Activities at Harton 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.
Marius Sidoriuc
Hi, my name is Marius, I am the activities coordinator here at Harton Grange. I joined Barchester's family in 2021, as I found their approach and standards on dementia very interesting. Since early 2022 I work for Barchester as both activities coordinator and care assistant. In 2018, I started my journey in health and social care as a care assistant and very soon after, I completed courses on dementia and activities (NAPA, level 2) and I worked as both activities coordinator and care assistant in Kent. I'm also an apprentice in health and social care. I've met some amazing people that have guided my understanding of dementia.
The most important thing for me is to see our residents achieving a meaningful raison d'etre, living as they like and to benefit from a range of activities starting from Namaste to reminiscing and spiritual needs (such as praying or listening to hymns), art and craft, armchair exercises, music therapy or finger nail pamper sessions.
I like to acknowledge that I am working as a part of a whole team, including the fantastic management, hospitality and maintenance departments, promoting a person centred approach for each resident and we are glad to know each persons preferences and abilities in order to plan how the day will look with them. One way we are able to do this is through our residents' and family' meetings where we try to let everyone have their say about the way they want to live and the activities they take part in.
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 Harton Grange Care Home
Knit and natter
We welcomed new members in our Wednesday's "Knit and Natter" Club, Jade and her daughter. Joy had a demonstration of how to make an octopus. She needed only a few minutes to finish one tentacle. Dot, Audrey, Anne and Nancy loved this evening session. If you like crocheting, knitting or you just have same spare time please join us. Dot promised she we'll teach me how to knit...oh, what a challenge for myself...
Community fun
We had great fun with Bright Futures Young Mums Network at Sutton Hall in South Shields selling wonderful hand-made crafts. Our chef Joy was very happy to come along with us and hosted a stall with the help of chef assistant, Liz.
Audrey too manned a little stall with Peggy whilst Diane and Dot loved sitting observing the proceedings at Sutton Hall. We enjoyed the raffle and it was great to see Georgia from Tails ‘N Snails with her beautiful animals.
The Serenity Choir
We had a wonderful visit from The Serenity Choir lead by Rev. Deborah. We spent a great afternoon listening and singing some of the most popular hymns. Also, we listened to extracts from the Bible in a form of a story, to the events that occurred from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, following Jesus' love for all the humanity.
Collecting the eggs
Whilst the weather was dry and the early signs of spring coming through, we spent a beautiful morning in the garden admiring the trees in bloom and the smell of the blossom before enjoying a refreshing cup of tea and collecting some fresh eggs.
Resident, Meriel asked chef, Helen if she could use the fresh eggs to prepare her supper with Helen happy to oblige with this special request.
Butterfly World
We had a wonderful time visiting Butterfly World in Stockton-on-Tees
In a tropical rainforest hothouse David, Maureen, Kitty, Nancy and John enjoyed to observe plenty of gorgeous butterflies. It was hot and humid but we enjoyed the immersion in this miniature tropical rainforest.
We had delicious packed lunch and we bought fish and chips from Seaton Carew. We drove all way back along the Coast visiting: Crimdon, Horden, Blackhall Colliery, Easington, Seaham and Sunderland.
Enjoying a trip out
On a beautiful spring day and warmer weather, we took the opportunity and went to Minchella, South Marine Park - not only for the coffees, teas, the cakes and scones which were great but also to bask in the spring atmosphere. Gladys and Diane said they hadn't had such a good scone for such a long time.
