Meet our Activities Coordinator, Kim Pimbley

Hi, my name is Kim and I’m the Activities Coordinator at Appletree Grange, previous to being an Activities Coordinator I was a Carer her for over 7 years. I enjoy my role and I have some great ideas for events, entertainers and daily activities within the home to help stimulate all the residents.

Myself and the residents have regular sit downs to discuss new challenges we would like to take on and to get everyone’s ideas on what they would like to do to make sure there is something for everyone and to tailor my activities to each individuals interests.

Activities at Appletree Grange

Our Activities Coordinator is constantly arranging new activities to stimulate and catch the imagination of our residents. From visiting entertainers to a regular craft table to outings on the minibus, there is always something for our residents to keep them entertained. Our Activities Coordinator also takes the time to sit with each resident and go through a life history so they get to know what the likes and dislikes of each individual are and can tailor the activities to suit them. A monthly residents meeting is held to get the views of the residents and to get suggestions from them and their families about what they would like to do and everything that can be done to accommodate their requests is done.

Life at Appletree Grange Care Home

Long Service Award

A Head Housekeeper at Appletree Grange in Birtley has received a prestigious 10 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 10 years. Julie Hewitt-Redden now Head Housekeeper started at Barchester in August 2010 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.

Julie said: “‘I am thrilled to have just received my 10 years long service award, it was a lovely surprise! I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 10 years here at Appletree Grange, it’s been a very rewarding time. It’s a lovely place to work, very homely and friendly. In 2015 I won Housekeeper of the Year, I felt very proud. I love all the interaction with our Residents and their families. It’s a lovely feeling to know that the Residents are happy and content and to know that I go home leaving the place spotless.’

The good life!

Residents of Appletree Grange have been busy growing their own vegetables as part of the homes gardening club and life enrichment programme.

This has kept them them busy during lockdown by starting the good life in creating their very own vegetable patch. The Residents chose which vegetables that they would like to grow and tended to them with great care and attention. The result has led to an abundance of carrots, parsnips and little gem lettuce. All the vegetables were incorporated into their meals and they all agreed they tasted much better than the ones they normally had!’

Residents show creative side

Residents of Appletree Grange showed their creative side as part of their popular arts and crafts session. Residents had lots of fun making some colourful wall art flowers from paper and cardboard, as they found it relaxing and were over the moon with the end results and how easy they were to make. These floral creations are now on display throughout the home.

Baking delight for Residents

Residents from Appletree Grange enjoyed an afternoon of baking, which took them back to their younger years. Baking sessions are a popular group activity for the home and the activity had taste buds tingling as the aroma of gingerbread wafted through the home.

Sharon Stewart, General Manager, said: “The residents enjoy spending time in the kitchen, as it not only brings back memories of their childhood, but also times when they’ve baked with their own children and grandchildren. Once all the bakes were made, we all enjoyed sitting down with a cup of tea and a home-made cake.”

Birthday celebrations

With lockdown restrictions, Birthday celebrations aren't quite what everyone had planned but here at Appletree Grange we’ve made it work as Residents took part in wishing Rita a wonderful birthday. The birthday girl was delighted to be presented with a bouquet of colourful blooms and a delicious home-made birthday cake.

Residents and staff joined together in singing Happy Birthday then watching her blow her candles out! Happy Birthday Rita.

Competitive fun for Residents

Residents enjoy competitive fun during an afternoon of games at Appletree Grange. After everyone had warmed up, things got exciting when it was time to play ‘Tin Can Alley’. During each turn, residents were sending the cans off the table and scoring well for the number they were able to knock over with the ball.