Meet our Activities Coordinator, Donna Brooks

My Name is Donna. I am the activities co-ordinator at Bedewell Grange care home Hebburn. I joined Bedewell Grange in April 2022 and I bring lots of new exciting ideas to the role, having worked in the health and social care sector for the last 15 years. I am passionate about my role within the home and aim to bring a smile to all our residents faces through different types of activities. My personality is bright and bubbly so aim to share this each day at work. I have experience in supporting our residents who are more able as well as doing sensory Namaste sessions with our residents who are less able. As I gather the residents likes and dislikes if you would like to come and chat with me about your family member please contact the home to arrange.

Activities at our home

Activities are an integral part of life at our care home. We want to ensure that the people we support have as much fun as possible during their time with us, so it’s important that our activities programme is created with the interests of residents in mind. Our skilled Activities Coordinators bring a certain uniqueness to the home that can’t be found anywhere else, and which is reflected in the activities they organise.

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 Bedewell Grange Care Home

Virtual event with Dr Tim Howard

Residents across our homes had a lovely time joining Dr Tim Howard, 4th generation GP, whose whole life has been about patient care, for an exciting virtual event to discuss his novel ‘Let’s Kill All The Lawyers’.

The novel is a medical fiction thriller that explores the impact of life and death events, mistakes and forgiveness, and the impact of law and justice on the day- to-day lives of ordinary people doing their best in difficult circumstances.

Residents had the chance to ask their own questions once the discussion was over and a great time was had by all.

Just passing through

Residents across our services had a lovely time joining Daniel Snowman, for an exciting virtual event to discuss his book ‘Just Passing Through’.

Author of over a dozen books, Daniel Snowman’s long and active life has led him to interact in countless ways with the wider world and with some of its most famous inhabitants. His memoir evokes these experiences via a series of vivid literary vignettes.

Residents across the homes found the talk very intriguing and informative, and were happy to learn more about Daniel’s experiences around the world. Book club corner is part of our varied life enrichment programme. A great time was had by all.

Come sing!

We had a fantastic time with vocal coach Mark De-Lisser as he led an amazing virtual singing session for our residents to enjoy.

Our residents were able to learn different techniques as they sang the famous ‘I’m a Believer’ by The Monkees.

There were smiles and laugher all around. The session was such a success and was great for the mind, body and soul.

Dysphasia success at Bedewell

Our head chef Andie continues to impress the staff , residents and families at Bedewell with his wonderful creativity with Pureed meals! Some of our treats this week have been hotdogs with sauce for the Jubilee party, Gammon and egg, Cottage pie , carrots and peas and a lovely beef hot pot. Along with a pureed Birthday cake for one of our lovely residents.

Dysphagia is the medical term for someone who may have difficulties in swallowing certain food or liquids. Often our residents are assessed by the NHS speech and Language team and their diet will be modified. Andie continues to prove modified food can be interesting , tasty and appetising for our residents. Andie has won our employee of the month for May as he continues to go the extra mile’’

Happy Carers week

Happy Carers Week! We would like to take this great opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful carers here at the home.

We are proud of each and every one of our care team for the outstanding care that they provide to our residents every single day. They always go above and beyond their role and for this we are truly grateful.

First Woman MP

Our homes had a fantastic time joining National Trust Talks Service team at Cliveden House for an inspirational talk on Nancy Astor – the first woman to take a seat in the House of Commons.

Our residents had the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating life of Nancy and her political career. As the first women MP, she experienced both attention and scandal throughout her life, which led to many triumphs and numerous disasters. The talk was truly enjoyed by all.

Care Home and Company Awards