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
Bright Future and a wonderful storyteller
We had some special guests: a group of young mothers and their children coordinated by Bright Future and our wonderful storyteller, Elizabeth.
It was a fantastic atmosphere as the babies started to play bringing so much joy to our residents.
But everything was wrapped in the velvet threw by the storyteller: word by word we were immersed in a different world. For nearly two hours we let our minds to fly with the stories.
Of course, every story is better with some food around, so we served pizzas.
A Journey Back in Time
What a wonderful journey back in time! We went to Kendal, Lake District, the place where David was one of the children evacuees from South Shields in July, 1941.
David was only 7 years old at that time.
David went to Stramongate School in Kendal. We had the chance, thanks to the headmaster, to visit the school. We had a memory walk in Kendal as well. David's daughter, Beverly, bought a new cap for her father and plenty of fruits and sweets as David enjoyed the walk. We enjoyed a hot drink, blessed by a sunny autumn sky.
David went back in time, remembered all those past times. We crossed the bridge over river Kent and, with sapiency, David said "Thank you God for my beautiful family".
We said goodbye to Kendal after we passed through Shap street, where David lived for a few years before his return. Unfortunately, the lady who looked after David wasn't one to show kindness and compassion to him.
But how to end this journey without seeing Windermere? Therefore, David was so happy to share his memories with us visiting Windermere.
David was over the moon to have in this journey his sister, Carol, and his son-in-law, Maurice.
After an authentic fish and chips lunch, we went to St. Martin Church where, in silence, we thanked to God for this great journey.
Another trip to the Locomotion Museum
We went back to Locomotion Museum, this time for a special ride behind a Stephenson's rocket for this year. It was an authentic steam-powered train ride and Noel, as an experienced engineer, was thrilled to see the vast collection of trains at Locomotion. David and Winifred enjoyed very much visiting the Museum and they went for a ride. “It was a beautiful experience for everyone”, said Mary, Noel’s wife.
Tea in the community
Diane had an appointment in Cleadon Village and we took this chance to visit her village. We had a stroll along the Front Street and re-visited the pond. As Diane lived in Cleadon, we decided, of course, to visit the church as well. We were so happy to find the church open and a wonderful community there, enjoying a cup of tea after the service.
Namaste
We spent a great time relaxing or singing in our Namaste room. This time we had a session in the morning and another one in the afternoon. David enjoyed very much to see the lights and to listen to his preferred songs. Jackie and Maureen asked for white wine and Anne was over to moon to sing and came again in the afternoon session. Even Thomasina, Jean and June enjoyed very much to see the lights and Joan was so happy and tried to dance.
Retail therapy
It's Friday, so it is shopping day, not only fish and chips day... We went to Asda Boldon as Audrey used to do shopping here, years ago. Audrey invited Dotty and all three went to Asda. We had a look around and Audrey brought ice cream, chocolate and muffins - to indulge in these sweets over the weekend. Of course, we stopped for a chat over a cup of coffee in this rainy day.
