Activities at Upton Bay Care Home
Activities are an integral part of life at our care home. We want to ensure that the people we support have as much fun as possible during their time with us, so it’s important that our activities programme is created with the interests of residents in mind. Our skilled Activities Coordinators bring a certain uniqueness to the home that can’t be found anywhere else, and which is reflected in the activities they organise.
Karen Grant
I first worked in the care sector in 2010, starting in domiciliary care and progressing to Care Coordinator. I have since gained a wealth of experience in dedicated dementia and residential activities, working as a peripatetic activities coordinator in 16 out of 20 homes within a group, and then in 2018, I was part of a team that commissioned a new luxury care home, where I was an Activities Team Leader.
I enjoy making wishes come true for residents: in February 2015, I organised my first wedding in a care home. The lady resident who was living with dementia was unable to travel to Hertfordshire for her granddaughters wedding, so I brought the wedding to her. I organised a wedding blessing at the home; we had a vicar, a choir, all of the bridal party, the flowers, a buffet, a wedding cake, champagne—the full works.
In 2017, I organised a smaller wedding in the garden, and this was a special wish for a gentleman resident to see his granddaughter married. Organising these special moments gives me a lot of pleasure, knowing I have made them feel special and to give families that happiness and see them smile.
I cannot wait to welcome our residents into their wonderful new home and help to bring smiles, joy and laughter to each day.
Karen is also one of our dementia champions
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 Upton Bay Care Home
It's five out of five for our catering team
Upton Bay Catering Team recently underwent an unannounced inspection, which resulted in a well-deserved 5-star rating. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that Upton Bay Catering Team has received such high recognition. Congratulations to the team for their exceptional dedication to maintaining excellent standards and delivering top-quality service.
Trip out to The Bridge House Hotel
Residents Rita, Margaret G, Barbara G, Maureen, and Patricia, accompanied by Karen, our Activities Lead, and Mark, our Bus Driver, enjoyed a delightful afternoon at The Bridge House Hotel in Longham. They gathered on the Terrace, soaking in the beauty of their surroundings as they observed the world passing by. The horses in the nearby field captured their attention, and they delighted in the sight of the river Stour gracefully flowing. Basking in the warm sunshine, they savored their cold beverages, creating a truly pleasant experience. All the residents unanimously expressed their joy, agreeing that it was indeed a lovely afternoon out.
Pamper day for the ladies
Upton Bay ladies enjoyed a truly memorable pamper day today where they were treated to a delightful 2-in-1 experience. The talented Jenny took care of their hair, ensuring each lady left feeling fabulous and confident. Meanwhile, Kirsty skilfully pampered their nails, adding a touch of glamour to complete their look. It was a day filled with relaxation, beauty, and the warmest of smiles. Upton Bay is incredibly proud to have such talented individuals like Jenny and Kirsty, who made this pamper day an unforgettable experience for all the ladies.
Special wish comes true for Kathy on India's Independence Day
Kathy celebrated her special wish on India Independence Day. Having visited India six times, Kathy has developed a deep love for the country. She has explored various parts of India, including the Pink City of Jaipur, where the city was painted pink to welcome Queen Victoria, as well as iconic places like Agra, home to the majestic Taj Mahal. Kathy has even had the pleasure of staying at the famous Marigold Hotel, a unique establishment with only one hairdryer for the entire group. During her visits, Kathy has also enjoyed the hospitality of a 5-star hotel in the heart of Jaipur. On this memorable day, Kathy, accompanied by her daughter Debbie and Activities Coordinator Melody, had a delightful lunch at Tandoori Upton Bay, indulging in a selection of Indian food. The event was organised by Karen, the Activities Lead, who transformed the private dining room with an Indian theme and music. The celebration continued with an afternoon of Bollywood dancing, reminiscing over Kathy's photographs, and enjoying tea and cake. Kathy expressed that it was a truly wonderful day, evoking cherished memories.
Celebrating National Allotment week
Our residents excelled in their efforts to promote National Allotment Week through their gardening club. Their dedication and hard work resulted in a remarkable community outcome, of which they were immensely proud.
Rosemary's cat dream comes true
We had the pleasure of fulfilling Rosemary's special wish at Pause Cat Cafe in Bournemouth. Upon arrival, Rosemary was warmly greeted by volunteers Jaya ,Maria and Steff who made her feel incredibly special. She received a beautiful personalised card and a pause badge at our table. Rosemary reminisced about her own cats while volunteers shared stories about how Pause Cat Cafe started. The highlight of the visit was meeting Clifford the Big Black Cat, Pumpkin the Ginger Cat, and Michelle the White Cat, who entertained Rosemary with their tricks and playful antics
Upcoming events
Knit and Knatter - weekly group
Open to the community. This fun, social group meet every Thursday 10.30-12.00 to knit and chat. Refreshments included
Christmas Fair - Saturday 7th December
Join us for a fun, Christmas event with a variety of stalls including candles, cards, gifts for all your family and friends. Join santa in his grotto