Activities at Thistle Hill Care Home

Thanks to everyone who attended our insightful Scam Prevention Talk! Thank you to #Natwest who came and did the talk and the MS Society community in Harrogate for joining us. Knowledge is our best defence against scams.

We were delighted to welcome members of Starbeck Cricket Club into the home for a fun and interactive cricket-themed session. The visit created a real buzz, with residents, families and staff all enjoying the opportunity to get involved.

The session included friendly demonstrations, plenty of chat, and the chance for residents to try their hand at batting and throwing. Laughter and smiles filled the room as everyone joined in at their own pace in a relaxed and supportive environment.

It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, with some residents even saying they would love to watch a live cricket match in the future. A big thank you to Starbeck Cricket Club for bringing such joy to our home.         

Every Friday afternoon, one of our Lounges comes alive with song as we welcome the lovely Connie from Yorkshire Create for our weekly choir session. This has quickly become a highlight of our week, with residents eager to gather together and lift their voices.

The energy in the room is fantastic, as everyone loves to get involved and take the lead by suggesting new songs for the group to try. Whether we are revisiting a classic anthem or learning something brand new, the sense of community and shared joy is wonderful to witness.  

We were delighted to welcome our wonderful Veterans Café group into the home, who kindly volunteered their time to help tidy and refresh Charlotte’s Way.

This lovely outdoor space is a favourite among our residents and visitors, offering a peaceful place to enjoy a stroll in the fresh air. Being fully wheelchair accessible, it allows everyone to make the most of the garden surroundings.

Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, Charlotte’s Way is looking better than ever. It was fantastic to see such community spirit, and we are incredibly grateful for their support in helping to keep this special area so welcoming for all.      

Staff and residents have been gripped by cricket fever after a fantastic visit from Starbeck Cricket Club.

Thistle Hill Care Home, hosted a cricket-themed session where residents, families and staff enjoyed chatting about the game, watching demonstrations and getting involved with batting and throwing. There were plenty of smiles and laughter throughout, and residents loved the opportunity to try something different in a relaxed and supportive environment.

In the run-up to Mother’s Day, on Memory Lane, the residents enjoyed a beautiful morning of flower arranging to help decorate the home. The café was transformed into a fragrant florist's shop, filled with the vibrant colours and scents of spring.

It was a wonderful sensory experience for everyone involved. Some of our residents loved simply taking in the scents and feeling the delicate petals, while for others, the activity sparked fond memories of years spent tending to their own gardens. Some shared that they found the process very relaxing, making it the perfect way to spend a quiet morning together.   

Every Wednesday, our Farnham dining room transforms into a hub of friendly rivalry for our weekly Dominoes Club. This session has become a non-negotiable highlight of the week, with residents always double-checking the schedule to ensure their midweek match is ready to go.

The atmosphere is always brilliant—filled with non-stop laughter, lively catching up, and the occasional tongue-in-cheek joke about "cheating" that keeps everyone smiling.

We recently had a spectacular performance from Hazel, who may have set a new house record! She managed to win a staggering 8 out of 11 games in a single morning. Whether it’s a tactical masterclass or just a chance for a good natter, the passion our residents show for the game is wonderful to see.      

We recently hosted a fun and engaging quiz to help raise awareness and funds for Brainkind, and it proved to be a fantastic evening for everyone involved.

Residents, family members and friends came together to test their knowledge, with a great mix of questions that kept everyone thinking. There was plenty of laughter alongside moments of real concentration as teams worked together to come up with the answers.

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout and sense of community spirit, all while supporting such an important cause.       

In the run-up to Mother’s Day, on Memory Lane, the residents enjoyed a beautiful morning of flower arranging to help decorate their homes. The café was transformed into a fragrant florist's shop, filled with the vibrant colours and scents of spring.

It was a wonderful sensory experience for everyone involved. Some of our residents loved simply taking in the scents and feeling the delicate petals, while for others, the activity sparked fond memories of years spent tending to their own gardens. Some shared that they found the process very relaxing, making it the perfect way to spend a quiet morning together.     

One of our dining rooms in Thistle Hill was recently transformed into a vibrant art studio for our very first Paint Your Way session. This week, our talented residents gathered for a "very fun and colourful hour" of creative expression.

The session provides a relaxed space for residents to explore their artistic talents. The results were truly heart-warming: Heather, who hadn't painted in years, shared that the experience "made a girl very happy," while Hazel produced some lovely portraits. Sheila also joined the fun, experimenting with bold colours and textures to create a unique masterpiece.

Everyone involved left feeling incredibly proud of their creations. We believe these social activities are vital for fostering a sense of community and purpose. We are already looking forward to our next session.