Activities at Balclutha Court Care Home
At Balclutha Court our resident’s happiness is extremely important to us. We all know that a large part of this is keeping active and continuing to enjoy your interests and hobbies. At Balclutha Court, we have regular activities including arts and crafts, music, entertainment, trips to local attractions such as canal trips, safari parks and many more. Our activities team are always busy organising events, entertainment and excursions with the broadest possible appeal and many of our residents see living at Balclutha Court as an opportunity to develop a new skill or interest. It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities as best as possible, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join with activities and events as often as they can.
Karen Dillon
Karen Dillon is our Head of Activities and has worked within the home since 2005, starting out as a Carer. Karen is very outgoing and full of fun. She has many hobbies, with arts & crafts being her favourite, and her passion for this can be seen in our life enrichment programme.
Karen is supported by Kay Millar and Anita Marsh, between them they ensure that residents are happy and have loads of fun.
They are very keen to involve the residents in the decision making within the home to enhance their experience. They take part in the residents' meetings, catering forums and assist the General Manager in interviewing new staff members.
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 Balclutha Court Care Home
Residents enjoy great story telling!
Residents at Balclutha Court celebrated the wonderful world of Roald Dahl by learning about his life and life works. Some Roald Dahl themed puzzles where delivered round to residents to enjoy in their rooms while others enjoyed a movie afternoon with popcorn watching a magic film written by the man himself, called "Matilda".
Owain Glyndŵr Day
Owain Glyndŵr Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated in Wales on September 16. It is dedicated to the national hero of Wales who was the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales. Many considered him an unofficial king of Wales.
Residents at Balclutha Court had a history lesson today. We learned about Owain Glynwr and why he has a day dedicated to him. We sang his song, listened to his story and scoffed some lip smacking welsh delights hand made by our brilliant chef Gerry! Obviously we couldn't learn all day so we turned our attention to another Welsh great....Sir Tom Jones and shook our shammies to some tunes!!
Virtual event with Unity Wines
We had a lovely time joining Hospitality Manager, Christophe Noel and special guests Lee Isaacs DipWSET and Nick Parker from Unity Wines and Spirits – as they introduced us to wine tasting techniques, the history of wine and wine making, as well as consumer attitudes.
Our residents had the opportunity to try a variety of wines from sparkling and white to rose and red, alongside a selection of delicious treats.
It was a wonderful experience, enjoyed by all.
Last night of the Proms
We celebrated Last Night of the Proms virtually with members of English National Ballet’s Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Gavin Sutherland.
We listened and danced along as members of the orchestra took us on a magical, musical journey. English National Ballet Philharmonic is made up of many of the country’s top musicians, and boasts considerable experience in all forms of music-making. With insights and anecdotes into what it takes to conduct an orchestra for a world-class ballet company, this special concert got our feet tapping, arms waving and hearts singing!
It was a wonderful experience, enjoyed by all.
General Manager celebrates 30-years
Alison Dickson, General Manager was celebrating her 30 year anniversary of working at Barchester Healthcare.
Alison started at Balclutha Court as a newly qualified Nurse in 1991, she was the first staff nurse to be employed within the home and can still remember the first day she walked through the door, over the years she has been promoted and became General Manager in 2000.
Sita Ali, Charge Nurse was also celebrating her 20 year anniversary of working at Barchester Healthcare.
Sita came to work at Balclutha Court in 2001 from Guyana as a Staff Nurse she was soon promoted to Charge Nurse and hasn’t looked back!!
Jane McFarlane, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted both Alison and Sita have achieved this milestone. It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”
Architecture and design with V&A
We had a lovely time joining Becca Clark and James Wylie – members of V&A Dundee’s exhibitions team – as they took us on a virtual tour of the museum’s incredible Scottish Design Galleries.
We were introduced to the wide range of unique objects at the galleries from architecture and engineering, jewellery and textiles to theatre and their fascinating stories.
And we were able to learn more about the importance of all objects in telling the rich and varied history of Scottish design.
It was a lovely talk, enjoyed by all.
