the trials and tribulations, solidarity, loves and loss we all experienced during the lockdown of 2020.
Adele has described in great detail the meaning of all the parts that make up the mosaic, these include the shield, because we were shielding at the time this competition was set; the home that makes us all one large inclusive family; the tree of life that symbolises togetherness and a reminder that you are never alone; the heart that’s made up of the shaking of hands, meaning that everything is done from the heart, and the hands expressing gratitude for all that has been done. The dove is a sign of piece and a messenger to send messages home to our friends and family.
She should feel proud of her creation as we all are of her.
Pocket Hugs
Lacey is a very talented and kind local girl who lives in Leeds village near Maidstone, and she is 10 years old.
Lacey has been busy hand making some beautiful heart shaped pocket hugs, which she has kindly donated to the residents at Sutton Valence to remind them that they are loved and always in our hearts.
Our residents here at Sutton Valence were touched by the kind gesture and enjoyed picking out their own pocket hugs in their favourite colours, and were all grateful to Lacey for her thoughtful gift to them.
Lacey was proud that she could do something within her community to make people happy and put a smile on their faces.
She should feel proud of her creation as we all are of her.
Fit at 99
Jack came to us in November 2020, a little demotivated after being in hospital, lacking full mobility and required support to mobilise safely, which was an amazing joint effort from Jack's family and the team at Sutton Valence. He is truly a remarkable man, much loved by other residents and team members across the home.
Jack is not only in his 100th year, but is probably fitter than most young men.Since joining us at Sutton Valence, Jack has taken up table sport and has re-found his love and passion for table tennis. Jack plays four times a week with our Head Chef, Suraj.
It is lovely to see the blossoming friendship and has encouraged other team members join in as they pass to support his passion, with other residents now engaging in the table sports at the home, encouraged by Jack and the team.
Jack has always been into sports, being a former gymnastics teacher for the army; it’s something that comes naturally to him. Jack now has a sparkle in his eye and a spring in his step. He is an inspiration to us all at Sutton Valence.
Easter Celebrations
Staff and residents celebrated Easter with a whole host of different activities, including a live virtual church service from local vicar with hot cross buns and a giant handmade Easter egg cut out for our residents to have their photo taken with; and an Easter quiz to round off the celebrations.
Gardening Club
With this hot weather we have been blessed with the last couple of days in the UK, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get outside and resume our Sutton Valence Gardening Club.
With the help of residents Lynn, Ruth and Joyce and our Gardener, Peter, we were able to plant some tomatoes, green beans and carrots in our raised beds.
We made an afternoon of it and had some ice lollies to cool off with. Our residents will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour in the coming weeks.
A special thanks for the compost that was kindly donated.
