Activities at Drummond Grange Care Home
We understand that the people we support have passions and interests that could be difficult to pursue after moving into a care home – but that doesn’t mean we don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are dedicated to ensuring that everyone we support is able to do what makes them happy to the best of their abilities. Social events are organised with individual tastes in mind and with the idea that residents have the opportunity to try new and exciting things.
Katie Nicolson
Katie Nicolson is our Head of activities here at Drummond since August 2023 beforehand she worked as an activity assistant in the home for two years. Before coming to Drummond Katie has worked in many care roles over the years and studied Psychology and Sociology at Queen Margaret’s University and was awarded a Degree of Bachelor of science in Psychology and Sociology at the start of 2022. Katie loves being part of the Activity department here at Drummond Grange and bringing new and exciting opportunities and experiences to the residents. When she’s not at work Katie is a local Girl Guide leader and youth leader for her churches youth group.
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 Drummond Grange Care Home
Medical Detection Dogs
Across our services residents had a fantastic time during a special live virtual event, led by Emilia from Medical Detection Dogs. Emilia took us on a journey to discover how the organisation began training dogs to support people with complex health conditions, saving their lives on a daily basis.
Using their amazing sense of smell, these dogs can identify odour changes emitted prior an episode and alert the person to take preventative action.
We were introduced to the wonderful dogs and the science behind the sniff. It was a delightful experience for everyone, especially our canine-loving residents.
Big Quiz of the Year
All over the country our care homes and hospitals linked up for Barchester’s Big Quiz of the year!
Residents tested their knowledge with a variety of questions, from historical humdingers and musical musings to pictorial puzzlers and connective conundrums.
Everyone who participated had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.
Meeting the Reindeers
Across our homes we got into the Christmas spirit of things by joining a festive live virtual experience, led by Des and Kelly from Performing Pets.
Our residents were thrilled to meet the charming furry friends and get up close and personal with the reindeers.
We certainly learnt some interesting facts about the animals and had a fantastic time.
Halloween at Drummond Grange
Halloween is always a favourite here at Drummond but with all the other celebrations it was definably a slightly quieter affair to previous years but still lots of fun was had!
Halloween Poetry:
Residents enjoyed coming up with Halloween acrostic poems, a favourite activity hear at Drummond.
Halloween Arts and crafts:
We got out the Halloween arts and crafts and made some decorations including ‘spider’ Ojo de Dios wool weaving and painting wooden decorations.
Halloween Community event:
Residents and staff got in to the spirit of things by hosting a community Halloween event for the third year in a row. Local families as well as family and friends of staff and residents were invited in to the home on Saturday 28th and welcomed to a whole host of activities and treats put on by the staff and residents. Each unit in the home had set up a different station from apple dooking to spooky crafts and a scary photo booth with lots of props. Finishing of the afternoon with lots of musical games including Musical Bumps (in the Night) and musical (spooky) statues.
Halloween Resident Party:
On actual Halloween day residents were treated to their own slightly more grown up party complete with a spooky singalong and creepy cocktails made by activity coordinator Katie
Amy’s Baby shower
It was a week for celebrations as a few days after the care awards we celebrated activity assistant/physio assistant Amy as she headed of on her maternity leave. Residents and staff all gathered together to wish her well. It was a relaxed affair with lots of tea and prosecco’s as well as a lovely spread put on by chef Yacup. Residents put together a alphabet name board to give new parents Amy and Jed some inspiration. Staff also done a collection to get Amy, Jed and Baby Smith a special treat. Another surprise was when activity coordination Katie snuck Amy’s mum and sister into the party using the rues of pin the dummy on the baby to get Amy Blind folded however Amy wasn’t fooled for long as she pretty much instantly guessed there was someone there!
Barchester Care Awards
We may not have been winners here at Drummond Grange but we love a party and are so so proud of our guys for getting as far as they did!
On the Tuesday morning we all gathered to cheer our team! Susanne Watson (Resident Ambassador of the year) Chris Lewis (Chef of the Year) our Vent team, (team of the year) and Laura Mcneish (Carer of the year) along with home manager Alina Brehar and Physiotherapist/minibus driver Gerard Fox all set off early for the long trip down to Manchester.
On the morning of the awards the team were up early for a quick gym and swim session before the mad rush to get everyone looking glam for the event! To be nominated for 4 categories we are so proud of everyone
The whole home was decorated for the Barchester care awards on the 11th of October and everyone gathered in the lounges (some camped out all day) to cheer on not only our team but all the amazing nominations across the company.
What a fantastic day hearing such inspiring stories!
