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
CARE HOME HAS A ‘LATTE’ FUN AT MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Staff and residents at Sutton Valence care home in Sutton Valence held a charity coffee morning and bake sale on Wednesday 27th September to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Having a coffee morning is the perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something delicious for a great cause. The money raised helps everyone with cancer to live life as fully as they can.
Residents enjoyed spending time with friends and relatives, and members of the local community. Head chef, Suraj, had baked lots of lovely cake for everyone to sample and for guests to buy to take home.
Sutton Valence’s coffee morning was a big success - they managed to raise funds for MacMillan and, most importantly, everyone had a great time doing it!
Robert Dura-May, Senior General Manager at Sutton Valence Care Home, said: “Our Macmillan coffee morning has been a huge amount of fun, everyone at the home is always keen to support this fantastic charity in any way we can. We are very glad to be able to do our bit to raise further awareness for MacMillan and money for the charity.”
A resident at the home, commented: “MacMillan is such a fantastic charity and they do such amazing work in the community, we all love raising money for them and the best bit is, we get to each cake at the same time!”
CENTURY CELEBRATIONS FOR LOCAL CARE HOME RESIDENT
Celebrations have been in full swing at Sutton Valence care home, as one of its residents reaches her centenary in style.
Dorothy was joined by staff, and relatives as she received a telegram from the King in recognition of her landmark birthday. A morning tea party was held at the home where she enjoyed a special birthday cake.
Dorothy was a stay at home mum and later became a doctor’s receptionist. Dorothy’s real passion in life was the theatre, acting and singing. During the war, Dorothy travelled all around the country singing to our troops on Bandstands including Brighton and Folkestone.
Robert Dura-May, Senior General Manager of Barchester Sutton Valence added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Dorothy is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.”
Planting a Tree of Remembrance
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Our gardening guru Norman helped plant a fruit bearing Cherry Tree with our head Gardener, Peter. Hopefully next year we’ll be enjoying the cherries.
Norman then plucked the runner beans to give to chef Suraj to be cooked and served with our lunchtime meal.
Norman said he really enjoyed planting a tree for the future and “it’s been a long time” since he had picked beans.
The tree is also going to be used in remembrance of all those who have given there lives to give us today's freedom.
On remembrance Sunday a special cross will be placed underneath the tree as a mark of respect.
Runner bean picking
Well it was so worth nurturing those runner beans judging from the smiles on Head Chef's face, Suraj and Norman's, resident family member. Norman retorted that he'd not picked runner beans in a long time and would like to start getting involved with the Gardening club. So we joined him up and he'll soon have his own patch to tend with the help of Head Gardener, Peter. OG plants and produce gave us the veg and herb plants.
All aboard the Sutton Valence Cruiser
Captain Maureen and sub Captain Ann greeted everyone whilst boarding our ship.
We sailed from Portsmouth, moared in Wales & Scotland to sing a few tribute songs and then smoothly sailed on the the Emerald isle of Ireland
Captain Ann then revealed our secret destinations; Spain, Mexico, Brazil finishing back in England for the Grande Finalè celebration and fine dining with the Captain
Of course, our mascots, Bart 'n' Chester joined us. Watch out for their next adventure
All aboard The Kingfisher Mark
In 1990 John Lockhart, whose son has Down's Syndrome, had a boat built to take disabled and disadvantaged people down the River Medway. The Kingfisher project was born. In 2004 a group of volunteers raised funds to have a new boat built. Withing 2 years they raised enough and in 2007 The Kingfisher (built in Faversham) was launched.
Over the years the Kingfisher was costing more and more in maintenance, the diesel engine and hydrologic system were beginning to show signs of their age and use.
It was agreed to put aside funds each year towards replacing her for a more economical version but based on the original design.
In 2019 The Kingfisher Mark was built with funds kindly donated by The Mark Master Masons.
I'll let the photos of our trip express our day out BUT will finish with Pam's comment at the end of our day ...
"I've had a lovely day. Let's book it again for next week and the week after and after that!"
