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
Raising a Smile for Comic Relief!
Last Friday at Upton Bay we embraced the ‘silly’, and made the most of fun and friendship, to raise money for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day.
Donning quirky noses amongst the team and our residents, a day of good fun ensued with a Dance-A-Thon and a competitive game of Rummikub!
Not to mention the delicious creamy cupcakes on offer, which helped raise money for the worldwide charity which funds life changing projects across the globe.
The Luck of the Irish!
St Patrick's Day was in full swing at Upton Bay this week, no better excuse for a cold glass of Guinness in the afternoon sun with friends!
Irish Bingo brought out our competitive sides, followed by a lovely slice of homemade cake, enjoyed alongside traditional Irish drinking songs!
Any excuse for a Knee's up!
Adventures in Nature
"In every walk in nature, one receives far more than he seeks"
Today, Wellbeing Lead Karen and Chef Mark took our residents on a minibus adventure to Blue Pool, a hidden gem in the heart of Wareham.
A chance to escape the hustle and bustle, we enjoyed a walk around the magical Pool famous for its ever changing colours. Very fine clay in suspension in the water diffracts light in different ways, producing a magnificent spectrum of colour. And of course we stopped for a well-deserved treat in the beautiful tea rooms.
"It's the most amazing place", said Margaret. The fresh Dorset air has certainly done us some good!
International Women's Day!
International Women's Day!
Among our residents at Upton Bay are some truly exceptional ladies.
This Tuesday, a group of our ladies enjoyed their Ladies Club at Haskins Garden Centre , where they spent a leisurely afternoon taking in the sights and smells of the beautiful arrangements in the centre, before pausing for a natter and a latte in Costa Coffee!
Seeing the flowers in bloom has peaked our excitement for spring!
Ivy said, "It's been absolutely wonderful to get out and about - I've had a truly lovely day!"
Fizz and Fun for our First Anniversary! ??
Today, we were delighted to celebrate our First Upton Bay Birthday! March the 8th marks the day we opened our shiny new doors, and welcomed our very first, and much loved resident.
We celebrated the occasion in style wish bottles of ‘Nosecco’, the alcohol free alternative to prosecco, so even staff on shift could join the jubilations!
Home manager, Mevin, had this to say to our lovely community: “We extend a huge thank you to our residents, their families, and of course, our dedicated staff, who bring compassion, comfort and love to Upton Bay every day.”
We look forward to many more happy years ahead, as we welcome new residents through our not so new, but still very shiny, doors! Cheers!
Quiz Night!
Move over University Challenge... There's a new pub quiz team in town
Nothing like getting together with friends over a pub-style quiz and a few cold beers!
The Upton Bay Wizards have been sharpening up their general knowledge and niche interests, with some competitive evening quizzes - and an average score of 88% isn't bad!
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
