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
Tripping the Light Fantastic!
3...2...1...
In true Upton Bay style, December 1st called for a very merry garden party to count in the switch on of our spectacular Christmas trees! Sharing homemade mulled wine and delicious mince pies, our community came together for an evening of music, dancing and laughter to welcome in the festive season with open arms, officially commence the Countdown to Christmas. Special thanks to Vici Yates for entertaining us with her exceptional singing talents, we particularly enjoyed Mustang Sally and Sweet Caroline!
We were delighted to welcome The Mayor of Poole & The Charter Trustees Cllr Tony and Mrs Anne Trent, who joined us for the yuletide merriment and a pie
Latha Naomh Anndra sona dhuibh!
That's Happy Saint Andrews Day, to me and you! The last day of November marks the Feast of Saint Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland. An important day in Christian religion, St Andrews Day is also a celebration for Scots to honour the country's traditional dance, cuisine and culture.
Resident Liz was delighted to cut our beautiful St Andrews Day cake, as a descendent of Scots herself, and led us all in a toast to commence afternoon tea. Ladies and gents sampled a warming Scottish Whisky, which went down very nicely with a slice or two of cake
We listened to Scottish Piper music and had a good singalong of Celt classics sang Auld Lang Syne and Loch Lomond. Cheers!
Men's Shed Breakfast Club
How many Men does it take to dress a Christmas Tree?
21 of the loveliest gents in Poole! (And 3 ladies)
We were delighted to welcome Poole Men's Shed for their monthly Breakfast Club at Upton Bay, where there were full English's aplenty.
Men's Shed is a fantastic social and workshop space for gents across Poole to come together and work on their crafts, hobbies, and DIY projects, among old and new friends. They kindly gifted us some of their most beautiful wood crafts to showcase over the month of December, on a tree decorated by the group, and available for sale in our reception. The perfect ornament for your tree, and all proceeds to the Poole Men's Shed registered charity to help bring gents in our community out of isolation.
Raising a Glass for St Andrews Day
'Latha Naomh Anndra sona dhuibh!'
That's Happy Saint Andrews Day, to me and you! The last day of November marks the Feast of Saint Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland. An important day in Christian religion, St Andrews Day is also a celebration for Scots to honour the country's traditional dance, cuisine and culture.
Resident Liz was delighted to cut our beautiful St Andrews Day cake, as a descendent of Scots herself, and led us all in a toast to commence afternoon tea. Ladies and gents sampled a warming Scottish Whisky, which went down very nicely with a slice or two of cake
We listened to Scottish Piper music and had a good singalong of Celt classics sang Auld Lang Syne and Loch Lomond. Cheers!
Decking the Halls with Poole Men's Shed
How many Men does it take to dress a Christmas Tree?
21 of the loveliest gents in Poole! (And 3 ladies)
We were delighted to welcome Poole Men's Shed for their monthly Breakfast Club at Upton Bay, where there were full English's aplenty.
Men's Shed is a fantastic social and workshop space for gents across Poole to come together and work on their crafts, hobbies, and DIY projects, among old and new friends. They kindly gifted us some of their most beautiful wood crafts to showcase over the month of December, on a tree decorated by the group, and available for sale in our reception. The perfect ornament for your tree, and all proceeds to the Poole Men's Shed registered charity to help bring gents in our community out of isolation.
Our Chef has even been made an honorary member on account of his delicious fried bread!
Remembrance Day
It was an honor to pay our respects to the service men and women who gave their today, so that we may have our tomorrow, this Remembrance Sunday. We shared in a beautiful service with Reverend Tess of St Michael's Church, accompanied by hymns with residents, staff, and friends of Upton Bay. Remembrance Sunday is such a deeply meaningful and personal time for our residents, many whom themselves lived and served through conflict over the last century, or have family in active service.
And a special thanks to The Land Girls for bringing that feeling of togetherness during difficult times, with their 1940's songs which we sang our hearts out to.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
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
